Page 67 of Remi's War (Four Dark Horsemen 2)

But wouldn’t I suffer either way?

Massacre would subject me to eternal agony.

My heart breaks into thousands of pieces that nothing will ever be able to glue together while I snap my eyes open, and they collide with the dark, calculative ones that await my reply.

I squeeze my hands so hard I feel a stab of pain wash over me, although it’s incomparable to the one shaking my soul right now.

I finally say the word tasting akin to venom on my tongue, as it seals my fate. “Marriage.”

For a brief, betraying moment, I think disappointment flashes on his face as if he expected another answer from me all together, but then a smile curves his lips, and he tips my chin up, revulsion rushing over me at the touch. “Ah, chérie. Your compassion is admirable, although it’s stupid. When you have a chance, always pick yourself, because people are ungrateful bastards who won't hesitate to use you in their agenda and in this feed you to the wolves.” He steps back from me, and I take a deep breath, having a little room to gulp oxygen without him looming above me. “We’re having a wedding, guys.”

The assholes cheer, raising their glasses, and Remi winks at them before zeroing his stare on me. “Now, you just have to meet someone very important to me, and then we can prepare for the event tonight.”

What?

The floor slowly changes color, the transparent glass showcasing a view of a small tropical oasis below—thick trees with the longest green leaves, stones in different shapes, and an endless amount of space covered with grass.

Oh my God! Despite my situation, this is utterly beautiful and so memorizing it’s like we stepped into a different dimension, and an entire new world exists underneath us.

For a second, everything else is invisible, whispering for one to loosen his guard and admire the natural beauty. But that’s a short-lived security blanket as a green creature slides through the trees, wrapping itself around branches, its eyes flashing a little, and its tongue peeking out. It halts its movements, and I freaking swear it must hear us, because it seems as if it’s looking up.

A snake.

No, not just a snake.

A freaking python that must be three meters long!

I press harder into the table, like this action can actually save me, because even with the glass protecting me from it, it has this menacing aura about it that warns me to stay away or it will have me for dinner.

“What is this?” I ask, horror filling my voice.

“Anguis.” At my confused stare, he elaborates, “That’s her name. Meet my pet, ma chérie. She is, after all, a member of the family.”

Momentarily forgetting about everything else, I swallow hard and repeat after him, “A pet.” Did he just say he has a pet python?

“Correct. Found her during one of our massacres. The original owner didn’t treat her well, so I took her.” He’s so nonchalant about the whole thing I want to scream. All things considered though, this should actually be the least of my worries.

“That is not a pet!” I yell, pointing at the thing and hating its attention on me. “It’s a dangerous creature who will eat you alive at the first opportunity.” I glance back at the snake to see it hiss and then slink away to the bushes, hiding from our view.

“Awww, I think you’ve hurt my python’s feelings.”

“You’re… you’re….” I don't know what to call him anymore, because I used all my bad words already, so I settle on, “I regret the moment I ever met you.”

Instantly, the energy changes, and I see Santiago get up, already racing toward us while a mask settles on Remi’s face as rage crosses his features and he grabs my arms. His fingers sink so deep into me I wince, but he doesn’t let go. “That’s too bad, chérie. Because you’re stuck with me for life.” Harshness and steel lace his tone, making it so deadly fear blazes in the pit of my stomach.

I must have said something really bad, but for the life of me, I don’t know what it is.

“You’re hurting me,” I whisper, twisting my arm, but he doesn’t care.

I think he even wants to punish me for my regrets, acting like I’ve committed an unforgivable crime. While he’s the one who kills people!

Remi pulls me toward him, and I shake my head, avoiding his kiss, and his lips land on my cheek. “You best remember that before you do anything stupid.” He pushes me away, throwing me on Santiago, who catches me easily and doesn’t let my face smack the floor. “The driver is here. Put her in the car.”

“Amigo—”

“I’m fine. Just take her the fuck away.” And then his gaze flickers to my injured arm that I keep on rubbing. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”

Too confused by his apology that’s so different to his earlier burst of rage, I open my mouth to tell him that he can shove these apologies down his throat, when Santiago orders me, “Let’s go, Amalia.”

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