Page 43 of Sardonic Burn

Bags decorate his under-eye area, and he looks like he’s lost weight since the last time I saw him. Usually, he’s clean shaven, but I see that he hasn’t touched the razor in a while. His hair is messy, and he barely put in any effort in his appearance.

“You need to listen to what I’m about to tell you,” he all but begs.

I lift a shoulder. “Not really. I’m done with you. Is it that hard to comprehend?”

“What a hypocrite.” He snorts and drops the whole pathetic act. “Don’t think that I don’t know about your little dates with Hudson.”

I frown.

Memories of killing Franco, then Hudson stabbing me, then me stabbing his shoulder, and me plunging two fingers deep inside of his wound flash behind my eyes.

“I’d hardly call those dates. Unless he’s a masochist. In that case, he probably shares your sentiment.”

“You’re dumb to trust him, Noah.” He takes a seat, still drinking the beer.

“I don’t trust him at all,” I reply. “I was given a job by Daddy dearest, and I’m just executing it to the best of my abilities. Working with Hudson isn’t the same as sleeping with Franco, Nikolas. Don’t put me in the same category as yourself.”

“Damnit, Noelle,” he screeches. He stands up and throws the can across the room, spilling the contents everywhere. “I’m trying my best to fucking apologize here. Why are you being difficult?”

“Difficult?” I scoff, taking offense to his words. Anger starts to build in the pit of my stomach all over again. I’m holding on by a thread, and it’s about to fucking snap. “I’m being difficult? It’s one thing to fuck the enemy; it’s another to not see your mistake. AndIam being difficult here? If you’re going toact like a spoiled brat, get the fuck out of my home and don’t return.”

Niko closes his eyes, taking in a deep breath. His nostrils flare, and he’s trying to extinguish the ball of fiery anger inside of him. I, on the other hand, am just waiting for an opportunity to unleash mine.

“I know that I messed up.” He finally says something correct. “And I know that I didn’t face the consequences that you would’ve liked, but there is so much more that you don’t know.”

“Why would I care about knowing that situation? Giving an excuse for betrayal is just that: an excuse. If that’s what you came here to say, you know where the door is.”

“I didn’t plan on this to happen, Noah.” He sighs and puts his head in his hands, avoiding eye contact. “It just fucking happened. I know I’m an idiot to blindly believe Fran’s words, but I do think there’s a way to put an end to this. I’m tired of it all. I lost the most important person to me by the hands of another important person, and I can’t be angry at you because I know that, if given the chance, Franco would’ve killed you, too.”

“Good. You finally understand that I don’t want this to end. It might’ve been different had father appointed you as the heir, but it’s not. He adores you but does not share your sentiment that we should be blatantly giving up everything our family has fought over for generations for some sort of a truce.”

“I won’t stop,” he promises, and I feel a migraine that is about to come. “One way or the other, I plan on changing your mind. Who knows? You and Hudson might end up falling in love.”

I gag.

It’s the most disgusting thing I’ve heard in my entire life.

“I wouldn’t waste my breath, Niko. It’s insulting to insinuate I’d abandon my entire belief system because of yoursob story. The quicker you understand, the easier it will be for you to let go.”

I look at him once more before turning on my heel. The look in his eyes promises he won’t stop bothering me about this issue. Before the anger takes over me, I walk toward the door, hoping he won’t speak.

“I’ll get you to change your mind. I promise.” I hiss under my breath, my mood souring drastically. “I’m tired of bloodshed.”

“Then challenge me, kill me, and take my position.” I glance at him over my shoulder. “If you dare.”

It’s not like he’s incapable of doing it. I’d give him trouble and would never go down without putting up a good fight. But he can’t do it. He knows that the burden on my shoulders is something he’ll never be able to bear.

It’s Niko’s persistence that keeps bothering me.

The goal he’s chasing is far out of his reach, and I’ll make sure it stays that way.

The bar Lucas chose for us has nearly all its tables and booths filled. The band is playing jazz, though it’s not too loud. It’s a perfect spot for a night out. It has good music and even better food.

Our booth is secluded and by the time I arrived, Lucas had already ordered the food and drinks. The beer is still cold, and I’m lucky enough that I was only ten minutes late.

Lucas has a nasty temper. He doesn’t wait around, which means the information he discovered is either of high value and he wants to be compensated accordingly, or he didn’t discover a damned thing and is too afraid of my reaction.

Tattoos on his head sneak through his buzz cut, and the dimples appear as soon as he sees me. He’s grinning like an idiot, which is a good sign. As usual, he’s dressed in all black clothes, and I’m matching his outfit.

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