Page 45 of Remi's War (Four Dark Horsemen 2)

While my friends tried to avoid it at all costs, they were on board with it before her engagement; they changed their minds after though.

Because she clearly made her choice.

And we don’t force women.

Ever.

Or at least we didn’t… until Santiago kidnapped his wife.

“She’s mine.”

“She belongs to someone else.” Santiago presses the butt of his cigarette in the ashtray while keeping his gaze on me, his open eyes concerned and annoyed at the same time.

My best friend mastered his drilling stares through the years, and while they have an effect on most people, I am indifferent to them.

“The minute you go after her now, you will start a war. Lachlan is ruthless. He’s already stolen several of our staff and offered them jobs at his club. Fucked up Octavius’s deal. Florian’s jewelry just disappeared from the latest collection. He has been warning us all along because you spent so much time in New York.”

Right.

It was hilarious to ruffle his feathers and keep my eyes on Amalia, wanting to find an opportunity to offer her a deal.

Her willing participation in my plan would have sped up a lot of stuff, but destiny had other plans in sight for us both.

Santiago continues, propping himself on the table. “Amalia ran away from you tonight. Some battles are meant to be lost, amigo, in order to survive.”

“I haven’t come this far in my life, amigo, by losing.” They treat me like one of their own, and for that, I will always be grateful to them.

They never once showed me disrespect or made me feel less than them.

But in moments like this, they should remember my origins and what it actually took for me to be on top of the world right now.

You don’t get power by being nice and understanding.

“I’m not going to declare war over a whore,” Octavius says, snapping my attention to him as razor-sharp rage rushes through my veins, awakening the wild beast inside me roaring at the insult thrown toward the woman I consider mine.

For now at least.

Having permanent attachments in our world is dangerous; life has taught me that good things happen to those who fucking never expect it.

All my prayers and wishes have fallen on deaf ears, followed by despicable laughter of the people who don’t deserve to breathe.

“Watch your mouth, Octavius.” My voice stays even and low, albeit no one misses the danger lacing it. I can be understanding of his past and why he has such strong emotions on the topic, but he will not call my woman names.

He just smirks, coldness sinking into his gaze as he steps closer. “Or what?”

Without thinking, I pull my elbow back and deliver a punch to his nose, making his head tilt, his powerful form shifting back as a small huff slips past his lips. The whiskey glass drops on the floor where it rattles loudly and doesn’t break, to my surprise. “Or you won’t like the consequences.”

Santiago exclaims loudly, “Mierda,” before darting toward us.

Octavius quickly finds his footing, though, and sends a blow my way, harder and meaner than the one I gave him, hitting me so hard in the stomach air sticks in my throat.

The mean fucker even digs his knuckles into my recent gunshot wound, and a small spot of blood appears on my shirt, indicating he might have ruptured the stitches.

Stumbling, I hit the wall with my back, and sharp pain travels through my system. Rolling my lips together, I trap the groan ready to emerge from my throat, because he won’t get the satisfaction of knowing how much his blow hurt me.

Octavius might be a civilized man most of the time, having to abide by society’s rules, but deep down inside, he’s a barbarian thriving on the pain and suffering of others.

Even if I’m his best friend since childhood… the minute the hunter inside him sniffs weakness and blood, he attacks the opponent until there is nothing else left.

---