Empire of Hate (Empire, #3)

by Rina Kent

“If you’re allergic to peaches, why would you eat them?” “B-because I like them.” “You’re weird, Nicole.”

Maybe if I share my favorite toys with him, he’ll like me. Maybe he’ll also see the beautiful girl trapped in the snow and think about how he can get her out without breaking her world apart.

Is it the pain of the peaches or the pain of being invisible?

“Then at your funeral, I’ll wear a pink dress, hold a matching umbrella, and stand on your grave, crying loudly. When people gather around, I’ll say, ‘Everyone says men with minuscule penises have short lives, but I never believed that until now.’”

Nicole isn’t the type who’d settle for being anyone’s side anything. She’s the main course. The highlight of a show. The film’s premiere.

“You have the beauty of a fucking angel, Peaches.” He rests his chin on my stomach, his eyes clashing with mine for a brief second. “Too bad you possess the personality of the bloody devil.”

But if the only thing he sees right now is my body, then so be it. One day, it’ll be more. …Right?

“Dan…” “Shhh. And you don’t have the right to call me that. We’re not friends, Nicole. Never were and never will be. I’m not of your standing, am I? No one is.” “Bloody idiot…” I mutter, feeling moisture stinging my eyes, but I don’t let it loose. “You’re a little bitch, but not when you’re underneath me. Not so high and mighty when you’re stuffed with my dick, are you?” “I hate you.”

I sit there and wait. And wait. But Daniel never came back for me. And just like that, I’ve become invisible again.

“You’re eleven years too late for that question.”

He’s her knight. I’m their villain.

“Are you going to let Nikki keep her job?” “Depends on how well she does. And stop calling her that, it’s juvenile.” “Maybe if you stop having her call you sir. It’s demeaning.”

“Why would I even want you? Isn’t that the million-dollar question? I don’t fucking know, Nicole.

“Sorry to break it to you, love, but you don’t have a golden pussy.” “No, it’s better. Made of diamonds, hard enough that they penetrated your steel-like control. Did it hurt?” “What?” “Wanting me and denying it?” “No more than your twisted version of jealousy.”

“You…you’d rather pay whores than be exclusive with me?” “Escorts, and yes. I don’t want to accidentally cut myself on your diamond pussy.”

“Why?” Her question is a haunted whisper as she closes her hand into a fist and hits me with it across the chest. “Why them and not me?” Hit. “Why is it never me?” Hit. “No matter what I do, you don’t look at me.” Hit. “I’m right in front of you, why can’t you see me?”

“Papa… Please take me with you.”

I love you. I think I’ve loved you since we were kids. I know you think I’m a bitch, but that’s only because I don’t know how to express myself and I was taught to never show feelings. But I promise to change if you teach me how.

i am crying????

You just like to toy with others, to manipulate them, then laugh in their fucking faces. Well, guess what, Nicole? I’m off that list, effective immediately. Don’t come near me, talk to me, or even look at me. I’ll pretend you don’t exist and erase the mistake of touching you from my head. From now on, you’re nothing.”

“I know your face, Nicole. No need to worship at its altar all the time.”

The fact that no matter how much I showered or scrubbed my skin clean, I’m still filthy.

“You’ve matured, Nicole.” More than I ever did or will. “I had to.”

I can’t talk to her without tasting that bitter pill of “what-ifs” or seeing the hazy color of guilt.

“And you know what the funny part is? The bitch kept calling your name like a fucking chant. Daniel…Dan…help… You weren’t there to do that, were you, Prince Charming? And guess fucking what? She’ll never forgive you for not coming to her rescue.”

“Nicole, however, was and will always be a fucking queen.”

“Since today.” I lean into her hand like Lolli does when she pets her, and no, I’m neither jealous nor mimicking a cat. “Were you waiting for me, Peaches?”

“Don’t you ever, and I mean fucking ever, repeat that. You’re not damaged goods, never were and never will be. Are we clear?”

I wish I could tell him, you’re a loser meant you’re the only person who rattles me. Piss off meant come closer. I hate you meant I like you, I miss you, I love you.

Only so I would realize I was only a substitute for his dear Astrid. A silver medal. A second choice.

“I’m sorry, Uncle. I’m so sorry I’m the daughter of the woman who caused you so much pain. So sorry.”

“It took losing you to realize you’re my daughter as much as Astrid is.” “Uncle…” “You can call me Papa or Dad, as Astrid does, whenever you’re ready.”

“I was that in love with you.” He bursts out laughing and I feel my heart shattering into pieces at his feet,

You were just a fuck but you went ahead and made it into some love story. Hopeless romanticism does suit you since you’re so fucking naïve.”

or the scary reminder that I wasted my youth loving someone who would never love me.

I’m sorry you loved me. Daniel

“Why do you hate to see me cry, take revenge against Christopher for me, leave me your mansion and your money, but still refuse to be with me? Is it so hard to love me?”

It’s hard to hate you and even harder to forget you, but loving you was the easiest thing that I’ve ever done. It was natural, inevitable, and fucking infinite.”