Page 167 of Remi's War (Four Dark Horsemen 2)

I laugh and then groan when my muscles ache. “I love you too, Remi. I’m so glad you married me and chased after my sister all those years.” He grimaces at the reminder. He hates that initially this information hurt me, and my teasing usually ends with him laying me flat on a nearby surface to show me who he’s always wanted. “Otherwise, you wouldn’t have snatched me up on that first night.”

He captures my lips in another toe-curling kiss that lasts longer than the previous one. “I’d still find you. You’re my reward.” As we gaze at one another, I’m really grateful for every single thing that led me to this moment.

Even the madman and all the injuries.

“Not that all this is not cute as fuck…” Florian’s amused voice breaks the bubble we’ve created around us, and I gasp.

I totally forgot about our company.

“But can we leave before you guys cross the PG line? Or worse… I might fall in love with Remi myself.” He winks at me, and Jimena jumps up, scooting to the other end of the couch from him while twisting her engagement ring.

Isla laughs, and even Octavius smirks. “He’s right. Didn’t know you were such a poet.”

“Bravo, amigo,” Santiago says, sighing and placing his hand on his chest, batting his eyelashes at Remi. “Be still my heart. Even I almost shed a tear.”

The laughter erupts inside the room, easing the tension that was wrapped tightly around us all.

“Are you all right?” Briseis asks, getting up and coming closer to me. “The doctor said that you have no internal injuries, but the wound on your head worries them, so they are going to keep you for a few days.” Well, that’s great to know; although right now, I’m far from all right. Not that I will mention this little tidbit. “A broken arm and ankle, they’ll take time to heal, but then you should be as good as new.”

“Yeah, I wouldn’t mind more painkillers, but I’m okay.”

Remi adjusts my pillow behind me and helps me to sit up. Although my head is a bit dizzy, this vertical position eases some of the aches.

Three loud knocks ring in the air, and Amalia enters, wearing a clean dress with her hair glistening in the sunlight. She stands out among us all, although nervousness emits from her as she shifts from foot to foot, glancing at everyone.

“We have to go. These guys need to wash off, because they stink,” Jimena says, patting me on the arm. “Glad to see you are okay, and we’re going to visit you soon.” The girls nod while the guys salute me on their way to the door.

“Thank you!” I call after them, and only Santiago looks over his shoulder, winking.

Yeah, they are an interesting bunch.

And I can honestly say I love them all.

Remi places a kiss on my forehead. “I will go and talk with the doctor about when they can discharge you.” I send him a grateful smile as he quietly exits the room, leaving me alone with my twin with tension rising around us.

The silence stretches, and I’m not sure she is going to say anything, until finally she speaks up. “I postponed my wedding five times.”

My brows shoot up, because this is not what I expected to hear at all.

“Okaaay.”

She huffs in exasperation and strolls to the window, her back to me. “Lionel thinks I’m nervous about the marriage, but he couldn’t be more wrong.”

Still a bit lost with this whole conversation, I mutter, “Maybe it’s just wrong timing.”

“No. I just didn’t want to get married without you.”

My heartbeat speeds up, but I fist my hands, not letting myself hope.

She has crushed my dreams so many times regarding us that I prefer to be cautious from now on.

“My whole life, I wanted to reunite with you. We all need to hold on to something, and you were the anchor that kept my boat steady during the storm.” She spins around, crossing her arms; I don't miss how hard she digs her nails into her skin. “And then when I was free to do so, I was afraid. Asher made sure you were loved. A perfect little girl living in a perfect world with perfect people. I could never be perfect. My flaws are deep and permanent, right along with all the scars marring my body.”

Oh my God.

The familiar pain hurts my heart again, crying out for my twin. “Amalia—”

She shakes her head. “No. It’s true, though. I’m not a good person. Never will be one either. We are like a coin with two sides. You're the light, and I’m the darkness that shouldn't exist in the same universe. When you found me, I was angry. Because I missed you so much, which is funny, because we’d never been together.” A hollow chuckle escapes her lips. “To protect myself from pain, I preferred to reject you first. I couldn’t stand the idea of you despising me once you learned about my past and present.”

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