Betrayal

by Bailey, Sarah

  “Aiden?”

  “In here.”

  The sound came from down the hall. I followed it and found him in his living room. A place I hadn’t been before. He sat on a huge, worn leather sofa with his legs kicked up on the coffee table. It had big windows looking over the city. I was struck for a moment by it. I knew we were still in London, but I didn’t realise just how close to the centre we were.

  “Come.”

  I looked at him. He waved me over with his hand. He had his laptop with him. Walking over and sitting down, I found myself nervous after what happened before I fell asleep. He wrapped an arm around my shoulder and pulled me into him. It seemed Aiden was content not to let it change anything, but I couldn’t help but respond to his touch. A feeling of contentment washed over me. Safety. I shouldn’t let him be my safe place, but he was.

  “Did you sleep okay?”

  “Yes, thank you.”

  I looked over at what he was doing. It was lines and lines of text. Weird text that didn’t make sense to me.

  “It’s code,” he said. “It’s what I normally do for your family, making sure their systems aren’t hacked into and such things like that.”

  “But they make you hurt people too.”

  “Yes.”

  “How do you know how to do all of this anyway?”

  He smiled and ruffled my hair.

  “I was in the army for six years. Military intelligence, but I learnt a lot of things on the side. Never had a tour of duty. Didn’t stop me going down the firing range.”

  That made far more sense than anything else he’d told me about himself. Aiden’s flat was so neat and tidy. All his stuff in perfect order down to the way he folded clothes, including mine.

  I dreaded to think what his real reaction was when I’d scattered all my drawings all over his bed. Did it bother him that I’m not the neatest of people? He always seems to be picking up after me. Perhaps I should make more of an effort.

  “How old are you and how long have you been working for my family?”

  “You’re in a very inquisitive mood.”

  “How can I not be?”

  “Twenty-eight. Worked for your family for four years, but I’ve known them a lot longer than that.”

  So he was eight years my senior. Probably why I saw him as all man, unlike the boys I’d been around before. My cousins were of a similar age to me, so it wasn’t as though I hung out with many people older than me.

  “You said you wanted me to do something for you.”

  “Yes. I need you to go pick out some clothes because we’re going away for a few days.”

  I looked up at him. What did he mean we were going away?

  “What? Why?”

  “You told me you’re fed up of being cooped up in the flat. I thought you’d be happy.”

  “I am… I just didn’t expect you to actually let me outside.”

  “I have my reasons. It’s not all just for your benefit.”

  I didn’t ask what that meant. I was just happy we were leaving. Perhaps it would allow me to forget about what he’d shown me about my family and the awful hallucinations I had in the cell. I couldn’t forget what they’d asked me to do. Avenge them. It’s just now I knew my father wasn’t worth avenging. I couldn’t see him in the same light any longer. Not after the way he’d laughed about that girl’s torture. I would never like my uncle and cousin Troy was a bit of a creep, but my dad? It was the opposite of the man I knew.

  It wasn’t so much I wasn’t aware Aiden was trying to manipulate my views, but I couldn’t refute what I’d seen. I imagined it’s why he gave me evidence rather than just telling me. If he hadn’t, I doubt I’d have believed a word he said.

  “Are we going today?”

  “Yes. I was waiting for you to wake up.”

  I pulled away from him and got up. He smiled at me before I left the room. I got dressed and picked out enough clothes to last me a week along with my toiletries, setting them out on the bed. Aiden came in a few minutes later and packed it alongside his own stuff without saying anything.

  He pulled a box out of the cupboard and handed it to me. I opened it finding a brand new pair of black and white Vans inside.

  “I got you these when I bought you clothes, but you haven’t had any need for them until now,” he said with a shrug.

  He’d asked me what kind of things I’d wear weeks ago. I only found out the extent of his shopping spree when he’d let me out of the cell. Definitely hadn’t spared any expense outfitting me. I hadn’t worn much of it yet.

  I took them out of the box and laced them properly. They fit perfectly when I put them on.

  “I never did thank you for getting me all this.”

  His eyes roamed over me and down to my feet. I’d put on a pair of jeans, a plain black t-shirt and a cardigan. A smile appeared on his lips.

  “Something about a girl in trainers.”

  Before I could reply, he picked up the bag and indicated with his head I should follow him. When we reached the front door, he pulled a jacket off the hook and handed it to me before taking his own. The one he’d given me matched his. Leather.

  “It’s getting cold out now,” he said.

  I shrugged it on and followed him out the front door, which he locked behind us. It felt weird to leave his flat. I never thought I’d see anything outside those walls again.

  We took the lift down to the underground car park. I found myself staring at a black Jag. Aiden opened the boot and stashed the bag before coming around and opening the passenger side for me.

  “Are you going to get in or gawk at it?” he asked.

  “It’s pretty.”

  He rolled his eyes. I slid in and got comfy in the leather seat, putting my seatbelt on. He got in the driver seat and started the car. The low hum of the engine vibrated through me. He revved it, looking over at me with a grin.

  “Are you showing off?” I asked.

  “Perhaps a little. Just wait until I get you on the back of my bike.”

  I baulked at the suggestion. I’d never been on a motorbike before. He pointed over at it sitting next to the car. It was huge and terrifying.

  “Um, there is no way I’m going on that with you.”

  “We’ll see.”

  He screeched out of the car park causing me to fly back in my seat. The streets of London whizzed past us as Aiden took the back roads until we were finally out of the city and on the M25. He put some indie rock on. I sat back and watched the cars driving along next to us. It didn’t much matter where he was taking me. I was happy to be out of the flat.

  I must’ve drifted off because I jolted awake when Aiden opened the car door and ducked his head inside. He gave me a half smile

  “How can you still be tired?” he asked.

  I yawned, stretching a little. My neck felt stiff from falling asleep with my face smashed against the window.

  “I don’t know.”

  He helped me out the car. I was a little unsteady on my feet, still in a bit of a daze. Rather than waiting for me to get my bearings, Aiden swept me off my feet and carried me into the small cottage. I clutched his neck.

  “Hey, I can walk.”

  “Really? You were about to fall over.”

  He set me down on the sofa. It was open plan with a kitchen and dining table in the corner. There were two doors off the room. I assumed the bathroom and bedroom.

  “It’s late, but we still should eat.”

  Clearly, he’d stopped on the way and got some food in as two bags sat on the kitchen counter.

  “Where are we?”

  “Near the Devon moors and before you ask, I own this place.”

  “You own it?”

  He shrugged.

  “I have a few places.”

  My family dealt in property. I shouldn’t be surprised by this, but I was a little. He’d be well compensated for what he did for them.

  �
��Why here?”

  “Because it’s far enough away from London.”

  He said no more as he started to sort us out dinner. I sat quietly, watching him. I was always entranced by the way Aiden moved with such precision. It was as if each step was calculated carefully.

  “Do you like what you see?”

  I jumped at the sound of his voice.

  “What?”

  “You’re watching me.”

  My face felt hot immediately. He’d caught me staring. Fuck. What the hell was wrong with me? I had no answer for him. I looked down at my hands, suddenly very interested in my fingernails. I heard him chuckling and I swear my face burnt hotter.

  Note to self: do not stare at the man who wants to use you in his personal war like you want him to tear your clothes off and give you the ride of your life.

  We didn’t say much to each other when Aiden served up dinner. I felt awkward and he seemed lost in his own thoughts. I wanted to ask him what we were really doing here, but I knew he wouldn’t answer me.

  I washed up when we were done as the cottage didn’t have a dishwasher.

  Aiden left me alone and took a shower. I could’ve walked out the door, but I didn’t. What would be the point when he’d just chase me down and haul me back. Then I’d be in serious trouble. No. I wouldn’t leave Aiden. Not now because this stupid girl had got a case of the feelings for the man who’d killed her parents. Feelings she really didn’t understand.

  I went into the bedroom, which Aiden had pointed out, and found our stuff on top of the desk near the bed. I guess we’d be sharing again. I wasn’t quite sure what else I expected. Aiden seemed to want me close.

  Changing into pyjamas, I got in bed. How I was still tired was beyond me. I snuggled into the covers, feeling their warmth encompass me.

  A moment later, the door to the bedroom opened and in the low light, I could see he was towelling off his hair. He’d put a t-shirt and boxers on. My mouth watered at the sight of him and my insides clenched.

  Would this ever end? My desperate attraction to him was beginning to be a curse. It was only this morning when we’d fought with each other over Peter and I’d admitted I wanted him to fuck me. It felt like longer.

  He pottered around the room for a moment before he crawled in beside me. My fingers itched. My body suddenly felt on high alert. The air in my lungs didn’t seem like it was enough to sustain me any longer. I had no idea what it felt like to be tortured, but this was making my brain hurt. He’d already pleasured me earlier, so why did I still need more? Why wouldn’t these cravings go away?

  His hands snaked around my hips and he tugged me against him. I felt his cock digging into me. His heart hammered against my back. Heat radiated off him, seeping into me.

  “Fuck, I want you, Avery,” he growled.

  “What?”

  “I want you so fucking much, but you and I can’t have each other.”

  His words tore at me. Can’t we? Why did something so wrong feel so right?

  His fingers danced over my stomach.

  “What happened to me being yours?” I whispered.

  “You are, but that changes nothing. There’s still so much you don’t know. Still so much you don’t understand. I won’t have all of you until you know and you can’t make a choice until then. So you and I can’t have each other.”

  He placed delicate kisses to my neck. I shuddered against him. Fucking hell.

  “You won’t like what I want you to do for me. You’ll hate me even more than you do now.”

  “Aiden…”

  “You’ll have to choose when you know. Me or them. There is no in between.”

  My heart broke. There was more to what he’d shown me today. So much more. My loyalty to my family would be eroded piece by piece until it scattered like dust in the wind. Would it be enough for me to throw away everything for the man pressed to my back?

  Instead of answering, I let Aiden hold me. He didn’t try to touch me further and I didn’t encourage him. I was too wrapped up in my own indecision.

  No matter what I felt for Aiden.

  I wasn’t sure if he and I would be enough.

  I wasn’t sure if I could go against everything I knew.

  I wasn’t sure of anything at all.

  Chapter Twelve

  Aiden

  She hadn’t said anything.

  She hadn’t fucking said anything.

  I wanted to damn well crawl inside her mind and rip out her thoughts. I needed to know what she fucking felt about what I said last night. I wasn’t sure why I’d said it. There was this need inside me I couldn’t deny any longer. After she told me she wanted me to wreck her, it’d played on my mind.

  There was a huge difference in knowing someone wanted you and them telling you that was the case. I needed her to know she wasn’t alone in feeling things she shouldn’t. In wanting a person she should never seek to have.

  Avery had severely fucked with my head. Dug her way inside my fucking mind and made a permanent place for herself. The more I learnt about her, the more I realised she was the exact opposite of what I expected. She didn’t share the arrogance of her family. There was a humbleness to her. She wanted a quiet life. And really, if I was to be honest, that’s what I wanted too. I’d been fighting since I was a child and I was growing tired. I wanted this war with the Daniels to be over. They’d already stolen so much of my life.

  She didn’t speak when we sat and had breakfast together. She wouldn’t even look at me. It unnerved me because it wasn’t like her. If she wasn’t going to acknowledge anything then fine. I’d just get down to business and the real reason I’d brought her here.

  “There’s something I need you to do for me.”

  She looked up, her eyes not quite meeting mine.

  “What?”

  “We’re going to take a walk and you’re going to make a video for me.”

  That got her attention. Her brow furrowed.

  “A video?”

  “Yes. So we can clear up a little misunderstanding with the police.”

  She put her fork down and really looked at me.

  “What exactly are you after, Aiden?”

  “I want you to tell them to stop looking for you because you don’t want to be found and I want you to tell that boy to stop waiting for you.”

  The blood drained from her face.

  “You… want what?”

  “You see, he went and told them you were meant to be at your parents and because they found your phone there, they assume the killer took you.”

  “You want me to lie for you.”

  She already knew I wanted that from day one. Looking down at her hands, she fidgeted in her seat.

  “I will tell them to stop looking for me if that’s what you need. And I’ll tell Peter on one condition even though I would rather have a conversation with him.”

  “What’s your condition?”

  If I had my way, she’d never talk to that boy ever again. She was mine. And she fucking knew that. Fuck. I was such an arsehole. I wouldn’t sleep with her even though it’s what we both wanted but I wouldn’t let anyone else have her.

  “Let me say something to James and Gert so they don’t worry about me.”

  Her friends. Right. I didn’t care if she did that. It’d make it more believable anyway.

  “Fine.”

  “How exactly are you going to give this to them?”

  “I have ways and means. It’s not for you to worry about. Just play your part.”

  She looked away, staring back down at her plate. Picking up the fork, she started eating again. I didn’t like this sudden distance. Yesterday, she’d been happy to talk to me and asked me to touch her. Fuck. When I made her come, it drove me crazy. I was so close to pushing her clothes aside so I could sink into her heat. I wanted her pussy clenching around my cock when she came.

  Now, she’d closed herself off from me. I want
ed to be honest with her, but that honesty had come at a cost. All of this was impossible. Denying what we wanted from each other. Denying there was something real and tangible between us. It went beyond families and revenge.

  If things were different, we could’ve been two people who found solace in each other. Instead, we were on opposite sides of the same coin. She was still a Daniels — and me? I was just the fucked up guy who killed her parents and stole her away from her life.

  “Should we go then?”

  I looked at her. She’d finished and already washed the dishes whilst I’d been lost in thought. I stood up abruptly.

  “Yes.”

  We both wrapped up because it was chilly outside. I slipped a small camera into my jacket pocket before we left. I led her along the track I’d driven down yesterday evening and on to one of the many footpaths in the area. Our breath was visible in the late morning air. Avery dug her hands in her pockets, looking around the fields surrounding us.

  “It’s not far,” I said.

  She didn’t reply. I just planned to take her to a wooded area nearby. Somewhere out of the way where they’d have trouble working out where we’d filmed it. I was sure they would still look for her, but my other plans would make it difficult.

  This was a gamble. Sometimes you had to take risks in order to reap the rewards. My reward would be the police backing off and giving me more time to bring Avery around. It was only a few more weeks till Christmas and I needed her ready for the new year.

  I wasn’t sure how she’d take it. Being forced to spend what should be a family holiday with me, away from everything she knew. I’d tell her soon. And for her sake, I’d try to give her some semblance of normality. If she wanted a tree and decorations, I’d do it.

  I hadn’t really celebrated Christmas since I’d left the army. I’d always spent it with Ben, my tattoo artist’s family. Things had changed when we’d gone back to civilian life. I’d become so focused on taking down the Daniels, we only saw each other during inking sessions. It’d been six months. Ben understood. It wasn’t as though his life hadn’t changed either.

  “You’re quiet today,” I said, needing to break the silence between us.