Page 81 of Revenge (Corrupt Empire 3)

“No, I don’t fucking well want proof. Honestly, when will you stop running headlong into things without fucking well discussing them with me first?”

She crossed her arms over her chest and levelled him with one of those intense gazes of hers.

“I don’t recall my private life being any of your business.”

“It is my business when you fucking well go ahead and get married to an employee of the company.”

Her expression didn’t change.

“We were already together before I took over the company. Also, it’s still none of your business. I don’t have to tell you if I’m in a relationship or not. I don’t answer to you. You answer to me. So get off your high horse and stop acting like I’m a spoilt brat who doesn’t understand the consequences of her actions.”

His mouth dropped open and he stared at her like she’d grown two heads. I tried not to smile at their verbal sparring.

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me. Unless you want me to fire you, I suggest you start treating me with the respect I deserve.”

I bit my lip. Fuck. I glanced at John who was trying desperately not to laugh. He had a hand over his mouth and I could see the amusement in his eyes. I don’t think he’d ever seen anyone speak to Chuck like that. To be honest, neither had I. I had no idea what had gotten into Avery, but it was hot. Seriously fucking hot. That was my wife having a go at the man she despised.

“Fire me? You have the audacity to threaten me with that?”

“Yes, yes I do.”

I was relatively sure Avery wouldn’t go through with her threat to fire Chuck, but it was amusing to watch him stand there in complete disbelief. Seconds ticked by. His face contorted into a snarl, rage painting his features. His hand came up so fast, it barely registered until we all heard the resounding slap across Avery’s face.

I practically vaulted over the sofa in my effort to get to them. How fucking dare he slap her? I reached Chuck and shoved him away from her. He looked at me, startled out of his anger. I wrapped a hand around his neck, pushing him back towards the open door.

“If you fucking touch my wife again, I’ll fucking dismember you. Make no fucking mistake, Chuck. Go calm the fuck down.”

I pushed him out the door, releasing him. He put a hand up to his throat, staring at me with wide eyes. I wanted to beat the shit out of him. Tear him limb from limb. Anger simmered in my veins but I kept a lid on it. Making a huge scene in her office wouldn’t end well.

“Go before I change my fucking mind.”

I pointed towards his office. Beyond him, Saskia was staring at us with a tray in her hand. Chuck scowled at me, turned on his heel and strode off.

“Let me take that,” I said to Saskia.

She handed me the tray of teas wordlessly. I nodded at her, turning and going back into Avery’s office. I set the tray down on her desk. She was still standing in the same place, her hand on her cheek with tears pricking in her eyes. John was standing next to her, rubbing her back. I indicated the door with my head to him. He left her side to go close it.

I put both my hands on Avery’s shoulders, giving them a squeeze.

“Let me see,” I said, keeping my voice soft.

She lowered her hand, tipping her head up towards me. The red mark on her cheek was stark against her pale skin. It took every ounce of self-control not to storm into Chuck’s office and smash his face into the floor. Repeatedly.

I leant down, placing a gentle kiss on her red cheek. She shuddered, tears spilling out onto her cheeks.

“Shh, princess, don’t cry.”

Next thing I knew, she’d thrown herself into my chest, her arms banding around my back. I held her, letting her cry on my chest until her quiet sobs abated.

“I hate him,” she whispered.

“Am I allowed to say it was really hot watching you stand up to him like that?”

She pulled away, staring up at me with bloodshot eyes. She bit her lip. I wanted to be the one biting it. Fuck. All I could think about was her splayed out over the bed earlier with my head between her legs. Those delicious breathy moans emitting from her throat. How sweet she’d tasted on my tongue. And I was pretty sure she could feel my cock pressed against her stomach.

“His face was kind of funny. He looked like he was about to have a fit.”

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