Page 89 of Revenge (Corrupt Empire 3)

“Take me down there. I want to see for myself.”

The doors only opened for her. She nodded, pulling away. I followed her into the cupboard and down the stairs into the bunker. I sat down in front of the bank of monitors as she pulled up another chair.

We spent the next hour fast forwarding through the footage to see if we could find out when Rick had the cameras installed, but we had to leave to get ready before we could finish it. It didn’t matter anyway. I was fucked off enough with the fact that he had them in here in the first place. Fucking scumbag thought that was appropriate. He had another fucking thing coming.

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Avery clutched my arm as we walked into the restaurant Rick had picked for this evening.

“We have to be careful,” she whispered.

“I know, princess.”

This was only the first fucking week of dinners we had to have with him. I wasn’t sure how we would cope with two more. Fuck. I didn’t want to spend any more time with him than I had to.

The host led us over to the table he was seated at after taking our coats. Today, he was looking rather more casual in a polo shirt and chinos with loafers. He still looked like a jumped up fuck to me, but I chose not to say anything. He stood, giving us both a bright smile.

“Evening little darlin’,” he said.

He didn’t try to touch her. I think he knew if he did, I’d fucking have him in a headlock so fast, he wouldn’t know what hit him.

“Hello Rick,” she said as I pulled out her chair and she sat down.

I rested my arm across the back of her chair as I sat in my own seat, my fingers brushing over her shoulder. He sat, giving us a bright smile.

“How are you both?”

“Okay… I suppose you saw the news.”

I was fucking glad he knew I wasn’t interested in making small talk with him.

“Oh yes, can’t see your uncle being too pleased.”

“Well no.”

I looked at the menu, stroking Avery’s shoulder. I needed the physical contact just to keep myself from doing or saying something stupid. Since Rick was footing the bill, might as well pick the most expensive item on here. Not that I couldn’t afford it anyway. Wasn’t sure why he insisted on taking us to a bunch of expensive restaurants. Avery and I would’ve been just as happy going to Nando’s.

When the waiter came over and I ordered the prime Wagyu beef steak, Rick raised an eyebrow at me but said nothing. He probably knew what I was doing and I really didn’t give a fuck. Avery ordered a sirloin whilst Rick picked out the rib-eye.

He sat back and eyed me warily when the waiter left us to it. He’d ordered some expensive sounding red wine, but I wasn’t going to fucking drink it so I told the waiter to bring water for the table. I had to keep a clear head.

“Are you two planning on creating any more scandals?”

Avery stiffened. I gave him a dark look. We hadn’t meant to create any in the first place. It wasn’t our fault we’d been photographed.

“If you hadn’t insisted on us going to dinner with you, we’d never have been splashed over social media,” I said, trying to keep the venom out of my voice.

He smiled.Prick.

“Oh well, would’ve come out sooner or later.”

We always knew our relationship would be out in the open one day. I was fucking glad of it. Hiding it from everyone was taking a toll on both of us. Avery especially.

“No, we’re not planning on creating any more shit for the press.”

“Come now, Aiden, you and I both know what you want.”

I glared at him. I didn’t want to talk about this. Avery put a hand on my thigh, giving it a squeeze.

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