Page 36 of Sardonic Burn

In the time we’ve been engaged, I’ve come to see him as a genuine friend. That’s the most I can offer him, and he accepts that. He did try to seduce me a couple of times, but he realizedon his own that my heart is something I will never give to anyone.

“Do you want me to send someone to look for him?” Ray asks, probably having the same thoughts as me.

I shake my head. “I’ll give it another day or two before looking for him.”

“Alright.” He nods. “Now tell me, why are you being so difficult?”

I wince.

Hudson sent me the location of the bar four nights ago with the message saying he expected me to show up on time. As a little protest, I didn’t go at all. That, and I visited Cecilia, which resulted in both of us getting insanely drunk.

“Why are you allowing this?” I shoot back. “Am I not capable of handling this on my own?”

That’s right, I’m sulking.

And I’m fairly close to throwing a tantrum.

After Hudson gave me this ugly scar and proceeded to stalk me, I had a change of heart. I no longer want anything to do with him until I figure out the easiest way to kill him. Of course, it will be after we deal with this bullshit.

“You are, but you’re also missing the bigger picture. You’ll get to see firsthand all there is to know about them, something I was never able to do. You’ll find a weak spot and if an opportunity presents itself—attack.”

My throat starts closing up, and my eyes are wide in disbelief.

“Are you telling me to break that silly agreement?”

“We’re criminals,” Ray deadpans. “Did you think I’d never think of breaking it?”

“Not really, no. You seem too… proud to be the first one to break it.”

“Correct.” He smiles. “And that brings me to my next point: force them to make the first move. That way, it will be justifiable if you resort to violence.”

I make a mental note to develop a solid plan based on his words. Kalina is silently watching us, a hint of pride on her face. She’s not the one to openly express her feelings, so seeing that makes my heart skip a beat. It’s been too long since I saw happiness on my mother’s face, and I don’t want to stop looking at it.

“So, where’s your middle child?”

Ray snorts at the title. “He’s on house arrest in his apartment.”

I raise an amused brow. “I thought he was in the basement, facing his punishment.”

Kalina gives me a stern look, and Ray clears his throat.

“I couldn’t do it for more than a night. He’s my child, after all.”

“Well, no use crying over spilled milk, right? What’s done is done, and I’m hoping he understands that his actions have consequences.”

Father hums. “Are you talking about your brother or yourself?”

My expression falters. “What?”

He motions with his index finger toward my cheek. “I happened to run across the young De Santis. Care to tell me why exactly the two of you have a matching scar?”

I grit my teeth together and turn my head to the side.

“Listen, Noelle.” The tone of his voice sends shivers down my body, and I’m forced to look at him. “I forgave Nikolas because he’s an idiot. You know better than that, and I will not forgive you if you involve yourself with Hudson.”

I choke out a bitter laugh, push the teacup away from me, and stand up, trying my best to hold my shit together.

“I understand.” I swallow the knot in my throat. “You don’t have to remind me that Nikolas and I have different parents.”

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