Page 73 of Sacrifice (Corrupt Empire 2)

“Why don’t you find something for us to watch whilst I go talk to James?”

“Okay,” she sniffled.

I wiped her face with my coat sleeve and gave her a kiss on the forehead. She tipped her face up to me before I got up. I kissed her lips, careful to be soft and gentle with her. Avery didn’t need rough right now. She needed me to look after her. I was fucking glad it was Friday because if she had to go to work tomorrow, I’d have lost my shit.

I pulled my coat off and went through into the hall. I hung it up behind the front door where James’ coats were and found him in the kitchen. I leant against the doorframe, eying him warily.

“Is she okay?” he asked.

“Not really. I can cook if you want unless you don’t have anything.”

He sighed, running a hand through his hair.

“Well, I wasn’t exactly expecting you guys to show up here. I’ve been meaning to go shopping.”

I whipped out my phone, pulling up an app and searching through it for a nearby takeaway.

“Pizza okay?”

“Sure. I’m not fussy.”

I ordered us two large pizzas along with sides and a bottle of coke, checking with him about toppings. I was well aware of what my girl preferred.

“It’ll be here in half an hour,” I said.

He turned to me and leant against the counter.

“What is going on, Aiden?”

“With those guys who were after her? I have no fucking idea. It’s not Frazier. Not his style. Chuck is all but insisting on her having a bodyguard so it can’t be him either. I can’t think who else would have their eye on her.”

“And with Tristan?”

I folded my arms across my chest.

“I think you know what he would’ve done if I hadn’t been there.”

James looked at the floor, his blue eyes dark with anger.

“In her own fucking building. No wonder she’s traumatised.”

That was one word for it. I should really get back to her, but me and him needed to have it out. If I was ever going to get over what happened between them, then James and I should come to an understanding.

“I’ll take care of her.”

I shifted, dropping my arms to my sides, trying not to let my emotions show. Being around him didn’t do me any favours.

“Hasn’t she been through enough already? I get why she needs to deal with the shit her family is involved in, but surely there’s a better way.”

A way that didn’t involve getting our hands dirty is what he meant. We were in too deep for that now. No one was coming out of this unscathed. This was war. War is messy and takes no prisoners. So no, there wasn’t a better way.

“This is how it has to be.”

He didn’t reply, eying me with no small amount of trepidation. Now or never. I took a breath.

“Avery told me what went on between you two before I met her.”

His face paled and he looked away. She wouldn’t have lied to me about it, but this just confirmed the truth.

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