Page 90 of Betrayal (Corrupt Empire 1)

“Avery…”

Aiden’s voice whispered across my skin. I cracked an eye open. He wasn’t there.

“Please give me a sign you’re still breathing.”

My breath stuck in my throat. His voice washed over me. The deep, rich timbre of it settled into my bones.

“I’m alive.”

I’m alive and I want to talk to James.

“Please tell me what you need. I know you don’t want me, but what do you need?”

Was my pain hurting him too? Is that why he wanted to know what would help me? Would he let me have it if I asked? There was only one way of finding out.

“James… I need him.”

A low rumble of frustration echoed through the cell.

“Avery, you know that’s impossible.”

“Is it? Is one phone call going to ruin everything?”

Silence. It echoed around my skull. I heard him move. Footsteps echoed, but they led away from the cell. Had he finally had enough of me?

Minutes later, his footsteps returned until I found his feet right next to my head. I peered up at him. In his hand, he held a phone.

“If I give this to you, you are only going to call him and you are to watch what you say. Understood?”

I nodded. He was going to let me. Let me speak to James. My heart tightened.

“I need to hear you say it.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Do you know his number?”

I could never forget it. Branded in my memory because of all the times I’d lost my phone and needed to contact him. He called me a clumsy mare all the time because of it.

“Yes.”

He leant down and placed the phone next to me. Before he could rise, I reached out and snatched his arm, keeping him there. His eyes met mine.

“Thank you.”

“I don’t enjoy seeing you like this. Whatever pain you feel, I feel too. Do you understand?”

I did. I hurt him just as he kept hurting me. Except I hadn’t meant to. I just wanted to understand him and instead, I’d learnt something so terribly dark about my family. About myself.

“I’m sorry.”

“Stop apologising to me.”

He shifted until he sat next to me and took my hand.

“Avery, you did nothing. You weren’t even born yet. I keep telling you this, but you are innocent. You are good. You are the only fucking light I have so don’t you dare turn yourself off. You hear? You’re mine and I won’t let you.”

My heart bled.

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