Page 64 of Hunt Me
“Will you tell me one day why you favor me?”
“When you’re on your deathbed.”
“You plan on me dying?”
“No, but humans are not immortal. You will die, and I will live on. It’s the circle of life.”
Matilda’s eyes rapidly blinked in surprise. “Y-you didn’t plan on me turning me?”
His laughter was dark but robust, leaving her on the edge of her seat as she waited for his response.
“No, I don’t plan on turning you. I have a tolerance level for your annoyance, and it’s not eternity.”
Matilda scoffed. “Thank the gods we’re on the same page. Are we taking provisions?”
“There will be no need.”
“There will definitely be a need for Armando’s rolls.”
“Armando is dead.”
Matilda paused. “Excuse me?”
“I killed him for betraying your loyalty.”
“Are you—”
“I’m jesting again. That’s the second time you’ve fallen for that. No wonder you were suckered into a hair-brained assassination scheme.”
“For your information, I wasn’t suckered into it. The money, of course, was enticing, but the bastard killed two children by the river and promised to kill more innocents if I didn’t cooperate. Luka, I think we should put more effort into finding this man. He took innocent lives, and his crime is punishable by death.”
“Some would say the same for you.”
She tilted her head contemplatively. “They did bring out the robe.”
“Indeed,” he agreed, approaching her. He grasped her cheeks gently between his cool fingers.
She narrowed her eyes. “Do not attempt to distract me with affection.”
“I would never.”
“You are a liar.”
“Sometimes,” he confirmed, thumbs sweeping over her cheeks. “But not about this. I have not forgotten Gregorio.”
Matilda’s shoulders sank in relief.
“Where is he?”
Luka released her to continue packing. “That is precisely what I have been attempting to discover. I have men scouring every settlement between here and the western border. They’ve searched every inn, tavern, and abandoned estate.”
“And?”
“Nothing yet.”
Matilda frowned.
“The name Gregorio has yielded surprisingly little,” Luka continued. “Which leads me to agree his name is likely false. Ezra has searched our records for any noble family bearing the name. None fit the man you described.”
