Page 162 of Remi's War (Four Dark Horsemen 2)

And then whored her around whenever he felt like it, for connections and dynasty.

“And searched for the baby all the time. I was content, though, because I knew he died. Only that fucker couldn’t go through with the deal and let him live!” he concludes on a snarl while I digest all this information.

I know Remi has destroyed Duke’s reputation and plans to take away his empire, which would be a logical thing to consider; that’s why he is so angry now.

However, after listening to him, the picture becomes crystal-clear.

“You’re afraid Sofia will find out.” He stills at this, swinging his head toward me. “He will tell her the truth, and then your daughter who you love so much will know what a monster you truly are.” His face becomes red as his mouth opens and closes. He is a selfish bastard, but he has a soft spot for Sofia and doesn’t want to lose her. Remi threatens that, though. Duke knows she loves Remi more than him, her own father.

And that’s another reason he hates him so much.

“You better shut up, girl.”

“Remi deserved to grow up with his mother. He deserved better. What he didn’t deserve, though, is to be related to such a bad man like you!” I cry out when he fists my hair again, pulling it so hard it feels as if he intends to rip it all out. Still, I say, despite the tears forming in my eyes from his action, “He survived, and no matter what you do today, he will win.” If this man succeeds in killing me, then I want him to forever remember that.

In this war, his grandson won, because he has something destiny never gave Duke.

A heart.

“You’re such an idiot. Just like your father who crossed me.” I blink at him, uneasiness rushing through me, and he chuckles. “He fell in love and forgot about everything. That’s why both of them had to pay for it.”

No.

No, no, no.

“You—”

“Killed them?” he says and nods, pulling at my hair harder and making me whimper as he digs his cane into my stomach, the bruised flesh weeping from the contact. I don’t break away from his stare, not wanting to show him weakness. “Oh, yes. Brought me extra joy too. Why do you think Asher ran away to France? He wanted to protect you. As if I didn’t know about you.” Oh my God. “I just didn’t give a fuck. Your father left you nothing. He felt the need to separate you two in order to save you from me. So the reason he left all his fortune to Amalia was because she ended up with your aunt. He knew Asher would love you. Beatrice was a whore and died a whore too.”

Nausea hits me, sorrow awakening inside me again at losing my parents that I never got the chance to meet, but also my twin.

Everything that has happened to both of us is his fault!

“Paying off Beatrice to be extra cruel to her niece was a great idea. As long as she was mentally unstable, she couldn’t claim the shares, and that’s why my empire was safe.” He grimaces, spitting on the ground. “All of you survived though. Three kids I wanted dead, and none of you are in graves. I’ve had enough of this.” He drags me forward as I struggle in his hold, but my effort is useless against his strength. My knees scrape over the grass as he drags me after him. “I thought for a long time about how to hurt you all. Until my eyes landed on you.” It takes me a second to realize he's brought me to the big, rectangular empty pool. “You see, Penelope, they both love you and need you the most. You are the glue holding everything together for them. Killing you will bring them so much pain no amount of torture would rival it. Bill!”

On cue, a man appears next to us and grips my ankle, wrapping a tight rope around it that’s attached to some heavy bag that must have stones in it. “Once you die, I will have my revenge. They will all pay for everything they’ve done to me.” With this, he pushes me hard, and with a yelp, I fall to the bottom of the pool. Piercing pain zips through me when my body lands on the hard concrete. My cry is stilled inside me; every breath is a struggle.

I roll to the side, something warm sliding down my forehead. I have no power to move a muscle. I can only stare up at the clear sky and long to run away from this anguish, but I can’t.

The onslaught becomes too much, but I struggle to keep awake. I want to close my eyes so I won’t have to experience this torture, but the sound of water slapping against the pool snaps my attention while slowly wetness forms underneath me.

He is filling it up. The attached bag of rocks leaves me no means to save myself.

And even if I can hold on enough to try to swim, the anchor will pull me down, and I will die anyway.

My prince hasn’t come to the rescue in time.

I’m afraid. So afraid.

For if he finds me dead, darkness will forever fill his heart.

But as much as I try, I can’t stay awake. I slowly succumb to the oblivion whispering in my ear to let go and not feel a thing.

Amalia was right.

I never should have come here.

Maybe then we’d all stay alive.

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