Page 84 of Cavern of Silence

I quietly slide out of bed so I don't wake Vanessa. I shower and go to the kitchen, make coffee, then sit on the deck.

It's early in the morning, and the sun has barely risen. I hug my knees to my chest and get into another battle in my mind.

I don't hear the door open. My hands are over my face, and I'm deep breathing when Ryker clears his throat.

My heart races. I look up and wince. His face is swollen and bruised, and a tear drips down my cheek.

"Can I sit down?" he quietly asks. His eyes are full of nerves, and the regret I saw the previous night is still present.

I wipe my face and nod.

He picks up my hand, and I close my eyes.

"I'm sorry, Julieta. I don't even know how to make this right."

I force myself to look at him. "Why did you do it?"

His jaw clenches. "I was trying to protect you."

"Protect me? From Hunter? He wouldn't physically hurt me."

He squeezes my hand. "He's been disrespectful to you. I couldn't stand back anymore. I warned him—"

"I told you that I wasn't a saint to him, either."

"You haven't done anything wrong," he growls.

I snatch my hand away. "Hunter and I are both in the wrong. You can't beat someone to a bloody pulp because they say something to me you don't like."

"My job is to protect you."

"Against words?"

"If needed."

"Not like that."

He exhales. "Julieta, I know what I did was wrong. I wish I could rewind to last night and handle things differently."

Silence.

"What can I do to make this right?" he quietly asks.

I hug my knees. "I'm not sure if that's even possible."

He inhales sharply. "Are you saying it's over between us?"

My insides quiver, and I don't answer him.

"Julieta?"

I swallow the lump in my throat. There's so much pain in his eyes, and it breaks my heart. "I don't want to not be with you. Ithurtsnot to be with you. But I don't know what to do right now."

Blinking hard, he looks at the sky then rises. He leans down, kisses the top of my head, and leaves the deck.

My heart breaks further. I don't want to cause any agony for Ryker. He's been through enough. But I don't know how to handle this.

I'm lost in thought when Hunter comes out.