Page 38 of Sacrifice (Corrupt Empire 2)

“Not fate?”

“I don’t believe in crap like that.”

I smiled. She was exactly like me in that respect. Fate and destinies were for deluded souls who believed in miracles. Avery and I weren’t destined. We just belonged to each other. We’d made a choice. There was always a need to possess and take everything from each other, but we’d still made the decision to give in. She submitted and I gave her freedom. That was who we were.

“Maybe Avery can design your next piece?” Ben piped up.

I glanced at him. His head was still bowed, but a smile played on his lips. Cheeky fucker.

“I know what I’d choose,” she said.

I knew too.

“What’s that?”

“Something to do with angels and wings,” I said before she could answer.

Ben looked up at her, the gun stopping for a moment.

“Really now?”

“He’s not wrong,” she replied, shrugging.

“There’s a story there you two aren’t telling me.”

“Mind your own fucking business,” I grunted.

Ben grinned and set back to work again.

A few minutes later, he was done. I traded places with Avery whilst Ben prepared new needles and ink for her. She gripped my hand, tensing when Ben laid the stencil behind her ear. He made me check the placement before he picked up the gun.

“Ready?” he asked.

Her eyes met mine. Her fingers tightened. I knew she was scared, but I’d be here for her for every moment.

“Yes,” she replied.

She winced when the needle pricked her skin, her eyes closing against the pain I knew she was experiencing. Yet she didn’t utter a sound. My girl. So strong. I’d broken her, but now she’d found her way back.

“You could’ve picked a less painful place, Aiden,” Ben said.

“She’s okay, aren’t you, princess?”

Her hand tensed, her eyes flying open. She wasn’t supposed to move her neck. Her eyes told me she was dealing with it even though she was in pain.

Ben’s eyebrow raised at my term of endearment for her. I shot him a warning glare. If he even fucking brought that up like James constantly did, I’d kick the shit out of him.

Ben knew better than to mess with me. I tolerated her friend winding her up about it, but she was my fucking princess. She gave me peace.

When I looked into those doe eyes, I saw a future. One that wasn’t about revenge, betrayals or family secrets. It was just me and her together.

That’s what we had to fight for.

Us.

Even when we were fighting each other, it was because of our intense connection and love for one another. Love that threatened to consume or tear us apart.

“Don’t worry, Avery, it’ll be over soon.”

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