Page 84 of Sardonic Burn

My wallet and phone.

The brightness hits my eyes, and I’m forced to blink a few times to adjust to the severe light. It’s just after three in the morning. Why the hell am I awake?

Slowly, I stand up and walk out of the bedroom.

Oh.

I recognize the interior. It’s Hudson’s house. Next door is his bedroom.

The door is open just slightly and with a small push, it opens fully. For the next fifteen minutes I stare at Hudson’s sleeping form with a frown on my face. I’m leaning against the doorframe with my arms folded in front of my chest.

How is he so soundly asleep?

Does he not hear me?

Are his instincts not as sharp as mine?

He definitely sleeps like a log.

One of his hands is above his head, and the other one rests on his stomach. His lower body is barely covered by the duvet,his legs and stomach bare. His chest moves up and down in a long, even rhythm.

The moonlight sneaks through the window, casting a shadow over his body. His tattoos look exquisite, and I see a new one has made an appearance. It’s just above his heart, though I can’t quite understand the design.

I push myself off the door frame and walk over to the right side of the bed, taking a seat. He’s still sleeping soundly and before I think about it, my finger traces the newest ink on his flesh.

Electricity rushes through my body, going straight to my chest. My fingers tremble as I continue to trace patterns, and a small frown appears on my face, brows narrowed.

The design is awfully familiar.

It’s a snake. He already has a representative of his family: a serpent tattooed on himself. Is there a need for another reptile? The tail and head are black, while the eyes are in a piercing shade of red. The skin around it is still reddish, meaning it’s recent.

A light bulb appears above my head.

I roll up the long shirt, exposing my inner thigh. During a very hazy night, drunk Noelle thought it was a marvelous idea to get a tattoo. The choice was made by the artist who found the situation hilarious, and I ended up with a snake, its tongue pointing right toward my vagina.

Crazy times.

When in the world did he get to see the tattoo, memorize it, and get the exact same one done? Especially the crimson eyes and tongue?

That fucking creep.

He was watching me in my apartment again, wasn’t he? During the little incident in the restroom, he was too damn busy to notice the tattoo and if he did, I doubt that he memorized all the details in that moment.

I want to kill him.

And right now is my chance.

He’s defenseless.

Slowly, my hand moves toward his neck. I wrap it around it, his pulse throbbing against my hand. My other hand reaches the pillow next to him, grabbing it tightly and raising it until it’s above his head.

It’s now or never.

My heart is racing furiously, and I think I’ll have a heart attack. My hands are trembling as I lower the pillow until it’s an inch away from his face. A knot forms in my throat, and I’m unable to make it go away.

Wait.

Immediately, I remove my hand from his throat and return the pillow to where it originally was. I blink and take a deep breath, trying my best not to wake him up.

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