the thought has ever come to my mind. But then the next thought comes at me like a bolt of lightning.
I've not gotten my period since we've been together.
37
Malin
"You want to tell us what is going on?" Andre asks when Emilia steps outside.
"I will, but I would rather only go through it once. Can we do this tomorrow when all the guys are up?"
He crosses his arms. "Yes and no."
"Meaning?"
Blaise points between Gustave and me. "You two are brothers?"
I scowl at Gustave, still pissed about earlier. "We share blood, yes."
"Get over it," he says. "You have no idea what Bernadette and I have had to sacrifice over the years. Everything was planned and worked out perfectly."
Bernadette clears her throat. "Andre, is there somewhere I can go to sleep?"
Blaise steps forward. "Yes, of course. I'm Andre's brother, Blaise."
She smiles. "I'm Gustave's wife, Bernadette."
He leans down and kisses her cheek. "Follow me."
She nervously glances between Gustave and me. "Please remember there are reasons for everything."
"That street goes both ways, Bernadette," I reply.
She sighs, and a sad smile forms. "We only have each other. Remember that."
"No. I have my band of brothers. They would never do what Gustave did."
"Your brothers who have known nothing about who you are or what you've been involved in?" Gustave points out, and my gut flips.
Blaise clears his throat and repeats, "Follow me."
Bernadette pats my arm and leaves.
Gustave and I continue to scowl at each other.
"What happened?" Andre asks.
"My blood brother offered my wife to the President and his son."
"What?" Andre growls, and his face reddens with anger.
"No, I did not."
"You did."
"I did what was necessary to get access to everything crucial to stopping things. Nothing happened or was going to."
I step in front of Gustave. "What if Kalim's team didn't arrive in time? You put my wife in danger."
Gustave angrily shakes his head. "It was the only way to accomplish what was needed. I have full access to the crop locations. The President put his vote in online for me to take over as the head of Interpol. His endorsement got the other leaders to take their vote. It is now official. I am the head. And in the next few days, he and his son will die, along with the Prime Minister."
Andre's eye widen. "How?"
Gustave's eyes darken. "Painfully."
Andre nods. "And does this mean everything is over?"
"No. There are still more players to take out. But there will be an internal war. The plan cannot move forward at this point. They will begin to kill each other off. And I will continue to take out the top people."
"Utilizing Interpol?" Andre asks.
"Yes."
"How long has Kalim known?" I ask Gustave.
"Since the night Ryker killed Louis."
"He was there?" I ask.
"On the perimeter. He was scoping out how to rescue him and saw me. He had already put two and two together about Louis."
"Where is Kalim now?" Andre asks.
Gustave shifts on his feet. "Taking care of things for me. Is your team ready to come back?"
Andre snorts. "I don't think any of us are coming back, Gustave."
Gustave's face falls. "I could use your expertise."
"I'm sorry. We have other priorities now. You can speak with the other guys tomorrow, but I'm not leaving Naomi again."
Gustave sighs. "I understand. If you'll excuse me, I'm going to bed." He leaves in the direction Blaise led Bernadette.
Andre turns to me. "Are you all right? I've been worried about you."
"Yes. I'm sorry I couldn't tell you."
He taps his biceps. "I would have helped."
"I know. But I couldn't."
He nods.
"How long do you think the women will be outside?"
He raises his eyebrows. "Not sure. Want to tell me why you had a collar and leash on Emilia?"
"Tomorrow. When the other guys are up."
"Fair enough."
I stare at the door, but it's black, so I can't see ma belle.
"You really got married?"
I smile. "Yep."
"Congratulations."
"Thanks."
"I just bought a ring for Naomi."
"You did? Andre, that's great. Congrats."
He grunts. "I haven't asked her yet. You can tell me that when she says yes."
"I'm sure she will."
"I hope so."
"So, Dirk and Zoe are having a baby?"
"Yes."
"Hunter and Vanessa are here or in Australia?"
"They are still here."
"Penelope and Axel are here, too? With Millie?"
"Everyone is here."
"And Blaise. He looks good. But he's doing better?"
Andre's jaw clenches. "Yes. He has things under control, but he's not going back."
"I'm glad to hear that," I admit.
"Me, too. He shouldn't have gone the last time."
I look at the slider door again. "How did you lift the person of interest off Naomi and Emilia?"
"Tell you what, I'll tell you tomorrow