Page 112 of Revenge (Corrupt Empire 3)

“We know everything. We have the evidence to destroy the Daniels and their legacy. We know where the girls are. We have Ed Daniels so he can’t run and Chuck has no idea yet. The last piece of the puzzle lies with you. You’re going to tell me who killed my mother, why you really took Avery and why you keep telling me she’s so important. I’m done with this game now. It ends tonight.”

Rick was silent for a long moment. I wondered if he was actually going to agree or not. After all, his stipulation was three weeks of dinners with us and I’d royally fucked that up.

“Fine. Bring Ed, I’ll deal with the rest. I’ll text you when and where.”

“You’re going to tell me who killed her.”

“Yes. I told your little da… Avery, I would. Can’t go back on my word now. It is time this ended. Everything is in place.”

I wondered what he meant by that. Rick obviously had his own agenda. That much was clear after he told us he knew Aiden would go after my parents.

“No matter what happens tonight, I don’t want to see you again afterwards. I’m not interested in a relationship with you. You’ve caused enough damage, so you’re going to stay away from us once we’re through, is that understood?”

There was silence for another long moment.

“I want you to hear me out first, Aiden. Hear what I have to say. If you still want me to stay away after that, I’ll respect your wishes.”

Aiden looked down at me. As much as I didn’t want Rick in our lives, I also knew we didn’t have the whole picture. I nodded at him.

“Fine.”

“See you tonight.”

He hung up without saying another word. Aiden slipped his phone back in his pocket.

“I don’t know what he expects. He’ll never be my father and nothing he can say will ever change that.”

“I know,” I said, stroking a hand down his arm.

“Time we got back to John.”

I nodded. Even though I didn’t want to see my cousin again. Not after he held a knife to my throat. I had to do this. I was going to be strong because after tonight, all of this would be over and we’d never have to deal with the shit my family was involved in ever again.

I wish I’d known what kind of revelations were coming.

Because each and every one of them destroyed something inside Aiden and me.

And the only hope we had left in the dust and ashes of the truth…

Was each other.

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