Page 142 of Sacrifice (Corrupt Empire 2)

“Well, I’m grateful you decided to switch sides.”

He shrugged.

“The sooner this is over, the better. I’m done with the Daniels and their bullshit. I’ve seen too much.”

We both had. The shit they’d made us do. No one could call John and I good men, but we were determined to make sure we made up for it in some small way.

We’d been getting closer to working out who The Collector was and where he was keeping the girls. How they were moved from client to client. We needed to topple the operation and burn it to the ground. Avery was determined to rescue all the girls before everything went up in flames.

Tristan made his way across the room towards my girl. I clenched my fists but stayed put. I couldn’t do anything about that snivelling little shit. I had to keep my temper in check even though I wanted to fucking rip his balls off.

Avery gave him her brightest fake smile when he reached her and her two friends. I knew they’d all gone to school together. James’ sneered at the sight of him and Gert looked like she’d rather be anywhere else. I was too far away to hear what they were saying.

“I don’t know how you can stand here and watch him near her,” John said.

“If I had a choice, he’d be in the ground.”

“Soon all of them will be.”

John didn’t care if I took all of them out. I doubt he’d even care that I killed Mitchell and Kathleen. He’d become jaded with the world after spending so long around sick bastards like the Daniels and their associates. I could hardly blame him. I’d been the same way until Avery came into my life. She’d become my reason to live again.

“I keep reminding myself of that.”

I scanned the room, knowing John would keep his eyes on my princess. My fists clenched again when I spied Robert Bassington talking to Chuck. Their eyes were on me. There were no longer any traces of the beating I’d given Robert on his face, but he looked thunderous. I knew what the sick fuck would be saying to him. I didn’t trust him not to blab. It didn’t matter now. Sophie and Cora were safe.

Tina had taken them to her house in Cornwall. She told me they were doing well. I was glad she was out of London whilst this shit was going down. I’d seen her last week and we’d talked for a long time, but she’d gone back to take care of them after that.

They were still pretty traumatised after what they’d been through. She’d found a private therapist. Avery insisted on paying for it all since it was her family who’d done this to them.

“Well, looks like I’m in for a conversation tonight.”

John looked over, frowning until he noticed who I was staring at.

“You did insist on taking those girls from Robert.”

“You know I couldn’t leave them there.”

“No, but it’s going to cost you.”

I shrugged. It wasn’t as if I was unprepared. Chuck would have more important things to worry about before this evening was over.

“I’m sure once Avery makes her announcement, it’ll be forgotten about.”

He grinned, shaking his head.

“Want to bet how long it takes for Chuck to piss himself?”

I smiled. I think he’d do more than just that. Avery was about to completely turn everything on its head. I never thought she’d change her mind about all of this, but she had. We’d both come to the same conclusion. Turn everyone against each other and cause chaos. That started with her doing something she said she never would.

My eyes fell on her again. She was still talking to Tristan, who was staring at her with a disgusting leer in his eyes. James looked like he wanted to stab Tristan in the face. I couldn’t blame him.

Apparently, Tristan had spent their school years tormenting the three of them for being nerds. Hardly surprising given what I knew about the fucking idiot. He was a younger version of his father on every level. Moulded to be exactly like Frazier.

Avery’s doe eyes met mine across the room. The twinkle in them made my heart thump. Fuck. I loved that girl to the fucking moon and back. She was every star in the sky. So fucking bright and beautiful. Perfect for me in every single way.

“Has Chuck seen her tattoos yet?”

“No. I’m sure he’ll have something to say about those. He wasn’t happy when she got the first one.”

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