Page 13 of Empire of Ache & Ruin

“That it is.” I glare at the trifold and shuffle quickly through all the auction items listed. “That son of a bitch is auctioning the pink diamond.”

“Is that the bad news?” Jacob asks.

“Yeah.” Gardenia flashes me yet another look of pity. “How much money does he need for his campaign?”

“A lot if he’s willing to undersell a diamond he’s had in his possession for twenty years.” I fist the paper in my hand.

“We have to find the diamond and take it home tonight.” Gardenia paces the room. “I mean, we’re already here. We can search the primary bedroom. It’s probably there, right? In some secret safe. He’s so cliché. It’s probably hidden behind some fancy portrait.”

“It’s not.” I shake my head.

“What do you mean?” She furrows her brows. “If he intends to sell it tonight, he’s gotta have it here somewhere in the mansion.”

“No, I mean, you’re right. It is here. It’s on full display for everyone to admire.” I rub the creases on my forehead as an image of her shoots into my mind—the soft lights playing with the diamond, making the green specks in her eyes stand out.

“Where?” Gardenia asks.

“Around Paloma’s neck.” Anger churns in the pit of my stomach.

For one because even after learning her true identity, I chose not to believe what was right in front of me. I saw the pink diamond downstairs. Then dismissed the thought the second it popped into my head. I told myself it would be impossible for Paloma to be wearing my mother’s diamond. I was wrong.

“Oh crap.” Gardenia paces the room. “Now what? It’s not like you can just swipe it off her neck.”

“We still have time.” I glance over at Chuck. “We stick to the plan. We’re already up here. We might as well check every room and see what we can find.”

“Okay, that’s a good idea.” She nods then rushes to the bed to take off Chuck’s shoes.

I join her, remove his tuxedo jacket, and place a bucket near the bed. Standing back, I smile at Gardenia as she takes another minute to untie his bow tie and unbutton his dress shirt. When she finishes, she cocks her head to admire her work.

“Other than putting him in his pajamas, or taking him to rehab, I don’t know what else we can do for him.” Gardenia shrugs.

“Trust me. There’s nothing else we can do for him. I’ve tried over the years. He doesn’t want help.” I place my hand on her shoulder and escort her to the door. “I’ll start with the primary bedroom. That’s the one at the end of the hallway.”

“Yes. Thank you for reading my discovery emails. No one ever does.” She reaches for the doorknob and pulls the door open.

“I read your discovery emails. All five of them,” Jacob says, sounding a bit wounded. “For example, there are ten bedrooms on this wing. The other ten are on the opposite side of the mansion. Your assessment says the Senator’s bedroom should be on the west wing. That’s where you are right now.”

“Stop flirting with me.” Gardenia scoffs, but then smiles at the floor.

“If you two are done.” I peek out into the hallway to make sure we’re alone. “Let’s get back to work.”

“I’ll start on this end.” She rushes across the way to the bedroom ahead.

The original plan was to use Chuck to gain access to the upstairs bedrooms. I was sure the Senator would want to keep the pink diamond somewhere close to him. I wasn’t entirely wrong. The diamond is here, literally at an arm’s reach. I still want to search his room for clues of illegal activity, anything to back him into a corner. Rex and Santino have already agreed to help me in that department. But it doesn’t hurt to learn as much as possible about the Senator.

I close the door behind me and take in the sizable suite, which has the layout of a one-bedroom apartment with a room with a bed, a living room, and a butler’s bar. The art on the walls is a well-curated collection of various artists. I recognize them too because these paintings used to hang in my father’s study. I fist both my hands and count to ten. Mom told me everything had been destroyed in the fire. Did she know it was still here? Did she lie to protect me?

Reaching into the inside pocket of my tuxedo jacket, I fished my phone out to take pictures. Now that I know for sure the diamond isn’t in the Senator’s quarters, I don’t think I need to spend too much time in here. We have already wasted enough of it in Chuck’s room.

I take more stills of his bathroom. As soon as I enter his walk-in closet, her scent assaults me for a third time this evening. She was here not too long ago. I browse around the room, until I find a of pair of women’s gloves. Pressing them to my nose, I take in her perfume. Was she here for the necklace and simply forgot her gloves? For a moment, I consider stuffing them into my pocket. But what would be the point? I don’t need a reminder of what almost happened in my hotel suite. Isn’t that why her scent affects me so much? I feel her in my arms every time I catch a waft of it.

Ignoring the ache in my chest, I replace the gloves where I found them and move on to the bedroom next door.

“Why are you guys so quiet?” Jacob asks.

“Is someone coming?” I ask.

“Nope. The coast is clear. The Senator is still working the room with his beautiful daughter hanging from his arm. I thought he had a wife. Where is she?” Jacob chews on something crunchy.

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