Page 34 of Revenge (Corrupt Empire 3)

I didn’t know whether to take his words on face value or not. Was there a deeper meaning? Fuck. I really was beginning to sound so paranoid. I wanted to trust Ed. I wanted him to be on my side. Except I couldn’t. That niggling voice of doubt in my head assured me trusting my cousin would be my downfall. My biggest mistake.

I steeled my heart even though it killed me to do so. I had to. The alarm bells going off in my head were too strong to ignore. Not listening to my gut instincts would surely land me in trouble.

“I’m happy you feel that way. I’m so glad we’re working together. Having an ally in this place is a godsend you know. Uncle Charlie is difficult to deal with at times, but with you, it’s easy.”

The way he smiled told me everything I needed to know. The excitement in his eyes at my words. He thought I trusted him. The sinking feeling in my stomach almost made me want to hurl up my lunch, but I didn’t. Remaining calm and composed was my only course of action.

Ed knew.

He fucking knew.

And I hated that fact.

Hated the realisation I had.

I would have to take him down along with my uncle and the Shaws. I’d have to destroy my family completely. It was the only way. No one was coming out of this unscathed.

So right then and there, I drew a line in the sand.

From this day forth, my cousin was my enemy.

And I would not let my love for him cloud my judgement.

Or so I hoped.

l

Trudging back into the flat, I realised I didn’t have much time before I had to leave for dinner with the Shaws. A pit of dread coiled in my stomach. I didn’t want to sit through this evening with them, but I had to. It was the only way. Frazier didn’t keep his secrets at his office. They would be in his home, ensconced in his office where no one else would have access to them. I knew though. And I’d get it for Aiden and me.

My husband was in the bedroom, waiting for me when I walked in. His grey eyes were stormy. It concerned me.

“Hey,” I said, taking off my blazer and hanging it up in the cupboard.

He came up behind me, wrapping his hands around my waist and leaning down to kiss my cheek.

“Princess,” he breathed, inhaling me.

“I’ve got to get ready.”

His hands around me tightened.

“I hate this.”

I nodded. I did too. I started to unbutton my blouse, but he spun me around and replaced my hands with his own. He threw the blouse in the wash basket when he slipped it off my shoulders and unzipped my skirt, discarding that too. I stood there in just my underwear. His eyes darkened significantly.

“Stay there,” he told me.

He moved away to the bedside table and pulled something off it, coming back over to me. He dropped to his knees, running his hand up my thigh. He secured the strap to my thigh before slipping the knife into its sheath.

“If he tries anything with you, do not hesitate, Avery. Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

I didn’t relish the prospect of hurting anyone physically, but if it was me or one of the Shaws, I knew who I’d choose. Myself.

Aiden rose to his feet, dropping a kiss on my forehead. Before he could disappear, I grabbed him by the face and tugged him down for a proper kiss. I needed a moment with him. His body against mine. I pressed myself to him, wrapping my arms around his neck. Aiden responded in kind, holding me close, his hands banded around my back.

“Princess,” he whispered against my lips. “I love you.”

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