Page 118 of Sacrifice (Corrupt Empire 2)

Chapter Twenty

Aiden

I leant up against the wall in the hallway, waiting for John to say something. His expression was a little wary.

“I don’t want you to take this the wrong way,” he said.

“The wrong way?”

He nodded, his face growing solemn.

“I’m worried about her.”

My chest tightened. Things had been off between Avery and me since Rick turned up and she hinted at marriage. I was going to do something about it. I didn’t know what yet so I’d left it alone. Maybe that had been a bad idea.

“Why?”

“I shouldn’t be interfering.”

“John…”

He couldn’t back out now he’d started. What happened whilst she was out with her friends?

He put his hands up.

“All I’m going to say is you need to talk to her.”

“That doesn’t help me. Talk to her about what?”

He shifted on his feet. I didn’t know why he decided to talk to me about this if it was making him this uncomfortable.

“The day Rick returned her, something happened, didn’t it?”

I stiffened, not wanting to acknowledge it either way. He nodded slowly.

“Your lack of response is telling.”

I shoved off the wall and paced away, running my hand through my hair. This shouldn’t have come as a surprise to me. It was my fault. I’d shut down and I knew it.

“Did she tell you?”

“She told her friends and then she spoke to me on the way home.”

And now everyone fucking knew about our problems. This was a fucking mess. I shouldn’t have been such a fucking wuss. It wasn’t just that which was bothering me. I was worked up over Rick taking her. I was so fucking scared he’d do it again, just like he threatened. The helpless feeling wouldn’t go away. It tore at my insides and dug into my skin. I had to protect my girl. I had to.

“What did you say?”

“I told her to talk to you as did her friends. I imagine she’s waiting for you.” He paused, giving me a significant look. “Let her talk.”

“Are you giving me relationship advice now?”

He grinned.

“No, just life advice. Women are complicated. Let her talk and don’t get pissed off. That’s all I’m saying.”

I wasn’t angry with her. I completely understood her desire for a future between us. It wasn’t as if I hadn’t told her in the past I wanted to be with her forever. That was the honest fucking truth. I couldn’t imagine life without her now. Avery made me happy. And now I’d made her unhappy by not dealing with the situation.

“You going to let me talk to her then?”

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