Page 27 of Empire of Ache & Ruin

“Oh, like you would know.” Gardenia rolls her eyes.

“I’ll have you know?—”

“Jacob,” I cut him off. “Kindly remember we have a minorandher father on comms.” I focus on the road ahead of us, then make a right turn into the Senator’s mansion.

“Omigod. I’m not a minor.” Gardenia slaps my chest. “I’m twenty-three. I’m practically Paloma’s age.”

“You definitely sound grown-up when you whine like that,” Jacob pokes.

“Both of you stop,” Fisher deadpans. “Archer, we have a problem.”

“What is it?” Gardenia sits up and takes out her phone.

“The Italian mob is at the mansion,” Fisher says.

“Dad, when you say it like that it sounds like they’re here to off someone. It’s just Santino.” She blushes a little.

“I don’t like the way you say his name.” Jacob scoffs. “Fisher, you hear that? She’s all bubbly.”

“The guy is drop-dead gorgeous. And has a license to kill. How am I supposed to say his name?” Gardenia fires back.

“Why is Santino here?” I turn to face Gardenia. “Did you ask him to join us?”

“No, I didn’t.” She shakes her head. “I mean we’re not here on a heist or anything. We’re here to have fun, right? We don’t need him.”

“We’re not.” I nod at the valet as he waves me through to wait in line. “I’m here because the Senator invited me. And because Paloma hasn’t taken the bait yet. I’m here to make sure she does. Did you do what I asked?”

“Of course. The Senator should’ve received the foreclosure notice hours ago.” She beams at me.

“Right. So now all we need to do is find out if he knows he no longer has the diamond. And then, I’ll just offer my services to escort Paloma to the Crucible,” I say mostly to myself.

My plan was insane, immoral is what Fisher called it. But I don’t care. All is fair, and all that.

The valet opens my door, and I climb out. By the time I walk around the hood of my Maserati, Gardenia is at the edge of the red carpet waiting for me.

“Admit it. This one is also cool.” She points at the Christmas lights and the oversized Nutcrackers on either side of the entrance. “Too bad we weren’t asked to dress up for the Nutcracker theme.”

“Christmas was last month.” I say under my breath.

“It’s still cool.” She shrugs.

Like before, we are escorted to the podium by the door where a woman checks our invitation. “Welcome back, Mr. Archer. Your bidding number will be the same as before.”

“Thank you.” I nod.

“I wonder if you still have the winning bid on that gorgeous necklace,” Gardenia says loud enough for everyone around us to hear.

“Nice touch,” Jacob chimes in.

“You should find Santino and figure out why he’s here.” Fisher is the only one taking this mission seriously.

Mostly because he’s worried about me. Every time I get near the Senator, I risk being recognized. I hate that I’m putting Gardenia in danger like this. But bringing her with me is safer for her. At least if she’s here, she won’t have the urge to go rogue again.

“Get us eyes.” I kiss Gardenia’s temple.

“On it.” She throws her arms around my neck and kisses me on the lips.

“What the hell?” I glare at her.

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