Page 127 of Betrayal (Corrupt Empire 1)

“She knows.”

“Did you tell her?”

I laughed. I didn’t have to. Tina knew me like the back of her hand. I was in no doubt the second she saw I had a girl with me, she knew that girl had to be important. Not wrong. Avery was the most important girl in my life.

I’d try to do what Tina told me to. Try to show Avery I cared, that she meant something to me.

“I’ve never brought anyone to meet her other than Ben and his wife. She guessed.”

She turned to me, eyes wide.

“What, never?”

“No. Do you still think you’re my toy now?”

She flushed, looking at her fingers.

“No,” she mumbled.

I leant into her, nuzzling her neck and breathing her in.

“Good. You belong to me. I need you. I want you. I’m going to fuck you up against the wall in the shower later. I can’t get the thought of it out my head.”

She wriggled in my grasp.

“Aiden, that’s not fair.”

“Don’t tell me you haven’t been imagining it too?”

A cough interrupted both of us. I pulled away but kept my arm around her waist. Tina gave me a knowing smile before sitting down across from us. Avery pressed her hands to her burning cheeks. I picked up a mug and handed it to her.

“So, since Aiden is notoriously cagey about everything, why don’t you tell me about yourself?” Tina said.

Avery took a gulp of tea.

“Um, well… I…”

“Why don’t you tell her about your art?” I said.

“Oh. I like to draw. In my flat, I have a studio where I paint as well. I lived alone until well…”

“Until he took you,” Tina finished for her. “Don’t worry, I’m aware of your circumstances. Have you drawn Aiden?”

Avery eyed me for a moment.

“Um… yes. Although someone took my drawing and hasn’t given it back yet.”

“Now I’m intrigued.”

My hand around Avery tightened. I still had it pinned up on the board in my office.

“She drew me with wings, Tina. Wings and a gun,” I said.

And it still fucking killed me every time I looked at it. Avery had always seen me as something I wasn’t. I wanted to be that person for her, but I was incapable of it.

“It was stupid. I told you that,” Avery muttered.

“You’re not some amateur, Avery. You’ve got skill.”

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