Page 111 of Empire of Ache & Ruin

“No.” He lifts his head to look at me. “But I’d like to know why you are. What happened with the Senator? What did he say to you?”

“Nothing.” I shake my head.

“This isn’t nothing.” He grabs a roll of self-adhering bandage wrap and tears a long strip. “I’m starting to think that the Senator does this to you.”

“He didn’t do anything.” I pull on my arm, but he keeps it in place so he can wrap it.

“Maybe he wasn’t the one who cut you, but he’s sure as hell the reason for it.” He holds my gaze for several beats then returns his attention to my arm to finish up the wrappings.

“Can I stay?” I ask, knowing Dad doesn’t want me here. But maybe if I stay, I can explain to him why my marriage to Archer can be a good thing. “Dad’s going home tomorrow.”

“You staying with him wasn’t our deal.” He crosses his arms over his chest.

“I know. But.” I stop to inhale. “That was before Dad had a heart attack.”

“We don’t know it was a heart attack.” He cocks an eyebrow. “They’re running tests to figure it out. There’s nothing you nor I can do here. It’s best if we go home. Hmmm?” He touches my chin. “You can play the doting daughter some other night.”

“You’re impossible.” I hop off the bed. “He could be seriously ill.”

“I seriously doubt he is.” He wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me to him. “Let’s go home.”

Home sounds nice. I shoot a quick glance at the bed. Dad’s words from earlier are still in my head. The sting of his disappointment is buried deep in my chest. If I go with Archer now, I don’t know if I’ll be able to stay away from him like Dad wants me to.

“Why do I get the sense you’re afraid to be alone with me?” He brushes his lips over mine.

“It isn’t that.” I push against his chest. When he releases me, I take two steps back. “I’m just worried about Dad.”

“You can worry about him from home.” His tone is final as he reaches inside his tuxedo jacket to fish out his phone. He puts the device to his ear. “William, we’re ready for you.” He nods a couple times, then hangs up.

“Can we at least wait and say goodbye?” I step toward the door.

“No.” He grabs his tuxedo jacket off the foot of the bed and drapes it over his arm. “We need to go now.” In two long strides, he catches up to me and places his hand on my lower back. “It’s a long ride home.” He bends down to whisper in my ear, “Have you ever done it in a limo?”

CHAPTER27

THE SENATOR'S DEMISE

Archer

I climb in the back of the limo and don’t miss that Paloma has scooted all the way to the opposite end. On the way here, she didn’t want to leave my side. Now, she’s sitting by the window, looking like she’s about to bolt.

What in the hell did the Senator say to her? What made her hurt herself like that?

Luckily, tonight isn’t my first time dealing with the Senator. Thanks to my new friend Nurse Ida, I was able to get in the Senator’s hospital suite before he was brought in. The bug I planted should have recorded video and sound of Paloma’s visit with her father. I grab my tuxedo jacket off the seat and get my phone to call Gardenia in London. The chances of her being up at five in the morning her time are slim, but this request cannot wait.

Of course, my call goes straight to voice mail. “Gardenia, I need you to work on something right away. Call me back as soon as you wake up. Cheers.” I tap on the keypad to send the message then toss my phone on top of my tuxedo jacket.

Fuck. I was hoping to have this issue resolved by the time we got home.

“Isn’t it super early in the UK?” Paloma shifts her tight body to face me.

Jesus, she looks beautiful in that white gown. If the Senator hadn’t messed with her head, she would be in my arms right now. For whatever reason, she wants to keep her distance. I have to respect her choice, even if keeping my hands off her is pure agony.

“It is.” I meet her gaze. “I was hoping to wake her up.”

“I didn’t realize she worked for you.” Her lips pout a bit. “What exactly does she do for you?”

Her tone is laced with jealousy just like it was back at the hospital. My cock swells in my trousers, and I have to adjust my weight, so she doesn’t notice how her little pout and fit of jealousy affect me.

---