Page 37 of Empire of Ache & Ruin

“I believe that’s my cue.” Santino sets his tumbler down as soon as the bouncer leaves the Senator alone.

I amble to the mirror and cross my arms over my chest. His most precious possession will soon be out of his reach.

Santino enters the room. The Senator rises and shakes his hand. He might as well be back in his office conducting a meeting like any other day. When I can’t hear what they’re saying, I look for a volume button along the frame, but there isn’t one.

“Fuck. There’s no sound.”

Santino moves on to pour himself a drink. When he faces the bar, he reaches over and taps on a screen. “If you don’t mind me asking, who gave you my card? I don’t hand those out lightly.”

“A friend gave it to my daughter. Apparently, she asked someone at her ballet company for money.” He makes a sound like a chuckle, and he genuinely sounds sad. “She was only trying to help.”

“Beautiful and kind. A dangerous combination, don’t you think?” Santino sits on the armchair, leaving the Senator facing me.

From my perspective, it’s as if the Senator is on trial, which he is. He just doesn’t know it.

“I think my daughter’s kindness is one of her best qualities.” The Senator sips from his glass. “But to your point, it can also make her vulnerable. Someone who looks like her will always have vultures waiting for the right moment to feast.”

“Why are you here, Senator?” Santino points to the gold embossed black card lying between them on the coffee table.

“I owe you money I can’t repay,” he admits.

“That you do.” Santino sits back and crosses his ankle over his knee. “How can I be of help?”

“My daughter is under the impression you can lend her the money.” He puts up his hand when Santino laughs. “I realize you’ve already given me enough. Perhaps an extension? If you tell her she can have the money. She’ll think she helped, and I’ll be able to procure the funds.”

“Last I heard your campaign coffers were running a bit low.” Santino raises an eyebrow. “But I’m not an unreasonable man. I’m sure your daughter had a decent proposal in mind. A way to earn my trust and the cash.”

The Senator’s neck turns bright red. As if the mere thought of Paloma offering herself for money makes him want to punch a wall. That’s interesting, given how Paloma and I met. Wasn’t he the one who sent her to a hotel bar to con me out of ten thousand dollars?

“My daughter is not for sale. She’s mine.” He blinks fast. “She’s my family.”

“My apologies.” Santino cocks his head to the side. “I misunderstood your intentions since she’s downstairs waiting in the car.”

Red crawls from his neck up into his cheeks. “I can’t do that to her. She’s innocent. She’s my most precious possession.” He sits forward with balled fists, visibly upset over Santino’s proposal.

He doesn’t want to give her up. I didn’t think the Senator still had it in him to surprise me. He can’t give a shit about his son Chuck. But he truly loves Paloma. His lip trembles as he brings the gin and tonic to his mouth and drinks deeply.

“I see. It’s quite the predicament.” Santino shoots a furtive glance my way.

I grab my phone and type a quick message.

Me: push him

Santino: let him stew first

I glance up just in time for Santino to place his phone back into the inside pocket of his suit jacket while the Senator sits with his elbows on his knees, hiding his face behind his hands. This is exactly what I came here to see. I want him to feel the pain of losing someone he loves. Though it’s not enough. Because this isn’t the same. He took from me and never gave me a chance to save my father.

The Senator has the opportunity to do the decent thing and walk away, save his daughter from the humiliation that awaits her if he agrees to the terms on her behalf. I already have proof that the Senator has that kind of influence on his daughter. All he has to do is choose for her. And she’ll come willingly just like the perfect daughter she is.

“You would pay five million dollars for her?” he finally asks.

“Not me.” Santino shakes his head. “Do you think she’s worth that much?”

“She’s the Swan Queen.” His voice is a mix of pride and adoration. “And a virgin.”

The news hits me like a bucket of ice water. I turn to face Fisher who is as stunned as I am. The Senator has to be lying. But then I consider our first kiss, how innocent she felt in my arms. As if she’d never kissed anyone before. She’s twenty-five years old. And has a boyfriend. How is that even possible?

I glare at the Senator. If he knows she’s a virgin, it’s because he asked her to remain one. That’s the only explanation. Paloma loves him so much that’s she’s willing to do just about anything for him. I touch my fingers to my lips and feel her surrender all over again. I had it all wrong. She’s not like him. She doesn’t deserve this. She’s innocent like he said.

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