Page 15 of Cavern of Silence
His expression changes, but I'm not sure what to make of it. "Yes."
I grab the handle of the door and whip it open. I don't get very far before Ryker is in front of me.
"Julieta, stop."
"I need to get out of here." I try to push around him, but he matches my every move.
"Wait."
I tilt my head up and whisper, "I need to go."
"If you leave, I'm coming with you."
"So I'm your prisoner?"
"No. But I'm responsible for your safety."
I sarcastically laugh. "Responsible for me? My safety? Those two things don't go together."
"Why not?"
Against all my will, tears fall, and I loathe myself for showing my weakness.
He pulls me into his arms, and if I could stay there forever, I would. "Tell me what's freaking you out right now."
"I can't go back. Please. Don't make me."
He strokes my hair. "Tell me where you can't go, and I'll make sure you don't go there."
I freeze. The pounding of his heart echoes in my ear. I slowly look up. "You will?"
"Yes. I promise."
"But won't you get in trouble?"
"Let them fire me."
"You don't care about your job?"
"I care about people and making sure you're in a better situation than you were in when I came into your life. But I can't protect you if you don't tell me what I'm protecting you from."
"I can't go anywhere in Central America or where my airline flies to."
"Why?"
"Please. I've already said too much. Don't make me say anymore." I crumble again, and he holds me tighter.
He murmurs into my hair, "Okay. I won't push you. But when you're ready to tell me, I promise you it will stay between us."
I push out of his embrace again. "You understand why I need to leave tonight? You'll let me go?"
"No. You'll stay here and get rest tonight. Tomorrow, when I find out where Interpol wants us to deliver you, we'll talk. If it's anywhere you can't go, I'll figure out what we should do then."
"We?"
"Yes, we. Until you're somewhere you feel safe, and I'm confident you aren't in danger, I'm not leaving you."
And all the years of loneliness, emptiness, and grief smack me in the face. I sob in his arms and don't even try to push him away.
