Page 76 of Revenge (Corrupt Empire 3)

“I wish to help you.”

Aiden’s eyebrow curled upwards, incredulity in his expression. I couldn’t believe my ears myself. Why the fuck would Rick want to help us and with what?

“Help me?”

Rick nodded, his expression turning serious.

“If you do as I ask, I will tell you everything you want to know about your little darlin’s family… and Lizzie.”

Aiden’s expression darkened. I put my hand on his arm, reminding him I was there. That we couldn’t make a scene in a public place. No matter how much I wanted to tell Rick to get fucked.

“What do you want from us?” Aiden asked through gritted teeth.

I could feel the tension radiating off him. I desperately wanted to soothe him. Needed to take his discomfort and pain away. I knew the mention of his mother’s name, especially from Rick, would remind him of it all.

“I wish to know both of you. Spend time with me whilst I’m in England and the day I depart, I will tell you everything.”

It seemed like an innocuous request, but I knew better than to think that anything Rick said was innocent. He couldn’t just want that.

Aiden looked at me. I could see the disgust and hatred in his face, but I could also see the battle going on inside his head. He wanted to know who’d killed Lizzie. He wanted that desperately. I knew he’d never be at peace otherwise.

I leant towards him, brushing my lips against his ear as I squeezed his arm.

“I think we should consider it,” I whispered.

Before I could pull away, he cupped my face, turning it so he could whisper in my ear.

“We can’t trust him.”

I nodded. I wasn’t saying we could. Aiden needed closure and Rick was the only one who could give that to him. No matter how much he hated the man.

He turned back to Rick.

“How long are you here for?”

“Three weeks.”

Aiden tensed. Three weeks would be bearable. Just about.

“And how often do you expect to see us?”

“Have dinner with me twice a week.”

“Fine.”

Rick smiled. It was then that the waiters arrived with our starters. Wanting to save Aiden from having to talk to Rick further, I engaged him in conversation. He asked me about how the company was doing. The small talk continued into the main course. Aiden vibrated with tension next to me. I could see he was becoming more and more agitated by the minute being in Rick’s company. I wished I could soothe him, but there wasn’t much I could do in a crowded restaurant.

When the mains were cleared, I excused myself to the bathroom. I didn’t want to leave Aiden alone with Rick, but I also needed a minute. Thankfully it was empty. I looked at myself in the mirror, sighing heavily. Having to talk to a man my husband hated wasn’t an easy task. I wasn’t sure how we would survive the next three weeks having to spend more time with him.

I was so lost in my own thoughts, I didn’t entirely register the door opening. It was only when a hand wrapped around my arm and I was tugged into a cubicle that I realised I wasn’t alone. I looked up as Aiden locked the door behind us.

“What are you doing?” I hissed.

He spun me around and kicked the toilet seat closed. Shoving me against the wall, he tugged my hips back as he pulled my blue dress up.

“Aiden, what the fuck?”

“Shut up,” he said harshly in my ear.

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