Page 36 of Sacrifice (Corrupt Empire 2)

Two Weeks Prior

I held her hand as we walked up the street. She didn’t know where we were going. Our breath misted in the cold air. I’d made sure she wrapped up warm, her face hidden within her jacket hood.

I was equal parts nervous and happy about what would happen next. Avery needed to do something for me, but I wasn’t quite sure if she’d say yes. Even after what we’d shared together only a few days ago.

I gave her a chance to see her other best friend. And she’d finally allowed me to have what I’d coveted from the moment I knew I wanted her. Now, I needed to take another first from her.

Reaching the shop, I pushed open the door before she had a chance to look up at the sign. She’d know soon enough.

Ben looked up from where he was perched on his stool. A grin spread across his face.

“Shithead.”

“All right?” I replied, smiling back.

Avery flipped down her hood and looked between us, realisation dawning on her face.

Ben stood up and took a few steps toward us. I let go of Avery’s hand and half hugged him. When we drew apart, his eyes fell on my girl.

“Ben, this is Avery.”

He stuck his hand out to her.

“Nice to meet you.”

She shook his hand.

“You too.”

Then she turned to me, eyes narrowing.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

I shrugged. I meant to, but I liked surprising her. Besides, I’d only just worked up the courage to actually introduce her to my best friend and the man I thought of as family. And telling him I had a girlfriend had been a conversation that landed me with a tirade of abuse about how I’d always told him I never wanted to be shackled to a woman. We’d both laughed it off, but I hoped he saw what I did when I looked at Avery. She offered me the world and I wanted to bow at her feet. My goddess who I really didn’t deserve. None of that mattered. I was hers and she was mine.

Ben grinned, shrugging.

“He keeps everyone in the dark. I wouldn’t worry too much about it.”

“How’s Skye and bump?” I asked.

“Honestly, mate, I’m glad to be out of the house. Pregnancy has made her grumpy as fuck.”

I stifled a laugh. Skye was formidable enough as it was. She had to be to put up with Ben day in, day out.

“When is she due?” Avery asked.

“A month or so. If it was anyone else but Aiden, I doubt she’d let me come to the shop today.”

Avery’s eyes screamed ‘why are we at his tattoo shop rather than visiting their house’ at me. I reached for her hand.

“You want to ask me something?”

She let me take it, moving closer. Ben sat back on his stool and started fiddling with the ink pots and his gun. The bastard knew I hadn’t asked her yet. We were here for me, but also for her.

“You… I know what you want and you should’ve asked me long before we came here,” she hissed.

“Princess, don’t be upset.”

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