Page 55 of Sacrifice (Corrupt Empire 2)

“Avery, you need to go back to your own flat tonight.”

I frowned. He didn’t sound mad at all. Just concerned.

“Why?”

“Chuck has a man on your place. If you don’t turn up there, he’s going to start wondering where you’re staying. He’s suspicious enough as it is.”

My uncle had a man watching my house. This was absolute bullshit. I wanted to storm into his office and demand he call his dogs off. That would not be a smart move, so I settled for inwardly seething instead.

“How do you know?”

“He told me. I expected him to keep tabs on you. I know the guy, he won’t harm you.”

I stuck my head out of my office door.

“Hang on… Clara, can you call a driver to take me home, please?”

Clara looked up from her desk. I really didn’t want to deal with the paparazzi camped outside our office.

“No problem, Miss Daniels. I’ll ask him to wait in the lobby for you,” she said, smiling at me.

I nodded, ducking back into the office.

“Will I see you tonight?” I asked Aiden when the door closed behind me.

The thought of spending time apart made my heart ache. I’d not spent a night without him since I’d gone back to him. I couldn’t imagine falling asleep without Aiden’s bulk wrapped around my back.

“Was that ever in doubt?”

“Bring supplies and dinner.”

“I take it you’ll be wanting me to make said dinner.”

I smiled, snagging my coat and scarf from the stand in the corner of the room.

“No, I’ll do it.”

“I’ll see you soon, princess.”

He hung up without waiting for my response. I put my coat, scarf and gloves on, stuffing my phone in my bag. I headed out the door, waving to Clara before getting in the lift. I rode down to the lobby. No one else got in, which I could only be grateful for. I was in no mood for small talk with random employees.

The driver was waiting in the lobby. He gave me a nod when I approached him.

“This way, Miss Daniels,” he said.

I recognised him as my dad’s driver from when he was alive.

“Thank you, Davis.”

The reporters were on us, shouting various questions as soon as we were out the door. I ignored them all, focusing on keeping one foot in front of the other. Davis shielded me from them all the way to the car and got me situated in the back. We were off when he got in the front and pulled away from the curb. I sat back, watching the city pass us by. I’d only been to my flat once since Aiden took me. We’d had the locks changed as a precaution.

It felt weird to return to what should be my home. Aiden’s felt like home to me now, but I did miss my studio. I’d converted the second bedroom since it was just me living there. It had everything I could ever need, although I wouldn’t have much time for drawing with running the family business.

When we pulled up, I thanked Davis as he came around and opened my door. He walked me up to the front door.

“You have a good night, Miss Daniels,” he said, giving me a nod as he descended the steps again.

I looked up and down the street, wondering where on earth this guy Uncle Charlie had on me was. I supposed if he was doing his job properly, I wouldn’t be able to see him. I let myself in the front door and then into my flat on the ground floor. It was freezing cold.

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