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Death has caused a lot of grief over the years, and maybe that’s why my favorite horseman has been the fourth rider.
No matter how much I try, I can’t escape the death permanently attached to me since taking my first breath and demanding vengeance for the offense done to him.
And as we know… Death only accepts one currency.
Your soul.
A sacrifice of sorts, I’d say, except the fucker makes random decisions designed to drive me insane rather than strategic planning with any coherent thought in mind.
Since the silence stretches out, I continue because time is money. That’s a rule you quickly learn when you grow up within high society, as every minute wasted could’ve been spent building your generational wealth.
“He’s hiding in the shadows, but it doesn’t stop him from throwing threats, which means he’s waiting or hunting.”
Understanding flashes in Santiago’s eyes as he places his glass on the table with a loud thud. “You think he’s waiting for you to ascend the throne and make Kian second in line.”
“But didn’t Uncle Jacob change the rules? Even if Florian dies, his brother doesn’t become an heir. He’s banned from ever accessing the money from the Price empire or working there.” I still hear traces of disbelief and anger aimed at my father in Octavius’s voice, who he loves but cannot understand.
Dad’s decision has been a sore subject in our family for years. It’s one of the reasons my eighteen-year-old baby brother ran away to the boarding school located on some island where rich kids do fucked-up things and no one says shit, as they always have money to bribe whoever they wrong.
An artistic, silent kid who adored going to museums and exploring the art world while creating the most beautiful masterpieces by sculpting them cemented his passion and transformed him into an asshole who apparently deems himself a king in his high school. Considering his childhood psychiatric diagnosis, it’s a deadly combination.
I lost count of how many times I had to go there to fix issues, especially with him having an unhealthy obsession with a certain nerdy girl who happens to be a senator’s daughter.
He rarely comes home, and if he does, he talks only to Mom and gives Grandpa, Dad, and me the silent treatment on most days. His ten-billion-dollar future trust fund did nothing to amend the damage.
In his own way, Dad did everything to protect his two sons from Death and not lose a child again, and while I understand…I can never take the reins from him knowing how much it hurts Kian.
Which only fuels my desire to catch the son of a bitch even more so I forever erase the hurt and fear looming over my family and tearing Mom’s heart in two.
Remi clears his throat, bringing my attention back to the present, playing with the rim of his glass. “If he has no reasons to escalate, why do you think he’s on the hunt?” Something flashes in his gaze while Octavius pauses his glass midway to his mouth, quickly reading the tension between us while Santiago stays oblivious, guzzling his tequila with no care in the world.
We might all be best friends, but Remi and me…our relationship has always been complicated. We’ll die for each other in a heartbeat and protect each other, no questions asked. But there is always this wall between us that we never want to break for whatever reason, as contradicting as it sounds.
If it weren’t for Santiago and Octavius, we wouldn’t even stay friends because we have nothing in common besides annoying the shit out of each other.
“So? Why is he threatening you right now?” An odd edge coats his tone, and Santiago narrows his eyes on him before shifting his crystal-clear blue eyes on me. My fist clenches as they remind me of another pair of blue eyes.
More vivid. More warm.
Just fucking more—that used to look at me with adoration and admiration, but now fear and shame blankets them, making me want to destroy everything and everyone.
Fear and shame have no place in her life. These emotions belong only to me.
“Him threatening me right now lifts the curtain on his rather deviant mind.” Remi drums his fingers on the table, and by the glint in his gaze, I know he won’t let go until he hears the truth, but he’ll stay put for now. “He made a mistake by contacting me because it allowed me to form his clear serial killer profile.”
Octavius crosses his arms as he ponders my words. “Death has fucked with your family for generations. Almost fifty years, to be exact. He must be, what? In his seventies now? He might have just lost his head. Studying his modus operandi is useless.”
Santiago nods. “He sent your grandfather letters threatening to kill his oldest heir if the Price family won’t give up their rights to all their patents and land where the diamonds are produced. No one paid attention to it, so one year later, he kidnapped your uncle and killed him. But he made a mistake because your uncle was younger. By default, your father became an heir.”
Silence once fucking again falls between us because no one wants to voice what needs to be said next.
After all, I rarely, if ever, discuss it. We all have sacred wounds none of us touch or even breathe near because the rage it might cause will be disastrous for the brotherhood.
Remi places his elbows on the table, flipping the lighter through his fingers, and his tone stays even, although his whole attention is zeroing in on me as he speaks up. You can always count on him to aim the fire my way should shit erupt.
Like I said.
There is not much love between us, so we don’t mind upsetting each other. “Years later Uncle Jacob got a similar message regarding his sons. Compared to Grandpa Atlas, he took it more seriously and surrounded you with as much security as possible while the police searched for the fucker.” Some more drumming on the table while Santiago and Octavius exchange a long look, sitting up straighter as they all watch for my reaction. “Since you were born a twin, he had no idea who was older and kidnapped whoever happened to be close. Your brother.”
