Page 140 of Stains of Desire

I stand in front of the window. The afternoon sun has turned to dusk, and the pink sky stretches for miles.

Tick. Tick. Tick.

"I have to rescue Penelope and Millie. I'm running out of time."

"And if he stays in power, Penelope and Millie won't be any safer than where they are now. As a father whose daughter was kidnapped, I understand the urgency you feel. But if we don't reverse what's happening, none of us will be free or survive."

I don't like staying in France any longer than necessary. But if what Gustave says is true, I don't have a choice. Anyone who is a threat now or in the future to Penelope or Millie needs to be handled. I pull out the chair. "What do we need to do?"

Gustave goes through his entire plan on how to trap Louis. I spend the rest of the evening repeatedly watching the video of Millie.

Penelope told me she was her mini-me, but seeing her on camera rips me in two.

I'm relieved we have some proof she's still alive. At least, up till the point this was sent. My gut says Santiago won't kill Millie. She's a weapon to utilize against various people.

If Santiago's sister, Karina, is with her, I hope she is treating her well. Gustave believes Karina wouldn't hurt her, but I'm not naive enough to know there aren't any guarantees.

Millie's resemblance to Penelope only makes my heartache worsen. William has my woman. He will hurt her. The thought of him touching her or harming her in any way brings out every sadistic idea I have.

When I get to him, it won't be a quick bullet that ends him. I'm going to rip him apart, limb by limb, and enjoy every minute of his suffering.

I've never felt vengeance so deep before. The inhumanity of what I plan to do to William should make me question my morality. But I don't. Rage is so potent, I can barely see straight.

I hardly sleep. When I meet Gustave downstairs, he's ready to leave.

"Did you sleep?" he asks.

"No."

He hands me a triple espresso in a travel mug.

I drink it on the way to the private airport, but the caffeine only agitates my nerves. The stories Penelope told me about Louis, and things Gustave informed me about, only make the pent-up rage I'm feeling oscillate.

I've worked under this man's direction for over a decade.

How big of a role did I play in doing his dirty work?

I've always been proud of my time in the Marines and the hundreds of people I've rescued with Interpol. I thought I was protecting the free world and saving those who can't save themselves. But what part was I a pawn in in the Global Leaders' scheme?

It takes a few hours to get to Paris. Gustave and I go over our plans several times, and before I get off the plane, he puts a ring on his finger. It can record conversations up to thirty feet away.

The ride from the airport to Interpol is short. I've never been part of an operation to lie before. My job has always consisted of getting in, rescuing victims, and getting them to safety.

Why did I drink the espresso?My insides flip as we get in the elevator.

Gustave looks cool as a cucumber. I feel like I might start sweating at any moment.

Breathe. This has to be done.

We step off the elevator and are escorted into Louis's office. He's standing at the window, overlooking Paris. His perfectly tailored suit is black, and his bald head shines. When he turns, it's bittersweet.

This is a man I trusted. I've never been close to him, nor have I spent much time with him, but I took orders without question.

Louis raises his eyebrows. "Axel. What are you doing here?"

"He knows secrets," Gustave lies.

Louis's eyes turn to slits. "About what?"