Page 91 of Betrayal (Corrupt Empire 1)

“Am I?”

“Yes. You’re mine. Only mine. Now. Forever. Always.”

I wanted so much for it to be true. So fucking much. I couldn’t bear the thought of being anything but his. Completely and irrevocably his.

“Yours,” I whispered.

The relief in his eyes fractured my heart all over again. He leant down and kissed my forehead.

“Good girl.”

Then he got up and left. His footsteps echoed down the hallway. I reached out, picked up the phone and unlocked it. I knew it wasn’t Aiden’s actual phone because I’d held that before. Perhaps he had several.

Who cares.

There was only one reason I needed it. I dialled James’ number. It rang once. Twice. Three times before he picked up.

“Hello?”

My throat felt tight.

“James.”

“Avery? Is that you? Please tell me it’s you?”

I cleared my throat.

“Yes, it’s me.”

“Thank fucking Christ. Do you know how fucking worried I’ve been about you? Fucking hell and when I saw the news today. Your face everywhere and that video. What the fuck happened to you?”

I tried to smile. Always asking too many questions at once and never letting me answer them.

“I’ve missed you too, dickhead.”

“Fuck, it’s so good to hear your voice.”

“It’s been too long.”

“I’m serious, Avery, where the fuck have you been?”

I wanted to tell him everything but I wouldn’t. Not when I had to keep Aiden’s secrets.

“All you need to know is I’m safe and I’m okay.”

“I call bullshit.”

I sighed. I could’ve predicted this.

“James, you trust me, right? So trust that I’m okay. I just needed to hear your voice.”

There was silence for a long minute.

“I don’t believe you. This isn’t like you. Christ, you would never disappear on me without a word. Tell me where you are. Tell me what the fuck happened.”

The anger in his voice took me by surprise. I hadn’t expected him to be angry. Worried, yes, but angry?

“I can’t tell you that.”

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