Page 121 of Revenge (Corrupt Empire 3)

“I’m sorry,” I whispered.

“For what?”

“I didn’t tell you everything.”

He shook his head.

“I don’t care about that, princess.”

“You don’t?”

“No, I care about you.”

“I was ashamed he ever touched me like that. You were so angry that night I told you and I was scared.”

He tugged me up off the floor into his arms and stroked my back.

“It’s okay, princess.”

There wasn’t a hint of anger in his voice, just understanding. I relaxed into him, feeling the weight of everything that happened this evening seep from my limbs. Aiden was my safety. My home.

“Are you sure?”

“I’m not happy he did that to you, but I’m not angry with you. You’re the last person who should be apologising. I know why you left it out.”

I wanted to cry, but I wasn’t going to succumb to tears again right now. I’d had enough of being a wreck. It was too exhausting and I already felt drained. Instead, I curled my arms around Aiden and buried my face deeper in his solid chest.

“I love you,” I mumbled.

“I love you too, princess.”

“You’re always taking care of me.”

I felt his chest rumble against my face with his chuckle.

“Only you. No one else gets special treatment.”

“I should hope not.”

“You’re not getting jealous again, are you?”

I hit his back lightly.

“No, don’t bring that up. It’s embarrassing.”

“It’s cute.”

Now he was just saying stuff to distract me from the real issue at hand. I appreciated it, but we also needed to go deal with my uncle and Rick. And I was in desperate need of a drink to wash the taste of sick out of my mouth.

I pulled away from Aiden’s arms, staring at him. I ran a hand over his jaw, smiling. His eyes fell to my mouth. I shook my head, shifting away and getting to my feet. I didn’t wait for him as I stepped over to the sink. The washcloth in it was caked in makeup.

I looked at my face in the mirror. A little worse for wear, but not as bad as I was expecting. I found mouthwash in the cabinet and gargled it before drinking some water from the tap. Next, I washed my face properly, getting rid of the last of the makeup.

Aiden was waiting patiently by the door when I finished. He took my hand and led me back into the room where Rick was. He gave us the once over.

“Are you okay darlin’?”

I let the fact that he said that slide because I wasn’t in the mood to argue about it further.

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