Page 14 of Revenge (Corrupt Empire 3)

Chapter Three

Avery

Present Day

My hand felt clammy in Tristan’s. I hated being anywhere near him. He made my skin crawl. The arrogant prick was looking like he’d won the fucking lottery. I’d long since finished my impromptu speech and we were busy being congratulated by various people. I’d forgotten who half of them were. I didn’t really care in all honesty. I just wanted this night to be over already.

Tristan leant towards me as the people we’d been speaking to left. His hot breath against my ear made me shudder and not in a good way.

“I know what you agreed with my father, but make no fucking mistake, Avery, I’m going to have you naked,” he whispered. “I’m going to fuck that tight little cunt of yours and you’re going to enjoy it.”

My stomach roiled in protest. He made me so sick. He wasn’t getting anywhere near me with his dick. Little did Tristan know if he did attempt to get in between my legs tonight, he’d have a wakeup call. Aiden insisted on getting me a knife to strap to my leg just in case. It wasn’t exactly the most comfortable thing in the world to wear, but at least it was concealed in my inner thigh. No one knew except him and me.

“Evening Frazier,” I said, ignoring Tristan completely as his father approached us.

“Happy birthday, Avery,” he said, giving me a nod. “Your uncle spared no expense this evening.”

“Thank you. He wanted everything to be perfect what with the world watching.”

He smiled. The sight of it made me ill all over again. It took every last bit of strength I had to stand being near these two men without wanting to tell them how much I hated their guts.

“I take it you didn’t tell him about your engagement to my son.”

“No, I haven’t had time. Things have been hectic at the office.”

And I wanted my uncle to be just as shocked as everyone else. I was kind of surprised no one had found out about me getting married to Aiden given how thorough Frazier was. It had only been a week since we’d said yes to each other in front of the registrar. That was the best moment of my life.

“Well, I do hope you two will decide on a date very soon. You know these places get booked up years in advance.”

I gave him a bright smile.

“Of course, the sooner, the better.”

Inside, I rolled my eyes. There was no fucking way I was ever setting a date to marry Tristan. There wasn’t going to be a wedding. I just had to wait until next week when I would be having dinner at Frazier’s to celebrate. Then I could get what I needed and this whole thing would be over. At least, I hoped it would be. I hoped I could get enough evidence to expose him for who he truly was.

“Perhaps we’ll discuss it next week. Susan is looking forward to seeing you. It has been an age since you’ve been to the house.”

Frazier’s wife, Susan, was the only decent person in his family. If you looked past her doting on her son like the sun shone out of his arse. Tristan was the apple of her eye. He put up this fake façade whenever he was with her. This dinner was going to be hell on earth for me.

“It will be nice to see her. I hope she’s been well.”

I wondered if she knew how sick and sadistic her husband truly was. How he liked to torture women before he fucked them. I tried to keep the smile plastered on my face, but this evening was already getting to me.

I glanced around, trying to spot my husband in the crowd. He was standing by the wall with my uncle. He’d been there the whole time. I was surprised he was still talking to Uncle Charlie at this point. They seemed to be deep in discussion until my uncle turned and stared right at me. I almost shrank back at the look he gave me. Irritation and pure frustration in his eyes. I knew he wasn’t going to be happy about me getting engaged to Tristan. Too bad for him.

He said something to Aiden before he made a beeline for me. I wanted to excuse myself, but I didn’t get a chance to open my mouth. Uncle Charlie descended on me, took me by the arm and looked at Frazier and Tristan.

“Excuse me for a moment, my niece and I need to have a little talk.”

He didn’t wait for them to respond, dragging me out of the ballroom without so much as a backwards glance. I didn’t protest. This conversation was going to happen whether I liked it or not. He shoved me into an alcove in the hallway outside and glared at me.

“What the fuck is going through that head of yours?” he hissed, his voice low. “Tristan fucking Shaw. I warned you about him.”

I straightened, brushing my dress down.

“I have my reasons.”

“Are you going to enlighten me?”

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