Page 130 of Sardonic Burn

“I fucking knew it.”

I throw him a glare, and he clamps his mouth shut. “Interrupt me again, and I’ll kick your ass.”

“I’m sorry.”

I nod. “Hudson would’ve shot Dylan one way or the other, but I wasn’t going to let him watch me die by Dylan’s hand, so I did it myself. When I saw Hudson’s expression… I wanted to die. It was a fleeting thought and as soon as the knife pierced my skin, I regretted it.”

“Noelle,” Niko whispers, then stops.

“I know, I know,” I say with a sigh. “I was just tired, you know? It hurt so much, and that looked like the easiest way out. But hey, I blame all of that on you. Why the fuck did it take you that long to find me?”

I joke, but it’s not appreciated. Niko’s eyes fill with deep regret, and I see that I should’ve picked my words more carefully.

“We did our best,” he says, though the sorrow doesn’t leave his voice. “Hudson didn’t sleep, didn’t eat. He barely functioned until we found you. You should reach out to him.”

An ache appears in my chest.

I shake my head. “No, this is for the best. Now that our families aren’t at each other’s throats anymore, he’ll be able to actually live his life. Last I heard, he nailed all of his exams.”

“Noelle.” This time, Niko’s voice is stern. “Hudson watched you fucking die in his arms. How long are you going to be a selfish brat? Do you really have no remorse for forcing him to see that? After he went above and beyond to find you?”

“Niko.” I sigh. “It’s not that simple. I pushed him away, so there’s no need for me to reach out to him. It’ll make me look like a hypocrite.”

“When will you let go of that fucking pride and allow yourself to be happy? Are you content with killing for the rest of your life?”

“Yes.”

“You answered that one too quickly.” His brows narrow. “But seriously, take a good look inside of yourself. You hurt the only man who is willing to put up with your annoying ass. You should be begging on your knees for him to forgive you.”

I blink. “You’re not serious.”

“Well, no. You shouldn’t beg any man on your knees. It’s pathetic, and you’re a Campbell. But you should reach out. He’s not been well.”

I close my eyes and fist my hands at my sides.

“I don’t want to know.”

“I’ll tell you anyway. Dylan didn’t escape, Noelle. Hudson has him.”

My eyes snap open, my lips part, and it takes me a moment to process it.

“What?”

“Yeah. Lyla took Dylan while everyone else was busy tending to you. He won’t tell us where he’s keeping him, though. My best guess is that he’s keeping him alive and safe until you decide it’s time to put a bullet between his eyes. Ray is furious.”

My mind goes into overdrive. Hudson has become a taboo topic around here. I don’t want anyone asking any questions or talking about him to me. Each time his name gets mentioned, I break a little on the inside.

When I told him to leave me alone, I meant it.

But when I remember the look in his eyes, it hurts all over again. In some ways, it hurts way more than what Dylan did to me. It hurts on a deeper level, and it’s something so foreign to me that I don’t know how to act or what to do.

I love Hudson more than life itself.

But after the stunt I pulled, he has every right to go back to hating me. I wouldn’t be surprised if he came one day with a gun to end it all.

“Where is Hudson right now?”

A small smile forms on Niko’s face. “I’ll find out. But hey, it’s finally time for you to admit it.”

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