Page 58 of Sardonic Burn

I place my hand over my chest, my body blazing with fire. Harshly, I swallow a knot that forms in my throat, hypnotized by the hatred in her eyes. She drags her bottom lip between her teeth, nibbling on it.

Her eyes, always such a deep shade of whiskey, meet my gaze, and my entire body shivers. She has me under a menacing spell, paralyzed and completely defenseless. My body aches, my breath is uneven, and even my cock reacts to her harsh gaze.

“Call an ambulance,” I say through my gasps. “I think I’m having a heart attack.”

Noelle starts checking me, staring with my pulse and moving to my chest. Her brows are narrowed as she slowly touches me, and it only makes it worse.

“You’re not having a heart attack.” She frowns. “Your heart rate is elevated, but that’s it.”

Oh, God.

The woman I hate with a burning passion is touching my skin, her cold hands bringing down the blazing temperature of my body. Yet, it’s not helping. If anything, my heart all but jumps out of my chest, and I can’t get a hold of myself.

She then turns to Ray and Henrick. “He’ll be fine. I’ll take him with me, and I’ll call you if something happens.”

“Just promise me you won’t use yourself as bait, Noelle.”

“Let’s hope I won’t need to.”

Noelle grabs me by my elbow while I’m still trying to figure out what the fuck is happening to me. She drags me outside, leaving Ray and Henrick to deal with the decapitated head.

I’m being dragged behind her like a dog; all I’m lacking is a collar and good barking skills. Noelle’s freezing hands soothethe burning sensation in my flesh, and it feels liberating to be able to breathe again.

“You can let go of me now.”

She digs her nails into my skin, drawing blood, before dropping my elbow. Slowly, she glances at me from over her shoulder and rolls her eyes.

“How long do you think it’ll take you to fully recover?”

“I’d say a week or two.”

She nods. “You have ten days. Rest. In the meantime, I’ll find out where the next auction will be held. You’re coming with me.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Now, we have somewhere else to be. Follow me.”

SIXTEEN

The stare of every person we walk by makes me uncomfortable.

Hudson doesn’t seem to notice the harsh daggers thrown his way. If he does, he doesn’t care enough to tell me about it. Everyone stops what they’re doing and glares at him, eyes widened in surprise.

They don’t dare to even glance at me but since Hudson is not only the unwelcome guest, he’s also the enemy, the staff is trying their best to show their hostility.

My heart is racing against my ribcage. I don’t know if it’s because now I’ve truly fucked myself over or because Hudson is holding the edge of my sleeve as we’re walking. He’s silent forthe most part, though he did throw in a few tasteless comments during the car ride.

“What’s the plan?” he whisper-yells. “You brought me to the lion’s den, and I’m probably going to leave this place in a body bag.”

I roll my eyes at the dramatics. “Don’t be ridiculous. I’d display your dead body and decapitated head above the fireplace in my office.”

“Either way, I’m not leaving this place.”

“Not without me, no. By now, Ray’s found out that we’re here, and I’m waiting for my mother to make an appearance.”

“I don’t want to meet your mother.” He huffs and tightens his hold on my sleeve. “She’s a scary woman.”

I pause, look at him over my shoulder, and raise a brow. “My mother? Scary? Are we talking about the same woman?”

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