Page 56 of Betrayal (Corrupt Empire 1)

I didn’t ask what that meant. I was just happy we were leaving. Perhaps it would allow me to forget about what he’d shown me about my family and the awful hallucinations I had in the cell. I couldn’t forget what they’d asked me to do. Avenge them. It’s just now I knew my father wasn’t worth avenging. I couldn’t see him in the same light any longer. Not after the way he’d laughed about that girl’s torture. I would never like my uncle and cousin Troy was a bit of a creep, but my dad? It was the opposite of the man I knew.

It wasn’t so much I wasn’t aware Aiden was trying to manipulate my views, but I couldn’t refute what I’d seen. I imagined it’s why he gave me evidence rather than just telling me. If he hadn’t, I doubt I’d have believed a word he said.

“Are we going today?”

“Yes. I was waiting for you to wake up.”

I pulled away from him and got up. He smiled at me before I left the room. I got dressed and picked out enough clothes to last me a week along with my toiletries, setting them out on the bed. Aiden came in a few minutes later and packed it alongside his own stuff without saying anything.

He pulled a box out of the cupboard and handed it to me. I opened it finding a brand new pair of black and white Vans inside.

“I got you these when I bought you clothes, but you haven’t had any need for them until now,” he said with a shrug.

He’d asked me what kind of things I’d wear weeks ago. I only found out the extent of his shopping spree when he’d let me out of the cell. Definitely hadn’t spared any expense outfitting me. I hadn’t worn much of it yet.

I took them out of the box and laced them properly. They fit perfectly when I put them on.

“I never did thank you for getting me all this.”

His eyes roamed over me and down to my feet. I’d put on a pair of jeans, a plain black t-shirt and a cardigan. A smile appeared on his lips.

“Something about a girl in trainers.”

Before I could reply, he picked up the bag and indicated with his head I should follow him. When we reached the front door, he pulled a jacket off the hook and handed it to me before taking his own. The one he’d given me matched his. Leather.

“It’s getting cold out now,” he said.

I shrugged it on and followed him out the front door, which he locked behind us. It felt weird to leave his flat. I never thought I’d see anything outside those walls again.

We took the lift down to the underground car park. I found myself staring at a black Jag. Aiden opened the boot and stashed the bag before coming around and opening the passenger side for me.

“Are you going to get in or gawk at it?” he asked.

“It’s pretty.”

He rolled his eyes. I slid in and got comfy in the leather seat, putting my seatbelt on. He got in the driver seat and started the car. The low hum of the engine vibrated through me. He revved it, looking over at me with a grin.

“Are you showing off?” I asked.

“Perhaps a little. Just wait until I get you on the back of my bike.”

I baulked at the suggestion. I’d never been on a motorbike before. He pointed over at it sitting next to the car. It was huge and terrifying.

“Um, there is no way I’m going on that with you.”

“We’ll see.”

He screeched out of the car park causing me to fly back in my seat. The streets of London whizzed past us as Aiden took the back roads until we were finally out of the city and on the M25. He put some indie rock on. I sat back and watched the cars driving along next to us. It didn’t much matter where he was taking me. I was happy to be out of the flat.

I must’ve drifted off because I jolted awake when Aiden opened the car door and ducked his head inside. He gave me a half smile

“How can you still be tired?” he asked.

I yawned, stretching a little. My neck felt stiff from falling asleep with my face smashed against the window.

“I don’t know.”

He helped me out the car. I was a little unsteady on my feet, still in a bit of a daze. Rather than waiting for me to get my bearings, Aiden swept me off my feet and carried me into the small cottage. I clutched his neck.

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