Page 48 of Betrayal (Corrupt Empire 1)

And then she walked away, leaving me alone with Tina.

l

Shaking, I stood. The memory clung to me, tearing my insides to shreds. I knew they’d find a way to haunt me again. Now they had no control over my dreams because I had Avery there to chase that darkness away.

Fuck this.

I got up and walked away from the cell. I went to my office, unlocked the door and strode in. I stood there, staring at Avery’s drawing pinned to my noticeboard.

My angel.

Thinking of her made my head hurt. And thinking of the girl who’d depicted me as her avenging angel tugged at the organ I swore I’d never breathe life into again. I had to fix myself before it was too late.

l

I ran for an hour. My muscles burnt from the pace I set, but I didn’t care. The pain reminded me of what I needed to do. Gave me the strength to go through with it. She was going to hate me even more. Hate me for showing her the truth. That was okay. She could hate me all she wanted. She’d still do what I asked of her. She’d comply.

After showering and dressing when I got back, I prepared what I had to. This would only be the start. She needed to be told in small, manageable pieces until she finally understood. Understood the horror of the people who had given her life.

I unlocked the cell door. I knew the light would hurt her eyes, so I didn’t switch it on. She was in the corner, her head buried in her knees. I walked over until I stood before her.

“Daniels.”

She raised her head slowly, looking up at me with no small amount of fear and hatred. It was quickly overtaken by relief. She opened her mouth to speak and began to reach for me, but I put a hand up.

“No. You won’t get anything from me until you’ve seen what you need to see.”

She closed her mouth, her eyes filling with tears. I knew what I was doing. It fucking cut me, but I had no choice. If I comforted her now, it wouldn’t help her later. It wouldn’t help me either.

“Do you need the loo?” I asked.

She nodded.

“Go and return here to me when you’re done. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” she whispered.

Avery tried to get to her feet, but she struggled. I put a hand out to her, which she took, and helped her up. Instead of letting go, I guided her from the room and left her at the bathroom door. I went into the kitchen and poured her some water. She’d not had anything since she’d woken up. I’d feed her, but only after this.

Avery was standing by the cell door when I returned. I gave her the glass before pointing to the room. She took a large gulp before staring at me.

“Why?” she asked.

“Move. I won’t tell you again.”

Her eyes flashed with pain. I knew I was hurting her with my behaviour. Fucking piece of shit. Couldn’t be helped. She’d understand why it had to be in there after and she’d fucking thank me for it.

She walked in, every step slow and cautious. I followed her, taking the glass from her hand and replacing it with a tablet.

“What you’re going to see will help you understand. It is not for the faint-hearted. Do not look away. This is the truth of what you were born into.”

Her hands trembled, but she pressed play on the video. It was taken from security footage.

l

Her father, her uncle and their cousin, Troy, were all stood around a desk in Mitchell’s office, staring at something on the computer screen.

“He really is one sick fuck,” Chuck said.

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