Page 39 of A Hunter for Luna

No. I couldn't let this continue. Not least because she was a pawn in a game she couldn’t hope to win.

"Charm is irrelevant," I said flatly. "I have more important matters to focus on."

Luna's smile didn't waver but did gain an edge like a dagger’s. "Of course you do. The great Benedetto d'Alvarez, consumed by his grand quest."

I narrowed my eyes at her. "Mock all you want, but it's the only thing that matters. I won't be distracted from my purpose."

"Even by yourwife?" She raised a brow.

"Especially by my wife," I said. My purpose was revenge, not hearth and home. Especially not at my family’s whim.

Luna shook her head, auburn waves tumbling over her shoulders, a few strands clinging to her damp throat and forehead. "You're a fool, Benedetto. Revenge won't bring you peace."

"I'm not looking for peace," I said. "I'm looking for justice. For my brother."

She met my gaze and searched mine. For a moment, something flickered there, pity, perhaps, or understanding. But it vanished as quickly as it came.

"Justice," she said. "Is that truly all you want?"

I turned away from her, jaw clenched.Yes. It was all I'd ever wanted. All I'd ever need.

But even as the thought formed, I knew it was a lie. Because deep down, in a place I rarely acknowledged, there was a part of me that yearned for something more. Something I could never have, not while the ghosts of my past still haunted me.

Enough. Focus on what matters. Revenge. Justice. Nothing else.

I strode toward the door for the men’s hot baths, not looking back at Luna.

"Get cleaned up," I said over my shoulder. "We have work to do."

Her laughter followed me out, mocking and strangely alluring all at once.Damned woman. I turned and stalked toward the house.She'll be the death of me yet.

The warm water enveloped me as I stepped into the bath. I scrubbed at my skin, trying to wash away the lingering sensations and scents from my encounter with Luna. Despite my best efforts, my thoughts kept wandering back to her.

I remembered how she'd kept her robe on, never fully disrobing. It was a small detail, but it nagged at me. Why didn't she take off the robe? Probably just a woman thing, a mole or a scar on her back. It didn't matter.

Still, it was curious. What was she hiding?

I shook my head, forcing the thought aside. I couldn't afford distractions.

Anxious to be on my way, I finished bathing quickly. As I dressed, I strapped my sword to my hip, the familiar weight grounding me. For a moment, I considered returning to the merchant's house where I'd been staying. But I hesitated.

Competent assassins would have already marked that place. And killing a bunch of people tonight would only delay me.

Instead, I decided to spend the night at the family home. It was safer there, and I could use the time to rest and gather information at breakfast. My mother always had her ear to the ground when it came to court gossip and political maneuverings.

I exited the bathhouse, the cool night air a welcome respite from the lingering heat within. Luna scrolled ahead of me, her arms full of clothing, heading toward the main house. She didn't turn around, but I could hear laughter in her voice as she said, "Running back to hide behind your mother's skirts?"

I snorted at the absurdity of the statement. "I'd rather deal with her than with a group of idiots sent to kill me. Unless you've done something to anger her?"

She threw a smirk over her shoulder. "I'm not that suicidal."

Entering through the front door at this hour would wake the household and invite an inquisition from my mother, and I caught up with Luna as she approached the old oak tree that grew beside one of the second-story windows.

That tree had aided Francesco and me on a number of late-night adventures.

The tension between me and my wife was almost palpable, an uneasy truce with neither of us willing to speak first. As we paused at the base of the tree, Luna prepared to climb, trying to ensure she was covered with the robe as she clambered up.

She shot me a look under her lashes and frowned.

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