Page 41 of Stains of Desire
"I know Louis. He's a bad man. Before I got to Panama, I was at a dinner party for work. He pushed me against a wall and William had to pull him off me," I blurt out.
Axel's face turns red with anger.
"Axel, what are you doing down here?" a man barks, and I jump. He wears the same camo T-shirt, pants, and boots as Axel. Like all the guys, he's ripped and looks like he's in his forties.
Axel spins but pulls me close to his chest. "Kalim, we're fine."
"Andre know you're out here?"
Axel sighs. "No."
"It's not safe for Penelope to be this far out on this side of the camp."
"You're right. We're just about to head back."
Kalim glances between Axel and me and softens. "Everything okay?"
Axel slides his hand on my waist. "Yep. I'll see you later."
Kalim opens his mouth but then shuts it, nods, and leaves.
"I'm sorry if I caused trouble," I say.
Axel snorts. "You didn't."
I tilt my head up. "No?"
He leans down, and his lips twitch. "But something tells me I'd rather enjoy getting into trouble with you."
I bite my lip.
He gives me a quick kiss on the lips. "Come on. Kalim is right. It's not safe here." He picks me up and carries me through the woods.
I snuggle into him, wondering if it's possible for him to really help me find my daughter and where we can go that is safe.
