Page 30 of Stains of Desire

He sighs and moves the towel up my calf. "I thought Kalim said his team got here the day prior. He was complaining because Interpol didn't send any supplies until this morning to set up camp. They spent the night in the rain last night."

"So they already knew Naomi and Emilia would be here?"

"I didn't say that."

"You knew about all six of us?"

"Yes." He dries my leg and puts the sock back on. "Interpol's intel could have found out about the rest of you at any time. If they find anyone located where we rescue someone, we have to try and save everyone. We would have had to come back. Those situations are where our guys or hostages get hurt or killed."

"But you had these folders on all of us?" The folders have official labels and were made in an office.

"I'm not sure when Kalim got those." He takes my hand and washes it.

"I need to know."

"Can you tell me why?"

"You don't find this disturbing?"

He dries my hand and picks up the other. "I don't like to jump to conclusions. People get hurt when that happens. I want to have all the information before I make any decisions."

I almost say, in my experience, people get hurt with too much information, but I don't. I'd have to explain myself.

He throws the towel in the bowl and puts both hands on my thighs. "I've done this a long time, Penelope."

"What does that mean?"

He tilts his head. "It means I've developed a sense about things."

"And?" What the hell is he getting at?

"My gut is telling me you know more about things than you're disclosing."

I stay silent, but my insides quiver.

"If you tell me, I can help you. If you don't, I can't."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

His eyes turn to slits. "If you're scared—"

"There's nothing to tell. I'm just trying to make sense of how you found us."

"We have intel. We rescue lots of people."

Maybe he can use his intel and find my daughter.

No. Louis Couture runs his intel.

I force a smile. "Okay. If you could just find out where you're supposed to take me, I would appreciate it."

"I will. And I'd appreciate it if you would tell me whatever it is you're hiding."