Page 115 of Empire of Ache & Ruin

His words are a punch to my gut. Because my revenge is almost complete. Nothing of what I have already set in motion is reversible.

“Does that mean I shouldn’t leak the diamond trafficking evidence to the tabloids? That’ll be the last nail in his coffin.” Gardenia blows out a breath. “Those are all his nails, by the way. Because if the Senator had become an upstanding citizen after he killed your dad, you wouldn’t have a single inch of rope to hang him with.”

“You’re full of wisdom tonight, Gardenia.” I pace the length of the study.

“I kind of missed that fire.” Jacob beams at her.

“I did too.” I stuff my hands in the pockets of my trousers, considering my next move and what I must ask them to do next. “To answer your question, yes, go ahead. The Senator’s demise has to come sooner rather than later. And there’s one more thing.”

I stand in the middle of the room, looking at my family. Now that Mom has joined us in the States, we could be a family again with no more talk of revenge. And if Paloma can find it in her heart to forgive me, she could become one of us too. We could all be a family.

“What is it?” Fisher asks.

“The Senator sold all the diamonds. The Pink Lady was the last of it.”

“Fucking asshole.” Jacob shakes his head.

“Before I tell Paloma the truth, we have to steal my grandparents’ portraits.” I let out a long exhale. “Because to Gardenia’s point, the minute I tell Paloma who I really am, she will tell her father. And his first move will be to get rid of any and all evidence that links him to me.”

“Gosh, man. London was boring without you.” Jacob jumps to his feet and pats me on the shoulder. “I’m in. What else am I going to do, huh? Find a real job?”

“I’m in too.” Gardenia beams at me. “Aunt Freya is going to love seeing all those portraits again.”

“Fisher?” I look to the old man. “Are you in?”

“Always.” He smirks. “But now that Freya is here, we need to be extra careful. She doesn’t agree with your methods, Archer. She’s scared.”

“I know. I’ll talk to her.” I nod.

“Well, you definitely need to talk to her in the morning before she meets Paloma.” Jacob exchanges a meaningful look with Gardenia and Fisher.

“What the boys can’t seem to spit out…” Gardenia rolls her eyes. “Is that Aunt Freya doesn’t know she needs to lie to Paloma about who you areandwho she is. And I guess, Paloma doesn’t knowsheneeds to lie to Aunt Freya about who she is. Do you get the conundrum there? If those two meet?”

“Jesus.” I rub the creases on my forehead. “I get it. Tell them the truth or keep them apart.”

“I would do nothing.” Jacob shrugs. “And just let them figure it out.”

“That’s why you’re not in charge.” Gardenia shakes her head.

“Okay.” I put up my hands. “I think I’ve had enough epiphanies for one night. I’m going to bed. I’ll work on a plan to get the portraits back, and let you know tomorrow. Good night.” I wave and leave my study.

“Good night.” They all say in union.

The truth is, when I asked Fisher to bring Mom home, I thought the situation with the Senator would be resolved by the time they came home. But that was before Paloma got under my skin, and I started to drag my feet on things. After tonight, my leniency with the Senator is over.

I push the door to our suite open and release a breath when I find Paloma curled on her side of the bed. At least she didn’t try to sleep somewhere else. She saved me the trouble of throwing her over my shoulder and bringing her back here. I undress and climb in, keeping to my side. My whole-body aches to hold her tight. But she needs more time to process what happened with her father and understand that what we have is pure.

“Archer.” She shifts her weight under the covers.

I can’t tell if she’s dreaming or wide awake, but if I touch her now, I won’t be able to stay away from her. “Go to sleep, Little Dove.”

CHAPTER28

SO, YOUR MOM IS REALLY HERE?

Paloma

The room is cold. This resolve to stay away from Archer is already taking its toll. His absence weighs heavy on me and sucks the air out of my lungs. I gather the covers around me and squeeze my eyes shut. One night without him, and I already feel the darkness closing in. How am I supposed to spend a life without him? A whole life yearning for a love that could’ve been.

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