Page 131 of Cavern of Silence
Please don't be Jonas Torres.
Chills run through my spine when I see Zoe Diego's name on the first flight.
She didn't get rescued. Tinker went over a month ago to Mexico. Is Dirk dead?
When the plane lands, I remind myself to be professional. No one can know Zoe and I were together.
And the last time you tried to help her, Jonas branded you.
Keep it professional so Ryker doesn't pay the price.
When I turn and see her, my heart hurts again. I want to hug her and see if she is okay. She looks distraught and gapes at me.
"Ms. Diego. Please have a seat. Can I get you something to drink?"
She reaches for me. Her voice shakes. "Oh my God. Are you okay?"
I forgot about my beaten face. I sternly say, "I'm very well, thank you. Can I get you a drink?" I look behind her and smile at her manager. "Señor Duran, what will you have?"
"Tequila," he says and shoves his way past us to the back with the other men.
"Yes, sir," I reply, then ask Zoe, "Water?" I blink hard to stop my tears from falling.
"Julieta—"
"Please just tell me what you want," I plead quietly.
She nods and forces a smile. "Water is great, thank you."
I pass her with the drinks for the men. Zoe takes the front seat. When we get up in the air, she tells Mateo she needs sleep, shuts the divider, and finds me near the cockpit, then hugs me.
I can't stop shaking, and I pull back and wipe my face.
"What did they do to you?" she asks.
"Please, go back to your seat so I don't get in more trouble."
"Tell me what happened."
"Please. I'm begging you."
She doesn't move.
"Please," I plead.
The bell rings, and I straighten my skirt and take a deep breath before going back to the men.
The flight is quick, and when Zoe leaves, her manager is behind her.
In my most professional voice, I say, "Have a nice time in Belize."
The car is waiting on the tarmac, and Zoe glances back at me when she gets in. Only then do I let the tears fall.
I've never blamed Zoe for what Jonas did to me. I know what the men do to her. I've heard politicians boast about it during plane rides before I ever met her. I saw firsthand her disgust whenever Jonas touched her. And she was high on drugs when it happened, but I could see how she only wanted to die.
Then, I realize she seemed sober this time. Jonas wasn't with her, but that wasn't abnormal. I've served her on flights with and without him.
My heart hurts, wondering what they are doing to her.
