Page 147 of Stains of Desire

I spin slowly.

"Good. Let's go."

I sigh in relief.

He grabs my hand, and I grimace inside. But I don't fight it. He leads me through the building and into the ballroom. There are tables set for at least three hundred members of the Global Leaders and their dates. Some of them are willing participants. Some of them are like me, forced to be here. I put on my fake smile and remind myself to be perfect.

A waitress has a tray of champagne, and he takes two and hands me one. I sip it to try and calm my nerves.

He puts his hand on my back and leads me across the room. I try not to squirm.

We talk to several people. I play the role. We move farther into the room and run into Zoe with Eduardo Macias, a Mexican ambassador.

I want to cry. Why is she here? What happened to her?

Where is Dirk?

Instead, I play the part and kiss her on the cheek. "It's so nice to meet you, Ms. Diego. I'm a huge fan."

She hesitates briefly but quickly falls into line with not knowing me and smiles big. "Thank you. Please, call me Zoe. And you are?"

"Penelope Chelton. I'm at the British embassy in Panama."

"Nice seeing you. If you'll excuse us, I need to speak with someone," Eduardo says and leads her away.

My gut drops when I see them walk up to a couple. The man spins away from the woman. He has her against the brick wall.

Vanessa steps forward.

No, no, no!

What happened to her?

Where is Hunter?

"Why do you have no color in your face?" William growls.

Pull it together or Millie dies.

I stand up straighter and force a smile. "I'm a little hungry. I think the champagne went to my head, since I haven't had any in so long."

He assesses me for a moment.

Oh God.

"Why don't we go sit down. I'll have the waitress bring you a roll."

"Really?" It surprises me. Eating before food is served seems imperfect.

He drags his finger over my bare shoulder. "Yes. You need your energy for later tonight." The heat that moves in his eyes makes me ill.

Against my will, my hands shake. I twist them together, but they won't stop trembling.

Millie. Think about Millie.

"Okay. Thanks."

He guides me to our table. Gustave Dubois, a French ambassador to Mexico, is already seated with his wife, Bernadette. Her blonde hair is in a perfect twist, nails impeccable, and she smiles when she sees me.