Page 108 of Betrayal (Corrupt Empire 1)

Chapter Twenty

Aiden

I had no idea what her and her friend had discussed in the kitchen, but Avery looked as though it hadn’t gone well. She plastered on a fake smile. I knew for sure there was something wrong.

What the fuck had he said to her?

I hated seeing her with him. Honestly, I didn’t think I’d ever like seeing her with another man even if they were just friends. The way she was acting had me wondering how close the two of them were.

She handed me a glass and sat next to me. James sat next to her, setting down two mugs on the coffee table. The tension between the three of us flared and permeated the air.

When he was gone, I would ask her what the fuck happened. He’d already interrupted my plans. I wanted to keep Avery in bed all day. Intended to make up for lost time. Fuck. I couldn’t think about that now. I was already sporting a semi from her sitting next to me, her thigh pressed up against mine. It wasn’t strictly necessary for her to sit so close, but I had a feeling she needed distance between her and her friend.

Fuck. What happened?

“Um, so… How’s Gert?” Avery asked.

“She’s not been dealing with you disappearing every well. Was convinced you were dead until yesterday,” James replied.

Avery rubbed her forehead, eyes full of pain. The lying was getting to her. I could tell. And knowing she’d upset her friends hurt her. Fuck. This was really all my fault. I’d make her feel better later. Take care of her like I was supposed to.

“I didn’t think… I’m so sorry. You can’t tell her, you know she won’t understand why.”

“Hey, hey, it’s okay.”

He put a hand on her arm. She flinched. And when I tried to catch her eye, she refused to meet mine. Now I really was fucking concerned.

“Ave, it isn’t like you, but your parents died, I don’t blame you for needing space. I get it.”

Ave?

Knowing he had a nickname for her made my blood boil. Fuck. What the hell was this? Jealousy? Shit. I needed to get a grip. I had her already. There was no need to get worked up over her best friend knowing her better than I did. They’d grown up together. I took a breath. She’d share those things with me in time.

“I still feel shit about it. Worrying you guys unnecessarily. The media attention would’ve sucked.”

“Hounded day and night? Yeah, thanks for that.”

She smiled at him. Fuck. I hated it. I fucking hated it. The need to stake ownership, my fucking claim on her grew.Mine. Mine. Mine.My cock got harder thinking about how pliant she’d been last night. It also reminded me I hadn’t asked her what her nightmare had been about. Fuck. I’d been so wrapped up in fucking her.

“You’re used to it, twat.”

She nudged him with her shoulder and he smiled back. Immediately, the tension between the two of them evaporated.

“Dozy mare.”

I clamped my mouth shut on the instinct to tell him to take that back. Avery’s grin got wider.

“Such an arse.”

“Takes one to know one.”

She put her cereal bowl down and launched herself at him. I almost fucking choked on my shake. She laughed, he grumbled and tried to get her off as she tickled him relentlessly.

“Fuck, Avery, get off. Point made.”

She sat back, hands up, her smile radiant and her eyes glittering with amusement.

“Not sorry.”

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