Page 39 of Revenge (Corrupt Empire 3)

“She has nothing to do with any of this.”

“I think you’ll find she has everything to do with it.”

“You know what, go fuck yourself, Rick. Stay away from me and stay the fuck away from my wife. I meant it. I will fucking kill you.”

“Tut, tut, Aiden. Your temper will be your downfall one day if you don’t keep it in check. Keep her safe. The vultures are circling. They’re out for blood and she’s in the crossfire.”

He hung up before I had a chance to say anything else. I almost threw my phone against the wall.

“Aiden?” Avery said.

I looked down at her still wrapped around me. What had Rick said? She’s in the crossfire? Did he fucking know what we had planned this evening? Was he warning me not to let her go to Frazier’s? I wasn’t sure whether to listen to his fucking warnings or not. It nagged at me. Avery wasn’t safe. She would be in serious shit if she went tonight.

Keep her safe.

“You’re not going tonight.”

“What?”

“I said you’re not fucking going to Frazier’s tonight.”

She dropped her arms and stepped away from me, eyes full of confusion.

“Why not? What did Rick say?”

“It’s what he didn’t say. You’re not safe.”

She folded her arms across her chest.

“We already knew that.”

I hadn’t wanted her to go through with this before, but after Rick’s words, I was even more paranoid about what might happen. Frazier was fucking unpredictable and dangerous. He didn’t have my wife’s best interests at heart. And his son was a fucking worthless piece of shit who would rape her any chance he got.

“We’re calling it off. You’re going to phone Frazier and tell him you’re not feeling well. Make some shit up, but you’re not going to the Shaws.”

She stared at me for several seconds before she frowned.

“We’ve worked towards this, Aiden. This is our chance to set things right.”

Didn’t she understand? She was more important to me than taking down Frazier. If I lost Avery, I’d have nothing. If they did something unspeakable to her, it would break me. I couldn’t live with myself if she went through any more shit. I’d done enough to her as it was. I’d messed with her head. I’d fucking broken her. Fuck. I couldn’t have her going into the lion’s den without me. I couldn’t.

“It’s too dangerous.”

She sighed, turning away and walking out of the room. I followed her into the bathroom. This conversation wasn’t over. She started applying her makeup in front of the bathroom mirror.

“I know it’s dangerous. Do you think I’m not terrified about walking into his house unprotected? I have no idea what they have planned, but I can’t just let this opportunity slip by.”

“Avery—”

“I don’t want to hear it. We’ve known from day one this could go wrong. Why are you acting like this now? I know you’re worried about me, but I’ll be okay. I have to do this. I need to destroy them. Don’t you understand?”

“Do you think I don’t want that? I want them all fucking dead, but not at the expense of you. Never at the expense of you.”

I ran a hand through my hair, my fear and agitation growing. Couldn’t she see? This could be a fucking trap for all we knew. My gut was telling me if she went there, something really fucking shit would happen. Something neither of us could come back from.

“For fuck’s sake, I can’t do this. I can’t let you go there. They’ll hurt you.”

She shook her head before turning to me.

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