25. I Underestimated Those Assholes
CHAPTER 25
I UNDERESTIMATED THOSE ASSHOLES
Paloma
“Turn around.” A smile pulls on his lips as he draws circles at the nape of my neck.
“Why?” I shift my weight on the leather bench of the limousine. My heart races because the way he’s looking at me, I can only imagine what he plans to do with me. I shoot a quick glance to William behind the stirring wheel. “Here?”
He chuckles. “You really are insatiable, Little Dove.”
“Why is that funny?” Heat rises to my cheeks.
“While you’re particularly beautiful tonight.” He reaches for me and brings me closer but facing away from him. “I don’t wish to ruin another one of your dresses. Especially before we even get to the ballet.”
“Oh.” That single word is laced with so much disappointment.
His lips touch the spot where his thumb has been torturing me for the past thirty minutes. We’re almost to the city. Though I’m excited to see Dad again, I don’t like that it has to be in public and at the ballet of all places. I’m not sure I’m ready to face all the other dancers, not even my friends. Paul disowned me days after I left for not texting him back. He was being dramatic. But now that so much more time has gone by, I’m sure he really doesn’t want to see me again.
“I can’t let my wife go out in public without being properly accessorized.” He opens a black velvet box.
“Are you serious?” I look over my shoulder at the diamond earrings and necklace. Shifting my weight to face him again, I run my fingers over the huge pendant. “You got me a Winston?”
“You know your diamonds?” He raises an eyebrow.
“Mom had an extensive collection. Over the years, I learned what made them valuable. A Winston setting is classic.” I bring my fingers to my lips to hide the downturn of my lips.
“She had?” Archer moves my hand away from my face and puts it on my lap. “What happened?”
I have never told anyone about Mom’s diamonds. For one, it wouldn’t be safe for people to know we had a sizable fortune in diamonds stashed in the house. But also, because through the years, Dad used them to get out of debt. I’m embarrassed to tell Archer about Dad and his struggles with bad investments.
“You make me tell you all about my father and now you can’t say what happened to your mother’s diamonds?” He cocks his head to look at me.
“I do want to tell you.” I do love that he opened up about how his dad died. Telling that horrible story must’ve been awful. But now that I know more about him and what his scars mean to him, I feel closer to him. I have no doubt in my mind. I’m utterly in love with him, which is why I don’t want him to think so poorly of Dad. “But first promise me you won’t judge him.” I reach for his hand.
“The man negotiated a virgin auction for his only daughter. I am judging him. He deserves to be judged.” His jaw clenches.
“I told you. The auction was my decision. It was my fault that he found himself in that position. I lost the last of the diamonds.”
“What?” His gaze darkens with hate.
“See?” I point at his eyes. “It’s not his fault. He’s expected to do all these great things and then also be a senator. It’s too much.” I recite the usual excuses.
Before the auction, they all sounded like reasonable explanations as to why Dad couldn’t manage his wealth. But with Archer’s dark stare, looking as if he’s ready to murder Dad, I can’t keep lying to myself. Dad needs help.
“He took it too far this time. I’ll admit.” I suck in my lower lip.
“You think this is the worst he’s done in the name of saving his ass?” He scoffs.
“Please. Don’t be so hard on him.” I brace my hands on his thighs.
He studies my features for a long minute before he captures my mouth with his. His kiss is hard and desperate as if he wants our connection to erase all the bad. Our marriage isn’t exactly what people would consider conventional. I’m here with him because he paid for me. And he had to pay for me because of Dad.
“He needs our help,” I say when he pulls back.
“He’s not getting any more of my money,” he deadpans. “What did he do with the other diamonds?”
“He sold them to pay for various investments. The pink diamond was the last of them.” I take in a deep breath. “He has nothing left. Not even our house. He just never recovered after losing Mom.”
“He has plenty left.” He cups my cheek. “He still has you.”
“He’s my father. I can’t turn my back on him.” Tears brim my eyes. “Please don’t be so harsh with him tonight. It’s bad enough that we can’t visit him at home. Why does it have to be in public?”
“Because I don’t trust him. And while I have a say in it, you will never set foot in his house again.” The hate in his eyes sends a chill down my spine. “He needs to understand that you belong to me now.”
Archer can be terrifying when he wants to be. If I didn’t know his softer side, if I didn’t understand all the pain he went through when he was little, I would be so scared of him. But I do know him. I know he’s kind. And I know he would burn the world for me.
I thought of the night Archer and I got married, when I asked Caterina if she loved her husband.
He can be a total grump. But underneath his all-powerful, arrogant exterior, there’s a man who would take a bullet for me.
Now that I’ve been with Archer for a few months, I would say I feel the same way about my husband.
“I belong to you, Archer.” I cup his cheek and kiss him.
“Hmm.” He deepens the kiss. “Turn around.”
I do as he asks and wait for the cold sting of the diamond necklace to touch my chest. It sits beautifully just above my strapless dress, a gorgeous gown done in a white silky fabric with plumes adorning the floor length skirt.
I face him again, then take the earrings as well and clip them on my ears. “Thank you.” I smile at him.
“You’re welcome.” He pulls me to him, so my back is resting on his front. “Just promise me that when this night is over, you’ll come home with me.”
“Why would I ever want to leave you.” I snuggle closer to him.
“Just promise me.” He bends down to kiss my bare shoulder.
“I promise.”
The limo enters the city, and I can’t help but feel normal again looking at all the window displays on Fifth Avenue. Everything feels familiar. I missed it. I glance down at Archer’s arm wrapped possessively around my waist. Maybe one day I can come back and dance again. Archer sounded like he was open to the idea. But am I? It’s an odd feeling to have that choice.
“We’re here, Mr. Archer.” William nods to us in the rearview mirror.
“Thank you, William. I’ll text when we’re ready for you.” Archer opens the door himself and helps me out of the limo.
“Don’t be nervous.” He bends down to whisper in my ear as he ushers me up the steps and into the theater lobby. “We’ll be in my box. Your father will come to us.”
“You arranged for all this?” I glance up at him. “And Dad agreed?”
“I didn’t give him a choice.” He fishes his phone from the inside pocket of his suit jacket and shows our tickets to the usher guarding the entrance to the suites.
Archer’s body tenses next to mine. Instinctively, I hold on to his arm with both hands before I follow his line of sight. Hunter and Dad are at the end of the carpeted corridor. They both look disgusted. I smile, hoping I’m not the reason for their disappointment. But then, I scan the rest of the waiting area. The faces all flash in my mind as I start to recognize each one.
These men were at my auction. They bid for me while they stared at me with hunger in their eyes.
“Whore.” Dad’s friend, the one who lost to Archer, mouths the words when our gazes meet.
My heart races. I wasn’t expecting any of them to be here, let alone to be angry at me. Archer holds me tighter to his side. “Whatever you do, don’t leave my side,” he mutters.
I nod because suddenly I don’t feel safe. I wave at Dad, but then, slowly lower my hand as pain mars his face. I want to hug him and tell him the auction wasn’t his fault, that I’m happy despite the circumstances.
“Senator,” Archer greets him loud enough for everyone to hear.
Archer isn’t someone Dad can ignore.
Dad purses his lips as he makes his way toward us. He never liked being cornered into doing something he didn’t want to do. Did he not want to see me? I swallow the lump in my throat. No, of course he wants to see me. He’s just ashamed.
“Dad.” I throw my arms around his neck.
“Paloma.” He grips my shoulders for a breath, then pushes me away. “It’s so good to see you.”
“How are you feeling?” I ask, smiling. “Hunter said you weren’t feeling well. Is it your heart?”
“I’m getting old, Paloma. There’s no way around that.” His gaze lingers on my face.
All I find in his eyes is pain and regret.
“Dad, everything is fine.” I glance up at Archer, then lean in and whisper, “We got married.”
“Good. At least now, you’re under his protection.” Dad offers a solemn nod to Archer.
“She is.” Archer’s stance and his entire demeanor is ice cold. “We should go find our seats, love,” he says to me before turning to Dad. “We’ll see you afterwards, Senator.”
Archer wraps his arm around my waist, and basically uses his own body to part the crowd. I feel the gazes of all the men on my skin. I wish I could turn to them and scream in their faces, tell them they have no right to look at me like that. That I’m not a whore for wanting to help Dad. If they are so disgusted by what I did, why didn’t they come to Dad’s rescue? Why bid on me instead?
“Next time.” The words linger like a murmur in the hallway.
Archer’s hand tightens around me. I can’t breathe. I grip my wrist tight and sink my nails in until a breath of air finds its way into my lungs. Numb, I stride into Archer’s private box. He curses as soon as the door shuts behind him.
“I shouldn’t have brought you here tonight,” he says through gritted teeth.
“Why did you?” Tears stream down my cheeks.
“I underestimated those assholes.” He helps me with my heavy coat, then drapes it over one of the empty chairs. “We’ll get out of here once the show starts. I don’t like the way those men were looking at you. As if they were waiting their fucking turn.” He grips the back of the chair and his knuckles turn white.
“I don’t regret coming here.” I touch his shoulder. “At least now, Dad knows that I’m okay. And that he doesn’t need to worry about me.”
“None of this is your fault. It isn’t your job to make him feel better about what he did.” He cradles my neck. “He doesn’t deserve your love.”
“He’s my dad. I don’t have a choice.” I stand on my tiptoes and kiss him. “Thank you for setting up a meeting with him. Maybe next time, we see him at his place?”
“Absolutely not.” He shakes his head. “He’s staying with that old man Sutherland.”
“Oh.” I look away from him.
“Hey.” He puts his finger under my chin and lifts it to make me look at him. “This. is. not. your. fault.” He puts emphasis on every single word, pulling on my right hand to let go of my left wrist.
Not my fault , I repeat in my head.
“Have a seat. We’ll leave as soon as the hall is clear.” He fishes his phone out of his front pocket and types a text. “And Paloma.” He peers at me. “No more visits to the Senator. Not for a long while.”
I nod. Because deep down I know he’s right. Seeing me caused Dad pain. I’ll forever be a constant reminder of how low he fell. Until he realizes that I’m happy with Archer, I can’t be near him. He needs time.
“Do you think it’s safe for me to use the ladies’ room.” I point to my face, which I’m sure is a mess. And I don’t want those men out there to think these tears are for them, that I care what they think of me. “It’s a long drive home.”
He shoots a glance across the way. When the lights dim, he rises to his feet. “I’ll go with you.” He drops his phone in his pocket, then gestures for me to wait.
After he checks behind the door, he turns to me and nods. He escorts me down the empty corridor to the women’s bathroom. I don’t even try to tell him that he doesn’t have to stay and keep watch. For one, I know he’s right. Those men were more than disgusted; they were angry at me.
I sneak into the bathroom and find an empty stall. Once I’m done relieving myself, I walk to the vanity to wash my hands. My face looks puffy and red, but my mascara held up. I grab a tissue and dab on the white streaks on my cheeks, essentially blending in the makeup with my tears. Why did I think things would be back to normal the minute I returned to the city? I feel so stupid for thinking that what I did wouldn’t leave a mark.
I dab some lip stain on my lips and fix the few strands of hair framing my face. When I feel more like myself, I turn to leave, then freeze.
“How did you get in?” I glance behind Hunter, who’s blocking the only door in the room. How did he get past Archer? “What did you do to Archer?”
“Me? Nothing.” He shrugs. “He left.”
“No, he wouldn’t do that. He wouldn’t leave me here.” I hate how much panic is in my voice.
“You stood me up.” He advances toward me, as his gaze roams my body. It’s a lewd gesture he’s never used with me before. “I waited like a fucking idiot.”
“I’m sorry. I had an accident. And lost my phone.” I meant to ask Archer to borrow his phone to call Hunter. But I wasn’t sure how that particular conversation would go, given all the events that happened because I made plans to meet with my ex. “I’m sorry I didn’t call.”
“You should be sorry for a lot of things, Paloma.” He smirks. “All that time together. You should’ve been mine.”
“This was all for Dad and you know that.” I step back.
“He brought you here to rub it in our faces.” He fists his hands. “But I knew I would have a chance to get you alone. I know you still want to be with me, don’t you, baby? You don’t have to pretend.”
“I’m not your baby,” I say with all the bravado I can muster. “I need to go find my husband.” When he doesn’t move, I raise my voice. “Let me through.”
“Not until I get what I’m owed.” He removes his tuxedo jacket and unbuckles his belt. “All those years keeping my hands to myself and for what? The old man didn’t even ask me what I wanted. He just let you go with that pompous ass.”
“You don’t want to do this.” My voice quavers because even if I can’t say the words, I know why he’s here.
In the next beat, he grabs my upper arm and shoves me into the handicap stall. My head hits the tile, and stars explode behind my eyelids. His mouth is on my neck as he fumbles with his pants. If Archer left for a minute, he won’t know Hunter is in here with me. He may think I’m just taking my time. He won’t know to come inside and help me. I shove at Hunter, but he has a vise-like grip over my mouth and is using his body weight to keep me pinned to the wall.
“Get your bloody hands off my wife.” Archer’s voice fills my chest with relief.
In a flash of arms and legs, Hunter’s form is yanked from the bathroom stall and hurtled against the bathroom sinks. All the water faucets turn on at once while Hunter tumbles to the floor.
Archer looks taller than his six-five frame as he stands to block the door, Hunter’s only exit. He turns to face me, his cheeks red and eyes dark as night. “Are you okay?”
“Yes.” I nod.
“This will only take a minute.” Archer smirks. “Hunter and I have a conversation pending. Don’t we?” He grabs Hunter by the collar and punches him straight in the nose. “You miss my wife’s smell? Is that right?” He clocks his face again. “Answer.”
I wince at all the blood that splatters on the white tile and mirror. Jesus, this is about Hunter’s text to me? Archer is pummeling his nose because he said he missed my smell. It’s over the top. And if Hunter hadn’t just tried to have sex with me, I would ask Archer to stop. But I can’t bring myself to defend him.
“What?” Hunter glares at the blood on his hand, then up at Archer. “Are you insane?”
“Answer the goddam question.” Archer stalks toward him. “Do you miss my wife’s scent?”
“No.” Hunter cowers into the corner. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You texted my wife and told her you missed her smell.” Buttons go flying as Archer grabs him again and hits his nose. The painful crack his bones make when his nose finally breaks grinds against my back. Archer doesn’t even flinch. “You’ll be without your sense of smell for a few weeks, if you’re lucky. If I ever catch you near my wife again, I will make sure next time, the damage is permanent. Are we clear?”
Hunter cradles his face as he stares at Archer in horror. “What the fuck is wrong with you?” he mumbles through all the blood on his face.
“Get the fuck out of my sight.” Archer prowls toward him, pointing to the door. “Now.”
“Wait until the Senator finds out.” Hunter grabs his sopping wet tuxedo jacket from one of the sinks and bolts.
“Fucking coward.” Archer is breathing fire as he stands in the middle of the bathroom with bloody knuckles.
“Archer.” I run to him and wrap my arms around his waist. “Where were you?”
“I had something I needed to handle before we left.” He kisses the top of my head but doesn’t hug me to him.
“What’s wrong?” I step back, doing a quick scan of his body. “Are you hurt?”
“No. I just don’t want to ruin your dress.” He shakes his head, showing me his bloody hands. “The blood isn’t mine.” He ambles to the sink and runs his hands under the water.
“Wait, both your hands are bruised. Did you get into a fight before coming here?” I grab a towel from the basket and help him clean the dried blood off his knuckles.
“I needed to make sure those assholes understood that I protect what’s mine.” He leans on the counter while I dry his hands. “They don’t get to look at you like that and walk away scot-free.”
“You fought all of them?” My eyebrows go up in surprise.
“No.” He clenches his jaw. “Two of them got away before I got to their suite.”
“Oh my God.” I place a hand over my mouth. “This is not what I thought tonight was going to be about. I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t apologize again.” He cradles my neck. “This is on them. Not you. Please get that through your head.”
“Can we go home?” I kiss his cheek. “Before any of those guys decide to send it all to hell and get their bodyguards to beat you up.”
“They won’t do that. I don’t need my fists to inflict pain. These men, they only care about their wallets. I can do so much more damage with a single phone call. They know that.” His eyes search mine. “This blood is for you. I wanted to kill them for you.”
“Please don’t do that. They’re not worth it.” I hold his large hand in mine.
“But you are.”
I turn to leave when screams outside the door bring us to a halt. Exchanging a quick glance with me, Archer steps toward the door, while shielding me with his body. He pushes the door open, and the first thing I see is Dad unconscious on the ground.
“Fuck.” Archer glances upward.