Page 104 of Empire of Ache & Ruin

“He’s my father. I can’t turn my back on him.” Tears brim my eyes. “Please don’t be so harsh with him tonight. It’s bad enough that we can’t visit him at home. Why does it have to be in public?”

“Because I don’t trust him. And while I have a say in it, you will never set foot in his house again.” The hate in his eyes sends a chill down my spine. “He needs to understand that you belong to me now.”

Archer can be terrifying when he wants to be. If I didn’t know his softer side, if I didn’t understand all the pain he went through when he was little, I would be so scared of him. But I do know him. I know he’s kind. And I know he would burn the world for me.

I thought of the night Archer and I got married, when I asked Caterina if she loved her husband.

He can be a total grump. But underneath his all-powerful, arrogant exterior, there’s a man who would take a bullet for me.

Now that I’ve been with Archer for a few months, I would say I feel the same way about my husband.

“I belong to you, Archer.” I cup his cheek and kiss him.

“Hmm.” He deepens the kiss. “Turn around.”

I do as he asks and wait for the cold sting of the diamond necklace to touch my chest. It sits beautifully just above my strapless dress, a gorgeous gown done in a white silky fabric with plumes adorning the floor length skirt.

I face him again, then take the earrings as well and clip them on my ears. “Thank you.” I smile at him.

“You’re welcome.” He pulls me to him, so my back is resting on his front. “Just promise me that when this night is over, you’ll come home with me.”

“Why would I ever want to leave you.” I snuggle closer to him.

“Just promise me.” He bends down to kiss my bare shoulder.

“I promise.”

The limo enters the city, and I can’t help but feel normal again looking at all the window displays on Fifth Avenue. Everything feels familiar. I missed it. I glance down at Archer’s arm wrapped possessively around my waist. Maybe one day I can come back and dance again. Archer sounded like he was open to the idea. But am I? It’s an odd feeling to have that choice.

“We’re here, Mr. Archer.” William nods to us in the rearview mirror.

“Thank you, William. I’ll text when we’re ready for you.” Archer opens the door himself and helps me out of the limo.

“Don’t be nervous.” He bends down to whisper in my ear as he ushers me up the steps and into the theater lobby. “We’ll be in my box. Your father will come to us.”

“You arranged for all this?” I glance up at him. “And Dad agreed?”

“I didn’t give him a choice.” He fishes his phone from the inside pocket of his suit jacket and shows our tickets to the usher guarding the entrance to the suites.

Archer’s body tenses next to mine. Instinctively, I hold on to his arm with both hands before I follow his line of sight. Hunter and Dad are at the end of the carpeted corridor. They both look disgusted. I smile, hoping I’m not the reason for their disappointment. But then, I scan the rest of the waiting area. The faces all flash in my mind as I start to recognize each one.

These men were at my auction. They bid for me while they stared at me with hunger in their eyes.

“Whore.” Dad’s friend, the one who lost to Archer, mouths the words when our gazes meet.

My heart races. I wasn’t expecting any of them to be here, let alone to be angry at me. Archer holds me tighter to his side. “Whatever you do, don’t leave my side,” he mutters.

I nod because suddenly I don’t feel safe. I wave at Dad, but then, slowly lower my hand as pain mars his face. I want to hug him and tell him the auction wasn’t his fault, that I’m happy despite the circumstances.

“Senator,” Archer greets him loud enough for everyone to hear.

Archer isn’t someone Dad can ignore.

Dad purses his lips as he makes his way toward us. He never liked being cornered into doing something he didn’t want to do. Did he not want to see me? I swallow the lump in my throat. No, of course he wants to see me. He’s just ashamed.

“Dad.” I throw my arms around his neck.

“Paloma.” He grips my shoulders for a breath, then pushes me away. “It’s so good to see you.”

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