Page 160 of Empire of Ache & Ruin

“When I woke up, I couldn’t walk.” I scoff. “Fuck, I was pissed. And then, Fisher decides to tell me that not only am I officially dead to the world again, but my wife is also living with my father’s killer.”

“I had no choice, Tristan. You have to believe me.” Her voice quavers. “I tried to escape. But he threatened to kill you. And after you were dead, I didn’t care what happened to me. In a way, like you, I was in a coma too.”

“I know that.” I turn around and wrap my arms around her. “I wasn’t mad at you. I was mad at myself for underestimating him. I thought I was playing it smart.”

“I ruined your plans. Your revenge.” She glances up at me.

She is, undoubtedly, the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. “I planned for everything, except you.” I kiss her nose. “But no, you didn’t ruin my plans. You gave me a reason to live. Before you, I was barely alive, consumed by rage and my own thirst for revenge. I want to put all of that behind us and start anew.”

“A fresh start? With you?” She beams at me. “I want that too.”

We finish our shower, then head back to bed. At some point, we take a break from sex to eat dinner and make plans for the future. Paloma wants to move to the city and continue dancing—at least until we have children. I laugh when she brings up kids. In all my years I spent planning my return to the States, I never thought that a wife and children were for me. But lying here with her, I can’t imagine a sweeter dream.

Hours later, she falls asleep in my arms. I itch to run my fingers over her rosy cheeks, but I don’t want to risk waking her up. By now, her father must know she’s gone, and that I’m the one who took her from him. The Senator’s obsession for his own daughter is all kinds of fucked up. But he’ll have to understand she wants to be with me. She chose me.

Slowly, I slip out of bed and pull up the covers over Paloma’s sleeping form. I amble to the closet and don a pair of dark jeans and a T-Shirt. My meeting with the Senator can’t wait any longer.

Downstairs, Mom is in the living room. As soon as she sees me, she rises to her feet and joins me in the foyer. I have to assume she’s been waiting for me to make her case one last time. As much as it pains to see the worry in her eyes, I can’t go along with her this time. I’m tired of hiding. I’m tired of letting the Senator’s threat hang over our heads. He needs to be stopped.

“Don’t go, Tristan.” Her eyes fill up with tears. “We can return to London. We can be a family there as well as here. We’ve done it before.”

“He’s dangerous, Mom. If we want the slightest chance at having a happy life, a family, the Senator has to go. I have to make sure he never comes after us again.” I meet her gaze. “Don’t you see that?”

“I wish there was another way.” She wraps her arms around my waist. “I can’t lose you. You’re all I have.”

“I’m going in with my eyes wide open this time. It ends tonight.” I hug her tight, then let her go. “I’ll be back soon.”

Out on the driveway, I find Fisher sitting behind the wheel of my car. I stop to consider my options. He and Jacob are the only ones I trust to take care of my family. Even though I already told Fisher I don’t need his help, I would be an idiot if I don’t recognize that I actually do need him. I can’t go after the Senator on my own. Even if the element of surprise is on my side again.

I climb in the passenger seat, and he turns to look at me. “There’s no way in fucking hell I’m letting you go in there with no backup.”

“I didn’t say anything.” I shrug. “Drive, old man.”

He grumps, then turns on the ignition. As the car tires crunch over the gravel, he stays focused on the road ahead. After five minutes, he finally speaks, “I can kill him for you.”

Fisher is a Marine. He will always be one. I’m sure he can kill a man with his pinky, as it were. But the Senator is my problem. This whole fucking mess is my fault. I brought us all here. I took Paloma from him. I woke the sleeping monster. I’m the one who has to put him down.

“I know.” I dip my head in a silent thank you. “I should’ve listened to you.”

“Which part?” He shakes his head.

“The part where you warned me that the only way to beat the Senator is to meet him where he is in the depths of hell.” I clench my jaw. “A painful death should’ve been the plan all along. Now, I don’t even have time for that.”

“I’ll take care of the bodyguards.” Fisher looks straight ahead. “I’ll buy you as much time as I can.”

“Thank you.” I pat his shoulder. “I appreciate you coming with me.”

“Don’t mention it. You’re like a son to me. You know that.” He looks at me for a beat. “Plus, your mother begged me to come.”

“I figured as much.” I chuckle.

The gates to the Senator’s mansion come into view. Two men stand guard, but Fisher doesn’t let off the gas. He hits both of them with the car like pins in a bowling alley. He pulls up to the keypad and enters the code to open the gates, while I reach under the seat and pull out the gun, I wished I’d never have to use. I check the cartridge and barrel, then screw on the silencer. Fisher nods at me, then places his hand over the weapon on his lap. He’s calm as can be. And that’s my reminder to check myself. This isn’t the time for making mistakes.

We pull up to the front door. The other two bodyguards don’t react when they see us. I can only assume they think that if we made it past their comrades it’s because we are supposed to be here. Fisher has been training me for years. I always assumed he missed the Corps. But sitting here next to him ready to battle, I now understand why. He knew this moment would come. He knew one way or another, the Senator and I would settle our debt.

As soon as the car rolls to a stop, we both hop out shooting. I aim for their necks simply because I’m not ready to take a life. But these fuckers are the only thing standing between me and freedom.

“There should be two more.” I meet Fisher’s gaze. “They’re out back.”

---