Page 119 of Revenge (Corrupt Empire 3)

“What is in there?”

“Your gift,” Rick replied.

I wasn’t sure why Rick was being so cryptic and suspicious, but Aiden tugged on my hand and we walked in. The scene we were met with was not at all what I’d been expecting as Rick came in behind us, shutting the door.

I didn’t recognise the room we were in, but the one I could see through the two-way mirror, I knew that one all too well. It was where Rick had put me when he’d had me tied up and forced me to watch the horrific video of my father and the other ones I’d rather not remember the content of.

That wasn’t the worst part of all this. I realised exactly what this gift was that Rick had been alluding to when I saw who was seated in the chair I’d been in.

Uncle Charlie.

“What the fuck is this?” Aiden asked.

“I told you I would handle things. You have Ed and now you have Chuck.”

Aiden let go of my hand and turned on Rick, eyes blazing.

“I didn’t fucking ask you to kidnap Chuck for me.”

“You haven’t asked me for many things, but I’m giving them to you anyway.”

I didn’t understand why Rick had taken Uncle Charlie. His hands were tied behind his back and he was blindfolded. I could see the rapid rise and fall of his chest, but I wasn’t entirely sure if he was conscious or not because his head lolled on his chest.

“Why?”

“I thought he would be top on your list of people to rid the world of.”

Aiden’s fists clenched at his sides. I looked up at him. His grey eyes were as hard as steel and he looked like he was holding back from completely ripping Rick a new one. I didn’t know if I should touch him or not.

“He’s going to prison. I’m not his fucking executioner.”

Rick raised an eyebrow.

“No? Even after everything he’s done?”

“Even after that.”

Aiden told me no more bloodshed if we could avoid it. He’d not promised me it, but I could see he was trying to stick to his word for me. I couldn’t stomach any more death no matter how much the need for vengeance pulsed in my veins. They needed punishing. We’d just wield the hand of justice by handing over everything we knew to the police.

“Then there’s clearly things you don’t know.”

My stomach dropped. What else could he have hidden from us?

“What do you mean?”

Rick held up a hand before he walked over to a desk with a bank of monitors. He sat down and fiddled with the computer for a moment before he brought up a video on the screen. I immediately knew I didn’t want to see this, but Rick pressed play.

I knew that room. What I didn’t know is why the fuck there was a camera in it. There on the screen was me when I was a kid and my uncle entering the room. Why the hell had my dad put a fucking camera in my bedroom? Was it still there?

I felt sick.

“No,” I whispered.

The entire scene I’d told Aiden about played out in front of us. From my uncle asking me about whether I’d kissed a boy to when he’d pushed me on the bed and held me there. It was the next moments which I’d left out. The ones I never wanted him or anyone else to know.

“You’re so beautiful, Avery. I watch you. Your skin glows. Your body is heavenly. Do you know what I think when I look at you?” Uncle Charlie said.

“No,” I whispered.

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