Page 43 of Risks of Temptation
"I shouldn't have said anything. Please, drop it."
"Drop what?" Axel's voice rings in my ear.
She sits straighter and slowly turns. "Nothing."
He glances between us.
She stares at Axel. "Are we leaving?"
"Where are you going?" I ask.
"Ummm—"
"Emilia, I need to talk to you. Come with me." Naomi's eyes are glistening, and she looks distraught.
Why does she look like she's been crying?
"Are you okay?" I ask.
Naomi holds out her hand. "Yes. Come talk."
I take her hand, and we go to the corner of the tent, away from the others.
"What's going on?"
"We need to split up."
"What?" My pulse increases.
"Interpol wants Andre to deliver me to the U.S."
The hairs on my arms stand. "Why?"
She shakes her head. "I don't know. But they want everyone else to go to their home countries, and you can't stay in Belize."
Chills move through my spine. "Why not?"
She puts her hands on my shoulders. "I need you to trust me right now. I can't get into this. Malin is going to take you to safety. Andre will take me. We will meet up in a few days."
"What? Naomi, tell me what is going on. Enough of the secrets. You're scaring me."
She pulls me into her. "When we get to safety, I will tell you everything. I promise. I don't want to split up, but Andre said it's too dangerous to go in groups. Are you okay if you go with Malin?"
Tears form in my eyes. "You're making me think I'll never see you again."
She cups my cheeks. "We will. It's only a few days. I need to know if you're okay to go with Malin. You seem to be getting along, but..." Worry and the pity I see way too often fills her eyes.
I push my chin out. "I'm not a child. I'll be fine with Malin."
Surprise replaces her expression.
She thinks I'm going to freak out having to be with a man on my own.
Normally I would.
She nods. "Okay. That's great. I'll see you in a few days."
Tears fall from our eyes, and we hug tightly. "Please stay safe," I whisper.
