Page 58 of The Hunter's Empire

No. Not irritation. Something far more dangerous. Because Domenico looks entirely too pleased with himself. As though he has won something. As though this is amusing and he has me figured out.

The realization sparks something reckless inside me. Before I can reconsider, I step forward.

"Darragh." My voice carries across the clearing.

Several heads turn immediately.

Darragh lowers his rifle and looks up. "Yes, Vivienne?"

"I want the next shot."

The reaction is instantaneous. Conversations pause. A few guests laugh. Others look genuinely interested.

Darragh raises an eyebrow. "You shoot?"

I can feel Domenico's attention on me without looking."Well enough."

The answer earns a grin. "Now this I want to see."

I start down the wooden steps before anyone can object. The crowd parts easily as I approach.

Darragh studies me for a moment before handing over the rifle. The weapon is heavier than it looks. Cold metal settles against my palms. Around us, several guests gather closer, eager for entertainment.

I can practically feel Domenico watching from the platform above. Good. Let him watch.

I lift the rifle to my shoulder and peer through the scope. The world immediately narrows. Trees. Brush. Movement.

A deer emerges from the edge of the woodland, unaware of the dozens of eyes tracking it.

I follow its path through the lens. The conversations around me fade. The weight of the rifle settles comfortably against my shoulder. The target remains perfectly centered.

And as my finger rests lightly against the trigger, one thought becomes abundantly clear.

I have absolutely no intention of shooting the deer. For a few seconds, I track it exactly as everyone expects me to.

Then, very slowly, I move the barrel.

The crosshairs slide away from the deer and drift across the landscape. They pass over the tall grass, the tree line, and the gathering of guests before finally settling on the wooden platform above.

On Domenico.

He stands exactly where I left him. One hand resting casually against the railing. Completely relaxed and confident.

Even through the scope, I can see the faint amusement lingering in his expression.

The sight of it only strengthens my resolve.

I adjust my aim slightly until his upper arm fills the center of the reticle. The distance is longer than most people would attempt for a shot like this, but that hardly concerns me.

After all, I am trying to humble him. My eyes never leave the platform. For a heartbeat, everything seems frozen in place. The world narrows to the rifle in my hands, the distant target, and the steady rhythm of my pulse pounding in my ears.

A small smile tugs at the corner of my mouth. Then I pull the trigger. The rifle explodes against my shoulder. The shot echoes violently across the hunting grounds, scattering birds from the trees and silencing every conversation in an instant.

Then the shot cracks through the air.Bang.

Domenico's body jerks violently. His shoulders tense as he stumbles half a step backward, a sharp hiss tearing from him. His hand instantly clamps over his upper arm. Red blooms beneath his fingers.

The realization spreads through the crowd almost instantly. Someone screams. Another person shouts. Panic erupts across the clearing.