Page 128 of Revenge (Corrupt Empire 3)

The lift reached the ground floor and we walked out together, stopping off at reception to collect our helmets. I led her outside and we walked to where I’d parked my bike. She was wearing appropriate clothing for this, unlike last time she’d been on the back of my bike. She looked fucking hot in her jeans and leather jacket. That first date we’d shared felt like a lifetime ago and in a way it was. Over six months had passed.

“So, birthday boy, where to?” she asked, slipping her helmet on.

The fact that she’d signed over Daniels Holdings on my birthday was a bonus. It was the end of the year from hell and the start of something new. The start of our lives together.

“Home.”

I straddled the bike and she got on behind me, wrapping her hands around my waist. I may have driven back faster than I should’ve, but she hadn’t tightened her grip on me. When I parked, she jumped off the bike, pulling her helmet off. She had the hugest grin on her face.

“You look happy,” I commented.

“You’re going to say I told you so, but that was amazing. Can you take me out on the motorway so we can go faster?”

I laughed, wrapping an arm around her as we walked over to the lift.

“If you want to. Who’d have thought you’d turn into a little speed demon.”

“I wouldn’t go that far. Don’t forget, I still can’t drive.”

She didn’t need to when she had me. We got upstairs and into the flat. Avery took my hand and led me into the living room when we’d rid ourselves of our coats and shoes.

“Why do you have that mischievous smile on your face?” I asked, eying her warily.

“No reason.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“Tada.”

She put an arm out when we reached the room. Piled up on the sofa were several wrapped gifts. I looked down at her.

“When did you do this?”

“Well… it’s hard to keep anything from you, but I uh, hid them in the cell.”

I shook my head. That cell was going to disappear very soon. I’d hired the contractors to convert it and renovate the rest of the flat whilst they were at it.

“Sneaky girl.”

“Come on, it’s the first time I get to celebrate your birthday and you didn’t let me do much at Christmas. Aren’t I allowed to treat my husband?”

I leant down and gave her a kiss.

“I suppose you are.”

She looked so fucking happy. It killed me. She dragged me over to the sofa and we both sat on the coffee table. She’d got me several items of clothing, including new trainers and t-shirts. She’d bought me a rather expensive watch which I’d pointed out when we’d been out a few weeks ago and a new set of boxing gloves.

“Thank you, princess.”

I was about to give her a kiss when she jumped up.

“That’s not everything.”

I raised an eyebrow as she moved around the back of the sofa and picked something up. She held it up in front of her and I froze in place. It wasn’t lost on me that I’d asked her to do this for me, but I hadn’t expected her to have painted a finished piece quite yet.

There we were, arms wrapped around each other as we had our first dance as man and wife. She’d painted every last detail including the little beads on the bodice of her dress.

“Avery…”

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