or made me happier. And the look on ma belle's face, I'll never forget it.
When dinner is served, everyone leaves the house. Soft music plays through the surround sound. We dance and make love under the night sky. Everything, for once, feels perfect.
We both know it can't last forever, but we hold on to it. We don't go inside until the sun has risen the next day.
The dark night sky lightens when we finally fall asleep, still in the backyard. When I wake up, ma belle is stroking my hair, smiling. In French, she says, "Good morning, my husband."
I've never been happier. The look on her face tells me she, too, feels the same.
Perfection exists in us. But only together.
29
Emilia
Mrs. Malin Cox.
Happiness flutters in all my veins. "Try this strawberry." I hold it to Malin's lips.
He puts his hands on the counter, next to my hips, and takes a bite.
"Malin. Emilia," Bernadette's voice calls out.
He groans, as do I.
"It was nice while it lasted," I quietly say. It's been two days since our wedding.
"In the kitchen," Malin calls out then kisses me quickly.
Bernadette's face is slightly red.
"What's wrong?" I ask.
"Vanessa, Penelope, and Julieta were all captured."
I put my hand over my mouth, and my stomach twists.
"How?" Malin asks.
"I'm not sure about Vanessa, but Carlos has her. Penelope and Julieta were at the airport in the Bahamas. Jonas has Julieta and Ryker."
The hairs on my arms stand up.
"Ryker?" Malin growls.
"Yes."
"Where?"
She sits on a barstool. "I'm waiting for information. Penelope was taken to England, and William is taking her back to Panama."
"You have to stop him!" I cry out.
She shakes her head. "It's not possible. But Axel and Gustave just got what is needed to take down Louis. Axel will go to the mountain homes and find Millie. Then he will get Penelope."
"You know where Millie is?" I ask.
"Santiago has several mountain homes Gustave believes she might be at. Once Axel has her, you need to help get her to Bermuda."
"Why Bermuda?" Malin asks
"They are at Andre's brother's house."
"My sister—"
"She is safe with Andre."
I breathe a sigh of relief. "Can I talk to her?"
"No. It is too dangerous," Bernadette claims.
"But—"
"Ma belle, it's not a good idea," Malin agrees.
My heart sinks, but then I think of Millie. "You said we need to help get Millie to Bermuda. How do we do that?"
"Gustave is on his way to Venezuela with Axel. He has a plane waiting to take us to Mexico. He will meet us at the embassy."
"We have to leave now?" Malin asks.
"Yes."
Malin and I exchange a look. We both want to stay here forever, but anything we can do to help Millie or the others, we need to do.
"Let me pack a few items," I say.
Malin picks up my hand and kisses it.
"Holy diamond! Why are you both wearing wedding rings?" Bernadette asks.
Malin and I smile.
"Because ma belle and I got married."
"When?"
"Two days ago."
"Where?"
"Here."
"Who attended?"
"No one."
Bernadette smirks. "I see. Well, congratulations."
"Thank you," we both say.
Malin kisses my forehead and helps me off the counter. "Grab whatever you want. We will have clothes delivered when we get there."
I go to our room and select a new set of lingerie I haven't worn yet, two books, and my Malin choker. I put everything in the bag Malin got me and go back downstairs.
It doesn't take long to get to the airport. The plane is waiting on the runway. A little over twelve hours later, we are in Mexico.
A car is waiting when we land, and the driver takes us to the embassy. Bernadette knows him, and when we get to the embassy, she leads us to the apartment reserved for her and Gustave.
"Do you come here a lot?" I ask.
She looks at me in surprise. "Gustave is the French ambassador to Mexico."
"Oh."
Malin pulls me to him. "Sorry, ma belle. I guess I never mentioned it."
"It's okay. I never asked."
We get into the apartment, which overlooks Mexico City.
"It's so populated here," I comment.
Bernadette nods. "Yes. And very dangerous. I would never go anywhere without Gustave. He only left me to come on my own since Malin would be with me."
Time seems to morph together. Gustave doesn't arrive for weeks. Bernadette frets, but Malin is in constant communication with him and tries to ease her worry.
There is a scheduled event at the Belizean embassy. Malin informs Bernadette and me that Gustave will meet us there.
When we get to the Belizean embassy, we go directly to our apartment and eat lunch. I start to feel sick but