Page 145 of Santiago's Conquest (Four Dark Horsemen 1)

“No, I just stole her from him. Since you’re my child, I will spare you the details of what happened in the past. I can be generous when I want to.” This odd statement seems weird, and uneasiness rushes through me as suspicion dances in my mind, but his next statement doesn't let me focus on it. “Right after that picture was taken, severe bleeding started, and the rest is history. Childbirth complications, they said.” A tear escapes, and I quickly wipe it away. “She left all the instructions to save you, and the stupid nuns thought I didn't know about the plan. You see, my daughter—” He gets up, walking closer to me, and I have to look up to meet his stare. “—you were always bait. But even bait has to be trained.”

Pressing the photo to my chest, I ask, “Trained?”

“Howard hated my guts, because I took away his Flora. I knew he’d take it out on a child, despite your mother’s request to save you. He worked with me when I was establishing my business. He didn’t mind when we sold women. But put a foot down when I got interested in children to expand my empire. He betrayed me, so I took what he loved the most. Her.” Acid fills my throat, and I control my gag reflex, covering my mouth.

My God.

Horrible, horrible men who shouldn't walk the earth.

Santiago and his friends are right in wanting to kill them all.

“You had to be strong-willed, since you’d be carrying my grandson. All the punishment Howard dished out brought joy to my heart. Even though you’re a naïve fool, you ended up being a strong girl.”

Oh, God. How can any father be pleased when his child is hurt? “Well, I’m not strong,” I tell him, because that’s God’s truth.

He smiles. “Your strength lies in your character.” He must read my dumbfounded expression, because he elaborates. “Psychologically, men like Santiago are protectors, so they are attracted to those they need to save. And your sorry-ass life played in your favor. I knew he wouldn't be able to resist, because you have this vulnerable look about you.”

All my life, I longed to know the truth, why Howard despised me so much and why my mother left me to rot in hell.

And finally, I know it all, and the truth is so devastating I almost wish I never got to hear it.

Ignorance is bliss and has no power to hurt you.

But all of this is my parents’ story, and not mine.

Mine will not have a sad ending like theirs, and sure as hell, my child will never suffer because of my father’s madness.

“You’re insane, and he is going to kill you.” I finally speak up, and his brows rise, amusement flicking in his green eyes. “He will find me no matter what.”

“Why? Because he loves you so much?”

I shake my head, although my heart contracts inside my chest at such a notion. How could he love his enemy’s daughter? He might not be able to control his obsession with me, and that’s why he wants to keep me forever, but my main purpose in his life is one thing.

And finally, I can give him what he so desires. “No. Because he wants his revenge.”

An emotion crosses his face, but I don't have time to examine it when a man wearing a suit enters the hall, his face pale and his hands trembling where he holds a paper in his hand. “Here are her blood results.”

He snatches the paper, scanning it, and by how dark his face becomes, I know he didn't get what he so sought.

Relief washes over me, but it’s short-lived, as he throws the paper on the floor and tells the man, “You disappointed me, doctor. And those who disappoint me don’t get to live. Kill him,” he orders, and my screams fill the space when a guard shoots him straight in the forehead, the man landing on his back.

Andreas shifts his gaze to me, intense with his hate. “You failed me, Briseis. You had one thing to do, and you managed to screw it up. You are not my seed. You brought nothing but disappointment when you were born.”

Suddenly, alarms sound all around us, and I cover my ears as they start to hurt, bringing even more of a headache.

But also happiness spreads inside my chest, because I know he’s here.

He came.

Santiago will save me.

The only person who ever protected me.

I go still though, when Andreas says, “He came after all. Well, then let’s use you as bait one last time, shall we?” He grabs the gun from his guard and hits me in the back of my head with it, and everything goes black again.

Santiago

With Remi driving, the car flies through the gates as we leave dead bodies in our wake. My window is rolled down, and I kill anyone standing in my way.

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