Page 17 of Sacrifice (Corrupt Empire 2)

Chapter Three

Avery

James and I spent the next couple of days discussing what we might do about my family and the company whilst watching movies and gorging on takeaways and junk food. We’d come up with a big fat load of nothing. I conceded we didn’t have enough information and we needed Aiden’s help. He was the one who’d told me everything in the first place. It only seemed right I’d work it out with him.

I’m not sure James was too impressed with me telling him I planned to go back to Aiden, but he’d made a concerted effort to help Aiden with this date. I knew he’d done it because it was me.

James grinned at me from the driver’s seat.

“What are you smiling at?” I asked.

“I just can’t wait to see Mr Tattoos’ face when you take your coat off.”

“Is that what you’re calling him now?”

“It’s like Beauty and the Beast.”

“Ha bloody ha. He’s not a beast.”

I did not like that analogy. It hit far too close to home. The whole kidnapping, keeping me prisoner, being kind of a dick to me? All that was more than a little bit comparable.

“Are you sure you’re not his Disney Princess?”

I hit his arm.

“Shut your face, idiot.”

“Aww, embarrassed? Don’t you want to have a fairy-tale romance?”

“Oh my god, James, please. It’s not a fairy-tale. Honestly, if you really knew Aiden, you wouldn’t be saying that.”

Not with his restraints and need to make me submit. The thought of it made me shift in my seat. I missed him. His touch and his voice most of all. I wanted him with such a desperation, it bordered on madness. I gave up pretending I wasn’t obsessed with him. Aiden took up every inch of my brain. My heart physically hurt with longing for him.

“Mr Brooding and Mysterious? Yeah well, I’m glad it’s you who knows him and not me.”

“Okay, enough with the nicknames. Where are we going? You made me get proper dressed up for this, not that I don’t appreciate the outfit.”

“You’ll see.”

They’d both been very secretive. I hadn’t spoken to Aiden much in the last few days and it killed me. Me leaving had probably been the best thing for us, but at the same time, I wished I hadn’t. A knee jerk reaction instead of a well thought out decision. Things needed to change between us. Only time would tell if Aiden was really serious about being my boyfriend.

Boyfriend.

It didn’t feel like the right word to describe him. He’d become not only my lover and my friend but the only person I couldn’t be without. So boyfriend didn’t quite cut it. Partner in crime perhaps? No. That sounded stupid and soppy as shit. Boyfriend would have to do.

“We’re here,” James announced.

I looked up at the building. It was one of those members only clubs with a very exclusive restaurant inside.

“Since when did you become a member of Black Night?”

“Since Aiden needed somewhere discreet to take you on a long overdue date. Now, keep your hood up until we reach him, remember?”

“Yeah, yeah, okay.”

A doorman helped us out of the car and took James’ keys. Apparently, they had valet service here, who knew? Parking in London sucked usually, which is why I didn’t drive. That and I never learnt how.

James led me into the building and spoke to the front desk. None of the staff batted an eyelid at my hidden face. James took me upstairs to the members only dining room. Right in the back corner, near the fire exit, was a hidden booth.

---