Page 125 of Revenge (Corrupt Empire 3)

“You’re angry with me. I get it.”

The only reason she knew anything was because Avery spoke to her after the news broke. I wasn’t ready and, in all honesty, I still hadn’t entirely forgiven her for it.

“You could’ve told me.”

“I wanted to protect you. You were so young when it happened and the longer I kept the truth from you, the harder it was to tell you. I’m so sorry. I really am. I should’ve told you when you came to me about Mitchell. I just hated him so much. Hated all of them. I wanted them gone just as much as you did. I’m so sorry, please believe me when I say that if I could go back, I would’ve told you the truth, but you know Rick told me he’d cut off the money. You really mean everything to me, Aiden. You know that, right? I love you like you’re my own son.”

I could hear her voice falter on the words. Something about it broke my heart. Tina would always be my parent even though we weren’t related by blood. My only parent as far as I was concerned. Rick wasn’t a fucking father nor would he ever be. He’d promised us that once the sale went through, we’d never have to see or speak to him again.

“I know. I love you too, Tina.”

I heard her gasp of surprise followed by a sob. I’d never actually said those words to her before. She’d been in my life since I was five years old, but it was only now, at almost twenty nine, that I felt able to.

“Oh, Aiden. I…I…”

“Hey, don’t get all fucking soppy on me. I’m just telling you the truth, okay?”

She was silent for a few moments. I suspected she was composing herself.

“That girl has changed you.”

I looked down at Avery who was looking at the TV. I knew she was listening to my side of the conversation even if she was pretending not to.

“She has.”

“I know I’m not your mother, but she is the perfect daughter in law. Don’t mess it up ever again, you hear me?”

“I won’t… She’s the one.”

That made Avery turn her head up towards me, her doe eyes wide. I stroked her hair, smiling.

“Are you talking about me?” Avery asked, her voice too low for it to carry to the phone.

I winked.

“I never thought I’d hear you say that about a girl,” Tina said.

“I married her, didn’t I?”

Tina chuckled and I saw a blush rise up Avery’s neck and cheeks. Fuck. She was so cute when she got embarrassed. It wasn’t that often I told anyone else how I felt about her and especially not in front of her face. She knew how I felt obviously, but that was different. I had no qualms about telling her just how much she meant to me.

I trailed my fingers down Avery’s bare arm. She squirmed a little.

“And you know that was also an unexpected surprise. I’m glad you’re happy. Do you think we can put all of this behind us now?”

I let out a long breath.

“We can try. Just give me time... How are the girls?”

“They’re fine. They’re still staying with me, but the police have interviewed them several times. I like having them here if I’m honest. I’ve told them they’re welcome to stay with me permanently.”

I smiled. I hoped Sophie and Cora would continue to live with Tina. They’d formed a kinship with her in the last few months. I might be her adopted son, but I was never really there for her in the way she needed. She’d constantly had to deal with me getting into trouble and when I’d left to join the army, she was alone. She’d never met anyone she wanted to spend her life with. I sometimes wondered if that had anything to do with me, but Tina had assured me it wasn’t.

“Adopting more strays then?”

“You were not a stray and you asked me to take care of them.”

I laughed.

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