Page 94 of Sardonic Burn

“You will do it?” I repeat with disbelief coating my words.

“Don’t make me regret it.”

“May I ask why the sudden change of heart?”

“You may not.”

“Fuck you.”

“You did. For a whole week, might I add.”

“Would you shut up about it?”

“Why are you embarrassed? It’s not like we committed a crime.”

“A crime? No. A sin? Yes.”

“Come on, you liked our sinful week.”

“I may have enjoyed it, but is that all you’re here for?”

Hudson rolls his eyes. “Changing the topic, are we? But that’s fair, I guess. I’ve come to tell you that you should really contact your family.”

I tilt my head to the side. “Are you their messenger now?”

“God, no. But apparently, you have your father, mother, and brother blocked, so now I’m here to deliver the message. Ray says to get your ass back home before he comes to get you.”

I blocked them because they were getting on my nerves. Constant texting and calling is beyond irritating. Niko is trying to play mind games, Kalina is too damn nosy, and Ray thinks he still holds authority over my head.

“Message received, loud and clear. Now, get the hell out of here.”

“No.”

“No? What do you mean, ‘no’?”

“I mean, you’re coming with me.”

“I’m not going anywhere wi—hey! What the hell are you doing?”

Hudson picks me up, holding me as tightly as possible. No matter how much I thrash, squirm, and hit him, he doesn’t budge or even show a sign of being affected. He carries me out of the bunker and back into the damn sewers.

“What is the meaning of this? I thought you didn’t care about me.”

“Ah, are you acting more bratty than usual because my words hurt you? Sorry to break it to you, Noelle, but I do need you right now. And you’re functioning on no sleep. You’ll get yourself killed, and what am I supposed to do then?”

“I don’t know. Celebrate?”

His chest vibrates subtly, his mouth quirking up in a soft smile.

“Or get revenge on the people who killed you.”

My heart thumps against my chest.

“Why would you do that?”

He’s quiet for a moment.

“Who knows?”

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