Page 29 of Empire of Ache & Ruin

Her eyes water as her mouth turns upside down in a deep frown. “I didn’t find it, Archer. I looked everywhere. But it’s gone. I just knew you were going to ask Dad about it.” She motions to her chest and the fact that she’s not wearing the diamond.

I stare at her smooth skin, remembering how good she tasted. It’s been weeks, and I can still feel her in my arms.

“I didn’t realize that was the case. My friend tells me you didn’t show.” I keep my words short because if I tell her exactly how we plan to help her, she may get spooked. I need her trapped. “If you’d like I can go with you to see him. For moral support.”

“What do I do now?” She presses a hand to her forehead.

The red on her wrists catches my eye. What the fuck? Did someone tie her up? I grab her by the elbow and pull her toward me. Up close, I can see the long scratches across her veins. They’re not deep. But they look angry.

“Who did this to you?” I ask through gritted teeth.

“No one.” Her gaze darts between the fresh cuts on her skin and my face. “It’s none of your business anyway.”

“Paloma.” I bring her closer to me. My breath comes out in puffs as I consider the many ways I plan to hurt the person responsible for her injuries. “Who hurt you?”

“It was an accident.” She yanks her arm free with fire in her eyes.

“Try again.” I tower over her.

“They’re just scratches. I did it in my sleep, okay?” She shoves me away from her. The annoyance in her voice and the defiance in her eyes tells me she’s not lying. And she’s definitely not bothered by it. For a beat, I thought maybe Hunter Du Pont had something to do with it. She sighs. “Please don’t tell Dad about the diamond.”

“He’ll find out at midnight when the auction closes, and I claim my prize.” I cross my arms over my chest.

“I’ll think of something. Just give me a bit of time.” She disappears behind the service door.

“Fuck.” I run a hand through my hair.

A minute later, the door opens again, and Gardenia waltzes in with Santino and a beautiful redhead clad in a green dress. “Look who I found.” Gardenia leans in and whispers, “Turns out she wasn’t checking you out. She was just nosy.”

“What?” I squint at her.

“Archer.” Santino steps in to shake my hand. “How are you, man?”

“I’m not sure.” I slap his shoulder. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”

“We had some family drama.” He glances down at the woman next to him, and she beams at him. “Oh. I’m sorry. Archer, meet my wife, Luce O’Brien.”

“Are you serious? Jesus, I never thought I’d see the day. You’re hitched?” I laugh half-expecting him to follow up with a “just kidding.”

“Yep. What can I say? Life has a way to change us all.” He glances at her again, and I see it. The poor chap is madly in love with her.

“Congratulations,” I say to the both of them. “How did this happen?”

“It’s a really long story.” Santino wraps a protective arm around his wife.

“It’s really not.” She smiles. “I wanted him dead. So I shot him.”

“Yep.” Santino nods. “Charmed the pants right off me.”

“You’re not joking.” I shake my head in disbelief. “I’m happy for you, man. Both of you.”

“Thank you.” Luce glances up at Santino. “Can we go now? This party is a bust.”

“I know.” Santino dips his head and kisses her lips. “Let’s go home.”

“You really were not here for me?” I ask before they leave.

“No. But I did take the time to put a little fire under the Senator’s seat. He’s desperate. But he assures me that I’ll have my money tonight. What’s that about?” The space between his brows furrows.

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