Page 109 of Sacrifice (Corrupt Empire 2)

She looked at her hands, tracing lines along my tattoos.

“Well, it would be nice if we went away together, but that’s not going to happen with everything else that’s going on. So no… but I do know what I want.”

I wish I could take her away from all of this, but it was our responsibility to finish what we’d started. To end the fucking shit her family had been involved in for so long. Perhaps it would finally put to rest all my demons. All my memories. I couldn’t think of those now. Couldn’t allow myself to get wrapped up in that violence again.

“And that is?”

“You know how we talked about tattoos? I want to get them for my birthday.”

“The birds and the wings?”

She nodded, her fingers still brushing across my chest.

“And something else. Out of all of yours, these ones here, they’re my favourites and… I want one of my own. On my arm.”

I blinked. She wanted an Aztec god tattooed on her. She’d studied mine when she thought I was sleeping. I’d felt her fingers on my chest, tracing the outlines over and over again. What I hadn’t realised is how much she wanted it done to her.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I’ve researched them and I identify most with Xochiquetzal, the goddess of fertility, beauty and female sexual power.”

I held back a smile. She was certainly beautiful and well, sex with her was fucking amazing. She had that way about her. If she wanted another tattoo, who was I to stand in her way? The fact she wanted something to match mine made my heart fucking soar.

“I’m sure Ben will be more than happy to do them for you.”

She stopped stroking my chest and looked up at me.

“Do you think it will look good on me?”

“Princess… you’ll look even sexier with tattoos. You know I think you’re perfect the way you are, but if you want to get more ink for your birthday, then we’ll get you more ink.”

She kissed my chest.

“In fact, I’ll text Ben now.”

I leant over and grabbed my phone off the bedside table.

ME: How’s Skye & bump? I need a favour.

BEN: They’re good. For you? Anything within reason ;)

ME: Avery’s birthday is soon & she wants a new tattoo… or two.

BEN: I’m in. Text me the details & I’ll start designing.

ME: I owe you.

“He’s happy to do it. Here, you can tell him what you want.”

I handed her the phone. She smiled at me and rolled over onto her back, spending the next few minutes typing out a long message to him. She gave me the phone when she was done.

“I hope he’ll have time to do it before the birth, but if not, then we’ll just have to wait. Is that okay for you?” I asked.

“Yes, I’m just happy it’s happening. It feels right. This is the one thing I can control unlike everything else in my life. It’s all such a fucking mess.”

I rolled onto my side and stroked her bare stomach with my fingers.

“I know. I wish things could be different.”

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