Page 65 of Cavern of Silence

Julieta unlocks the gate, and I drive the vehicle through. "Welcome to Guatemala." She slides back into her seat.

I squeeze her hand then kiss it. She beams.

Vanessa panics. "Julieta, we shouldn't—"

"The coast should be okay. Don't worry. It's only a few hours to get through."

"Do you own more land going into Honduras?" Hunter skeptically asks.

"No."

"Then how are we getting past the border?"

"I know a guy."

"You know a guy?"

"Yep."

"Who?"

She sighs. "I'm not trying to be secretive, but I can't get into it. But please trust me."

"Let's drop it," I order him and shift into drive, tired of him questioning every move Julieta makes and his lousy attitude.

The farther I go, the bumpier the terrain gets. Vanessa has another panic attack, and we have to pull over. After she's able to breathe again, we drive along the coast, listening to reggae music. Julieta and I hold hands and quietly talk. We stop at a gas station, and the girls use the bathroom.

Hunter and I get into a heated discussion about the next border crossing when he questions Julieta's motives.

I'm losing my patience with him. Every time I turn around, he's doubting or making assumptions about Julieta. I don't understand what he has against her and why he can't just shut up and be nice.

I've never seen him treat any woman with disrespect, and why he's choosing to do it to mine deepens my rage.

Since Maureen died, and even before, I've felt alone and empty. Watching her wither away, in a constant state of pain, was hell on earth.

Julieta is the first ray of light I've had in my life in years. And she deserves as much respect as Vanessa does.

I'm over his arguing and nasty comments regarding Julieta.

The conversation only gets more inflamed, until he admits his worry over Vanessa's panic attacks, and I soften. I'm too aware of what it's like to have someone you care for be sick and not being able to do anything about it. So my compassion wins, and we end the conversation on a good note.

When Julieta comes out of the bathroom, all I can do is feel happy again.

She's beyond beautiful in every way possible. I see her soul and who she is as a person. And she makes me feel like a real man again, and I haven't felt like one in years.

11

Julieta

All day,Ryker has been affectionate. Any chance he gets to compliment or tease me, he does. So I have a constant supply of flutters in my stomach.

I wonder again if this can be real. Ifheis real.If somehow, no matter how corrupt or powerful the Global Leaders are, if I can truly escape them and have a future with Ryker.

Every excuse not to get close to him and believe in us has crossed my mind, but I shove them out as soon as they pop up. I'm trying not to let my low self-esteem ruin what's growing between us, and I'm doing my best to act like the woman I used to be before the Global Leaders ever entered my life, or I learned about Miguel and my sister.

Ryker kisses my hand and gives me another panty melting grin, which only creates more flutters and giddiness inside me.

I could stare at him all day. He's so sexy and raw and just...male. The epitome of what a man should be in every way.