Page 62 of Revenge (Corrupt Empire 3)

Chapter Thirteen

Avery

Wrapped up in Aiden’s arms, I felt a sense of belonging which I hadn’t felt in two and a half weeks. I hadn’t really noticed the time passing, so lost in my own self misery. When I told him I had a black mark on my soul, I meant it. I’d killed to protect myself. To protect us. If Tristan had managed to force me into having sex with him, raped me, I don’t think I’d have ever come back from it. That would’ve destroyed Aiden and me.

But could I ever live with myself after I’d killed him?

Tristan wasn’t a nice person. He was fucked up in the head.

Did that mean he deserved to die?

Probably not.

I didn’t have the right to decide who lived or died. But it had happened and I couldn’t take it back. Self-preservation kicked in, forcing me to do the unthinkable.

The images of his shocked expression branded themselves on my retinas, causing my heart to ache. Tears sprung to my eyes. Would this guilt ever go away? When I’d been lost in my own misery, I hadn’t really felt much, but now, it all came crashing down on me once again. Tearing my insides to shreds. No matter how much I tried to justify it to myself, I’d still taken a life. And that was unforgivable.

Aiden kissed the top of my head, stroking my back as my tears leaked out of my eyes. I couldn’t hold back the pitiful sob which followed.

“It hurts,” I cried.

“I know, princess,” he said, his voice soft and soothing. “I’m here. I’ve got you. It’s okay. Just let it out, okay?”

I nodded against his chest. I clutched him tighter, sobbing onto his bare skin. If he minded, he didn’t say anything. Aiden had become my sole source of comfort since the day we’d met. The day he’d held me and let me cry on his chest after he’d killed my parents. We’d been on a collision course from the time our eyes met until we’d finally given in. I should’ve known back then just how much trouble I was in. How much of a mess my life would become. How every step, every action had led us to this.

“I didn’t mean to kill him. It all happened so fast,” I sobbed. “I just wanted to stop him.”

“I know it hurts, but you’re so strong, Avery. You were so brave that night. So fucking brave. You could’ve given in, but you didn’t.”

He released me only to take my face in both his hands, staring at me intently.

“I’m not supposed to say this, but I’m so fucking proud of you.”

“You are?” I sniffed.

“You fought so hard. You’ve already been through so much shit and yet, you refused to give up.”

I reached over, placing my hand on his heart.

“Because I have something to fight for.”

And that was the honest truth. I wasn’t just fighting for myself, I was fighting for him. I wanted to help him destroy it all. Aiden deserved so much better than what he’d been lumped with in life. I knew he’d done a lot of bad shit, but loving someone was about accepting them, flaws and all. That was the thing. I had always loved him without conditions.

He told me what he’d done to Frazier. I knew exactly what he’d said. That night, rather than bottling it all up, we’d shared our mutual experiences. I’d sobbed on his chest just like I’d been doing now. My heart was still in tatters on the floor. I didn’t get mad about him telling Frazier I was his whore because it wasn’t true. I only had to look in Aiden’s eyes to see that. I only had to remember our wedding day and how he’d cried in my arms at my private declaration of love.

“I didn’t just do it for me, I did it for you. For us,” I whispered. “I killed for you, Aiden.”

His silver eyes darkened. He leant down and kissed me. The gentlest of kisses which seemed to go on forever before he leant his forehead against mine.

“I know you did,” he whispered across my lips. “I don’t want you to do it again. I don’t want you to suffer any more pain. You’re my light. Don’t forget that. Don’t ever turn yourself out again. You hear me?”

I nodded. I could never forget that. He told me not to turn myself out and I had. I’d fallen into some sort of catatonic state where everything around me just faded away. Even him. I’d known he was there and trying to talk to me. I’d heard him beg me to say something. The Avery he loved was locked inside, screaming to get out. Crying out for him. Desperately needing the man who gave her everything.

Tears fell down my face all over again. I reached out, cupping his face with one hand.

“You have no idea how sorry I am for the past couple of weeks.”

“It’s okay, you’re back now. I have you right here.”

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