Chapter 0176
Was this really something she needed to hear?
Riley gave a quick, awkward cough. “You two keep talking–I’ll go check on the food preparation.”
She thought it might have been better if she’d excused herself sooner; after hearing far more than she’d intended, she half–wondered if Hawk might see the need to silence her just to keep his secret.
With only the two of them left in the room, Hawk dropped any pretense and stepped close to Suzy, reaching out to touch her face. “Junior, tell me how do you plan to show your apology?”
Suzy immediately sidestepped his touch, pouring two glasses of wine and offering one to Hawk. “I remember our mentor saying that red wine was your favorite. Riley made this herself–care to try and see if it’s to your taste?”
Hawk glanced at the drink, then smiled. “So thoughtful, Junior. You even remembered my favorite drink. But…”
Between sharp minds, words weren’t always necessary.
“Are you afraid?” Suzy teased, lifting her own glass to her lips and downing it in one go. She held out the remaining glass to him. “Feel better about drinking it now?”
Instead of taking the glass she offered, Hawk picked up the one she’d just used, filled it, and drank deeply. “Sharing a glass with you, Junior… even plain water would taste sweet.
“How disgusting,” Suzy thought,
But his smug expression didn’t last long.
Setting the glass down, Hawk reached into his pocket, pulling out a small red velvet box. A little gift I brought for you. Open it and see if it pleases you?”
Suzy took it casually, placing it aside without a second glance. “If it’s from you, of course, I’ll like it.”
Silently, she began counting the seconds.
Five seconds later, Hawk’s face contorted with sudden pain. “You…”
He attempted to stand but faltered, sinking back into his chair, his gaze sharp and lethal, carrying a deadly edge. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“What do you think?” Suzy’s tone was ice–cold. “I warned you to stay away from Diana, but you seemed to think I was joking.”
+25 BONUS
Chapter 0176
“I told you–it wasn’t me!” Hawk’s dark eyes narrowed, filled with venom.
“It may not be you who did it this time but that doesn’t mean you didn’t hurt her!” Suzy said coldly, pulling out a silver needle from the small case at her waist and selecting the longest one as she advanced toward Hawk.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Hawk’s expression tightened, his brow furrowing sharply. “Suzy, I’m Claude’s brother. He’s gone, and if you kill me, you’ll never see this face the one that’s just like his—again!”
“So what if it’s identical?” There wasn’t a flicker of hesitation in her gaze. “You are you, and he was himself. Don’t think that sharing his face means I’ll spare you, no matter what you do!
“Hawk, we’ve been fellow apprentices for years. Though we haven’t worked together much, you should know my temper well enough by now. I despise anyone who targets the people I care about–and you crossed that line.
Diana should have lived a carefree life, but he had turned her world upside down. Every time Suzy thought of the scar disfiguring Diana’s head, she felt the urge to shred Hawk into pieces. Only Diana’s remarkable resilience had spared her from falling apart; most would have been crushed.
The more Suzy dwelled on it, the hotter her rage burned.
Without another word, she drove the needle toward Hawk’s left eye. “Whatever bond we had as fellow apprentices ends here and now.”
