Page 174 of Remi's War (Four Dark Horsemen 2)

What can I say?

Our family is very messy, and explaining all the connections to people is sure fun, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I’m going to check on Penelope,” I say as the kids jump around them while Mom nods. So prowling through the hallway, I head to the terrace where the wide-open door leads to the blinding sun and magnificent garden.

The wind whooshes over me, bringing relief to my heated skin, and for a second, I stand in the doorjamb, enjoying the warmth as a few birds fly up high in the sky and others chirp loudly from the trees.

I bask in nature until my body buzzes with anticipation and passion as my gaze settles on the beautiful vision in blue strolling through the garden and plucking roses on her way. Her dress is plastered against her legs. Her dark hair cascades in heavy locks, and she has this earthy vibe that makes my hands itch to grab her and hold her close to me.

Sharing her with anyone, even nature, seems an unforgivable crime.

My wife.

Mine forever.

Years spent together have done nothing to diminish my obsession and possessiveness of my woman and, instead, have only intensified them, making me wish to spend all my time with her.

I hate any man in her company but deal with it because she has a huge ring on her finger and now something else of mine that lets everyone nearby know she is taken.

Marching to her, I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her gently against me, the beast inside me roaring in pleasure at her scent washing over me and soothing my dark edges.

She laughs softly, resting her head on my chest as she runs her fingers over my hands. “Ah. Someone has missed me.”

“Always,” I reply, nipping her shoulder while my palm glides up and down her baby bump, grinning when I get a little welcoming kick from our tiny miracle. “She is excited to see me.”

Five months ago, we discovered she was pregnant, and that’s when I truly learned the meaning of fear.

The idea of something pure coming from me in this cruel world terrifies me to no end. I want to protect it with all my heart so no one dares to hurt my baby.

The boys already knew hell, so even as fucked up as I am… me being their dad has given them a better chance in this life, and I’m not afraid I’ll smear them with my darkness.

This little life, though…

Although the minute I heard her heartbeat, my heart calmed, and then when they told me it’s a little girl… I couldn’t wait to have a little dark-haired princess to spoil who will probably brighten the world just like her mother.

The boys are excited too. Alesandro wrote her a poem, while Aegeus promised to teach her to fight.

Santiago already bought a shit-ton of presents for his first goddaughter.

“I think she loves you more than me,” Penelope teases, spinning toward me and circling her arms around my neck, stepping even closer to me while I hook a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Not that I can blame her.” A raspy breath escapes her as she holds my gaze. “Everything okay?

My woman has learned to coexist with my darkness, accepting my deeds as long as they stay true to my morals, even if she doesn’t understand.

We have no secrets in this marriage, and I will never stop fighting for those who deserve it, while punishing horrible men who steal childhoods and whose choices inflict evilness onto those around them.

She will have a lot of questions about our latest operation, reminding me to always be safe and come back to her.

She changed a bit after we got the kids; she warned me she wouldn’t tolerate any darkness around them, and if I succumb to it, she will take them all and leave so I won’t find them.

I would never harm a hair on any of them, for I truly love them in ways I thought my dark heart never could. But the idea of her thinking she can get away from me is truly hilarious.

My Penelope is forever trapped with the monster, even if it’s a beloved monster, not that I tell her that.

I’m powerful but not stupid.

“Yeah. Just a little trouble. Nothing we can’t fix.” She gives me a hard look, and I give her a kiss on the mouth. “Be brave, chérie. Always be brave.”

Because living with the Four Dark Horsemen requires patience and bravery to survive our brand of darkness.

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