Page 52 of Silent Vendetta (Vendetta Duet)

“I’m sorry.” The tone of his voice made me freeze, his agony piercing my heart as Hunter dropped his gaze. “I’m sorry. The choices I’ve made in my life have hurt you.”

It took me a second to find my voice. “Hunter…”

He held his palm up. “I’m not saying this to play with your emotions or convince you to stay with me. I just…” He took in a deep breath. “You deserve an apology after what I’ve put you through.”

I believed him. His words were as sincere as his profession to always protect me.

Silence stretched on between us, eclipsed only by the sound of the bandage wrapper I forced myself to retrieve from the first aid kit. I don’t know why this kit contained both normal and child Band-Aids, but somehow, the hot-pink Hello Kitty Band-Aid seemed like the perfect choice. I placed antibacterial ointment on it and gently secured the thing to the serial killer’s muscular shoulder.

Hunter looked at the cartoon cat with her pink bow and shot me an irritated yet amused glare.

Before standing up.

I remained frozen on the counter, unsure of what I was feeling, unwilling to let this moment go. He looked to be wrestling with the same thing as he brought his warm hand up against my cheek.

“I failed my father,” he whispered, “but I won’t fail you. I can’t allow anything to happen to you, Luna.”

My eyes stung.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t let you leave. It’s too dangerous.”

I shut my eyes, fighting back tears. “Hunter…”

“Sometimes judges just want a public setting to decline motions. Don’t get your hopes up.”

“He’s willing to listen. That’s a huge step. Why are you being so negative?”

“I know this judge. It’s unlikely he’ll let you plead your case for a new trial on Friday.”

“I know that. He’ll set another date to listen to the evidence for a new trial, but to do that, he needs to hear a reason. Friday is about moving the ball down the field while a judge is allowing it to be in play.”

Hunter’s lips turned down. “I can’t let you go, Luna. Not with those men after you, but I can’t have you jumping out of two-story windows, either.”

I shifted back an inch. “What are you saying?”

Hunter’s eyes met mine. “Let’s negotiate.”

I studied the contours of his jawline. “Negotiate what?”

“I’ll give you the tools and resources you need to prep for the hearing.”

Hope swelled within me. “You didn’t already postpone the court date on Friday?”

“I hadn’t gotten to it yet. You’ll stay here. But I’ll give you access to a computer and anything else you need to work your father’s case.”

I narrowed my eyes. “How do I know you’re not trying to trick me?”

“Into what?”

“I don’t know. But if I have a computer, I could fire off emails, sending the cavalry,” I said.

“First of all, if you do that, you and I both know you’ll sit in the interrogation room for the better part of three days. Instead of being able to prepare for Friday. Second of all, you still have criminal deniability in not turning me in. I’m still holding you hostage. Surely, you’re terrified of making a move against me.” He raised his eyebrow.

Unreal.

My lip curled up slightly, and my voice attempted to maintain a semblance of neutrality but betrayed it with a playful undertone as I questioned, “And if I say no?”

“Then I’ll have to find somewhere else to keep you where there are no windows. And no paths of escape.”

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