Page 9 of Revenge (Corrupt Empire 3)

Chapter Two

Aiden

Present Day

Chuck stared at me for the longest time, his mouth hanging open.

“You’re fucking kidding me,” he said, rubbing his hand across his face.

I shrugged.

“I’m just fucking with you. I barely know your niece. Do you really think I’d keep that kind of shit from you?”

He shook his head, rolling his eyes.

“Fuck, Aiden, you scared the crap out of me for a moment there. Still, she shouldn’t be marrying that little cunt. He’s no good for her.”

I’d just wanted to see Chuck’s reaction. Avery would probably kill me for almost revealing the truth to him. My eyes flicked over to where she was still talking to the audience with Tristan beside her. I hated that she was holding his hand. The sick fuck looked so fucking smug. Too fucking bad for him. She was already my wife. My fucking wife.

“Didn’t know you cared that much.”

“Still my niece even if she does questionable things. We’re getting off topic. You haven’t explained what the fuck happened with you and Robert. Don’t bullshit me.”

I looked at my fingers, raising an eyebrow.

“He deserved it.”

Chuck’s expression darkened.

“I never said he didn’t. My question is where are my girls?”

I shrugged again. They were safe with Tina. They were healing from the trauma of being stolen and sex trafficked. Raped. Beaten. Abused. They were being cared for now. No fucking thanks to Chuck and whoever The Collector was.

“Why would I know?”

“You fucking took them.”

“Did I? Are you sure Robert told you the truth?”

The more I played with Chuck’s paranoia, the better. I wanted him to distrust all his associates. Turn them all against each other. That’s how we’d win. And I would fucking relish the day this was over. I could have a normal life with my wife when it was done. Something I desperately craved.

“What reason would he have to lie?”

“He got beaten the shit out of. His pride is bruised. Perhaps he lost them and didn’t want to tell you or he wants to get back at me. Either way, why the fuck would I have touched them? Not my business. You know I don’t want to be around that shit.”

He stared at me for the longest moment. I could see the cogs turning in his head. Chuck trusted me. Too fucking much. Proving my loyalty to a man like Chuck was never easy, but the past four and a half years had shown him I was more than willing to get my hands dirty.

He turned from me, scanning the crowd. When his eyes met Robert, they narrowed.

“That little fuck. Trying to stir up shit.”

He waved a hand at me.

“Say I believe he’s lying, it still doesn’t explain why your father is involved in all of this.”

I’d have to give him something. Perhaps if I did, he’d let this shit go. Keeping Chuck on side was imperative. For now.

“Rick took your niece and Robert helped him.”

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