Page 11 of Empire of Ache & Ruin

Time stands still as the raw energy between us crackles and shifts with an invisible push and pull. I stand my ground and let my expression go blank. I can’t let her mess with my plans. She’s the Senator’s daughter. My enemy.

“Nice to meet you.” She removes her mask and flashes me a brilliant smile. “I’m always happy to meet my brother’s friends.” She doesn’t even flinch when our hands touch, and a spark burns between us.

“The pleasure is all mine.” I meet her gaze, looking for recognition in her eyes but find none. “Chuck, you didn’t tell me you had a sister.”

“Didn’t I? I’m shocked. No one can go a day, nay an hour, without talking about the great Paloma Davis.” He bows into a curtsy. “My queen.”

“Chuck.” She shakes her head slightly.

Paloma. The name suits her.

“What my inebriated son is trying to say is that we’re very protective of our Paloma.” He hugs her to him. “She’s our most precious possession.”

“I feel like I’ve seen you before.” I catch her eyes. “A hotel bar in the city maybe?”

Her eyes narrow. A smile pulls at her lips as if she’s about to admit that we do know each other. “I don’t think so.”

“That would be impossible Mr. Archer. My Paloma only leaves the house for ballet practice and has a very demanding schedule. In fact, it’s almost bedtime for her. She has an early day tomorrow.” He kisses her hand.

“My mistake.” My jaw clenches.

Father and daughter cut from the same cloth. Both steal and lie with such ease. My mystery woman makes so much more sense now.

“As you can see my perfect sister got all the good genes, beauty and talent.” He extends his arm and faces the huge swan ice sculpture looming six feet over his head. “But in case you didn’t notice, here’s a little clue.”

“Chuck. Enough.” The Senator gestures to the security guard to his right.

“Wait.” He stumbles forward. “I just want to tell him something. Come here.” He points at me. “Let me introduce you to my little sister. The Swan Queen.” He vows again but topples over this time.

“Jesus.” The Senator rolls his eyes.

“I got him.” I put up my hand and catch him before the security guard has time to react. “Come on, mate. Let’s get you out of here.” I switch my attention to the Senator. “Is his room upstairs?”

“Yes, third floor, fifth door on the left. Thank you.” He brings his daughter closer to him as if protecting her from Chuck. Or aligning himself with the one offspring who’s not bringing him shame at the moment.

“You get me.” Chuck leans his entire weight on me. “That’s why you’re my best mate, Archer. Let’s go somewhere else. This party is lame.”

“I got you.” I wrap my arm around his waist and head upstairs.

By the time we reach the top floor, Chuck is fairly incoherent, but not quite unconscious yet.

“How much did you give him?” Gardenia rushes to my side in her big dress.

“None. He did this to himself. But we’ll have to ensure he’s out for a while.” I dip my head toward the end of the wide hallway. “Fifth door is his. Get it for me.”

“Yeah.” She picks up her skirt and bolts to open the door for me.

I enter Chuck’s room and shake him off my shoulder and onto the king-size bed. Gardenia closes the door behind her and breathes out loudly. “I have some good news. And some bad news. Which one do you want first?”

“I need some good news right now.” I turn to face her, stuffing my hands in my trousers.

She opens her mouth to tell me but a knock on the door cuts her off. Her eyes go wide in panic, and her cheeks turn bright red.

“Relax.” I pat her arm. “We’re supposed to be here. Remember? I’m Chuck’s friend.” I stride past her and turn the knob, letting the door fly wide open to put Chuck’s drunken state on display.

“Senator Davis wanted to make sure his son is all right.” The Senator’s personal bodyguard pokes his head in to take a better look at Chuck.

“He’ll be fine.” I gesture for him to come in. But he shakes his head no. Of course he’s not allowed in. When we were in school, both of Chuck’s bodyguards were not allowed to set foot in his room. He kept everyone associated with his father at a healthy distance. “I’ll make sure he goes to sleep.”

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