Page 112 of Silent Vendetta (Vendetta Duet)

“I’m sorry,” I said to Alexander. “Thank you for the flowers. You really didn’t need to do this.”

“I missed you at the funeral. Just wanted to let you know I’m thinking of you.”

My throat clenched. His genuine concern, the tenderness in his eyes—no wonder Hunter looked up to him so much.

Alexander looked from the guard back to me.

“Well, I’d best be going.” Alexander hesitated, worry etched over his face. “When you have time, Luna, I’d like to ask you something about Hunter. It’s important.”

My spine stiffened at his ominous tone.

“What is it?”

Alexander’s eyes darted to Red for a moment. “Another time. It’s…a confidential question.”

Crap.

My grip tightened on the vase, the flowers almost quivering. There was no way that he suspected Hunter of being the Windy City Vigilante, right? I mean, even if he did, he was his uncle. He would never turn Hunter in, right?

Right?!

But what if he somehow figured it out? If there was anyone else who would figure it out, it would be someone close to Hunter, like his uncle or his brother.

If Alexander knew, would he go to the authorities? Or tell someone else who would?

I just convinced Hunter to not turn himself in, and now the threat of him being ripped from my arms, just like my father was ripped from my arms, was rising like the swell of the ocean.

Or maybe I was wrong. Maybe his question about Hunter had nothing to do with being the Vigilante.

“Again, I’m sorry for your loss.” Alexander offered a sad smile and then turned and began to walk away.

“Wait!” I exclaimed. “He’s family. Let him in.”

Red planted himself firmly in front of the doorway, his deep-set eyes showing every bit of his resolve. “Ma’am, I’ve got strict orders. No one goes in or out, no exceptions.”

I took a deep breath, frustration evident on my face.

“Red, you’ve been guarding Hunter and his family for a decade. You know Alexander.”

“He might be family, Ms. Payne, but this is about your safety,” Red retorted, still blocking the path.

Alexander, sensing the tension, tried to defuse the situation. “Maybe another time, Luna…”

“No,” I interjected. I couldn’t let Alexander leave here without knowing the risk to Hunter’s identity. “Come in.”

“I can’t let him do that, Ms. Payne.”

“Hunter and I share this home now,” I said, meeting Red’s gaze. “I have a say in this.”

Red’s chest inflated, and he hesitated for a moment, rubbing his jaw. His gaze traveled in the direction of the other guards stationed around the property and then to the security cameras. There was a weighty pause as he seemed to measure the risks.

After a long pause, he took a deep breath and, with a reluctant nod, finally grumbled, “Five minutes.” He pointed a stern finger at Alexander. “Not a second more.”

A wave of relief washed over me. “Thank you, Red,” I said.

Hesitation flickered across Alexander’s face, his gaze darting between me and Red, a silent debate playing out in his eyes—like he didn’t want to create a problem.

For a moment, I worried that he was going to decline my offer and leave me wondering what in the hell he wanted to ask about Hunter.

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