Page 66 of Sacrifice (Corrupt Empire 2)

“I don’t need protection, Uncle Charlie. What happened with Tristan won’t happen again.”

Except I knew it would. He wasn’t going to stop now he’d made his intentions clear. I’d have to deal with that outside of the office.

“What about the paparazzi camped outside the office and all the rumours circulating about your involvement in your parents’ deaths?”

I rubbed my forehead. I had seen those and ignored them. It was just idiotic speculation and would die down when the next celebrity scandal broke. It was part and parcel of being in the public eye.

“What about them? I’ve been having Davis drive me to and from work each day. I’m not scared of a bunch of conspiracy theorists making up crap about me from behind their computer screens.”

I didn’t dare look at Aiden. What did he even think about all this? It’s not like I could come out and ask him. I really wished he wasn’t in the room right now. This conversation wasn’t going the way I wanted it to.

“These things can escalate.”

I rolled my eyes, folding my arms across my chest. My uncle was full of shit. He just wanted to keep tabs on me.

“What happened to Mum and Dad has nothing to do with me. If there’s something you’re not telling me then I’m all ears, otherwise, I don’t need a bodyguard.”

My uncle eyed Aiden again. I was getting nervous now. My skin was sticking to my blouse.

“I disagree.”

I sighed, leaning forward and placing my hands on the desk.

“I appreciate your concern for my safety. I will think about it.”

My uncle nodded slowly. I thought the conversation might be over, but he didn’t move to get up. I waited, tapping my foot against the floor.

“Aiden has some proposed changes to our security systems. I thought he could speak to you about them.”

I looked over at Aiden then. He seemed nonplussed by my uncle’s announcement.

“To me? Why? Isn’t that your department?”

“Don’t you want to get to know the company better?”

Now I was sure my uncle was testing me.Prick.Fine, I would play his games. I smiled at him.

“Well yes, I do. Is now acceptable? I’ve got to speak to Ed, but it can wait.”

Aiden shoved off the bookcase and walked over to my desk. He placed a tablet down on it and looked at my uncle.

“Are you staying?” he asked.

Uncle Charlie bounced his hands on the chair and stood up. His smile made my skin crawl.

“No, no, I have things to do. I’m sure Avery can approve these if she wishes.”

He strolled out of the room without another word, leaving my office door open.

“What the fuck is going on?” I hissed at Aiden.

“Fuck knows,” he whispered back.

If Aiden didn’t know what was happening then this was really fucked up.

“Do you want to sit?” I said, louder.

I got up from the desk, walked over to my office door and shut it. I leant against it, staring at my boyfriend with wide eyes. He indicated with his head that I should come back over.

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