Page 64 of Sardonic Burn

A pang of pain spreads through my chest. He’s anything but kind and if he and Ray didn’t need each other, he wouldn’t be showing me this side of himself. He’s a ruthless bastard, and I genuinely pity his children.

“There’s still time,” I offer with a little laugh. “They’ll grow to be capable.”

“They better,” he says, his tone bitter. Not an ounce of love or affection toward his children—he’s treating them likethey’re his possessions to mold and shape into the perfect weapons.

Ray notices this little interaction from across the room and walks over toward where we’re standing. It’s as if a weight has been lifted off my shoulders the moment the two men see and greet each other.

“If you’ll excuse me, I have other people to greet.” I turn to Bogdan. “It was nice seeing you again, sir.”

“Likewise, Noelle.”

I leave the two men to chat and take a refill of the whiskey, my throat suddenly dry. Nikolas is staring at me; he wants to ask me something, but he’s reluctant. He knows I’m not in the mood to put up with his bullshit.

“What is it?”

“So, do you think the treaty will end once The Silencer is gone?”

“What an absurd question. Of course.”

“And you’ll be able to actually put a bullet in Hudson?”

“Obviously.” I don’t miss a beat. “Though, I’d get creative. Bullets are…boring.”

“So.” Niko doesn’t get the hint that I want to be alone once I grab the drink and start walking away. “Did you know that mom and Leah used to be best friends from high school up to the end of college?”

My movements come to a halt, and I slowly turn to look at him, bewilderment on my face.

“What?”

Leah De Santis is Hudson's mother. I haven’t seen her in years. She keeps to herself, much like Kalina, who rarely sets foot off the property. When I was a child, I heard stories about her friend. Afterward, Kalina would always cry for hours.

Now I understand why. As the wives of the rival families, they aren’t allowed to even look at each other, let alone be friends.

“Yes.” He nods. “So, if you ever want to put this to an end, they will surely want to help you.”

I laugh. “No need. Now, shoo! I need to be left alone.”

Strangely enough, he listens without a word. I feel an oncoming headache and rub my temple with my thumb. Nikolas is quite a handful at times, and it doesn’t help that he’s as stubborn as a mule.

I stop moving, feeling my breath hitch in my throat.

Hudson steps into the venue with a pretty girl on his arm. This is the first time I’ve ever seen her. Since I’ve been stalking him for a long time, I can’t help the annoyance that bursts in my body.

How did this little bastard sneak her past my knowledge? And who the hell is she?

She’s tall, though any tall woman looks short in comparison to Hudson. Her blonde hair is neatly pulled into a high ponytail, a red color coating her lips. It resembles the color of blood, and she’s wearing it with pride.

Why would such a pretty girl be with someone like him?

Is she here against her will?

No matter how much I want to focus my eyes on the pretty girl, Hudson draws me in like a magnetic force. My gaze continues to linger as our eyes meet, and I’m blown away by the eyes that look right back at me.

He’s dressed in a professional suit, which is the kind of clothing I’m used to seeing on him. However, what makes my brows crease in confusion is the shade of red that he chose for his tie.

It matches mine.

And Ray’s.

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