Page 135 of Empire of Ache & Ruin

“I don’t need your help.” I yank on my arm, but he doesn’t let go.

“Yes, you do. Dressed like that, you’ll get thrown out in under five minutes.” He continues down the upstairs hallway. “The Senator is already not happy with you. Don’t ruin this very important party for him.”

“Okay.” I pick up the pace to fall into step next to him. “Where are you taking me?”

“To the dressing room.” He pushes open the door to one of the larger bedrooms. “Go on.” He gestures for me to go in. “Take off those clothes and put on one of the black dresses,” he orders.

I scan the room quickly. The guest suite has been re-furnished with four daybeds along the wall and three garment racks right in the middle. Light brown wigs hang on the wall over a vanity table with all kinds of makeup scattered on it.

“What is this about?” I ask.

“It’s a costume party. You can’t be dressed like this.” He looks me up and down as if annoyed by my clothes.

“I can see that. But why the black swan outfits?” I pull out a dress with a bustier covered in dark feathers with a flowing mid-length tulle skirt.

“It’s tonight’s theme.” He meets my gaze. “Go on.”

“Can I get some privacy?” Undressing in front of other dancers isn’t a big deal, but Hunter isn’t a dancer, and he already tried to hurt me once.

He stands there ogling me. After a long pause, he ambles toward me and brushes my cheek. “He will be happy to see you.”

“Dad?” I step away from his touch.

“He regrets giving you up. Maybe there’s a way to forgive you.” His eyes search my face. “I think you’re here because you miss the way things were.”

“I’m just here to talk to Dad. It’s very important.” I shuffle back, hugging the dress to my chest. Something in Hunter’s eyes isn’t right. Is he high? Or drunk? I don’t like the way he’s looking at me, like I’m his, like he has the right to tell me what to wear or how to act—as if we were still together. “Just leave. I can take it from here.”

“I’ll let him know you’re here.” His gaze drops to the dress for a beat, and then, he walks out.

As soon as the door closes behind him, I release a breath. I shouldn’t have to jump through all these hoops to see my own father. But again, my conversation with him can’t wait. I drove two and half hours to get here, I’m not ready to give up. I quickly remove my jeans and sweater, then don the dress. The straps on my bra clash with the black corset, so I take it off too.

In the full-length mirror by the door, I can see my naked legs through the sheer skirt. I look around for tights, but there aren’t any, only boxes of ballet shoes. They’re not the real thing, but very similar in style and color. Out of habit, I put my hair up into a bun, then add a bit of dark eyeshadow and red lipstick.

When I glance at the mirror again, I see her—the black swan. I see Odíle smirking at me as if daring me to admit that I didn’t miss her. I think I do miss being Swan Queen. I worked so hard for it. Very few people get to live out the dream of realizing such an achievement. Why did Dad have to ruin it with an auction?

Archer’s voice booms in the back of my mind.“When you first came here, I waited for you to demand I take you back to finish the other seven performances, but you never asked.”

He’s not wrong in thinking I’m afraid to return to the theatre. Especially now that I know how those men think of me. Being the Swan Queen, I became a thing to possess, a fantasy of sorts. Never mind that they’ve known me all my life, that they saw me grow up.

“Ah!” A woman’s scream jostles me back to reality.

My heart races because I’m still on edge from finding our summer home crowded with strangers and then my run-ins with Chuck and Hunter. I suck in a breath, then open the door. The scream that’s now more of a laugh fills the corridor as I walk out of the makeshift dressing room. I look in both directions, but I’m alone. I’m certain her voice came from across the way. It’s none of my business what she’s doing in one of the bedrooms, but my gut tells me to check on her and make sure she’s alright.

Tonight seems to be the type of night where I follow my gut. Isn’t that why I’m here in yet another one of Dad’s donor parties? I dart to the door in front of me and quietly turn the knob. I push it open just a bit, then all the way when I don’t see anyone inside. But then she laughs again, and I follow her voice toward the en-suite bathroom.

When I peek inside, I cover my mouth to muffle my gasp. The woman who is about my height and build is there completely nude, with five other guys all dressed in tuxedos and black masks hiding half their faces.

Two of the men stand on either side of her and lift her, holding her by her arms and legs, and spreading her wide so the other three have easy access to her bare pussy. It’s like they’re presenting her on a platter. The one guy leans in and rubs her clit, while the other two play with her breasts.

She writhes and wiggles in what I assume is pleasure. What kind of party is this? Why are these people in my home having group sex? I’ve never seen one woman take on five men like that. The decent thing would be for me to walk away and let them be. Dad should know about this, but I can’t even begin to conceive the words to explain to him what’s happening right now.

“I think she likes that,” one of the men holding her says. “Have a taste of that cunt for me.”

“Omigod.” The woman rolls her hips up to meet the eager mouth that bends down to capture her pussy in a hungry kiss. “Yes.” She moves her face to the side to press her lips to one of her captors, then arches her back to let the other two men suck on her nipples. “Now.”

I shuffle back to leave, but my legs won’t move. If they catch me watching them, would they let me go? Or would they call Dad and tell him his daughter is being a total Peeping Tom. I brace my hand on the wall and glance up at the group again. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I’m telling myself that I will stop and go very soon.

The woman’s feet touch the tile and is quickly forced to bend over by the man who spent the last few minutes eating her pussy. He unzips his tuxedo trousers and reaches in to free his erection. Meanwhile, the woman is sucking off the other four men.

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