Page 35 of Cavern of Silence

I'm such an idiot.

He slowly sets Julieta down but cups her face, which only makes me cringe more.

More Spanish is spoken, and Julieta spins and continues to talk and says our names while pointing to us.

Miguel assesses us, says something to Julieta, and she points to me.

Shit. He's going to kill me now for touching her.

He takes me by surprise and holds his hand out. The moment I take it, he yanks me into his hard-as-steel chest and pats me on the back. "Gracias."

"De nada," I reply, unsure what is going on or why he is thanking me.

Miguel says something else to me, but I'm clueless and look at Julieta. "I don't know anything else."

"It's okay." She talks to Miguel in Spanish again, and he says something back. "He said to tell you he doesn't mean to be rude, but he doesn't know English."

"No problem." I search for anything in Julieta's eyes to reveal who he is to her and why she told me she had no one, but I can't find it.

Miguel focuses on Vanessa, and I barely hear their conversation. I continue studying Julieta, but she avoids my gaze.

Why did I think for one moment I had a chance?

Look at her. She's the most stunning woman on earth, and I seriously believed she wouldn't be taken?

What is wrong with me? Of course she's taken.

Why did she tell me no one was looking for her and she had no one?

She must think I'm an idiot.

I am an idiot. It's my first real mission back. I ditch my professionalism and put my hopes on a woman I rescued. I've fallen farther than I thought.

I snort in disgust at myself.

"What's that for?" Hunter growls and snaps me out of it.

To get under his skin, I quickly reply, "You should see your face right now."

"Watch it," he seethes.

Miguel grunts, shakes his head at Hunter, and motions for us to follow him inside.

Everything is dark, and he flips on lights as we walk through the house.

It's a rustic mix of bright colors and looks comfortable with oversized couches and chairs. It could be in a magazine and should make you feel cheerful, but all I feel is loss. And grief is something I know too well.

I need to keep my shit together until I can be alone and figure this out.

We get to the kitchen, and Miguel puts his arm around Julieta and calls her Liliana again. I cringe some more, wanting to punch him, wondering if I would even be able to hold my own with him.

Miguel releases Julieta, opens the fridge, and starts pulling food out. She removes pans out of the cabinet then points to the island bar stools. "Take a seat. We will make you dinner."

We.It's like a knife slicing through my heart.

She knows this place well. She's spent tons of time here.

Of course she has. He has her nickname tattooed on his chest.