Page 24 of Sacrifice (Corrupt Empire 2)

“I’m sorry.”

“I don’t need you to apologise. This is new. There’s no rush. All I want is you and me together.”

“You and me belong together.”

Her eyes lit up. I entwined my fingers with hers. Beautiful. Perfect. And mine.

My phone rang. I cursed. Totally just ruined the moment between us. I rolled away, got off the bed and tugged it out of my jacket pocket.

“Hello James.”

“Not interrupting, am I?”

I chose not to rise to the suggestive note in his voice. He had definitely interrupted, but at least we weren’t fucking. I sat back down on the bed, running my fingers along Avery’s arm.

“Did you have any trouble from the Shaws?”

“No. I slipped out the back too. Couldn’t come up with an excuse for why I was there. Bill is settled, so we’re good.”

“Hopefully Frazier won’t think anything of it but can’t be too careful.”

“Did you two kiss and make up?”

I rolled my eyes.

“You can ask her that yourself.”

I pulled the phone from my ear and put it on speaker.

“Hi James,” Avery said.

“Did that little number I got work?”

“James!”

“Did he put it on speaker?”

Her face went red. I wasn’t sure whether to be annoyed he bought her underwear or amused by the exchange between them.

“What do you think?”

James laughed.

“I’m not even sorry.”

“You’re such a dick.”

“And yet, you still keep coming back.”

“I’ll make him hang up if you don’t behave.”

She looked up at me. I still didn’t like how close they were, but Tina’s reminder that I couldn’t keep her away from her world any longer kept me from commenting.

“Okay, okay. You’re all good, right?”

“Yes, I promise. Thank you for everything you did.”

“Ah, it was nothing really. You know I just want you to be happy.”

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