Page 20 of Sardonic Burn

I clamp my mouth shut and close my eyes. It’s inevitable; he was bound to find out one way or the other, but I didn’t want it to be like this. No matter how much he screwed up, I didn’t want to be the one snitching on him.

“Noelle,” Father warns, and I have to speak.

“Not too long ago.” I bite my bottom lip. “I was going to tell you.”

“No, you weren’t. But your brother is in the basement, facing his punishment.”

“Oh, don’t get me wrong,” I say, walking toward him. “Just because I kept my mouth shut doesn’t mean I agree with his stupidity. As of that day, I no longer have a brother.”

“Then why did you remain silent?”

“Because it was necessary. Telling you about that could’ve sparked his rebellious side. I don’t need to deal with his bullshit right now. And he’s already aware he no longer has a sister, so he should be dealing with that.”

Father hums. “Since you’re already going with me tonight, there are a few rules you must follow.”

He drops the topic of Niko. He won’t admit it but knowing that his only son thought of betraying him hurts. He doesn’t have it in him to disown or kill him, so he’s keeping him chainedand locked up until Niko realizes what he did was wrong and unforgivable.

Though, given his stubborn personality, I wonder if he’ll ever realize his mistake.

“What rules?”

“Only you and I will be going. The location’s been decided, and each side will have access to cameras to ensure there’s no foul play. It’s also voice recording, so please keep your temper in check.”

“When have I not?”

He glares, ignores me, and continues to speak. “There are two rooms. I’ll be in one with Henrick, and you’ll be in the other with Hudson. You can taunt him, return the favor for your leg, but you cannot kill him. Not until we’re inside, at least. You decide how and when to take out that bastard.

“I plan on torturing him for a while. I don’t want him to die too quickly. I also need to find out under whose orders people have been trying to kill me.”

“I don’t think he’ll tell you that easily.”

“I’ll force his hand, if necessary. I plan on making this a fun little game, you know? Something to remember those motherfuckers by once they’re all dead.”

Father chuckles. “Fine. Another rule is that we cannot bring weapons, so hand over your dagger and gun.”

With a sigh, I pull out the gun from the back of my waistband and the little dagger from the inside pocket of my leather jacket. It’s not entirely clean as I did rush after finishing the mission, but it shouldn’t rust that quickly.

I hand them both over, and Father raises a brow. I roll my eyes and pull out the last dagger from my boot and toss it aside.

“Happy?”

“No,” he says. “I wish you’d feigned ignorance and had something to protect yourself with on you.”

“Alright then.”

I’m confused. Still, I walk over to where the little dagger was tossed and return it to the inside of my boot, ready to leave. Father throws on his leather jacket, the same model as the one I’m wearing. It’s cute how much he loves me but rarely shows it.

We fall in step beside one another and get inside of the car. It’s getting late, and the snow isn’t showing any indication it might stop falling. The white coat fills our surroundings, and I’m amazed at the pretty sight.

It’s cold, but it’s bearable. And the lovely sight overpowers the cold weather. I stare out of the window as the driver takes us down the path I don’t recognize. It’s in the little forest and far from the crowd.

Yikes,

I’m getting goosebumps. It reminds me of a low-budget horror movie where Father and I will be the first victims. It’s quiet, it has no lighting, and there’s nothing except a little cabin that looks like it’s about to crumble. One strong wave of wind andpoof, it’s gone.

“Are you sure about this?” I whisper as we start walking toward the cabin.

“Of course.”

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