Page 44 of The Sweetest Cruelty: Hudson (A Sawyer Brothers Story #1)

“No. That dumbass talking to Molly,” I replied, motioning to the pair with a flick of my head.

His reply surprised me. “I was talking about Micah.”

What the fuck was he on about? “What about Micah?” I turned and rolled my shoulders. They suddenly felt stiff, and the twinge at my temple suggested my headache from earlier was about to get worse.

Reed walked over to place his now-empty bottle on the island counter, and I followed him. “I saw him with Creed by the pool house.”

“Micah? When? Creed’s been attached to Molly for most of the night,” I pointed out.

“I saw them talking when Creed went to get her a drink.”

“So, what, they know each other.”

We both turned to lean back against the counter, facing where Creed still had Molly against the fence.

He was much taller than she was, and I could just make out the edge of her arm and a few wisps of hair.

Were they kissing? The thought felt like lead in my stomach, and my earlier annoyance started to come back.

Oh dear. I leaned my head forward, trying to get a better look, but Reed nudged me hard with his elbow and I realized I’d missed his reply.

“What?” I snapped, rubbing the back of my neck, feeling as wound up as fuck.

“I said it was more than chit chat. Shit exchanged hands.”

My arms dropped as I turned on my brother. The fuse of my temper lit. If there was one thing I hated, it was lies.

“So, he lied to me. Micah said he didn’t get his stash from Creed no more.” I rasped, blood now rushing through my veins like lava. I knew that Micah buying weed from Creed could have been worse, but that wasn’t the point. My brother had been untruthful to my face.

And then Reed jammed ‘worse’ up to the next level. “I don’t think it was his usual order either.”

“What the fuck does that mean?” I growled. I said it with so much aggression that a group of girls who were standing with two juniors moved away. Watching us warily.

Reed saw how my sudden mood had changed the atmosphere in the kitchen. The music still pumped loudly, but so did my presence. “Calm down. I’m not saying for certain, but it looked like blow.”

I started to pace, feeling like a caged tiger. One that was suddenly driven with the need to rip someone’s throat out. Namely, Xander Creed’s.

Blow? As in cocaine? “That fucker is dead,”

“Who? Micah?” Reed stuttered, placing a hand against my chest. Reed was fiercely loyal towards the boy he had called brother since they were toddlers. We were all close, but Reed and Micah had a connection not dissimilar from what I had read twins experienced.

His hand pressed hard between my pecs, and I knocked that fucker away. It wasn’t good to touch me when I was spoiling for a fight. “No, Creed. I’ll deal with our dickhead of a brother later.” I could feel his relief through his taunt frame as it relaxed slightly.

As I went to push past him, Reed grabbed my bicep. Fuck me, my little brother had been working out as his grip was much stronger than it used to be. “Shit, Hudson. Just stop and talk to me first. What’s the play?”

I yanked my arm out of his grasp and washed a hand down my face. I needed to give myself a minute before I waded in and tore the cunt a new asshole. I didn’t want to lose control in front of Molly or any of the juniors. That was some scary shit. I did have some moral code.

“Hud? Tell me.”

And then I changed my mind. Fights happened all the time at parties, and this one would be no different.

If the younger kids decided to crash, that was on them, as I knew for a fact that Nash never invited anyone other than those in our year to his house.

So, if they witnessed bloodshed, they had put themselves at the risk of that by being where they shouldn’t be.

“I’m going to obliterate the cocksucker.”

Reed moved to block my way with his hands fisted by his sides. “Damn it. That’s not a good idea when you have a house full of witnesses.”

Ignoring his reasoning tone of voice, I gave him my orders. “Find out if Straker invited Creed here and if he realizes that he’s dealing drugs in his fucking house.”

“What makes you think he’s here to deal?”

“Why else is he dressed like a fucking bible salesman? It’s a front,” I shot back.

“Hudson! Don’t do anything stupid. If the cops get called, half the school is busted.” Reed shouted after me as I started to stalk through the kitchen, heading towards the folding doors.

“Then I can welcome them to my world,” I called back.

“Fuck, no. Hudson. The place could get trashed.”

“Do I look like I give a shit?” I said this as I stepped onto the patio, my prey in sight. I finally had an outlet for the emotions I’d experienced ever since I’d received the letter about my old man, as red took over my vision. I battled the devil most days, but this was something else.

I ignored the cat calls from the cheer squad sitting wasted in the hot tub. I caught Storm’s look of concern as I strode past them. She had only seen me at my worst once, which wasn’t an occasion I was proud of.

But that wouldn’t stop me now. Nothing could.

I embraced my rage and that unrelenting need to make Xander Creed suffer