Page 67 of Betrayal (Corrupt Empire 1)

“I have to go out.”

His voice startled me. I looked back at him. In his hands was his laptop.

“There are some things you need to see.”

“More videos?”

“No. Just information. You can make your own mind up about it. Don’t try going on the internet. I turned it off. There is nothing here you can use to speak to the outside world. Understood?”

Trying to speak to anyone was the last thing I’d been thinking about. Didn’t he trust me after I made the video for him? I supposed he had to take precautions.

“I get it.”

He placed the laptop on the coffee table.

“I want you to go through what I’ve left open on there before I get back. I haven’t doctored any of it, but if you don’t trust me, that’s fine. I can’t force you to believe any of it.”

I didn’t think Aiden would do anything but show me the truth. Stupid fucked up girl. Trusting him. My feelings clearly clouded my judgement. Feelings I could neither turn off nor change. Aiden eclipsed everything. The fucked up broken man in front of me. I saw him. He saw me. Behind all the walls we built up to survive.

“I’ll be back late.”

“Okay.”

He came around the sofa and stood before me. Taking my hand, he brought it to his lips and kissed my knuckles. I wished it was my lips. They tingled in anticipation. When Aiden finally kissed me, we would be lost. Nothing would stand between us. The tidal wave would crash over our souls, binding us together and we’d burn for each other. Destroy each other. All in pursuit of one thing. To silence the ache we both felt inside. To soothe the broken parts of our hearts.

Perhaps it was that knowledge which kept us apart. Which kept the wall up in place so we didn’t drown in each other.

“Don’t miss me too much.”

His tone was teasing but his eyes spoke volumes.

Don’t be scared.

Face the truth.

Do it for me.

Choose me.

Fight for me.

I wanted to. So fucking much.

“I’ll try.”

My tone was just as light.

I want you.

I need you.

I will try to fight for you.

For us.

He let go of my hand and walked out of the room.

Would there ever be an us? Or would it just be me falling at his feet and giving him my all?

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