Page 54 of Sacrifice (Corrupt Empire 2)

“You’re not busy?”

I knew he was working somewhere in the city, so I was a little surprised.

“Little cousin, for you, never. I’ll be there in half an hour.”

He hung up before I could say any more. I didn’t expect him to drop everything to speak to me. Perhaps he’d been expecting this. My dad had told me several times he’d discuss it with Troy and Ed. Maybe he had done so already and not told me. I’d never know.

True to his word, Ed arrived in my office half an hour later. His dark hair was tousled, brown eyes glinting.

“Avery.”

I smiled, standing up and coming around the desk. He enveloped me in a warm embrace. When he released me, he gripped my arms.

“You look good.”

“Thanks. You want a drink?” I replied.

“A cuppa would be divine right now.”

I walked around to my desk and sat back in my chair, pressing down on the intercom button.

“Clara, can you make Ed and I tea please?”

“Of course, Miss Daniels,” she said.

I released the button and indicated the chair in front of my desk to Ed. He folded his long legs into the seat, unbuttoning his suit jacket.

“How’s Linds and Aunt Penny?” I asked.

“Both doing well. We missed you at the funeral.”

I looked at my hands.

“I’m sorry I missed it. Grief does funny things to people sometimes.”

When my eyes met Ed’s, they were full of sympathy. I forgot for a moment that my cousin likely knew my family were a bunch of sick bastards.

“It’s okay. It came as a shock to us all, but we don’t need to talk about that. I am here to discuss the future after all.”

I gave him a half smile.

“You’re right. Shall we start with my plans?”

He nodded, inching his chair closer to the desk whilst I flipped around the tablet laying on there.

l

Ed and I spoke for the rest of the afternoon, going over various details until we’d hashed everything out. I was pleased. He knew a lot more about the property industry than I did. His knowledge would prove useful, although he was likely groomed to work in the family business. I should keep my guard up with him, but I found I couldn’t. Ed had always been sweet to me.

I looked at my phone when he left. There were four missed calls and twelve text messages from Aiden. I sighed, checking through them. They all pretty much said the same thing as his original message. He was desperate to speak to me.

ME: I’m leaving the office now. Please don’t be mad. Love you x

I hoped it was enough. I didn’t feel like having it out with him over the phone. The thought of it exhausted me.

Except Aiden was having none of my text message. As soon as I’d seen he’d read it, my phone started ringing.

“Hi,” I answered.

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