Page 59 of Betrayal (Corrupt Empire 1)

Chapter Twelve

Aiden

She hadn’t said anything.

She hadn’t fucking said anything.

I wanted to damn well crawl inside her mind and rip out her thoughts. I needed to know what she fucking felt about what I said last night. I wasn’t sure why I’d said it. There was this need inside me I couldn’t deny any longer. After she told me she wanted me to wreck her, it’d played on my mind.

There was a huge difference in knowing someone wanted you and them telling you that was the case. I needed her to know she wasn’t alone in feeling things she shouldn’t. In wanting a person she should never seek to have.

Avery had severely fucked with my head. Dug her way inside my fucking mind and made a permanent place for herself. The more I learnt about her, the more I realised she was the exact opposite of what I expected. She didn’t share the arrogance of her family. There was a humbleness to her. She wanted a quiet life. And really, if I was to be honest, that’s what I wanted too. I’d been fighting since I was a child and I was growing tired. I wanted this war with the Daniels to be over. They’d already stolen so much of my life.

She didn’t speak when we sat and had breakfast together. She wouldn’t even look at me. It unnerved me because it wasn’t like her. If she wasn’t going to acknowledge anything then fine. I’d just get down to business and the real reason I’d brought her here.

“There’s something I need you to do for me.”

She looked up, her eyes not quite meeting mine.

“What?”

“We’re going to take a walk and you’re going to make a video for me.”

That got her attention. Her brow furrowed.

“A video?”

“Yes. So we can clear up a little misunderstanding with the police.”

She put her fork down and really looked at me.

“What exactly are you after, Aiden?”

“I want you to tell them to stop looking for you because you don’t want to be found and I want you to tell that boy to stop waiting for you.”

The blood drained from her face.

“You… want what?”

“You see, he went and told them you were meant to be at your parents and because they found your phone there, they assume the killer took you.”

“You want me to lie for you.”

She already knew I wanted that from day one. Looking down at her hands, she fidgeted in her seat.

“I will tell them to stop looking for me if that’s what you need. And I’ll tell Peter on one condition even though I would rather have a conversation with him.”

“What’s your condition?”

If I had my way, she’d never talk to that boy ever again. She was mine. And she fucking knew that. Fuck. I was such an arsehole. I wouldn’t sleep with her even though it’s what we both wanted but I wouldn’t let anyone else have her.

“Let me say something to James and Gert so they don’t worry about me.”

Her friends. Right. I didn’t care if she did that. It’d make it more believable anyway.

“Fine.”

“How exactly are you going to give this to them?”

---