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Chapter 169: Triad, Part 12
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Mastering Charlotte Chapter 170: Triad, Part 13, Thirteen Years Ago
It's late. In the road, there is the raucous sound of drunks leaving or being thrown from the bars.One by one, lights wink out from the windows of takeaways and restaurants, and bit by bit, late-night diners and revellers vanish from the street.To the rear of the restaurants and cafes, there is clanging and clattering from the kitchens, which gradually dies down. Eventually, this turns to the rattle of closing shutters and the snap of bolts being drawn into place.As all falls dark and silent, a figure emerges. Standing silently, looking right and left before moving far from the shadows, she makes her way to the rear of one of the restaurants.Showing every sign of knowing where she is, familiar with the route and the lack of gates or bars, she lifts the lid from one trash can after another, glancing over the contents with a practised eye, before reaching in to pull out a waxed carton. She opens it, briefly inspects the contents, sniffs, then closes the lid and vanishes once
Mastering Charlotte Chapter 171: Triad, Part 14
JamesCharlotte smiles, but the smile is a bit wan, made more so by her nose which is bright red in the cold, close to matching her hair.How do I explain to my emerald-eyed wild-child that Beth, for all her beauty, her polished manners and her elegant ways, holds not a fraction of the attraction for me that she does?Beth's a true sub....You're a sub when it suits you to be........ and only for me....My flame-haired mermaid has already proved she is a survivor. Could Beth have done the same?I wrap an arm around her shoulder. "If I wanted someone like Beth, I would be with someone like Beth.""But she's so beautiful," she protests. She looks close to tears.Can it really bother her so much?"You're beautiful too. And not just on the outside. The things I want from you, Charlotte, all come from the inside. And no amount of expensive clothes or nail polish can replace that."She looks doubtful but sucks her lower lip and nods."And don't suck your lips. They'l
Mastering Charlotte Chapter 172: Triad, Part 15
JamesMichael, who was turning to the house, swivels back, frowning a little.Charlotte, her throat working, says, "Um.… Beth was working as a maid in the hotel, cleaning the rooms...."Beth was a hotel cleaner?".... I think it was the one where you had the apartment. It was hot one day, and she used the shower in the Penthouse, where Richard was staying. He'd gone out, but he came back early and caught her in his shower, um, naked...."Oh, God.... I can see where this is going....Michael's face is beginning to crack....Charlotte continues, "Then.... er.... he tied her to the shower and um…"I'm gaping. Michael has his forehead in one hand, his shoulders shaking.He didn't....I double up. "I get it. No wonder he was so relaxed about you and me."You did the right thing, Jade.... Keeping that quiet for him........ But it's still fuckin' hilarious....She nods, but continues, "There's a bit more to it than that."More?"Really?"She pauses, I think ch
Mastering Charlotte Chapter 173: Triad, Part 16, Ten Years Ago
A fine day, bright sunshine, the buzz of the City:A gangly ginger-haired teenager skulks in the background, wandering from one place to another. Always on the move, never stopping anywhere long, she travels the City. Passing through the crowds, the buzz and the confusion, never part of it, she keeps walking, always walking.Arms folded, head and face down, her long red hair swishes with her movement. She's tall for her age, built like a beanstalk with no traces of a developing woman's figure. And thin, with no flesh to her arms and legs, her face is pale and has only a promise of beauty to come.In the backstreets, the lost and the lonely lie stretched out in sleeping bags or on cardboard. As she sees them she crosses the street to pass by on the other side of the road.She keeps walking.At last, streets and houses give way to green spaces. Fields stretch as far as the eye can see, cut off only by the mountains rearing up on the horizon.She halts, looking intimidated. Sh
Mastering Charlotte Chapter 174: Triad, Part 17
JamesMichael stamps into the room, shaking sleet off himself like a dog.He makes for the larder, rummaging around before he fishes out a can, waving it at me, brows raised."Mmm… yes. Thanks."He reaches for another, plonks it on the table beside me then flops down onto the chair at the other side. Flipping open the ring-pull, he sucks out half the can in one go, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down. "Ah, that's good. One thing about living in primitive conditions. Old stone larders are a good way to keep beer."I open my own can and take a gulp. "Hard day?"He swipes a hand back through sweaty, grit-filled hair. "Mmm, yes. Long day too. And the short winter daylight isn't helping either. We're having to do a lot of the work on lights and cables." He nods down at the stack of files and papers next to me. You working late too?""I'm reading reports.""Reports? About what?""Blessingmoors. And wishing I could get my hands on the bastards that did this."His face clo
Mastering Charlotte Chapter 175: Alphas, Part 1
JamesMaking our way to the meeting room for her interview, I follow behind as Michael holds a pale-faced Charlotte's hand.Beth and Richard are already waiting. I knew Beth was going to be present to support Charlotte, but Richard also, billionaire owner of a large part of the City, has cleared his diary to be here too. I'm not sure what he thinks he can contribute, but his presence speaks volumes.How many student trainees receive that kind of accolade from their CEO…?.... and friend…Beth gives her a hug. Francis brings a tray of coffee and her favourite chocolate-chip biscuits, which Charlotte doesn't touch.When Charlotte doesn't take offered food, you know she's not feeling good....Her smile is small and forced. She's doing her best to be polite, but I think it takes every ounce of Michael's support to keep her going. Still, she said she wanted to do this and overall, I believe she has made the right choice.We don't have to wait long. It's just as well. No-one
Mastering Charlotte Chapter 176: Alphas, Part 2
RichardShe turns back to me, hard-eyed, but then relaxes a little."Alright, Mr Haswell. Since it's you…"That's something........ How angry with me is she?I turn to Corby. "I'd like you to leave, now. We'll rearrange the interview for another day, and with another officer."His face flushes, but he nods, returning to the conference room to gather his notes. Michael starts to speak but I press a finger to my lips, rolling my eyes at the door. He nods and then waits, standing ramrod straight, hands in pockets.His lips a flat line, Corby exits, and I watch through the internal window to be sure he's entered the elevator. Then I turn to Charlotte. "I promise you that I knew nothing about that."Corby gone, some of her tension is easing, her eyes softening. "I believe you, but you can't give the guarantee I'm looking for, can you?"Oh, crap…"No, I can't."Her voice is matter of fact. "As I said, they'll not get a word out of me right now. I don't know where the p
Mastering Charlotte Chapter 177: Alphas, Part 3, Nine Years Ago
KlempnerOutside, sitting in the car, key hovering over the ignition, "Of course not. I wish it was 'Of course not'."Bech's voice is neutral. "You want me to get rid of him, sir?"You'd love me to say yes, wouldn't you........ You can't stand the pasty-faced little perv either...."It's a tempting thought, isn't it? But no, I really don't have anyone to replace him right now."Bech frowns. "No one, sir? Baxter perhaps? He thinks for himself....""Yes, he does, but he's busy with what's going on in South America.... He's sending a fresh batch next week.""Sir, you have a lot of people to call on. Surely, someone....""Yes, Bech, I do, but they're scattered. I need someone here." Glancing at him side-long, "I'm guessing you're not volunteering for the job."He rubs the side of his nose. "Not my style, sir," he replies blandly."Didn't think so. So, we're stuck with Jenkins for now.""He knows the rules," he says. "He won't touch them, but.... that doesn't mean
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