Page 121 of Remi's War (Four Dark Horsemen 2)

Their jewelry, probably designed by the Price family to show them their tribute, glistens under the crystal chandelier above us, brightening up the whole space and bringing attention to its magnificence.

Florian’s great-great-grandfather created it, so its absolutely priceless, and no wonder several people gape at it in awe as the crystals cast colorful squares on the floor, and the moonlight streaming through the wide-open terrace door leading to the garden only intensifies its beauty.

Right in the center, a band plays classical music, their movements and notes so precise one might listen to them for hours, which gives this whole gathering a rather deceivingly peaceful atmosphere.

Although, believing in it would be so foolish, as silent games are played here in which one establishes their power and connections by flaunting their wealth. They do it with so much class you’d never guess it if you didn’t look close enough.

Servers roam around the room, offering everyone drinks, and I notice several tables spread around heavy with food while another arched door leads to the dining table, where the main dinner will probably be served.

“It’s very… calm.” I finally push out the words, even a bit disappointed for everything to look so normal.

Somehow, with the reputation the Price family has gained over the years, I expected more craziness.

“Did you expect naked women swimming in chandeliers?” Remi teases, snagging the whiskey and wine from the waiter passing by, and practically shoves the wine in my hand.

I take a large sip, musing on his words, and honestly say, “Yeah.”

“They come later.” A beat passes. “Grandpa Atlas prefers to fuck women in the privacy of his country club. The party there will be wild. That’s why none of us are invited.” He shudders. “We are scarred for life after the last time.”

I choke on my drink, coughing a little while my eyes water, and gape at him in shock. “Really?” I mean, the dude turned eighty-five. How does he have all that energy to fuck around?

I guess he keeps the family reputation of massive manwhores who can’t keep their pants zipped for anyone, let alone their wives, alive and well.

Remi sips his drink and wants to say something, when I notice the crowd’s attention on us, women scanning me from head to toe, narrowing their eyes for a fraction of a second before shrugging and turning back to their conversations.

The men don’t even bother looking at me, either not finding me interesting enough or my husband’s deadly stare warns them off from letting their gazes linger on me.

And just like that, the most intimidating part of the evening passes, and I huff in exasperation.

Being Remi’s wife is truly an experience, because indeed no one can say a thing to what’s his without fear. “Well, this is very anticlimactic,” I mutter with disappointment lacing my voice. Before Remi can laugh at my expense though, I jab a finger in his chest. “Don’t laugh.”

“Wasn’t gonna,” he assures me and then clinks his glass with mine, and that’s when I notice four sets of eyes studying us from the other side of the room.

And compared to everyone else, they don’t shy away from drilling their stares into us.

I focus my attention on the first pair, a purple-haired woman who cocks her head to the side, grinning at us while her black pencil dress showcases a great figure. Her crystal-clear blue eyes radiate warmth, making her magnetic to be around, and somehow I wish to go closer to her. She says something to the dark-haired man standing next to her and rubbing her arm, and he gives her a smile before kissing her on her neck for everyone to see. The moment seems almost too intimate to watch.

My gaze shifts to the second couple, a redheaded woman who clasps her hands together, excitement shining on her face. Her silver dress falls down in waves although still emphasizes her curvy figure.

She elbows her husband, judging by how tightly he holds her in his arms, although they make quite an odd couple.

She looks way younger than him; however, he’s still stunning for a man his age, while she is a bit too plain. Their relationship caused quite a scandal back in the day, as she happened to be seventeen years younger than him and was his six-year-old son’s nanny. His father threatened to take away his rights to the empire, but he ignored the warning and married her anyway.

Interestingly enough, he is the only man in his dynasty who never cheated on his wives and stayed respectful toward them. In fact, his first wife was the one who ran away with a lover and refused to see her son, dumping him to be raised by his father. She even called him the devil’s spawn.

They don’t have to introduce themselves for me to know who they are.

Their heirs are spitting images of their fathers.

Lucian Cortez and Jacob Price.

Remi motions for the server to come and places his empty glass on the tray while I do the same. “Let’s go. After the dark four and Jimena, they are some of the most important people in my life.”

Oh God.

Considering both these families practically raised Remi, this is equivalent to meeting the parents, isn’t it?

My heart drums loudly in my chest while my pulse speeds up, and the air hitches in my throat when we reach them, too nervous to utter a word, as first impressions are everything.

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