Retribution Rewind: Back To Ten Years Ago Novel by Novia Osborn

Jackson glanced at Warren. “Let’s take this outside.” He didn’t want the mess in here.

Warren gave a sharp nod and swiftly led the Tigers gang out, leaving the warehouse.

“Th–Thomas…” Mason stammered in a panic. With Thomas gone, who would look out for him?

“Tsk, Thomas can’t even save his own skin. How’s he gonna protect you?” Donald scoffed at Mason’s naivety. If Mason had more sense, he wouldn’t have gotten into this mess.

Mason’s gaze darted to Jackson, his breath shallow. “Mr. Hudson, we’ve no bad blood, and our families have a solid partnership. You harm me, and my old man won’t let you walk away!”

Mason had been cozy with the Zane family’s eldest, Matthew Zane, and had never given much thought to Jackson, the Zane family’s adopted son. But Jackson’s piercing eyes sent a shiver down his spine, like a cold breeze. Recalling how Thomas was so effortlessly handled, Mason’s fear grew. “Jackson, y–you gotta think this through. If you touch me, you’re gonna regret it…”

and The threat lacked weight, and Annie shook her head. “Mason, haven’t you considered that if Mr. Hudson silences you ties up loose ends, no one would ever suspect him, right?” Echoing Thomas’s words, she threw it back at him, a deliberate jab.

“Y–you wouldn’t dare…” Mason’s voice quivered so much that his knees buckled, and he sank to the ground, trembling. Jackson chuckled, shook his head, and approached to untie the ropes binding Annie. But the moment he touched her, she tensed up like a cornered animal ready to fight.

Jackson paused, surprised, then laughed. He admired her wariness in a situation like this. Aware, brave, ruthless–had she not been a Sanders, he might have tried to recruit her.

“It’s just me,” his voice was a lazy drawl, the tone familiar, painting an image of that handsome, carefree face just by hearing it.

Annie’s reason steadied a bit, and she realized she’d overreacted. But she didn’t dare let her guard down; one false move, and it could all be over.

Jackson reached behind her head, found the silk ribbon covering her eyes, and with a gentle pull, he freed her from the blindfold.

Sunlight suddenly poured in, forcing Annie to squint and take a moment to adjust. When her vision cleared, she was met with the sight of a prominent Adam’s apple and the determined set of a strong jaw. It was just a glimpse, yet it radiated an undeniable allure, as if every detail of his skin held a captivating power.

There was also the subtle, unfamiliar scent of a cologne on Jackson. With Jeremy, she had become well–versed in the nuances of men’s fragrances. But this one was more appealing than any she’d encountered.

“Looking at me like that, are you sweet on me, Ms. Sanders?” A teasing voice cut in, the tone leaving it ambiguous whether he was serious or just playing.

Annie snapped out of her daze, realizing she’d nearly been captivated by his charm again. “Sweet on you? No chance. I just thought you’d be a good leader and considering working for you”

Jackson rubbed his chin thoughtfully. ‘Have I lost my charm? How come my ability became the only thing that caught her eye?‘

Annie rose to her feet, stretched her limbs, and approached Mason, looking down at him. “Think about what I said, Mason. Don’t recklessly give everything, only to be left a laughingstock.”

Mason, already filled with regret, hastily pleaded, “Ms. Sanders, I know I was wrong! Please tell Mr. Hudson to go easy on me!” He didn’t want to share Thomas’s fate.

Annie turned to Jackson, her brow arched slightly. “Mr. Hudson, could you do me a favor?” She had a use for Mason in mind.

“Sure thing,” Jackson agreed without hesitation. But he added, “However, after all the trouble, it wouldn’t be fair not to ask for some form of compensation.”

Eager for any chance of mercy, Mason nodded eagerly. “Sure, how much? I’ll pay any amount!”

Jackson’s response was casual. “I’ll take a finger.”

“Wh–what?!” Mason was aghast and thought it was a joke.

Donald sneered, “A finger’s a light punishment. You need to pay a price, to learn a lesson, to understand who’s not to be messed with.”

At Jackson’s signal, Mason was led away, no room for negotiation.

In a moment, the vast, abandoned warehouse was left with only Annie and Jackson.

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“Aren’t you surprised?” Jackson asked. He stared at Annie for a couple of seconds, his originally casual expression turning more serious. Pressed for time, he had no choice but to reveal some things that should have stayed hidden. But looking at Annie’s face, she seemed utterly unfazed.

Annie then realized she seemed too composed. In her previous life, when she died, Jackson was already the formidable Mr. Hudson in Betrico. Such strength was nothing new. But the current Jackson was just the biggest playboy in the capital, an adopted son of the Zane family.

Annie answered, “Surprised? Absolutely, I’m blown away. I was just too scared to show it. I didn’t expect you to be so formidable, Mr. Hudson!”

Perhaps her exaggerated acting was too unconvincing. Jackson cornered her against the wall, his fingers gently gliding on her neck. “Do you know what happens when you lie to me?”

Annie instantly felt a chill run down her spine, her scalp prickling.

Jackson held her slender neck, his fingers slowly tightening… Annie felt suffocated. In a burst of desperation, Annie jumped up and bit Jackson’s neck.

Jackson gasped. This wasn’t some playful flirtation. The moment Annie aimed for his vital spot, he could feel that she wanted his life. He mused, ‘I was just trying to scare her, and she really went for it?‘

“Is this how you treat your savior?” Jackson let her go, touching his neck, somewhat amused by the situation.

Annie glanced at Jackson’s neck. Her bite left a row of tooth marks, and there was blood. It was a fierce bite. She mused, ‘He tried to strangle me, and my counterattack was an instinctive reaction for survival! I don’t want to die. At least not before I settle the scores.‘

But today, she owed it to Jackson, and now that she thought about it, she knew he didn’t really want her life. He wouldn’t have risked exposing his strength to save her if he was really afraid of what she knew.

She coughed lightly in embarrassment and said, “I’m sorry.”

Jackson looked at Annie with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile. “Just like that?” An apology and it was over?

“I owe you a favor, and I’ll find a chance to repay you in the future,” Annie said sincerely, so sincere that Jackson was slightly taken aback.

He originally wanted to say it was even with the previous favor, but seeing her so serious, he suddenly didn’t want to settle it so simply. “All right. You owe me one.”