Page 114 of Empire of Ache & Ruin

“We flew in on a private jet. How do you think?” Jacob beams at me. “Commercial is going to suck next time I fly.”

“Yeah, I got used to that one very quickly too.” I pat him on the back, chuckling.

“What is Gardenia working on?” Jacob points at her behind my desk.

“He recorded a conversation between the Senator and Paloma,” Gardenia responds. “He wanted to give them privacy. So, he bugged them instead. I’m trying to find the file. But it’s not here.”

“Fuck.” I amble around the desk and join her. “Here, I have the device with me.” I stuff my hand in the pocket of my trousers and fish out the transmitter. “Would this help if you plug it in directly.”

“Yep, that’ll do it.” She takes it from me and attaches it to a converter. She works her magic, clicking on a few things, then she plays it on the computer speaker.

Fisher quietly walks to the study door and shuts it. Then turns toward us with a serious look on his face. When it comes to the Senator, we always assume things are going to be bad. It’s how Mom and I managed to stay alive all this time.

You like being his little whore, don’t you?The senator’s words make me taste bile in the back of my mouth.

“Turn it off. I’ve heard enough.” I brace my hands on my hips. “Fucking asshole.”

“I really thought he loved his daughter.” Fisher presses his lips in a thin line.

“Wow, he’s a shitty dad, isn’t he? He was so charming when we met him though.” Gardenia taps on a few keys, playing around with the video feed. “What do you think he meant byjust like her? Who’s her? Paloma’s mom?”

“Did the Senator call his own wife a whore?” Jacob asks.

“That’s some abusive shit to say to your own daughter. No wonder Paloma is so stuck-up. Her father is a total narcissistic asshole.” Gardenia braces her elbows on the desk.

“Gardenia,” her father admonishes.

But she’s not wrong. She’s only saying what I’m already thinking. A normal father wouldn’t talk to his daughter that way or speak ill of his deceased wife. And the fact that Paloma wasn’t offended or shocked by his words against her or her mother tells me this isn’t the first time the Senator has treated her like this.

Now I understand why she was so afraid to be near me. She wants me. But her father’s disgust with her is driving a wedge between us. I was willing to give her space before until she processed the trauma of seeing her dad fall ill. But this is different. This is nothing more than the Senator manipulating her into denying herself something she wants to appease his own fucking ego.

“He’s a killer.” I run my hands through my hair. “He’s a fucking killer. I can’t believe I considered letting him go.”

“Why would you do that?” Jacob asks, frowning. He’s as disgusted as I am by the Senator’s behavior toward his daughter.

“Isn’t it obvious?” Fisher sits on one of the leather sofas. “He’s in love with her.”

Jacob looks to me to confirm or deny Fisher’s words. But I can’t do either. Mainly because I don’t know. I’ve never been in love before. What I feel for Paloma is more like madness and obsession than anything else—her love burns like a wound that won’t stop bleeding.

“Wait. Did Paloma ask you to help him again?” Jacob looks to Fisher then me. “I’m confused.”

“Archer didn’t help him.” Gardenia shuts the laptop. “He followed through with our plan. Did you not hear the recording? The ethics committee is after the Senator. Why do you think that is? We did that. We were the only ones with the proof that the Senator was embezzling money from his own campaign coffers. I personally leaked a lot of that stuff.”

“I donated money to another senator and encouraged him to investigate the accusation against the Senator. Senator Davis is done. He’ll have to withdraw from the race. And resign his position immediately.” I lean against the edge of my desk, acid building in the pit of my stomach. I should’ve pulled the trigger on that plan weeks ago. But I waited because of Paloma. Because I didn’t want to see her suffer. “He’ll start losing friends once he tenders his notice.”

“So why did you consider letting the Senator go?” Jacob asks.

“Because I saw how much it’s hurting Paloma.” I grip the lip of my desk tighter. “But she made me see that people like the Senator never repent. I won’t find peace until he’s utterly destroyed.” I take in a calming breath. “Which is why I decided to tell Paloma the truth.”

“You want to do what now?” Gardenia jumps to her feet. “You can’t do that. The minute you do, she’ll run to Daddy and tell him exactly who you are. The Senator will use whatever little resources he has left to kill you.”

“I don’t think that’s what he thinks will happen.” Jacob plops himself down on the leather sofa across from Fisher. “He’s probably thinking he’ll get a medal for best husband ever.”

He’s not wrong.

“I’m quite aware of what’s at stake here. Ending the Senator is the only way Mom and I will ever have peace. My family won’t be safe as long as he continues to have the power he’s enjoyed all these years.” I stop to inhale. “But Paloma is innocent. I brought her into this war as my pawn. She deserves better.”

“Archer.” Fisher braces his arms on his knees. “There is no version of this story where you get to have revenge and also keep her.”

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