Page 63 of Sardonic Burn

“You’re awfully chatty to me tonight,” he observes, a glint of hope lingering in his eyes.

“I kind of have to be. I can’t let the outsiders know that I loathe my brother.”

“You don’t mean that, Noah.” He sighs. “You and I have our differences but if someone will always have your back, it’s me.”

I hum and take a sip of the drink, my eyes scanning the room. Some people are still looking at me intently, waiting for something to happen.

“I killed your lover in cold blood, and you still love me? You’re either an idiot, or you never actually cared about Franco in the first place.”

He lifts a shoulder. “Maybe I’m waiting for you to settle down so I can kill your husband.”

I frown. “Revenge aside, you have no reason to kill Dylan.”

A look of disbelief flashes in his eyes. “You’re still marrying him?”

“Yes?”

“Never mind.”

“No, no.” I’m quick to stand in front of him. “Do tell.”

“Dylan might be the right choice for our family, but he’s not the right choice for you.”

A bitter laugh slips from my mouth, and I grin at the absurdity of his words.

“You’ve become quite the expert on love, haven’t you? Worry not, I don’t dish out more than I can take. I agreed to this marriage of my own volition.”

“You’re saying that you’re ready to spend the rest of your life with a man you don’t love?”

“What do I know about love?”

Niko looks like he’s about to speak but clamps his mouth shut. I’m grateful because it’s a conversation I’m not ready to have just yet. I’ve had my fair share of flings over the years, but no one stuck out.

My brother straightens his posture and clears his throat, eyes glued to the ground. Immediately, I sense a strong presence behind me and spin around, a small smile displaying on my face.

“Good evening, Noelle.” Bogdan Kalashnik greets me with a soft smile.

He's currently the biggest mafia boss in the world, he’s Russian, and he’s the man keeping my sister safe. I don’t like him or trust him, but he’s been Ray’s friend for many years and wouldn’t dare to mistreat Jane.

He kisses both of my cheeks and takes my hand in his.

“Good evening, sir.” I grin. “Still not aging?”

A loud laugh fills my ears as he throws his head back.

“You’ve always had your way with words.” He grins, showing two of his golden teeth. “You’ll make the perfect businesswoman. Let me take a good look at you.” He spins me around, and I’m caught off guard. “You’ve grown to look like your mother.”

“Thank you for your kind words.”

He releases my hand and waves me off in dismissal. Now that we’re in the middle of the venue, everyone is watching. I’m using the opportunity to show them that someone powerful will stand behind me if need be.

The smile doesn’t falter from his face, but his tone turns serious.

“Now, are you handling this…inconvenienceproperly?”

I swallow. “Of course. It will all be done soon.”

He nods. “I wish my children were half as useful as you.”

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