Page 125 of Remi's War (Four Dark Horsemen 2)

He twirls the glass in his fingers. “Isn’t it? You’re ready to hightail your ass out of here once all this ends, and yet he’s treated you like a queen all this time.”

“He blackmailed me into—”

“Arranged marriage. This was Amalia’s idea, not his. You grew up in love just like me.” His rapid changes in subject give me whiplash, because I don’t understand if it’s anger or annoyance in his tone that rubs me the wrong way.

Or maybe it’s the truth.

Not sure if he expects an answer to his statement, but I give it to him nevertheless. “Yes.”

“Remi didn’t. In fact, his family life was complete shit. Where he constantly heard how everyone wished he was never born.” I still, my hand clenching on my chest, and pain washes over me thinking about my husband, who was subjected to such cruelty as a child.

No one deserves to hear something like that.

“And now he has a wife who wishes she never met him.” I lean back as if he slapped me, and a dangerous expression settles on his features. “You treat him just like Amalia does you.”

“That’s not fair.” I cross my arms, doing my best to protect myself from Santiago, who’s decided to give me a lecture all of a sudden. And there’s some truth in his statement, although I hate it.

Because despite everything, I don’t want to hurt anyone the way my twin chose to hurt me, even the villain I married.

“I had no idea about all this or much of a choice. If people knew—”

He interrupts me, “Who gives a fuck about people?” Since the question is rhetorical, I stay silent while he continues. “Remi is my best friend. I love him as a brother, and he deserves better than a wife who is ready to run away from him and sell him out to the cops at the first opportunity because she thinks that’s the right thing to do.” My eyes widen at how he reads me so well. “We are a family. Think about your future actions well, Penelope. Because if you do anything to hurt my friend, I will destroy you.” Absolute promise rings in his words; this man would punish me should I ever endanger Remi or his family.

I take a step back from the onslaught of fearful energy coming at me in spades. “Don’t threaten me,” I warn him, my voice trembling slightly, but I still keep my chin high, not appreciating how he decided to attack me while my husband isn’t around. Not sure what shit Briseis lets him get away with, but like he said, I grew up in a loving household. I’m not alone in this world! “I’m a Walsh, and—”

He interrupts me once again, making me grit my teeth. “You’re a Reyes. You married one of us, and your loyalty will stay with us. Should you ever go against us, you will not like the consequences.”

I bristle at this. “Remi would never let you hurt me!” All his actions so far showed me he wouldn’t physically do anything to me.

I’m his prized possession and obsession, and those are sacred to these monsters.

Santiago grins at my statement and then winks at me. “Isn’t it ironic? A man you claim to hate is the only one you trust to save you.” The realization hits me like a ton of bricks. “Not your sister with her dark brotherhood, and not your father with all his connections. But a husband who trapped you in this marriage. Think about it before you listen to common sense, what society thinks is right, and do irrevocable damage.”

We stare at one another for a second, and then he picks up another nut, pops it in his mouth, and strolls after Remi and Amalia, probably to handle the paperwork, while his advice plays over and over in my mind.

All my life, I always chose what was right.

Would it be so bad for once to choose what my heart desires, even if no one understands it?

Would it be so bad to follow the unknown?

Would it be so bad… to fall for a villain instead of a prince?

Remi

Amalia signs her shares away with one signature and then slides the document to me, closing her pen before dropping it in her small purse. “They’re all yours.”

I glance down at the papers that announce my shares in his empire, and the familiar pleasure spreads through my veins in anticipation of my upcoming victory.

Now all I have to do is send distractions his way before publicly humiliating him.

Oddly enough, the thought that should calm the monster within me makes him more restless, as for the first time in my life, I have something to lose.

Penelope.

Tension drains out of me as her image flashes in my head, my beautiful wife with the most mesmerizing eyes that look at me with desire and fear alike, and I love every second of it.

This probably makes me a bastard, but I give zero fucks about it.

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