Page 26 of Sacrifice (Corrupt Empire 2)

Chapter Five

Avery

When we got back to the flat the next day, Aiden announced we were having a New Year’s Eve get together. He’d already bought things for dinner, snacks and drinks. When I asked who was coming, he said James, but there was a glint in his eye which told me he was keeping a secret. And when he made me set four places at the table, I knew I was right to be suspicious.

Who else is coming? Why is he being so secretive?

I was about to ask when the buzzer for the door went. Aiden didn’t let me get it.

“Go wait in the living room, princess.”

I did as he said, sitting down on the sofa and staring at the TV. Whilst our relationship was different now, I knew Aiden and his issues with control. There was no point fighting him on this.

Voices filtered down through the hallway. I couldn’t see who was at the door because Aiden’s bulk hid them from view.

“This is Aiden.”

That was James’ voice. It was what came next that made me freeze.

“Hi, it’s nice to meet you.”

Is that…?

“Perhaps it’s best if you come in,” Aiden said, stepping back.

My heart stopped dead. Standing just beyond the threshold was the one person I’d missed almost as much as James.

“I don’t know why you had to be so secretive, James,” she hissed. “What are we doing here?”

“You’ll see,” James replied as the two of them walked in.

I stood up, hopping from foot to foot. Aiden told me to stay here, but I wanted to run down the hallway. He led them down towards me and as soon as they all entered the room, her eyes went wide.

“A… Avery?”

It’d been far too long. Gert, my red-haired, blue-eyed best friend, stood there in her trademark black jeans and black boots. I walked around the coffee table and straight into her arms.

“Hi,” I whispered.

“Where the hell have you been?” she whispered back.

“Here with Aiden.”

“Who is he?”

“I’ll explain later.”

She pulled away and gave me a searching look. I shook my head. I turned to Aiden and James.

“I can’t believe you two. Is this really okay?”

James grinned and Aiden nodded. Shit. I didn’t know what to say. Having Gert here meant the world to me. I’d have words with both of them later. They shouldn’t have kept it from me, but I was also glad they had. I hustled her over to the sofa. Aiden left the room to get drinks sorted and James sat with us.

“Seriously, what happened to you, Avery?”

I sighed. This wasn’t exactly the conversation I expected to have on New Year’s.

“A lot of things happened. Mostly I just couldn’t deal with my parents being gone. I’m sorry I disappeared.”

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