Page 150 of Remi's War (Four Dark Horsemen 2)

He doesn’t promise me he will change, just that I will always have his undying devotion.

If I give him the chance… I could live with a lot of things, even his darkness, but love would conquer it all, wouldn’t it?

Or help to withstand it?

Briseis loves Santiago despite his past and present, and that man adores her in his own way, I imagine.

We could have what they have if I just believe, right?

Finally, the internal struggle within me ever since we had sex that first time settles, and a bubble of laughter emerges from my throat, welcoming this freedom to maybe fall in love with a man who everyone says is a bad seed.

My handsome villain who would slay any prince and dragon standing in his way, and it’s this that makes me feel the most alive.

Remi frowns and then stills when I get up, coming closer to him until the tips of my toes touch his.

Placing my palms on his skin, I slide them upward until they circle his neck and pull him closer to me, our mouths inches apart from each other, and a tremor rushes through him at the action as he must read my adoration and acceptance on my face. “No more running away. I will give this marriage a chance. I’m yours.”

He stares at me like he cannot comprehend what I just told him and then with a groan slams his mouth on mine.

Yes.

I claimed one of the Four Dark Horsemen.

And he is all mine!

Remi

She moans when I seek out her tongue with mine, colliding in a hot kiss that makes her press to me so hard goose bumps already break on her skin while she throws her head back, giving me better access to her mouth.

Fisting her hair, I angle it better before diving in deep, dueling for dominance as she matches me stroke for stroke while, with this kiss—despite its passion—I do my best to communicate to her my gratitude.

Because under layers and layers of armor I acquired over the years to protect myself, she sees me.

For the first time since I met the dark four, someone wants me for me with all my flaws, giving me something I never knew in this world.

Acceptance and a place in someone’s life not tainted by darkness.

We separate for a fraction of a second, both of us breathing heavily and then kiss again, this time slower, enjoying every touch of our tongues while our hearts beat against each other in an almost synchronized beat.

My beautiful, beautiful wife.

Love never had much meaning to me, and I still don’t know if I’m even capable of feeling it, but with Penelope… she makes me believe there is atonement and a brighter future for the likes of me.

A future where a good woman can love you and spare you from the loneliness eating at you from the inside, never truly going away.

Love at first sight? No. Lust at first sight and the desire to possess so no one would ever get their hands on her, because she stirs my good-for-nothing heart? Yes.

I always knew what I wanted and got it.

My wife though… forcing her always felt wrong, because for once I wanted someone to choose me for me.

However, even right now, it’s not really a choice, is it?

She is bound to me, for always, because I’d never let her go. Her acceptance soothes the broken part of me, but that won’t change the outcome.

Monsters in this world do not give away what they cherish the most, no. We kill anyone who dares to even think about taking it though.

Slowly, as I own her mouth, I move us toward the bed, needing to indulge in my wife when she stops, pushing at my chest until our mouths tear away, and I growl, which makes her chuckle.

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