Page 90 of Revenge (Corrupt Empire 3)

“And whatever might that be… Rick?”

His eyes darkened at the way I’d overly enunciated the word. I was never calling him dad or father. He could quite frankly wait until hell froze over.

“Your little darlin’s family… gone… for good.”

“Stop calling her that.”

Fuck, he was really getting on my fucking last nerve. I knew she hated it.

“Aiden…” she started.

“No, he doesn’t get to call you shit like that.” I grabbed her hand on my thigh and held it. “She has a fucking name. Use it.”

“Aiden, don’t, please,” Avery whispered. “It’s okay.”

I turned to her.

“It’s not fucking okay,” I said, keeping my voice low so as not to make a scene.

The only person who was allowed to fucking call her any sort of term of endearment was me. I was her fucking husband.

Her doe eyes were wide with concern and her face told me to chill the fuck out. How could I fucking calm down with him provoking me so fucking much? Fuck. I wanted to strangle the fuck.

I took a breath, trying to keep my temper in check. I’d say something stupid as shit if I didn’t. She shifted closer, leaning her forehead against mine as she cupped my cheek.

“Please, just get through this for me,” she whispered. “Later… I’ll make it better. I promise.”

I tried not to tremble under her touch. Fuck. Her eyes told me exactly how she’d make it better. She’d let me tie her to the bed and fuck her without mercy. Take out all my fucking frustrations on her if I wanted to. What the hell did I ever do to deserve this fucking goddess in front of me?

I nodded, squeezing her hand. She gave me the briefest of kisses which only left me wanting so much more. It was bad enough Rick was fucking sitting there intruding on this moment, so I let it go.

I turned to him when she sat back in her chair properly.

“She has a name.”

He inclined his head.

“I’m aware of it.”

Yeah, well, he better start fucking well using it then.

“How is your wife?” Avery asked, interrupting the both of us.

Rick’s eyes flashed with pain for a moment before his expression cleared. I wondered what the fuck that was all about. Why would the mention of her make him react like that? Did it have anything to do with the fact that I was his son and he’d lied to her about it every day since I was born?

“Well enough. Used to me being away for work.”

“Do you work away often then?”

“Well, our head offices are in New York, but the family home is in Washington DC.”

Avery nodded.

“I suppose the distance makes it difficult.”

He shrugged.

“Annabelle has her family to keep her occupied. Her sister lives close by. She takes care of our nieces and nephews.”

---