Page 107 of Empire of Ache & Ruin

“Oh my God.” I place a hand over my mouth. “This is not what I thought tonight was going to be about. I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t apologize again.” He cradles my neck. “This is on them. Not you. Please get that through your head.”

“Can we go home?” I kiss his cheek. “Before any of those guys decide to send it all to hell and get their bodyguards to beat you up.”

“They won’t do that. I don’t need my fists to inflict pain. These men, they only care about their wallets. I can do so much more damage with a single phone call. They know that.” His eyes search mine. “This blood is for you. I wanted to kill them for you.”

“Please don’t do that. They’re not worth it.” I hold his large hand in mine.

“But you are.”

I turn to leave when screams outside the door bring us to a halt. Exchanging a quick glance with me, Archer steps toward the door, while shielding me with his body. He pushes the door open, and the first thing I see is Dad unconscious on the ground.

“Fuck.” Archer glances upward.

CHAPTER26

THE STING OF HIS DISAPPOINTMENT

Paloma

I rush past Archer holding the door. His fingers brush my hand, but I don’t have time to slow down. Dad is on his back in the middle of the corridor. The two women who called out for a doctor keep their distance as if Dad has some contagious disease.

“Is there a doctor coming?” I ask them, while undoing Dad’s tie.

He’s cold to the touch and pale. Is this what a heart attack looks like? I press my ear to his chest, but I can’t feel anything. His stillness has me making up all kinds of fucked-up scenarios for him. He can’t be dead. His life can’t end like this. I look around us to the empty hallway. Where the hell are all his friends?

“Daddy,” I call for him.

“Paloma.” Archer wraps his arms around my body and lifts me up. “Let the paramedics do their job, love.”

The dark cloud around me lifts, and I’m able to focus on what’s happening. Help is here. I turn to face Archer with wild eyes. His serenity washes over me as I lean on him and wait for him to confirm if Dad is still here.

“He’s alright. They’re taking him to the hospital.” He cups my face. “We’ll follow behind.”

“No, I want to ride with him.” I push away from him, but he grabs me by the elbow. “Archer, I have to go with him. Look at him. He’s not well.”

“I can see that.” He glances upward. “I’m coming with you.”

The paramedics lift Dad onto a gurney and wheel him out of the theatre. Numb, I follow them until they reach the ambulance outside. When I try to climb in the back, they stop me to ask questions. I can’t hear them. All I can focus on is Dad’s unconscious form in the back of an ambulance. All I can think of is that things wouldn’t have gotten this bad if I had stayed with him.

Archer talks to them. Whatever he tells them is enough for them to let me through. I sit by Dad’s feet and wait for the paramedics to climb in behind me. A shiver runs down my back as the door shuts close. I startle when the vehicle moves. Sitting here with him feels like the beginning of an irreversible ending. I can’t help him. I wipe tears off my face, rubbing my cold arms.

“He’s going to be okay, love.” Archer kisses my shoulder and drapes my coat over me.

He’s here grounding me when he doesn’t need to be. His body next to mine brings me back to center. The irrational fear that I might float away into nothingness fades away, and I can breathe again. I rest my head on his chest and let his warmth seep through every inch of my body.

“You’re here,” I murmur. “Why are you helping us?”

“You’re my wife, Paloma.” He kisses my temple, holding me close. “That makes him my responsibility. I’ll make sure he gets the care he needs. I promise.”

“He’s stable now.” The paramedic assures me. “He might want to stay overnight. The doctor will talk to you after triage.”

“Thank you.” I push hair away from my face. “Was it his heart?”

“We’re here,” the other paramedic says as he begins to get Dad ready again.

The ambulance stops. As soon as the door pops open, chaos surrounds us all over again. Archer hops out, then turns around to help me climb down. And then, we just stand there as they take Dad through the ER doors.

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