Page 7 of Silent Vendetta (Vendetta Duet)

“I was afraid you might be dead before they showed up,” I explained.

“You could’ve walked into an ambush,” he retorted.

Was a serial killer seriously giving me a lecture on safety skills while he was holding me hostage?

“I did walk into an ambush,” I corrected.

He scrubbed his jaw, staring at the floor.

“You risked your life to try and rescue me.” His voice softened with a sigh. “Just like you did with Dominic.”

Dominic.Hunter was the one who killed him. Oh God, these realizations hit me like a series of ice-cold waves.

Hunter looked to the ground and paced for a few seconds before crossing his arms and piercing me with his glacial-blue eyes.

“Here’s what’s going to happen. You’re going to call Rinaldi back. Tell her everything is fine.”

Everything is fine?Was he freaking serious right now? Did he honestly think I’d cancel my only hope at salvation?

“So you can murder me easier? Fat chance.”

“You’re going to do exactly as I say,” he said through gritted teeth. “Call her back.”

My chin rose defiantly. “Gladly. Give me my phone.”

“Are you forgetting that I saved your life?”

“Are you forgetting you’re holding me against my will? Which is not only a crime, but in case you don’t read relationship self-help books, want to know what you’re supposed to avoid? Kidnapping.”

“Get. Rinaldi. To Stand down.”

“Even if I tried, she would never call the dogs off, and you know it.”

“You’ll convince her.”

“I told her I heard screaming. When I’m not there when she answers the door? She’ll search your home and find your tunnel.”

Hunter looked toward the underground hallway that I’d jogged down. He looked athisphone for a moment, and with the soft click of a button—echoed with a metallic clunk from the end of the hall—the tension that had been etched into his features began to dissolve.

“There,” he said with a deep exhale. “Both doors are shut again.”

My stomach sank. Of course, he’d have an extra feature of security with that thing.

“They could bring in search dogs, and their noses would point them to the hidden doors. They’ll find your dungeon, Hunter.”

I hoped so, at least. Truth be told, I couldn’t be sure they’d find this room, but I had to convince him they would. Or at least make him think it was possible.

“You have roughly six minutes until the cops raid this house.” I kept my words measured, attempting to exude confidence while, inside, a destabilization of my vitals took place.

Hunter’s jaw ticced.

“Meantime, you’ll be trapped down here until they do, and your entire home will be a crime scene. You won’t be able to escape with the estate swarming with cops. Cops whowilleventually find my body. And Franco and his sawed-off ear canals.” I was struggling to hold on to my stoic appearance.

Hunter’s face contorted into a putrid mix of anger and frustration. He was silent for what felt like an eternity before asking, “What do you want?”

“Let me go,” I said.

“You know I can’t do that.”

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