Page 98 of Silent Vendetta (Vendetta Duet)

His words stung, but there was a raw truth in them that I appreciated.

“Maria is going to make you breakfast. I’d like you to try to eat it.”

I took a deep breath and offered a sad smile.

“I’ve asked her to leave after breakfast to give you some privacy, but if you prefer for her to stay, I—”

“No,” I interrupted. “I’d rather be alone.”

Hunter sat on the bed, which tilted under his weight.

“I’m sorry,” I said. “I’m trying to snap myself out of this.”

Hunter rubbed my leg over the blanket. “Luna, you have nothing to apologize for. You buried your father yesterday, and you’re not just grieving his loss; you’re grieving the loss of the last twenty years and the hope that evaporated before it even started.”

My chest warmed as his words wrapped around me—how did he always know just what to say?

But I couldn’t stay in bed all day. I needed to get some fresh air and walk around to take my mind off this pain—otherwise, I would just wallow in it.

“Grayson is coming by soon,” Hunter said.

I threw the covers off my legs and sat up.

Hunter’s voice dropped to a near whisper, a shadow crossing his face. “And I need to leave for a little while today.”

I stared into his cerulean gems.

“Where are you going?”

He scrubbed the side of his face. “It’s better if you don’t know. But when I’m gone, I want you to stay inside. There are security agents positioned around the mansion, in addition to the surveillance, and, of course, a nearby team that can rush over if we need anything. But…”

Hunter cleared his throat, staring at me with such severity, it almost made my throat run dry.

“In the unlikely event anything happens and all those fail-safes don’t work, I want you to sneak into the weapons room. Close the closet door behind you. And hide there until I retrieve you. You understand?”

Whoa. I thought back to that night Rinaldi and the mayor showed up. After, Hunter said their scrutiny had thwarted his ability to follow up on a lead he’d gotten about his dad’s death. With the surveillance, then my dad’s murder, Hunter hadn’t looked into it yet. Was that what this was about? Or…

“Do you have a lead on who killed my father?” I asked.

“I’m still gathering information. When I have something concrete, I’ll let you know.”

A knot tightened in my stomach. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”

A hint of amusement danced in Hunter’s stare as one corner of his mouth lifted. “Your lack of confidence in my ability to protect myself is a little offensive.”

“I want to know who killed my father, but not if it comes at the expense of you, Hunter. If anything seems dangerous, I want you to stop immediately. You understand? I meant it when I said I can’t live without you.”

Hunter stood up and positioned himself in front of me, looking unworried.

“I promise,” he vowed. “Now come on. Let’s get you cleaned up.”

I hadn’t showered yet today, hadn’t cleaned myself off since Hunter made love to me on that bolder yesterday.

He gently took my hand and guided me to his master bathroom, where a massive shower was lined with glass and stone. When he turned the silver handle, the powerful waterfall filled the air with a fresh scent, steam gradually fogging the glass.

Hunter walked back over to me, and as he slid the fabric of my T-shirt over my head, his knuckles brushed along my skin, my nipples hardening in response. He tugged my boy shorts, along with my underwear, down next and bent down on one knee so he could help free the fabric from around my ankles.

I locked eyes with him, seeing the hungry desire flirting through the edges of his gaze as he looked from my face, down my bare breasts, my stomach, to the apex between my legs.

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