Page 119 of Silent Vendetta (Vendetta Duet)

I charged into Hunter’s bedroom, hearing Alexander stomping up the staircase as I launched myself through Hunter’s primary closet, closing the door behind me.

I opened its hidden door on the far side of the space and ran through the secondary closet before opening the door that led to the spiral staircase.

I made it into the damp, earth-scented space, but when I closed the door behind me, it burst open.

Slamming into my chest.

My body flew backward, and I tumbled down the spiral stairs, shoulders, hips, and back taking painful blows.

When I landed at the base, I was on the concrete floor of the amber-lit tunnel, looking up at the man who was now clanking down the spiral steps with his predatory gaze fixed on me.

CHAPTER56

Hunter

Why isn’t Luna answering my calls?

The engine’s roar grew louder as I slammed my foot down on the gas pedal and called Red, the security guard positioned outside my front door.

“Red,” I said. “Do you have eyes on Luna?”

“Not at the moment. Everything okay, sir?”

“No,” I admitted. “I’m on my way to my uncle’s.”

“Your uncle is here, sir.”

My vision blurred for a split second, a dread making my stomach drop.

“Alexander?”

“Yes, sir. I told him he wasn’t allowed to go in, but Ms. Payne insisted—”

The putrid taste of panic filled my mouth.

“Red, you listen to me. I just found out that my uncle Alexander is the one threatening Luna. You need to get inside now! Break the goddamned door down if you have to!”

“Yes, sir.”

I ended the call, my fingers sweaty against the steering wheel as I pushed the car even faster and dialed another number.

“Grayson,” I said. “How close are you to my house?”

“On the property.”

“You’reonthe property?” I thought he had a dead body in his trunk.

“Did you know there’s a little canal hidden deep on the north end of our property that feeds into Lake Michigan? How did I never know this, growing up here?”

“I need your help.”

“I’m disposing of…something right now.”

“This is more urgent.”

A distant splash echoed over the line, followed by the muted rustling of leaves.

“What do you need?” Grayson asked.

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