Page 23 of Remi's War (Four Dark Horsemen 2)

That’s the question I ask myself every day when my heart aches for my twin while I’m stuck in a different country, playing by the rules the grownups inflicted on me.

Even though Dad promised to use all his resources to locate Amalia, it doesn’t stop the pain squeezing my heart tighter and tighter each day.

Maybe because I sense something is wrong, terribly wrong.

In my dreams, although they should be called nightmares, I’m always running inside a building, trying to escape the heavy metal walls, but something else or someone else always manages to catch me, trapping me inside while my screams become muffled.

I always wake up with a shriek, sitting on my bed, the sweat running down my back, and my senses on high alert.

During these moments, I know… I just know, no matter how often people might deny it, Amalia is in danger.

But Dad has forbidden me to leave the country until I’m twenty, claiming that I would be in less danger once the will comes into effect, whatever that means, and no amount of pleading helps my cause.

I sometimes wonder if my father thinks I’m insane too, and that’s why he stalls my travels. He doesn’t understand why I need to go against my birth parents’ wishes and break the status quo.

However, without any money or his support, for now, my hands are tied, and I hate it with all my being.

I have a plan though, which will allow me to travel to Chicago in a year.

Since he sent me to school a year early, I’ll be graduating soon, which means I can enroll in a university and then use a special program to spend a semester in the States.

My best friend, Monique, who graduated last year, already has a job for me. She said I could help her father out in his office with translations and tutor her younger brother in English. Since I already speak three languages and plan to study linguistics to add two more, it will be good practice for me too.

This way, I will have money to use, and Dad won’t be able to dangle anything over my head.

I hope with all my heart that I’m panicking for nothing, and Amalia is blissfully enjoying life, unaware about our past.

But if she truly suffers… I beg her to hold on just a little longer.

Because I won’t rest until I have her in my arms safe and sound.

Penelope

“I think this was a horrible mistake,” I say as my driver pulls up in front of the club with a mile-long line leading to the flashy red entrance where three bouncers guard the place.

Their arms are crossed as they broodingly watch their surroundings, their muscles bulging under their shirts, and I shrink inwardly.

Countless women and men dressed in fine clothes showcase several of the latest designers’ collections for the season, while expensive-looking diamonds glisten under the shimmering lights all around them.

A lady scans everyone’s invitations and even sends some people home. Some women burst out in tears, begging to be let in.

One man tries to argue but shuts up when a bouncer shoves him away.

Isla huffs next to me, tightening her jacket. “Let’s not be dramatic.” She pats my hand and motions to the door. “We should find out what all the fuss is about, right?” She sends a reassuring smile my way before pressing the handle and getting out of the car while I groan inwardly.

No matter what this girl claims, she’s insane and lives in her own head, because what else explains her acting as if we’ve been the best of friends who have dreamed about going to the club?

To my surprise, my father was very happy to fulfill my request and got us invitations within an hour, and he even recommended that I have fun while I was in Chicago.

It’s a city you’ll fall in love with once… and it never lets you go. Enjoy it, and then come back home.

I didn’t miss his wistful sigh or the sad notes in his tone, which confused me to no end too. Why haven’t we come here sooner?

For this reason alone, I decided not to tell him about Isla’s information; maybe meeting my twin and reading her file will give me insight on what the hell happened all those years ago that resulted in this mess.

After it was taken care of, I went to the hotel room but couldn’t sleep, thinking about Amalia and Isla, but mostly the latter, because the girl is fascinating despite her weirdness.

She showed up an hour ago at my place, ready to go, but not before warning me to stay close and not make any sudden moves.

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