Page 68 of Silent Vendetta (Vendetta Duet)

Hunter placed his hand on mine.

That simple touch set off a cascade of feelings I had been desperately trying to fight. It was like a dormant volcano suddenly erupting, a seismic shift that set off a tidal wave of affection surging through me. Raw and powerful, overwhelming in its intensity—and I knew I had no hope of controlling it.

His eyes found mine, those beautiful orbs that held galaxies in them, brimming with profound gratitude, yet the corners of his eyes crinkled, a shadow passing over his face.

“You shouldn’t have backpedaled, and you shouldn’t have lied for me,” Hunter said.

“Wasn’t that the plan? To conceal your identity from everyone?” I whispered.

“Not if it put you in danger or got you into trouble, no.”

Hunter’s blue gems were unreadable, but I thought I caught a glimpse of resignation in them.

“Sean suspects you, too,” I said.

This elicited a lick of his bottom lip. I suspected it had less to do with someone questioning him and more to do with the idea that Sean would be the one to take him down.

“I don’t know what evidence he has, but I can call him and find out.”

“No,” Hunter said sternly. “You’re not going to do anything that could get you in trouble.”

“Between Sean and the mayor, it feels like just a matter of time before they put it together,” I said. “What’s your plan?”

“My plan is to get your father out of prison.”

My throat swelled. “Why are you staying here to help me? You could be fleeing the country to save yourself.”

“Luna, I would never abandon you when you’re in danger.” He brushed a fallen hair behind my ear. “We’re going to talk about that second letter,” he said, looking from my left eye to my right. “But even if you weren’t being threatened, I’d stay.”

“Why?”

His suit jacket swelled up on his chest. “Because you deserve to get justice for your father, and I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure you do.” He reached out, hesitating just a moment before entwining his fingers with mine, gripping firmly, as if he feared I’d slip away.The warmth of his touch sent a jolt through my skin—a moment we stayed in, lost in, neither one of us speaking or wanting to break our connection.

Who loves someone so much they’d be willing to damn themselves to prison forever?

“And if we get my dad out of prison? And the threat against me ends? What then? What are you planning to do?”

Hunter was silent for several anguished heartbeats, and I watched his mouth, waiting to hear what his future held.

“Sir?” the driver’s voice interrupted us, the partition sliding down with a hum. “Looks like you have company.”

With arms crossed, Grayson stood before the mansion beside a man clad in a gray suit. I wondered why they were waiting outside for us like this and why they exchanged glances as Hunter opened my door.

“Barry,” Hunter said. “What’s going on?”

The guy in the suit held up a folder.

“We did it, sir. I have proof Mr. Payne is innocent.”

CHAPTER32

Luna

“Iwanted to wait until I had all the information back before getting your hopes up,” Barry said.

We stood in Hunter’s office, the golden light streaming through the window like a beacon of optimism, while I tried to remind myself that hope was a dangerous force.

Grayson stood along the far wall—his hands in his dark jean pockets, a black shirt fitted against his bulging muscles—while Hunter remained next to me, his gaze flickering between me and Barry, as if fearful I might not be able to withstand whatever Barry was about to say.

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