Page 140 of Empire of Ache & Ruin

The crazed look in his eyes makes me take a step toward him, but Archer stops me. “Get in the car, Paloma. You’re not going anywhere with this asshole.”

“Enough,” Hunter screams into the quiet night.

And then the unthinkable happens. I’m too slow to stop Archer. He’s too fast for me as he wraps his arms around me and does a half turn. In the back of my mind, I know the gun went off only once, but I hear its echo over and over. It’s like Hunter is shooting at us on repeat. Archer’s heavy breathing brushes my ear. Am I hurt? I can’t feel anything.

“Archer,” I call for him, but he’s got me in a tight vise. “Archer.”

“Run.” He winces right before he drops to the ground sideways.

“What did you do?” I scream at Hunter who’s just standing there frozen as if trying to figure out who shot Archer. “Archer,” I say over and over while my world falls apart around me. “You’re okay.” I hug his chest.

“Fucking asshole shot me in the back.” Archer grinds his teeth.

In my peripheral vision, blood inches away from Archer’s body. There’s so much of it. Hunter shot him in the back, and I have no way of knowing the kind of damage he inflicted.

“I’m going to call for help.” I make to get up, but he grabs my hand.

“Stay.” He labors to catch his breath as if he just ran a mile.

Did he get shot in the lungs? Is that fatal?

“Okay.” I nod. “Please don’t leave me. You can’t leave me,” I beg him. “I love you. I love you.”

“Paloma.” He lifts his hand to touch my cheek, but then he blinks, and his eyes don’t open again.

“Archer?” Please no. I stick my hand under his collar to feel his pulse. But my hands shake so badly, I can’t feel anything. “Don’t. Don’t leave me.” I sob.

“I said, enough.” Hunter yanks me up by the arm. “He’s gone. And the Senator wants you back.” He pulls me down the street toward the house while I struggle to get free.

Somehow I manage to land a punch while I’m kicking and screaming. He lets go, and I take the chance to run back to the car. If I can get to Freya’s phone, I can call for help. I make itto the driver’s side before Hunter slams me against the door. My head hits the car, and I see stars.

“Don’t make me hurt you.” He grips me by the throat. “Let’s go.”

I shove him off me, but this time he’s ready for me. He hits me square on the face. The street flips upside down. I feel like I can touch the dark night. When I roll my head to the side, I see Archer’s lifeless body on the other side of the car. The pain of seeing him feels like a punch straight through my chest. Without Archer, what’s the point of being here?

The starless sky comes down to meet me, and then everything goes black.

CHAPTER34

TRISTAN HAS TO DIE TONIGHT

Gardenia

“Motherfucker.” I fist my hands, hiding behind the tire of a limo.

Seriously,a shot fired and no one is coming to check it out, or make sure no one is hurt. No, why would they? They’re too busy partying. Just when I think I’ve seen it all, these rich fuckers’ lack of empathy manages to surprise me yet again.

Poor Paloma.

I want to save her. God only knows what Hunter is going to do with her. After all she’s gone through in her life, she doesn’t deserve any more pain. If Tristan weren’t dying a few feet from me, I would try and help her. But if there’s even a one percent chance Tristan is still alive, I can’t risk it. I can’t confront Hunter and have him call security on me. He’s a fucking coward. I have no doubt he would call for help the minute he realizes the odds aren’t in his favor anymore.

We only have one shot at getting Tristan out of here.

So I do the prudent thing and watch Hunter take Paloma back into the house. Again, the Senator’s friends and security detail do absolutely nothing to stop him. They act as if Paloma walked inside of her own accord—and not unconscious over Hunter’s shoulder.

“I’m on my way.” Jacob’s voice in my ear takes my urge to shoot something down a few pegs.

A minute later, he pulls up next to Tristan’s sports Audi. I sneak another glance toward the Senator’s mansion to make sure both Paloma and Hunter are out sight. I have no doubt that once she’s inside, probably tied to a chair, he’ll come out and finish what he started.

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