Page 132 of Remi's War (Four Dark Horsemen 2)

And their dads already sent him to the hospital a few years back. We thought the torture would end, but it continued.

Octavius just got better at hiding it.

We all quickly get inside, and I hope nothing has happened to him.

Because the darkness spreads inside me so much I think I will kill his fucking stepfather if he did something to my friend.

If there is even one more scar on him… or if he lies in a pool of blood and piss again… or if he is chained in the basement… I will snap his neck.

Back then, we didn’t know that every action in this life has a reaction; our decisions bring consequences with them.

And what we did on that fateful date forever sealed our fates together, entwining them in such a way we could never again turn our backs on each other.

Because it awakened monsters inside us to whom we gave our first sacrifice, and then the darkness demanded more and more.

After all, we created a brotherhood.

And to have a dark brotherhood, sacrifices have to be made.

It’s inevitable.

Penelope

As people dance and converse around me while I’m standing alone like an idiot, I grab a nearby empty plate and put a few strawberries on it along with chocolate, fully intending to head to the terrace, away from all these prying eyes.

I can feel the silent judgment over how my husband just hightailed his ass off with my twin.

I think someone already posted on social media how we are connected, so it’s just a matter of time before I get another angry phone call from my father.

“Just great,” I mutter, exhaling heavily, and then jump in place when a deep voice speaks up from behind me.

“Young women shouldn’t sigh so heavily, darling.”

I spin around, blinking in surprise at the tall, old man standing in front of me wearing a colorful purple three-piece suit while his wrinkled face smiles down at me. If the signature green eyes weren’t an indicator enough, his stunning appearance for his age would have been a dead giveaway.

Atlas Price in the flesh.

“Hi,” I say and then place the plate back on the table, slightly nervous knowing his reputation of blacklisting people left and right. “Happy birthday.”

“Well thank you, darling.” He roams his gaze over me and then smiles even brighter. “You’re the spitting image of your mother.” The air hitches in my throat; no one has ever said that to me. “She used to turn heads. No wonder your father fell for her.” He opens his arms wide and then pulls me toward him, hugging me so tight it’s hard to breathe for a second. “Welcome to the family, Penelope.” He leans back and pats my cheeks. “I’m very happy for Remi.” Then his brow furrows, and his tone grows cold. “Still don’t appreciate Asher ignoring my invitation though. After everything I’ve done for him.” He huffs, his eyes lighting up with a dangerous glint. “He’s lucky I like his art enough not to take offense.” Then he grins again, and I understand why his moods swings are legendary. Rumor has it he once demolished an entire jewelry collection because the lighting fell on it wrong. “If I was just five years younger, darling, I’d totally fight your husband for you.” He winks, and nervous laughter escapes me.

What in the hell?

“Five years? Try fifty, Grandpa Atlas.” Jimena, along with Briseis, dances toward us, and she is gorgeous in her red flowery dress skirting around her. “And even then, you’d still be older than Remi right now.”

Atlas’s eyes soften as they land on her, and he lets go of me, hugging her tight instead and kissing her soundly on the cheek. “The prettiest girl in the whole world is here.” And then he glares at her. “Did you just call me old?”

She smiles up at him innocently. “No. Just too old for Penelope.”

They have a stare-off for a while, and then he bursts out laughing, his mustache curling up, and he shakes his head at her. “Always smart, so smart.” He addresses Briseis. “Glad to see you here too, darling. Stay till the very end. The show will be amazing.” Then he claps his hands together, and two young, blonde women show up wearing short dresses, and they each grab him by an elbow. “Ladies, shall we proceed?” And just like that, he moves away, ready to talk to other guests.

I’m afraid to even imagine what the show later on entails with such an eccentric man.

“He’s…” I try to find a perfect word to describe him but fail to do so.

“Interesting. I always go for interesting,” Briseis suggests and then rubs Jimena’s back when she covers her mouth and then waves her hand. “Are you all right?”

Even though she pales a little, she nods. “Si. Their perfume was so strong I just can’t.”

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