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We betrayed one of our own.
Eventually, he will forgive them because he’ll find excuses to justify their actions.
He’ll never forgive me, though.
But that’s a price I’m willing to pay as long as it ensures the safety of my family.
The memory from a long time ago flashes in my head, back when there was no dark four, and it was just Santiago and me.
“Florian, we need to pinkie swear,” Santiago says, jumping up and down until he lands on the bed with a loud huff as I color my book and frown at him. “So we can stay friends forever.”
“Pinkie swear what?”
“To never lie to each other. We can do anything but lie. Lies destroy lives, or that’s what Mama says.”
Shrugging, I extend my pinkie to him, and he links it with his, grinning. “I promise to you, Florian, that no matter what happens, I will always be honest and true to you.”
Ever since he started reading Greek mythology, Santiago has always liked to turn everything poetic.
“I promise to you, Santiago, that no matter what happens, I will always be honest and true to you.”
Shortly after, we formed bonds with Remi and Octavius, but the promise we made as six-year-olds lingered between us, always serving as a reminder that this whole brotherhood was built on the foundation of our friendship.
Lo siento, amigo.
I can no longer keep my promise.
Jimena
I swallow hard, staring at the file in front of me as the frigid wind sweeps over me, billowing my hair backward while the chatter in the restaurant located on the outskirts of the city fades away, leaving me to digest my shock as everything in me grows numb.
Shifting my focus on the pictures lying next to it, I pick them up once again and look through them, each image more hideous than the previous one.
Men viciously chopping and killing people in their dungeons, their faces clear and visible to the camera while their blood-soaked hands leave zero doubts they’re the ones who inflicted all his crimes.
“I can already imagine the headlines in the newspapers and social media. The Four Dark Horsemen turned out to be murderers.” I raise my eyes to Maxwell who sits opposite me wearing a gray suit, and a smile curves his lips while his eyes glisten in amusement. “Their trials will be magnificent to witness, don’t you think?” He picks up his coffee cup and takes a small sip. “They’ll be sentenced for life or even on death row.” He hisses through his teeth. “Everyone will be so devastated.”
“What do you want?” This question, when it comes to him, seems to be on repeat since his last cryptic message with one photo attached that made me agree to meet with him.
“I’ll forget about all this if you agree to marry me.” I open my mouth, but he wiggles his finger, and I grit my teeth, hating his audacity. “Nuh-uh, darling. Wait for me to finish. I want for the whole thing to be a public affair.” I frown at this, and he elaborates. “Everyone will know about this, and we’ll give an interview to the press if we have to. And in all those photos, you should try your best to pretend to be happy.” He leans back in his chair, winking at me. “I’m not hard on the eyes, after all.”
“I’m not interested in you in any way.” My voice is harsher than steel, and his brow lifts. Did he expect me to jump for joy at the proposition? “What else?” With men like Maxwell, it’s never just one thing.
“Ah, I love how smart you are. No one can know about this deal, Florian included.”
“I’m not going to lie to my family and pretend I’m in love with you. No one will believe me.”
He shrugs. “There is no need for that, but you have to act as if you like me at least. Besides, it will come in handy once you won’t be able to hide your pregnancy.”
On instinct, I place my palm on my belly and rub it a little. “No. My baby is off-limits. You will not claim my child as yours. Is that clear?”
“How do you expect us to hide it?”
“I don’t care.” There is no way in hell I’ll let anyone but Florian take responsibility for this baby. I might be furious with him right now, and although I understand his motives, my heart soars just thinking about him loving me… I’m still mad at him for acting like a dick and picking my brother once freaking again.
As selfish as it sounds, I deserve to come first, and I won’t be second best to my brother in my romantic relationship.
If we have that in the future, considering Maxwell’s threat and Death looming above us.
