Page 55 of Marks of Rebellion

But Julieta moves forward in the darkness.

Ryker gets out and runs around the vehicle. "Wait."

He reaches for her arm, and she spins and takes a step back.

He holds his hands in the air. "Just me."

"Sorry," she whispers.

It's the first time I've ever seen her do that. It's like a slap in the face that Ryker was right. She's been through a lot, possibly more than Vanessa. I have no idea what they did to her, and I scold myself for not being a little more tolerant.

"Stay close to me, Flower." I put my arm around Vanessa's waist, and we follow Julieta and Ryker.

Julieta hesitantly bangs the heavy brass knocker against the door.

"Are there people here?" Ryker asks.

"Yes."

I almost ask her if they are alive or ghosts but watch my tongue.

A minute passes, and she knocks again in the same pattern.

Metal scrapes from the other side of the door, and there is a loud creak as it slowly opens.

I tug Vanessa tighter to me.

Where are we?

Julieta takes such a deep breath, I can feel her anxiety. It makes me more nervous about where we are.

A man, possibly a few years older than Ryker and me, stands in the doorway. His beard is down to the middle of his chest, and his hair wildly hangs all around his face. I assume that he is over seven feet tall, and he's built like a brick house. He's shirtless, and one lonesome tattoo in large letters splays across his chest. It readsLiliana. The V in his waist is so defined and bulging with muscle that the V I worked years to get I suddenly think needs more work.

His torso would make our entire team of chiseled guys question if they are fat.

"Liliana?" His voice is gruff, as if he hasn't spoken in years.

Julieta is his Liliana?

I glance at Ryker, but he's focused on Julieta.

She nods and clears her voice. Tears fall down her cheeks, and it's another realization that I've not seen her cry once. All the other women have shed their tears, but Julieta...or maybe Liliana...hasn't.

How much has she been holding in?

I seriously need to cut her some slack.

But who is she?

"Miguel," she chokes out.

The giant steps forward and picks her up, and she begins to sob.

Ryker's back muscles flex, and Vanessa digs her fingers into my thigh.

They speak Spanish quickly back and forth, in between her sobs, and his hand is so big, it wraps almost around her entire head.

Vanessa begins to shed tears and wipes her face.