Page 2 of Sardonic Burn

The other two times were more or less the same. They always tried to catch me by surprise, but I was always one step ahead of them and quicker than they thought. Their downfall was that after the first time, I expected them.

However, this is the first time they’ve managed to breach father’s over-the-top security and get this close to the manor.

I’m worried because it means the person who hired these men is someone from the De Santis family.

“Motherfuckers,” I cuss under my breath and slip out of the robe and shoes, going into the shower for the second time in an hour. That’s a personal record.

By the time I’m done washing away the stench of blood, it’s nearly four in the morning. A yawn slips through my lips as I exit the bathroom that’s connected to my quarters, only to find my father sitting on my bed with one of my books in hand, reading it carefully.

“I didn’t expect to see you here,” I say with suspicion and walk over to him, taking a seat on the edge of the bed.

“Are you hurt?”

I snort. “Of course not. I’m used to this. But since you’re here now and didn’t wait until the morning, I get the feeling that you are worried. What’s going on?”

My father, Ray, slams the book shut, stands up, and returns it to its original place, leaving me to sweat in anticipation and anxiety.

When he turns to look at me, his stone-cold look makes the blood in my veins run cold. I’m frozen in place, unable to move under the stern gaze he’s throwing my way.

“I’m assuming you’ve already figured out who is behind these recent attacks on you.” He gives me a knowing look, to which I nod. “You can protect yourself, but I’m worried about Jane. I’m thinking of sending her to Europe, far out of their reach.”

“Do it,” I encourage. “It will be safer for her to leave now. I get the feeling that we might have a war ahead of us and I don’t want her getting hurt.”

My little sister, Jane, is only fourteen.

She’s being trained just like I was when I was her age, but she’s leaning more toward academic achievements, whereas my expertise is combat and killings. She might be the only one in the past three generations not to be involved in the dirty side of this business, and I’ll do everything in my power to ensure that.

Jane deserves better than this.

“The only safe option is Russia,” Dad mumbles in distaste. “The mafia will protect her until she comes of age, but it means taking on more clients from them for a lower price. Are you fine with that?”

I nod before he can find fault with this. “Yes. I’ll manage, don’t worry.”

“Good. Do you have a plan?”

I frown at his question.

Usually, he tells me what the plan is, and I follow his lead, executing it without a single flaw. I’m shocked that he’s asking for my opinion, so I can’t help but ask.

“Why are you asking me?”

“You’re twenty-three, Noelle. You’ll be my successor. You need to start doing your part.”

I raise a brow. “As opposed to the lazy schedule I’ve been keeping since I was seventeen?”

He gives me a pointed look. “That’s not what I mean, and you know it. You need to stop this before a war occurs.”

He’s right.

There’s nothing I’d like more than to kill everyone in the De Santis family, but I can’t do that right now. Just like my family, they also have too much influence and are needed. If I do it recklessly, there will be more bloodshed on my plate. Rightnow, my priority is making sure Jane travels and arrives in Russia without a hitch.

“Are you giving me full authority?”

He pauses, then narrows his eyes at me. “Temporarily. But beware; your actions and decisions might have consequences. Do not disappoint me, Noelle.”

I grin in response. “Have I ever?”

He leaves right after, and I lie in my bed, staring up at the ceiling.

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