Page 70 of Silent Vendetta (Vendetta Duet)

“I believe him,” Barry said. “And if it’s all right with you, I would like to speak with your father. I’d like to hear firsthand what he remembers about the person he saw in that alley.”

I shook my head. “I don’t know if they’ll allow it, since he’s in solitary for his own protection. And even if they do, I don’t want to risk his life for a phone call.”

Barry scratched his temple. “Even without talking to him, this is enough evidence to prove that your father is innocent.”

“The judge could challenge the findings,” I said. “You have conflicting conclusions by two different medical examiners, so there’s no telling if the judge will rule in favor of the new one.”

Hunter’s gaze lingered on mine, gauging the steadiness in them and assessing whether my legs might give out the moment I tried to stand.

“Barry, how confident are you that the second medical examiner is correct?” Hunter asked sternly.

He kept his hand on my shoulder, his thumb rubbing up and down.

Barry scratched his jaw, taking a moment before speaking. “In all my years working cases, I’ve seen my fair share of accidents,” he began. “Everything about this scene…the injuries, your father’s eyewitness account…it all points to a hit-and-run. Your dad? From what I’ve gathered, he was trying to help, not harm the kid.”

“I can’t believe this is actually happening,” I whispered.

It was this strange mix of disbelief and euphoria, for I finally had the answers that I sought. But also, heartbreak and anger, because my dad had been sitting in prison for almost twenty years, and there was at least one person on this planet that knew he was innocent.

The person who’d hit that kid with a car. Who never stepped forward or did anything to stop it.

“I’ll fund more independent medical examiners to review these autopsy findings and paint chip analysis,” Hunter said. “If we have more corroborating conclusions, the judge won’t be able to deny it.”

“That’s expensive.” My eyelids burned as I met his gaze.

“Luna,” he said softly, “I would spend every dollar I have if it means you’ll finally have the evidence you need to prove your dad’s innocence and set him free.”

His eyes held a depth that radiated with authenticity, and at that moment, we were the only two people in the world. A soft gasp stole my breath, and I found myself sinking into the ocean of his love, lost in its depths. With him, I was cherished, adored, and loved, beyond everything else. Beyond his freedom. Beyond his money. Beyond his own happiness.

“Barry,” Hunter said, an edge to his tone that wasn’t there before. “I think it might be beneficial for Grayson to have some conversations with the people who built the case against her father.”

I tilted my head back. “What role does Grayson play in this?”

He’d kept an eye on me when I was captive, but he’d also taken a lot of calls. I’d been so immersed in court prep, that I really didn’tcarewhat he was doing, so long as he stayed out of my hair.

But the look Hunter exchanged with his brother? The weight of that stare was heavy, like a storm cloud ready to burst. And Barry shifted, his face tightening. Glancing between the brothers, whose eyes stayed fixed on Barry’s.

As if gauging his reaction.

That’s what Hunter was asking, wasn’t he? For Grayson to be some sort of hired muscle for Barry, not intending to play by the rules. He didn’t intend to have polite conversations; he would get answers the hard way if that’s what it took.

And the thing that shocked me even more was that Barry didn’t storm out in offense. Instead, he eventually offered a slight nod.

Sparking a silent exchange between the brothers. Perhaps specific boundaries would be flushed out more when I wasn’t here, but that wasn’t the point.

Was I the only one who wanted to play by the book?

“We already have proof that my dad is innocent.”

Barry scrubbed his jaw. “Ms. Payne, it’spossibleinvestigators and prosecutors simply got this one wrong.”

“But?” I pressed.

When Barry took a long breath, I got the sense he didn’t want to get my hopes up. But eventually, he said, “My gut says there’s something more going on here.”

“Such as?”

Barry put his hands on his hips. “It’s just a gut feeling,” he hedged. “But I’d like to rule out that there wasn’t something more nefarious going on here.”

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