Page 19 of Silent Vendetta (Vendetta Duet)

“Talk.” I seethed. “And after we do, you’ll let me go?”

His lips thinned. “Let’s take this one step at a time.”

CHAPTER11

Luna

“Luna, I’ll tell you everything that led up to this. I’ll answer all of your questions.” Hunter ran a shaky hand through his hair. “All I ask is that you listen. Can you do that?” The depth of his eyes seemed to intensify as they held mine, flickering with a vulnerability that begged for understanding and compassion.

What choice did I have? He wasn’t going to let me go until I suffered through his justifications. And even then, it was questionable.

So, fine. I’d listen, but there was nothing he could say to change my mind about him.

I would never ever accept Hunter as a killer. I would never be complacent about his crimes by allowing him to continue them, and even if he didn’t continue his crimes, I would not be an accessory after the fact.

I would go to the police and turn him in.

To do that, I needed to escape this dungeon. The dampness of the rock walls clung to my skin with a constant chill, and the faint echo of dripping water somewhere in the distance became a metronome of my grim surroundings.

“Fine.” My tone was tighter than I intended.

The floor’s jagged texture bit into my skin with every slight movement, amplifying the discomfort on my already-aching body. As if that weren’t uncomfortable enough, my stomach unleashed a loud growl.

The sharp pangs of hunger clawed at my insides, their intensity almost burning.

Hunter’s eyes drifted to my abdomen.

“When was the last time you ate, Luna?”

“It doesn’t matter. So just start explaining,” I said.

But Hunter’s chest swelled as he ran a hand along the back of his neck, the subtle furrow of his brow and tightening of his lips hinting at an internal debate.

“I’m going to get you some food, Luna.”

“I don’t want food. I want answers.”

“Your body needs nutrients, or you could go into shock.”

“I just learned my boyfriend is a serial killer. Trust me, I’m already in shock, so just move it along already. Start talking.”

He glared at me, and something inside fired angry shots through my veins.

How dare he hold me against my will like this.

“Here,” I said. “I’ll even help you. My name is Hunter Lockwood, and I’m addicted to murdering people.”

His eyes tightened as he shot me a glare. “Your sarcasm isn’t helping, Luna.”

“You know what’s not helping? Being tied to a cement pole in a dungeon while my first kidnapper is bleeding from ear holes that my second kidnapper created.”

His lips thinned. “I’m getting you food. I’ll be right back.”

“Don’t you dare leave me down here!” The panic rose in my throat like bile as his silhouette disappeared down the stone hallway.

This was unreal.

Franco Hopkins let out a muffled, pained groan, a haunting sound that echoed in the cavernous space, breaking the oppressive silence, blood oozing from where his ears should’ve been. His bindings looked damaged. Had he tried to free himself? If he got loose, with Hunter distracted, he could go after him…

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