Page 132 of Sacrifice (Corrupt Empire 2)

“How are we safe, Aiden? We have two women in our flat. Charlie will look for them when he finds out they’re missing. He’ll know who had them last. What the hell are we going to do?”

I hadn’t really thought that far ahead. I had to take them away from Robert. I couldn’t leave them there to be abused any further. They hadn’t wanted to come with me at first. When I assured them, I would keep them safe, they left with me willingly. I had to do right by them because I could never do right by her.

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Tina held me back. She was lying on the floor, her arms wrapped around her stomach, groaning in agony.

“Let me go,” I shouted.

“Aiden, you need to calm down. Your mother needs medical help.”

“Tina, please.”

Tears ran down my cheeks. I was only seven and most of our lives had been plagued with this. Some weeks the men didn’t come, but others, like this, they hurt her worse than ever.

She held my shoulders and squatted down to my level, looking into my eyes.

“Sweetie, your mum is hurting right now. I know it’s painful to see, but you have to let me help her, okay? Can you do that for me?”

I just wanted to hold her. She always called me her angel. Didn’t angels look after their charges? Didn’t they save them? But how could I do anything? I was a kid who couldn’t fight back with his fists. Who couldn’t protect his own mother from horrible men and women.

My shoulders slumped and I looked at the floor.

“Okay, Tina.”

She bundled me up in her arms, kissing the top of my head.

“Be a good boy and get the first aid kit from the bathroom.”

Tina pulled away, standing up and patting my head. I gave Mummy one last look. Her wracking sobs killed me inside. Turning away, I walked out of the room, determined to help her in any way I could.

Little did I know in two short weeks, she’d be dead and my world would crumble before my eyes.

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“We’re going to keep them away from him, that’s what we’re going to do.”

“And where do you suggest we keep them? They can’t stay here with us.”

I knew that. They’d be better off far away from London where it’d be harder for Chuck to find them. I thought she’d be happy I’d rescued them.

“We’ll take them to one of my places outside the city. They can stay there until this is resolved.”

She sighed, pulling away from me. She stood up and paced the room. I’d done something stupid all because I’d kept everything inside rather than admitting to how much her abduction had affected me. I’d allowed my control to slip. Now we had to deal with the consequences.

“Why did you put them in the cell? They look terrified.”

“I don’t know.”

“You know you’ve put us in a dangerous situation, right? We’re already in enough shit as it is.”

“Did you expect me to leave them there?”

“No. I would’ve taken them too. Charlie is going to question Rick’s friend. He’s going to ask who took the girls away. What do you think he’ll say when he finds out it was you?”

She rubbed her face. She was right. I should never have gone to Robert’s. I was just so fucked off with everything. I was fed up with feeling so fucking helpless. So I’d done something about it instead. As idiotic and selfish as that sounds.

“I’ll sort it.”

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