Page 10 of The Heart of a Villain

Revenge.

However, does it really matter? Who cares what they’ll all do, as long as my family is safe from their madness?

But there is also another part of me, a scared one, after that conversation with my father.

What if my father was unintentionally responsible in some way for the tragedy that occurred here, destroying these siblings who are damaged in one way or another?

Will I be able to survive it? And worse… how would I save him from Rush’s wrath then?

Not to mention that going behind his back will put me in the “bad” category by default.

Ignoring the stabbing in my heart, I fire off another question. “I betrayed him. What makes you think I’ll be allowed inside?” My voice trembles a little, still despising myself for hurting someone, even if it was reasonable.

You deceived him. Drugged him and stabbed him. It will be a miracle if he doesn’t lock you in a dungeon and feed you to the wolves once you go back.

All my knowledge about villains and serial killers points out one thing clearly.

They don’t forgive or forget, and those who cross them die the most painful deaths.

“Leave that to me.” He cocks his head to the side and winks at me. “So do we have a deal?”

“I don’t trust you,” I tell him, and he barks a laugh.

“Good girl. Don’t.” He extends his hand to me. “Get me the diary, and I will give you freedom. I’m your best chance.”

“My father will save me.” I raise my chin high. “And if not him, then your brother. Either way, I don’t have to do anything you say.” By how he speaks about Rush, he must be alive. After all, I did my best to make sure the wound was very superficial and to not touch any important arteries.

That being said, I’d never stabbed a person in my life, so I have no idea if my plan worked.

“True. But if you don’t help me, one of them will die. And something tells me it would probably be your father.”

Fear rushes over me, polluting every cell in my body with horrible images in my head, one darker than the other, while the cruel man continues his speech.

“I’m being generous, Aileen, because we are in the same boat. Fighting for a family full of secrets who think they sheltered us from them. When, in fact, their choices created the unstable events that affect us in ways we never saw coming.”

I cover my ears from his words, breathing through my nose and exhaling loudly to control the panic creeping up on me. I’m exhausted from everyone threatening me and all their scenarios.

“Do we have a deal or not?”

If someone told me just a few days ago I’d end up on an island with a man who wants to kill my father, sleep with him, and then stumble into his twin, who wants to make deals with me, I’d laugh in their face.

Now, though… laughter is the last thing on my mind.

Swallowing past the bile in my throat, still not really understanding what the hell is going on and what kind of trouble I got myself into by pushing myself into this family dynamic, I nod. “Yes.”

I will find the diary and read it first, making sure my family is protected. Right now, my priority is getting away from Rafael, as the enemy you know is better than the one you don’t.

My life has reached a point where I’m choosing between enemies. Unbelievable!

“Great.” He glances at the clock. “We have twenty minutes, give or take, by my estimation.” What? “Now, let’s introduce you to my wife. She’s been dying to meet you.” He motions toward my form. “She was the one who changed you, by the way. I’m an asshole, but I’m not a perv.”

A wife?

This monster has a wife here who supports his behavior?

Oh my God, is there no limit to human vices?

Before I can comment on that, he walks toward me, and I jump to the side, spinning around to see him go to the kitchen.

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