Page 105 of Empire of Ache & Ruin

“How are you feeling?” I ask, smiling. “Hunter said you weren’t feeling well. Is it your heart?”

“I’m getting old, Paloma. There’s no way around that.” His gaze lingers on my face.

All I find in his eyes is pain and regret.

“Dad, everything is fine.” I glance up at Archer, then lean in and whisper, “We got married.”

“Good. At least now, you’re under his protection.” Dad offers a solemn nod to Archer.

“She is.” Archer’s stance and his entire demeanor is ice cold. “We should go find our seats, love,” he says to me before turning to Dad. “We’ll see you afterwards, Senator.”

Archer wraps his arm around my waist, and basically uses his own body to part the crowd. I feel the gazes of all the men on my skin. I wish I could turn to them and scream in their faces, tell them they have no right to look at me like that. That I’m not a whore for wanting to help Dad. If they are so disgusted by what I did, why didn’t they come to Dad’s rescue? Why bid on me instead?

“Next time.” The words linger like a murmur in the hallway.

Archer’s hand tightens around me. I can’t breathe. I grip my wrist tight and sink my nails in until a breath of air finds its way into my lungs. Numb, I stride into Archer’s private box. He curses as soon as the door shuts behind him.

“I shouldn’t have brought you here tonight,” he says through gritted teeth.

“Why did you?” Tears stream down my cheeks.

“I underestimated those assholes.” He helps me with my heavy coat, then drapes it over one of the empty chairs. “We’ll get out of here once the show starts. I don’t like the way those men were looking at you. As if they were waiting their fucking turn.” He grips the back of the chair and his knuckles turn white.

“I don’t regret coming here.” I touch his shoulder. “At least now, Dad knows that I’m okay. And that he doesn’t need to worry about me.”

“None of this is your fault. It isn’t your job to make him feel better about what he did.” He cradles my neck. “He doesn’t deserve your love.”

“He’s my dad. I don’t have a choice.” I stand on my tiptoes and kiss him. “Thank you for setting up a meeting with him. Maybe next time, we see him at his place?”

“Absolutely not.” He shakes his head. “He’s staying with that old man Sutherland.”

“Oh.” I look away from him.

“Hey.” He puts his finger under my chin and lifts it to make me look at him. “This. is. not. your. fault.” He puts emphasis on every single word, pulling on my right hand to let go of my left wrist.

Not my fault, I repeat in my head.

“Have a seat. We’ll leave as soon as the hall is clear.” He fishes his phone out of his front pocket and types a text. “And Paloma.” He peers at me. “No more visits to the Senator. Not for a long while.”

I nod. Because deep down I know he’s right. Seeing me caused Dad pain. I’ll forever be a constant reminder of how low he fell. Until he realizes that I’m happy with Archer, I can’t be near him. He needs time.

“Do you think it’s safe for me to use the ladies’ room.” I point to my face, which I’m sure is a mess. And I don’t want those men out there to think these tears are for them, that I care what they think of me. “It’s a long drive home.”

He shoots a glance across the way. When the lights dim, he rises to his feet. “I’ll go with you.” He drops his phone in his pocket, then gestures for me to wait.

After he checks behind the door, he turns to me and nods. He escorts me down the empty corridor to the women’s bathroom. I don’t even try to tell him that he doesn’t have to stay and keep watch. For one, I know he’s right. Those men were more than disgusted; they were angry at me.

I sneak into the bathroom and find an empty stall. Once I’m done relieving myself, I walk to the vanity to wash my hands. My face looks puffy and red, but my mascara held up. I grab a tissue and dab on the white streaks on my cheeks, essentially blending in the makeup with my tears. Why did I think things would be back to normal the minute I returned to the city? I feel so stupid for thinking that what I did wouldn’t leave a mark.

I dab some lip stain on my lips and fix the few strands of hair framing my face. When I feel more like myself, I turn to leave, then freeze.

“How did you get in?” I glance behind Hunter, who’s blocking the only door in the room. How did he get past Archer? “What did you do to Archer?”

“Me? Nothing.” He shrugs. “He left.”

“No, he wouldn’t do that. He wouldn’t leave me here.” I hate how much panic is in my voice.

“You stood me up.” He advances toward me, as his gaze roams my body. It’s a lewd gesture he’s never used with me before. “I waited like a fucking idiot.”

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