Page 97 of Stains of Desire

17

Penelope

Watchingthe interaction between Zoe and Dirk makes me wonder if Axel or Dirk is more protective of their target. But I think Zoe is more to Dirk. Something is going on between them. It's subtle, but I see it in their eyes.

Axel and Dirk come in with Tinker, and we all exchange hellos. Then Axel takes me aside and informs me he's leaving with Tinker to dispose of the bodies.

I should be shocked by death, but I have no sympathy for bad men. They chose to be part of Santiago's cartel, so they deserved what was coming to them. I'm more worried about Naomi and Andre. And Axel leaving.

"I'll be back soon. Dirk will make sure you're both safe," Axel says.

He doesn't kiss me. Anytime we're around the others, he seems to treat me differently than when we're alone. I don't know if he is embarrassed about what is between us since he rescued me or if it's something else, but I want him to put his lips on mine and arms around me.

"Okay. Stay safe."

"I will." He winks and leaves with Tinker.

Dirk pushes Zoe's hair behind her ear before going back out to clean up the mess, and jealousy hits me. I want Axel to acknowledge us in front of the others and claim me as his. I'm not sure why I suddenly care about what the others think. I shouldn't. But I do.

Dirk leaves, and I ask Zoe, "You two getting along okay?"

Zoe shrugs. "When he isn't an ass."

It doesn't look like he's one.

Looks are deceiving. Maybe I was wrong about him?

Ever since Zoe came into the bedroom at Santiago's compound, in the middle of a cold-turkey detox, I've worried about her. She's a special person with incredible talent, and the Global Leaders have abused her in more ways than I can fathom. I want her to stay healthy. If Dirk isn't being kind to her and causing her stress, it wouldn't be good for her mental state. I quietly ask, "Is that often?"

She opens her mouth to speak but then shuts it. Her face softens, and her cheeks turn pink. "No. He's actually a great guy."

Aww. She really likes him.

"I see. And what does he think about you?" I say in a teasing tone.

"We're just friends."

That's a lie.

"Sure. And the pope isn't Catholic."

Her pink turns to red, and she blurts, "We are. Dirk's very kind and respectful. And he's really good at using weapons. He's smart, too, and can speak both Spanish and English, which is helpful. Oh, and he knows how to spice things up to cover up the bad taste and makes me drinks for my voice. His favorite food is tamales. During his free time, he likes to do outdoorsy stuff like mountain climb, which is why he bought his house in Spain. And..." She stops, and her eyes widen, but then sadness fills them.

"Zoe, you okay?"

She forces a smile. "Yeah. So what is Axel like?"

Heat creeps into my cheeks. "He's—"

There's a noise in the other room, and I turn toward the door. Naomi walks in. Zoe and I jump up and hug her. We both ask if she is okay.

She is shaken but says she's fine and that Andre is helping Dirk clean the floor. Then she fills us in on what happened to her.

We disclose what our last few days were like, and Dirk and Tinker come into the kitchen.

Zoe stands. "Everything okay?"

"Yep," Dirk replies.