Page 131 of Silent Vendetta (Vendetta Duet)

If I was looking down on my life right now, I would be shocked. Here I was, taking my skills as a defense attorney and using them to protect my violent, criminal boyfriend.

I’d have to work through that with the therapist some other time. Right now, I needed to get Hunter medical help.

“Ready?” Grayson asked.

The sharp scent of pine mingled with the earthy aroma of soil while distant calls of birds echoed in the warm air.

I nodded.

Grayson took off toward the mansion in a sprint, twigs snapping beneath his steps as he shouted, “I found them! Get over here! We need ambulances!”

My heart raced as I glanced over the hastily crafted crime scene, praying it was convincing enough.

That they would buy the story that Alexander had attacked me. True. I ran from him. True. That I had escaped outside. False. That he was about to kill me when Hunter and Alexander got into a scuffle, Alexander wound up dead, and Hunter and I both suffered grave injuries. True.

Maybe it was immoral of me to leave out the part that it happened in the Vigilante’s lair, but all I cared about right now was saving Hunter.

Distant shouting grew louder. Steps thundered along the ground, more twigs snapping beneath their weight, and then the pine trees shook and bowed. Revealing a wave of security guards, their expressions shifting from alarm to determination.

CHAPTER69

Hunter

Blinking against the sterile lights, the cold hum of the AC met my ears as my eyes adjusted to the rigid pattern of the ceiling tiles.

Panic surged with a relentless tidal wave, threatening to drown me.

Where is Luna?

I tried to sit up, but my back stabbed me with a sword of pain, keeping me down, while my heart became a metronome against my ribs.

I scanned the room, the scent of antiseptic and the faint murmurs of distant conversations amplifying my unease.

No sign of Luna.

Not that it would make sense that she’d have been in here—she’d been hurt. Gravely. But she was the only thing on my mind.

What if she didn’t make it? What if I’d been too late? She’d lost so much blood.

Fear tightened its grip while the machines beeped relentlessly, indifferent to my torment.

My breath came in shallow gasps as dread churned inside me, and then I saw him. There, huddled in the corner like a harbinger of doom, was my brother Grayson.

“Where is Luna?”

“She’s safe,” Grayson assured.

I flopped back and let out a deep breath of relief.

My body didn’t appreciate it, though, my stab wound burning in response.

“Define safe,” I urged.

“She’s in a room down the hall. She’s going to be okay, Hunter, but we need to talk,” he said. “Now, before anyone else speaks to you. You need to listen to me very carefully so that your story jives with hers. Otherwise, both of you will be in deep shit. So will I.”

I couldn’t hide my confusion.

“Why would Luna get into trouble?” I demanded. “She’s the victim.”