Page 131 of Sacrifice (Corrupt Empire 2)

Chapter Twenty Two

Aiden

Today had been a fucking mess from start to finish. I’d lost the plot entirely. Everything ached, especially my head. It had all gone to shit and now, I sorely regretted every moment.

Avery stared at me with wide eyes. I knew I was in for one hell of a conversation when she got back, but now I really didn’t feel like explaining myself. I was in pain and needed to sort out all this blood.

She approached me, taking the antiseptic wipe out of my hand and squatting down.

“Let me do that.”

I wanted to protest but decided against it. I normally fixed myself up. The look in her eyes told me she wouldn’t take no for an answer.

I winced as she cleaned the gash on my forehead. She plucked the first aid kit off the counter and dug through it. I’d already looked over the cuts. They weren’t deep enough that they’d need stitches. Besides, it’s not like I would let her take me to hospital if they were.

“That one,” I said, pointing at the bandages and tape.

She picked them up and bandaged up my head. Then she cleaned the gash on my chest and taped that up too. Getting a face cloth, she wiped away the rest of the blood and carefully cleaned up my split lip. She packed the first aid kit back up and popped it on the counter.

“Why did I have to come home to find you beaten up with two half-naked women in the cell?”

I sighed, looking away from her. I really did owe her an explanation.

“I got into a fight.”

“With who?”

“One of Rick’s friends… Well, technically it was his security guard who did all this, but he looked worse than me. I left him unconscious.”

She put a hand on my thigh.

“Why did you go see Rick’s friend?”

In all honesty, it hadn’t been my intention to go see Robert Bassington at all. It was only after Chuck rang to speak to me about this party for Avery, I found myself frustrated. He’d told me who was meant to attend. It reminded me of Robert and how he’d helped Rick abduct Avery. I wanted to send them both a message. If they went near my girlfriend again, I would have their heads.

Dealing with the fact that Avery had to go to her parent’s penthouse today without me and knowing she’d probably relive that night killed me. I’d bottled up all my feelings regarding that and Rick taking her. And now, they’d reared their ugly head making it impossible for me not to completely lose control.

I really had lost it. Spectacularly. I’d been so angry when I’d got there. So fucking pissed off at the world for making me feel like I couldn’t protect Avery. Making me feel helpless. It was seriously fucked up and I knew it was a mistake.

“I was pretty sure he helped Rick take you. When I got there, my suspicions were confirmed. He practically laughed in my face when I accused him. He tried to have me escorted out, but you can see how that turned out. I beat the shit out of him and discovered he had two of your uncle’s girls at his house. So I took them.”

Her expression darkened.

“Are you insane? What if Charlie finds out about this?”

“He won’t.”

“How do you know?”

“He thinks Chuck sent me.”

“Aiden…”

I cupped her face. She didn’t believe me. I’d spun him a story. Chuck would be none the wiser. Besides, Robert wouldn’t want to admit to me beating the crap out of him to anyone. He’d rather save face than show any sign of weakness. And if he did talk, he’d end up in the gutter where he belonged.

I knew I was trying to justify it all to her even though I’d messed everything up and I didn’t know what to do about it now.

“Princess, I know it was impulsive. He won’t say anything. I promise we’re safe.”

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