Page 7 of Sacrifice (Corrupt Empire 2)

“It’s me,” I whispered.

“Fuck. Are you okay? Where are you?”

The relief mixed with concern in his voice crushed me. What the hell was I doing? Calling him was the stupidest idea I’d had all evening.

“I’m with James. And no, I’m not okay.”

“I’m so sorry. Fuck. I’ve been worried sick since you left. Fucking hell. I hate this. I hate what I’ve done to you.”

I took a breath, tears still cascading down my face.

“I can’t sleep. I… I miss you, Aiden. I miss you so much.” The words came tumbling out without me wanting them to.

It’d barely been six or seven hours since I’d left. Being away from him killed me.

“I miss you too. Let me come get you.”

“No. I left for a reason and nothing has changed.”

“Avery…”

“No, I shouldn’t have called. This was stupid. I just… I needed to hear your voice. I hate that I still need you. I hate you so much.”

And I loved him too. Such a fine line between the two warring emotions.

“Please don’t say that. I’m sorry. Please, I need you. I fucking need you so much. I can’t breathe without you.”

“I have to go.”

If I spoke to him any longer, I’d give in.

“Avery, please.”

The agony in his voice destroyed me.

“I meant what I said. I can’t keep letting you hurt me no matter how I feel about you.”

“Avery—”

I hung up.

I felt worse and somehow better for hearing his voice. I wiped away the tears from my cheeks. Such an idiot. Was I so obsessed with him that I couldn’t stay away? Had leaving even been the best idea? Couldn’t I have worked it out with him? But Aiden wasn’t the type to talk things through. Our relationship wasn’t equal. He owned me.

Except I’d seen the look in his eyes when he realised I intended to leave him.

Despair.

Was he mine?

He had to be mine.

I had to know.

I looked down at the phone. If he could answer me that one question then maybe we could work it out.

Maybe.

So I rang him again.

---