Page 139 of Cavern of Silence

My eyes meet Miguel's, and my stomach flips at the realization of who he is.

"He isn't a good person. Don't question anything when you see him,"Maureen says.

"Place your bets," Evandro barks.

I'm dragged into the ring, and so is Miguel. The gun stays pointed at his head, but the shackles are removed from his feet and hands.

Miguel snarls and cracks his knuckles then neck.

He wants to kill me.

You're in the ring. You need to win.

If you don't, they kill Julieta.

"Fight!" Evandro yells.

He rushes at me with his fist in the air. I duck and spin then jab his back where his kidney sits.

To my surprise, he howls in pain. But it doesn't take him down.

When he turns, I see the beast in his eyes. And I know it because that same beast lives in me.

I take several blows—one to the face and one in the gut, which knocks the wind out of me. I stumble backward.

He rips me off the ropes, throws me on the ground, then kicks me so hard, I hear my ribs crack. His large frame squats over mine, and he dishes out several punches to my face.

Pain consumes me, and stars blur my vision, but I manage to knee him in the groin as hard as I can.

He gasps and topples, landing with a thud on the ground, and all I can focus on is his Liliana tattoo.

He destroyed her life.

I don't waste time. As hard as I can, I punch him in the heart. Sharp pain rolls through my chest, but I ignore it and aim for his neck. He spits blood out of his mouth, but to make sure he never breathes another breath, I slam my fist into his temple.

His eyes roll and head lobs to the side, and I try to catch my breath, hovered over his body, watching the final rise and fall of the letters of his tattoo.

I don't hear the crowd chanting my name, or feel the men pull me off him and raise my fist in the air. The question to keep me alive or kill me doesn't register, either.

All I envision is Julieta. She's crying my name and holding her hand out.

I'm dragged away and snapped back into reality. Instead of the cold shower they usually give me with the hose, I'm taken into the house.

Evandro approaches me. "You took down Goliath."

I stay silent.

He tilts his head and studies my face.

I concentrate on not flinching.

"Tonight, you shall be treated like a champion. Shower. The doctor will be in to tend to your ribs. You will eat with me and one other person."

What is he talking about?

His thug grabs my elbow and leads me to a bedroom with an en suite bathroom. "You have fifteen minutes before the doctor is here." He shuts the door.

Khaki dress pants, a button-down white shirt, socks, underwear, and loafers are on the bed. I step into the bathroom, confused about what is happening. My reflection in the mirror horrifies me, and the memory of fighting Hunter annihilates me.