Page 81 of The Heart of a Villain

“Her father will cause mayhem here, and I don’t think it’s safe to stay on the island. Arson will burn it to the ground.” A humorless chuckle escapes me. “And that’s the best-case scenario.”

I always knew bringing them here was a risk, and while I could taunt them until I turn blue and know all their tricks, I remember their skills well.

One of the reasons my family was always supposed to flee from the island the minute Lachlan came closer. I just didn’t count on Aileen stabbing me.

By calling her father, she sped up the process, since I played with our whereabouts, always sending misleading information his way, and disabled the tracker he inserted in Aileen a long time ago.

Yeah, her daddy dearest had her every move tracked, and I honestly can’t blame him. I’d do the same to my daughter with the kind of life I’m leading.

Everything inside me goes still and quiet at the thought of having children.

I’ve never wanted them because they are nothing but a liability and a weapon to use against their parents while suffering in the process.

Right now, though… what if there was a little girl? Just like Aileen, but she’d be mine.

And I’d be the hero who slays all her dragons.

Unfamiliar warmth settles in my chest, and I rub it while gritting my teeth to fight the feeling, as it makes me wish to run back to the beach and stop Aileen from leaving.

I can’t do it.

I can’t be fucking selfish again.

“Your girl’s family sounds like fun.” Rafael’s voice pulls me back from the shocking thoughts. “Criminals and murderers, just the right company for a pirate.”

Leaning on the bumper of the car, I cross my arms and fire back, “Well, not all of us had the privilege of growing up a prince who became a lawyer.”

The energy around us changes swiftly from mildly awkward to tense and dangerous, the indifference gone from his expression, transformed into fury that his voice—dripping with sarcasm and rage—doesn’t hide. “Yeah, I’m the lucky one, right? I got safely to the shore on that boat, so I deserve all the punishment. Well, for-fucking-give me for not jumping into the ocean after you.” His chest rises and falls while I watch him in fascination because in all this time, Rafael has never lost his cool.

In fact, where I’m hot-headed, he’s utterly patient and never even swears much.

He’s legendary for destroying his opponents in court with a smile on his face and a nonchalant attitude that drives everyone insane.

One of the reasons he’s called King of Heartbreak.

“That’s not what I meant.”

He huffs. “Wasn’t it?”

“No.” I can’t believe we’re going to have this conversation right here in the open, while lightning flashes in the sky, the clouds becoming darker, as if nature itself shares our internal struggle with the situation. “I never wanted you to endure it all yourself. Or be there with me.”

He must hear the truth in my words because he looks to the side, running his fingers through his hair while exhaling in frustration, and I share the sentiment.

Years of me avoiding him, years of him trying to talk to me, and years of me ignoring him because in my eyes, it was for the best.

Except once you open up your dark and good-for-nothing heart, everything residing in it, even the deepest sorrows and regrets, push to the surface and demand to be seen.

Like the utter pain of losing my twin, who was supposed to be my rock holding me afloat but instead dropped on me and pulled me deeper into the ocean of despair.

“So why the cold shoulder all these years? Why didn’t you find me and be a brother instead of a stranger?”

His question stuns me before I chuckle, although it’s hollow.

“Why didn’t you come for me?”

His eyes widen at my question.

“I waited and waited on this island for years. But no one showed.” I tug on my shirt, showing my scars, and his gaze shifts there, a muscle in his cheek twitching. “Got all of these because you didn’t show up!” I throw the insult his way, gulping for breath and then placing my hands on my head, linking my fingers together while spinning around.

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