Page 133 of Cavern of Silence

He closes his eyes and shakes his head.

"Miguel!"

His lids fly open. "I warned you not to cause trouble."

"You think I deserved this?"

He slides his hands in my hair and firmly holds my head. Eyes I grew up with, that I used to adore and feel safe with, mix with a coldness I've never seen in him.

My voice shakes. "Let me go."

He doesn't. "Liliana, I'm only going to tell you this once. There will be no more visits or warnings."

My bones chill.

"Your job is to obey. It's not to try to change the course of your life. You have a career, and your role is to serve, not to question or be defiant."

I whisper, "Miguel, what are you a part of?"

"Change is happening, Liliana. Santiago and his brother are dead. I will step into my new position."

"Miguel, you're scaring me."

He sighs and steps back. With one hand, he pulls his shirt off.

"What are you doing?"

He grabs my hand and positions it over his Lilianatattoo. "Do you know why I've always called you Liliana and not Julieta?"

A tear falls down my cheek, and I'm too choked up to reply. I shake my head. I thought it was because only he called me it, and it was part of our special connection, but I know nothing anymore. And what I thought was between us and something valuable and meant to last forever, isn't.

"Liliana means pure. Innocent. It's what you've always been. It's a beautiful piece of you. It's why I named my daughter after you. Unlike your sister, you saw the good in the world. You never knew what was going on around you. And I hoped my Liliana would have your innocence."

"What does Josie have to do with this?" My voice cracks.

"Oh, Liliana, you're still so pure." He steps forward and kisses my forehead and wraps his arms around me.

I tremble, full of confusion, and push out of his grasp. "I don't understand."

"It pains me to see your face battered."

"What does my sister have to do with this?" I repeat, stronger than last time.

"She's always wanted more than you. You were in training with the airline when she learned about my role. Unlike you, she wanted a piece of it. And when we started working together, well, she reminded me of you in so many ways, and I missed you while you were gone. She fed parts of my soul that needed you when you were at work."

My stomach churns.

"You're sick," I whisper.

He pulls me into his chest again. "No, Liliana. I've always had a deep love for you, and no matter what papers you sign, it will never go away. And your sister knows this."

I push away. "Miguel, tell me now what you are involved in. Please."

He sits and pulls me onto his lap.

I try to get off, but he holds me down. "Liliana, stop."

I release a breath of air and still. I ask the question I don't know if I really want the answer to. "Are you in bed with Jonas Torres?"