Page 84 of Revenge (Corrupt Empire 3)

“Yeah… I guess it was different not to have family there.”

“So, he’s who’s been making you so happy.”

I fidgeted in my seat. It reminded me of the conversation we’d had where he’d questioned me about guys.

“Yeah, look, I’m sorry I had to keep it from you. It was a difficult situation for us.”

He put a hand on my shoulder, giving it a squeeze.

“It’s cool. It’s not like we’re super close, so I get it. So… Charlie still isn’t talking to you.”

I shook my head.

“No, but that’s kind of his fault. We had a fight and well, he slapped me. Aiden wasn’t happy about that.”

“Saskia may have told me she witnessed him tossing Charlie out of your office.”

Seeing Aiden come to my rescue had made my heart thunder in my ears. My avenging angel. My toes curled in my high heels at the memory of that night. Aiden and I had acted out his little fantasy in his office. He’d put me across his desk and fucked me hard until I begged him to let me come. His office wouldn’t exist for much longer. He’d been speaking to contractors about the conversion. I was looking forward to us having a second bedroom.

“Yeah. He hasn’t spoken to me since. I suppose I did kind of threaten his job.”

I looked up at Ed, who’s eyebrows had shot up.

“You did what?”

“I told him if he didn’t start respecting me, then I’d fire him. It was a heat of the moment thing, but he keeps acting like I’m completely clueless. I’m a grown woman, so I don’t know what his problem is.”

Ed shook his head, obvious disbelief pasted across his features.

“Perhaps he just never thought he’d reach a stage where his niece was his boss.”

I grinned.

“I guess that could be a little… emasculating.”

Ed shifted, leaning against my desk with his arms crossed.

“Right? All these years he’s worked under your dad and then suddenly, he has to answer to a twenty one year old girl. Think that’d grate on most men his age.”

He was right. I imagined it did go against the grain a little. Obviously, he never expected me to take over the company so soon.

“Does it grate on you?”

“Me? No. I respect you. Also, I’m not too proud to admit that having a woman in charge is a good thing.”

He respects me?

I didn’t realise Ed felt that way unless he was lying. I looked up at his face. There was absolutely nothing in his expression that indicated he was speaking anything but the truth. I kept flittering between trusting him and not. I knew it was dangerous. I couldn’t trust anyone in my family. Aiden had told me that on numerous occasions.

“Oh yeah? Are you like a hardcore feminist or something?”

Ed threw back his head and laughed.

“Oh wow, I wouldn’t go that far.”

I swivelled my chair towards him.

“So you know about my love life… what about yours? Who’s that blonde girl I’ve seen you with?”

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