Page 169 of Cavern of Silence

"I will. Thanks. I haven't had a chance to ask you. Has Millie let you examine her yet?"

Her face falls. "Yesterday with Zoe. You and Ryker were on the beach. My initial exam leads me to believe they didn't sexually or physically abuse her. But she has been traumatized, which isn't surprising since she was abducted."

"Did she say who took her?"

"She hasn't said yet, but I'm going to keep working on finding out whatever I can. She'll tell me more once she trusts me."

"I'm glad she wasn't assaulted. If I can do anything to help her, let me know."

"I will but keep being you. She seems to have attached to you and Zoe quickly."

I go back to the other room and watch Ryker. He winces in pain as Vanessa helps him stretch his hand, but instead of feeling sorry for him, all I feel is pride.

Ryker McCarthy is a man of many layers.

He's a lover and a fighter. At times, he's a beast. And I'll take every piece of him, no matter which part it is.

His blue eyes lock with mine, and I mouth,I love you. He blinks hard as his eyes glisten then winks.

And any broken part of him, I'll be the glue that holds him together. Because once you've found your soul, there's no going forward without it.

Epilogue

Ryker

Later That Night

We finishdinner and are sitting around the table, having drinks. I have my arm around Julieta, and for the first time since forever, I see our future. It's bright and full of adventure. But I don't just picture it. I feel it again.

Naomi comes into the room. "Millie passed out quickly. I didn't even get through the story."

"A day of sun and water will do that," Blaise says.

Andre's phone rings, and he wrinkles his forehead. He holds his hand up for us to be quiet. "Kalim, everything all right?"

My gut shakes. It's a feeling I get when something terrible is about to happen.

Andre rises. "Malin said you need to back off. I don't know why, but Julieta said he was insistent, and Gustave reminded her as well."

Naomi fidgets with her fingers and watches Andre's every move.

He paces and runs his hand through his hair. "Axel said she isn't a spy."

Who's he talking about? Penelope?

Blaise sits back in his seat, and his face turns hard. He taps the table.

What is that about?

"I haven't found out how Louis ended up there. Let me talk to Ryker and see if he knows. I'll be in touch." Andre hangs up.

"Maureen told me something about Louis," I blurt out.

Andre raises his eyebrows, and the room is so silent, you can hear a pin drop.

"Before she died?"

"No, while I was held captive."