Page 29 of Stains of Desire

He raises his eyebrows while pouring water over the rag and mumbles, "You aren't most women."

I'm not sure how to respond.

He lifts my leg and rests my foot near his groin. "Malin said he removed a thorn?"

"Yes."

He unrolls my sock. "He did a good job cleaning it." He picks my foot up and examines my sole then runs the rag up my calf.

Breathe normally.

Tingles race everywhere, and he dries my leg and puts the sock back on.

"How long did Interpol know about us?" I blurt out.

He looks up, slides his fingers down my other calf, and rolls the sock off me.

I squeeze my thighs and straighten my back.

"I'm assuming today," he replies.

"Because of Naomi and Emilia's abduction today?"

He nods. "Santiago sent a hostage video with Naomi in it."

"Did she mention us other women?"

He freezes. "No."

"Then how did Interpol know we were here?"

"I'm assuming..." He trails off and scrunches his forehead.

"What?"

"Did you say Naomi and Emilia were abducted today?"

"Yes."

"Naomi's video was sent today."

My gut flips. "What piece am I missing?"

He shakes his head. "Nothing. I must have misheard Kalim." His eyebrows furrow further.

"Axel, whatever you aren't telling me, I need to know."

"I'm sure I misheard something. I shouldn't have said anything." He keeps his confused expression on his face but cleans my foot.

I yank my leg off his thighs. "Tell me now."

He grasps my ankle, firmly holding it. "I'm sure I got information wrong or am missing a key piece. I don't want to create drama when there isn't any."

"Drama? This is my life. Eighteen months—"

"I didn't mean it like that."

"Then tell me."