Page 124 of Cavern of Silence

A sinister smile erupts. "I'll see you tonight, then."

"Let her go," I scream, but he only steps to the side, to another man who's several feet from me and in the same predicament I'm in.

I glance around and realize there are a dozen men on both sides and behind me, all restrained and naked. Three men stand guard at the door, watching Jonas, amused by his behavior.

One by one, Jonas confronts each prisoner. All of them, except me, seem to have had some business relationship with him or been part of his cartel. I am the only one who has never met him before.

But it doesn't matter. I know who he is and what he's capable of. My heart races, wondering what he's done to Julieta and where she is.

And I curse myself. Every moment should have been spent watching out for her and not letting my guard down.

But I did. I got consumed by her and how she made me feel. And I failed her in the process. I should have seen whatever happened coming.

Instead, I turned to get on the plane, wrapped up in her kisses and the future I planned for us, and don't even know how I got here or where I am.

Jonas finishes questioning each of the men, and he says to his thug, "Let the games begin."

One by one, the men are released, and we are each handed a pair of shorts to wear. Jonas's thug holds a gun to each of our heads. After each man has put their shorts on, they are once again restrained. When the last pair of shorts are handed out and put on, Jonas steps forward. He points to another man and me. "Those two."

The man they release is bigger than me. He's bald, has scars on his face, and looks like a thug. When Jonas questioned him, he accused him of stealing extra funds from his drug run. The man scowls at me then spits. I've seen the look in his eyes before.

This man wants to kill me.

I have no question about what is about to happen. This man will stop at nothing until I'm dead, and everything Julieta told me is coming to life, except this time, I'm in the ring.

Please don't make her watch this.

We step out of the room, and the heavy metal door slams shut. Two thugs lead me through the dark, cement hallway, and I realize I'm in an underground bunker.

My stomach flips. Not about fighting this man. He's one of Jonas's men. For all I know, he had a hand in hurting Julieta or any of the other women we rescued. He made his choice to go on the wrong side.

But I don't want her to see this. Julieta's face, filled with horror, when Hunter and I fought is the only thing I see with each step I take on the cold dirt.

We go up a flight of stairs, and the stars and moon light up the night sky. The warm air is thick and suffocating, and the roar of men's voices get louder as we're paraded between them and into a roped-off area.

When I get to the middle, I turn. My heart shatters and soars all at once. I don't want her to be here, but I'm relieved she's still alive. And her beauty, even in this pit of hell, is breathtaking. Julieta wears a silver sequin evening gown. Her hair is curled and her face covered in makeup. Jonas holds her tight to him. Tears stain her cheeks. She sobs as Jonas steps forward with her.

I try to go to her, but it's pointless. Two of his men hold me back.

Jonas holds his hand in the air, and the night becomes quiet, except for the sound of monkeys howling.

"I will not tolerate traitors," he booms.

The crowd cheers.

He holds his hand in the air again. When they quiet, he turns Julieta so all can see her naked back. "I own this woman. But she disobeyed me with this man." He points to me.

She shakes hard, and our eyes lock. I would give anything to hold and comfort her right now, but I can't, and it cuts me deeper than anything has in the past. I try again to get away, but the two thugs restrain me.

"He chose his life over hers," Jonas yells.

Julieta's eyes widen. She begs, Jonas, "No! Let him go! Take me!"

"Julieta, no!" I yell.

Jonas throws his head back in a crazy laugh that ends in a scream. It only riles up his crowd more, and they begin to chant, "Him," repeatedly.

Julieta falls on the ground at Jonas's feet, pleading with him to let me go, and he kicks her in the face.