Page 51 of Empire of Ache & Ruin

“She’ll come around.” I turn to face Paloma.

“Your girlfriend lives with you? She’s going to live with us?” She furrows her brows, yanking her hand free.

“Oh, he didn’t think that one through,” Jacob chimes in.

“We’ll talk about it tomorrow.” I reach for her, but she steps back.

“No, I get it. You were very clear. You don’t want a real marriage. And now I see why.” She looks at me with her eyes full of disgust. “You’re no better than those men at the theatre. At least they were honest about what they wanted from me.” She makes for the stairs, then stops. “Where am I sleeping?”

“Mary Jane will show you.” I gesture toward the woman patiently waiting at the top of the stairs.

“Nice to meet you both,” she says to Jacob and Fisher before she turns on her heels and climbs up the stairs.

“Congratulations, man.” Jacob pats me on the back. “You got hitched. We need to drink.”

“Yes.” I rub the creases on my forehead. “Finally, something that makes sense.”

I make my way to the study past the main hall and to the right. Once I see Jacob take over the bar, I plop myself down on a leather club chair in front of the oversized fireplace. What a fucking day.

“Here.” Jacob shoves a tumbler in my hand. I knock it back. When I set down the empty glass, he gives me another one. “Rough day, huh?”

“You can say that.” I sit back.

“Archer.” Fisher sits on the club chair adjacent to mine. “Are we going to talk about this?”

“What is there to say?” I let my head fall back. “I married my enemy’s daughter.”

“At least tell me why?” Gardenia’s voice echoes in the room.

I shift my weight to look behind me at Gardenia. She’s changed into her sleeping clothes. Standing there with tears staining her cheeks, I realize I’ve never seen her this sad.

“Jacob.” Fisher rises from his chair. “Let’s go see if Mary Jane needs help with anything.”

“No, I’m good.” Jacob sips from his glass, his eyes zeroed in on Gardenia.

“Jacob.” Fisher raises his brow.

“Fine.” He follows Fisher out.

“I’ve loved you.” Gardenia looks up. “I’ve always loved you.”

“I love you too.” I stand to face her. “You know that.”

“No. Not like that. Not like your little sister.” Her voice quavers. “I watched you for years plan and plan your revenge. I watched you get consumed by it. And the whole time I thought that was the only reason why you couldn’t see me. I thought that once this whole thing was over?—”

“Gardenia. Please stop.” I step toward her.

“No.” She backs away. “This is it. You won. You got your revenge. The Senator lost his most precious possession. Now what? We’re stuck with her?”

“We’re not stuck with her.” I let out a slow breath.

“Why did you marry her? Hmm?” She crosses her arms over her chest. “Why?”

“I don’t have to answer to you.” I glare at her. “I’m sorry if you thought I could ever love you like someone other than my sister. That’s who you are to me. My littler sister.” Shaking my head, I sidestep her and leave the study. I’m not ready to answer questions about Paloma and what she’s doing in my house.

Gardenia follows me into the foyer and stops me at the bottom of the stairs, tugging at my elbow. “Just tell me why? Do you love her?”

“No, I don’t love her.” I raise my voice. “Not that that’s any of your business. I didn’t want to marry her. I did it because I had to. There was no other way.” I clench my jaw and head upstairs.

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