Page 106 of Betrayal (Corrupt Empire 1)

Despite being relieved James was here, I was still very much aware of the other man in my life and the tension radiating off him. It scorched into my skin. Shit. He really wasn’t happy about me hugging James.

I pulled away, taking a few steps back until I managed to bump into Aiden. One of his hands curled around my waist.

“Careful,” he said in my ear.

When he didn’t let go, I stepped out of his grasp, not wanting James to suspect anything was between us. If we were going to convince James of our version of the truth, then he couldn’t know about us sleeping together.

“Look, James, what Aiden said is true. I asked him to help me. When I found out about my parents, I just couldn’t deal with it. I’m sorry. I knew of some people who worked outside of the company for my Uncle Charlie, so this was the first place I came. I begged Aiden to help me.”

I hoped James bought this because we’d be fucked otherwise. I wasn’t sure how he’d take finding out Aiden kidnapped me and my family’s dark deeds. Not with the shit going on in his own family.

“And what, you helped her out of the kindness of your heart?” James asked, eying Aiden with suspicion.

“If you’d seen the mess she was in, then you might understand why I couldn’t just leave her outside my building,” Aiden replied, his eyes hardening to steel.

James ran a hand through his hair, confusion evident in his expression.

“Why hide yourself all this time? Why didn’t you just tell me?”

“I was barely able to function for the first two weeks and then it just got harder to go back to reality,” I said. “We staged the video so it would keep the police away. I know you don’t understand, but I had to, James. I had to do this. For me.”

The lies stuck in my throat. I hated it. Without thinking, I reached for Aiden’s hand and tucked my fingers in his. Instantly, I felt calmer. My safe place was with him.

The gesture didn’t go unnoticed. James’ eyes went wide whilst Aiden’s lip curled up at the side. He knew exactly what it meant. I was his. I hoped James wouldn’t interpret it that way, but if I pulled away now, it would only make it worse.

“Can I speak to you alone, Avery?”

I eyed Aiden. He gave me a subtle nod. He knew I’d be careful of what I said. I’d proven I was trustworthy.

“Sure, why don’t you come make tea with me?”

James nodded. I indicated with my head he should go first. When his back was to us, Aiden leant down and kissed the top of my head.

“Will you make me a shake?” he asked.

“Of course.”

Neither of us had eaten this morning. He’d taught me a few days ago how he liked it done. He let me go and I went into the hall with James. He followed me into the kitchen, leaning against the counter as I flipped the kettle on.

“What the fuck is going on, Avery?”

I took a deep breath before I turned to him.

“What do you mean?”

“Between you and him.”

I shrugged.

“He’s been helping me deal with it, that’s all.”

“Helping you? Helping himself into your knickers more like.”

“James!”

He shook his head, scrunching up his face.

“Christ, is that what you two were doing when I interrupted you? What about Peter?”

---