Page 60 of Betrayal (Corrupt Empire 1)

“I have ways and means. It’s not for you to worry about. Just play your part.”

She looked away, staring back down at her plate. Picking up the fork, she started eating again. I didn’t like this sudden distance. Yesterday, she’d been happy to talk to me and asked me to touch her. Fuck. When I made her come, it drove me crazy. I was so close to pushing her clothes aside so I could sink into her heat. I wanted her pussy clenching around my cock when she came.

Now, she’d closed herself off from me. I wanted to be honest with her, but that honesty had come at a cost. All of this was impossible. Denying what we wanted from each other. Denying there was something real and tangible between us. It went beyond families and revenge.

If things were different, we could’ve been two people who found solace in each other. Instead, we were on opposite sides of the same coin. She was still a Daniels — and me? I was just the fucked up guy who killed her parents and stole her away from her life.

“Should we go then?”

I looked at her. She’d finished and already washed the dishes whilst I’d been lost in thought. I stood up abruptly.

“Yes.”

We both wrapped up because it was chilly outside. I slipped a small camera into my jacket pocket before we left. I led her along the track I’d driven down yesterday evening and on to one of the many footpaths in the area. Our breath was visible in the late morning air. Avery dug her hands in her pockets, looking around the fields surrounding us.

“It’s not far,” I said.

She didn’t reply. I just planned to take her to a wooded area nearby. Somewhere out of the way where they’d have trouble working out where we’d filmed it. I was sure they would still look for her, but my other plans would make it difficult.

This was a gamble. Sometimes you had to take risks in order to reap the rewards. My reward would be the police backing off and giving me more time to bring Avery around. It was only a few more weeks till Christmas and I needed her ready for the new year.

I wasn’t sure how she’d take it. Being forced to spend what should be a family holiday with me, away from everything she knew. I’d tell her soon. And for her sake, I’d try to give her some semblance of normality. If she wanted a tree and decorations, I’d do it.

I hadn’t really celebrated Christmas since I’d left the army. I’d always spent it with Ben, my tattoo artist’s family. Things had changed when we’d gone back to civilian life. I’d become so focused on taking down the Daniels, we only saw each other during inking sessions. It’d been six months. Ben understood. It wasn’t as though his life hadn’t changed either.

“You’re quiet today,” I said, needing to break the silence between us.

“Just have a lot on my mind.”

I didn’t have to ask what. Yesterday had been difficult for her. I hadn’t made it easier on her either.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“I don’t know what to say. It wouldn’t change anything even if I did. What you say goes so there’s no point.”

What the fuck was that supposed to mean? I tried to give her things within my power when she asked for them.

“Let’s just not do this, Aiden. I told you I don’t want to fight with you any longer.”

“Do what exactly?”

“Did you even listen? Don’t push me, please. I can’t deal with any more.”

I stopped, grabbed her arm and forced her to look at me.

“Deal with what?”

“Please, stop.”

“No. What is wrong with you today?”

She tried to wriggle away from me, but I wouldn’t let her. Irritation flared in her eyes.

“What’s wrong? You’re making me do something I don’t want to do.”

“That’s not it.”

I wasn’t fooled. She was bothered by something else.

---