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Chapter 209: Guardians, Part 14
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Mastering Charlotte Chapter 210: Guardians, Part 15
JamesRefusing discipline....It catches me squarely on the cheek. It's not a hard blow. In truth, I barely feel it....But that's not the point....Unbelieving, for a moment, I'm on hold, as though trying to process reality....Cold fury freezes through me, I grab her by the wrists, yanking her across the floor to the bedroom. "In there, Madam."I'll knock some fucking sense into you........ How dare you....Abruptly, her resistance melts away. She yanks her wrist from my hand. "Alright, I'll go into the bedroom," she says. Chin held high, "I'll take whatever it is you're going to hand out. But it doesn't change anything. It doesn't change what's in my head."On her face is.... what…?Disgust?Resignation?I'm not sure, but something about her wording cuts through my anger.The cellar........ The life you've led…What is going through your head?.... It's hard to imagine....I'm only seeing your life in reflection........ you're the one who lived
Mastering Charlotte Chapter 211: Guardians, Part 16
RichardJames' expression is bland as he returns to the office.Fresh shirt........ Tie neatly knotted....Hair washed.... and fresh aftershave....Mmmm....I try to keep my tone neutral. "Everything alright?"His tone as bland as mine, "She's fine."Ah, fuck........ How do I ask?Man to man?.... Dom to Dom…?....?The book of etiquette is strangely silent on this one....Try a different tack...."I was talking with Michael while you were.... occupied.... It's the first time I've really had an opportunity to speak with him. He doesn't normally say very much."He arches a brow. "Don't let that throw you. Michael's no-one's fool, and he'll see through a brick wall if you give him long enough. If he starts talking, it's a good idea to start listening."Yes, you trust him completely........ His judgement and his loyalty...."I'm coming to agree with you. He said something about not trying to cage Charlotte. That I should find her some work to do."
Mastering Charlotte Chapter 212: Guardians, Part 17, Eight Years Ago
They stand, heads drooping, in a line before their headmaster."I have never seen such a display. All three of you are easily old enough to know better than to behave as though you were in some common bar-room brawl."Limping, holding his ribs with one hand, battered but not bowed, Chad says, "I'm sorry, Mr Kalkowski, but I couldn't not help when Jack started picking on Jenny."The old man surveys the penitents, noting that Jack is the only one bearing serious damage. His lower lip is badly swollen and split and one eye is already closing. Chad has a rip in his shirt and another at his knees. Jennifer appears unscathed, but....Jennifer is not looking at him. His eyes follow hers as they slide across to his walking stick.He sucks in his cheeks, choosing his words. "Jennifer, we do not administer corporal punishment here. However, misdemeanours cannot go unpunished. All three of you will receive extra homework and I will expect it to be done on time. "In addition, Chad, yo
Mastering Charlotte Chapter 213: Guardians, Part 15
JamesCharlotte swallows hard, and again, then, her voice steadier "And this isn't small trouble. They probably don't want to kill her.… me.... otherwise it would just have been a bullet in the head in a parking lot.... It's more likely they want to learn what she.… I.... know and then sell her on.… me on...."You have got to be kidding me....Gaping at the slender girl, so like my own Elizabeth, stating what are simple facts but which all we men have avoided saying, I lose my words.James, Michael and Will are also staring slack-jawed at her performance…"Jeez, Charlotte," says Michael, his grim belligerence vanished. "You sound cold-blooded when you talk like that." Head high, she stares him down. "It's about survival isn't it." She nods towards me. "Richard was right when he said that you're no good to anyone if you panic. Some things have to be done in cold blood."James, towering over her, says in a cool voice, "Like selling yourself to the highest bidder? Done in c
Mastering Charlotte Chapter 214: Guardians, Part 16
James"She's up to something," says Michael."Like what?""I don't know. When I try to have it out with her she denies everything and then throws her secret weapon at me.""Secret weapon?""She smiles at me and looks at my cock, and my brain heads south.... Perhaps you could talk to her?""And say what?""I dunno. Tell her she's not to.... whatever… 'C'mon, you're her Dom. She's supposed to obey you.""What exactly am I ordering her to do, Michael?""She intends to escape.""You think? What's she going to do? Knot together the bedsheets and climb down from the penthouse window? Abseil down from the roof garden?""She's clever.""That she is, but she's also locked in and under guard.""She wants to let Stanton use her as bait. ""Well, I'm not going to let that happen. I'm guessing you're not either. And even Richard is against it, for all that it's his wife they have." He still looks unhappy, sceptical. "Michael, what exactly do you think she's going to do?
Mastering Charlotte Chapter 215: Guardians, Part 17
JamesMichael sits on the couch, feet propped up on the desk where Charlotte is occupied with her work. He's working himself, riffling through a stack of invoices and checking them against his tablet, ticking them off as he goes. I'm sure he'd be more comfortable in his own office at the leisure centre, but right now, he's not letting Charlotte out of his sight and so the couch has morphed into his mobile work-station.Still, she certainly appears happier since she was given work to do....Memo to self: don't let her sit idly......... the devil finds work...."How's the work going, Charlotte?" I ask.Added to her list of documents, she now has aerial photographs of the City....Where the hell did she get those from…?.... Ah, yes.... The marvels of Google Earth........ all spread out on a huge table she commandeered from one of the canteens downstairs. Stooped over a couple of the plans, she's busily annotating more of the yellow notes with information from somethin
Mastering Charlotte Chapter 216: Guardians, Part 18
Richard"What the hell?" snarls James. "Fucking wilful, infuriating, stupid woman...." Michael breaks in. "Wilful she may be. Infuriating she certainly is. But stupid she's not. She's obviously planned this, so perhaps we should start working around whatever it is she's up to. Let's do what she said and check our e-mails."Rubbing the back of his neck, James nods apologetically. "You're right.…"Michael turns to me. "Richard. Can I get online somewhere?""Let's all go down to my office. We can see things more easily there."As we step out of the elevator, Francis stands, holding up her phone. "I've just had a message from Charlotte…""You and we all. Get hold of a laptop for Michael to use."*****JAMESSuppressing my impulse to scream with rage, I retrieve my laptop from my office next door then join Michael and Richard in his office. Francis appears moments later with her own machine for Michael.Booting up, I drum fingers on the desktop while I wait for my e-m
Mastering Charlotte Chapter 217: Guardians, Part 19
James"Where is she now?" asks Francis."Well away from the City now, and off the main highways.… no more cameras."As we watch the screens, two of the travelling points stop moving. The remaining five split, three going one way together, the other two travelling separately.Her mobile?I check.My stomach churning, "One of the static signals is the one for her phone. Michael's voice has a panicky edge. "So, they've got her and dumped her mobile?" He closes his eyes for a moment. "The other static one?""No idea."Where do you have the tracers, Jade?I'm going to thrash the living daylights out of you for this...."What was that?" says Michael.Am I talking to myself now?"She's not going to sit down for a fucking week when I catch up with her…""Keep your temper under control," he growls. "It's not helping."I snap back. "Oh, and you're pleased with her?""No, I'm not. When we do get her back, I'll hold your coat. But we all know why she's done this...
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Mastering Charlotte Chapter 293: Family, Part 21
JamesMichael takes a moment before speaking, then, ".... All through your life, you've had everything thrust upon you. Even meeting James and me, you chose to enter the auction, but you did that out of necessity. I'd like to know what you want. Now that you are free to choose for yourself, what is it that you want?"And he falls silent, watching her, and waiting as she looks around at everything about us....And I wonder what she sees. With everything that life has thrown at her, the horrors of her childhood, the terrors of her adulthood, and now to be here, in this lovely place, with the home she always yearned for.And is that enough for her?She gestures around, hands trying to encompass it all. "What more could I want? We're all here, at last, together. I have you both. I have what I want."Yes!Result!Michael's eyes shift to mine....Definitely....She sees us, knows what is going on, and leans in to Michael as he kisses her. "I think I'm going to ask you to
Mastering Charlotte Chapter 292: Family, Part 20, Three Years Ago
Charlotte sits in the office facing Mr Chambers. He's middle-aged and pleasant enough, and clearly doing his best to make her feel at ease. Nonetheless, her embarrassment is excruciating and she can't look him in the face."Can I get you a cup of tea, Miss Conners? Or coffee perhaps?"Her throat tight. "No, thank you."If she tried to drink right now, she would bring it right back up again."Very well. I understand you would like to enter our auction for the sale of...." He picks up a sheet and reads.... 'The services of 'Charlotte' for the period of one week, those services to include anything required of her by her purchaser and also to include the sale of her virginity.' Is that correct?"She squeezes the word out. "Yes."He places the document on the table. "I should explain Miss Conners, that whilst you might find it easier to have a female representative to work with right now, here at the auction house we feel that a girl who cannot go through this interview with a m
Mastering Charlotte Chapter 291: Family, Part 19
RichardAt one of these interminable 'drinks dos' I am expected to attend, I do my best to put on a polite face. But I'm having trouble.I have the mayor on one side, "Since the plans were made public for the new City-Scape layout the share value has soared, Richard...."And my head of corporate law on the other. "There are still some legal obstacles to overcome...." argues Lazenby.I am unsympathetic. "That's what I pay you for."What I pay you a lot for........ So, stop whining and do your job.Listening to the mayor droning on, I nod politely, trying to appear interested but, in fact, my attention is half on the gathering at the other side of the room.As Charlotte and Elizabeth are chatting by the bar. Michael arrives, strolling across the lounge with that easy half-smile that is his habitual expression. Charlotte spots him and moves aside to make room for him."Hi, Michael." Elizabeth's eyes are bright as she looks up at him.He returns the smile. "Hi, Beth. L
Mastering Charlotte Chapter 290: Family, Part 18
Richard"But you've been running 'Life and Fitness' in the City for years.… and turning a healthy profit, surely?""Yes, but you know how it is since two thousand and seven. All the banks have tightened up the rules."Bloody bastards at the banks....Pretty perfect for me though....How to approach this…??James said he has a problem accepting help........ Carefully...."Ummm.…Take this the right way, but I'd be happy to help."Glass in hand, Michael freezes, knuckles. His voice is barely polite. "Thanks, Richard, but I'm not a charity."James' meets my eyes again with a 'Told you' look. He laughs softly. "Now, who's suffering from stiff-necked pride?" Michael gives him a look that should have dissolved him on the spot, but James simply gives him a mild look, sucking at his teeth as he tries to extract a bit of peanut.I follow Michael's lead, keeping my own tone cool. "It wasn't a charitable offer, Michael. I'm a businessman. It was a proposal."He flush
Mastering Charlotte Chapter 289: Family, Part 19
JamesAs we leave, Richard murmurs, "Keep your face straight.""You might have warned me....""What? That you were my ace-in-a-hole?" Despite his advice, Richard's mouth is twitching. "Not a chance. It worked out so much better that you were surprised when he finally realised who you are."I glance over my shoulder to see that we are safely out of range, then stop and turn to face him. "Richard, who am I? I'm an architect. A good architect granted, but...."He lays a hand on my shoulder. "You, my friend, are the architect who will have changed the face of the City. Not many can make that claim. Your immortality is going to be standing as evidence around us for generations to come."It's an interesting thought."I never expected to be famous."He rocks a hand back and forth. "Perhaps not with the Common Man, but I looked through those Get-Well cards at the hospital. Did you?""Er, no.""You should. I asked Michael to keep them for when you left the hospital; for when
Mastering Charlotte Chapter 288: Family, Part 18
JamesMy mobile rings: Richard."James, I was having a word with Charlotte earlier. She's a little upset that the university is kicking up a fuss over the way her course options are moving around. The training periods, academic time and so on. It was all supposed to be arranged, but apparently, they're giving her a hard time over it.""Yes, I thought something like this might crop up. Did you have something in mind?""Absolutely. I know where this is coming from. The Chancellor, Wilmore, is fine, but the Bursar is an interfering busybody with an inflated sense of self-worth, who pokes his nose into every aspect of university life, whether it belongs there or not. If he didn't have tenure he'd have been out years ago.""So…?""First, I like you to have a word with Charlotte...."*****The crook of my thumb and forefinger under her chin, I force her face to mine, "Charlotte, is it that you want to attend the university? Or that, in a couple of years' time, you simply want
Mastering Charlotte Chapter 287: Family, Part 17
James"So how did it go?"Michael prises the cap off a beer bottle on the edge of the table then gulps down from the neck before wiping his mouth on the back of his hand. "It was.... surreal."I'm up and about and able to walk now, at the level of using the bathroom without the intervention of a nurse. Nonetheless, Michael's return is an excuse for me to climb back into bed, take the weight from my aching leg and draw a surreptitious sigh, which he pretends not to notice.And I'm happy enough to be here. Back in the beach house, the environment is soothing and convinces me to sleep more than I could have done in the renovation/building site which is our mountain home, even were we able to return there.I prop myself up against the pillows and Michael reaches around, rearranging them for me. When I'm settled comfortably, "Go on. I'm listening.""Cutting a long story short, Klempner admitted to murdering Charlotte's father, seemed to have some kind of crisis over her looking
Mastering Charlotte Chapter 286: Family, Part 16, The Present
KlempnerJennifer's face....The loathing there when he says that....The idea that she might be anything to do with me........You're Conners' daughter........ Not mine…Blondie's still speaking… "And your final revenge on her was to steal the child, to force her to grow up into slavery herself.... To fit your idea of...."I claimed you........ Mine........ My due........ My redress....Blondie is still talking.... "And when you found she'd grown up to look like her mother, you became obsessed with it again, determined to have the daughter forced into a life that the mother had already told you repelled her...."And I remember the disgust in her eyes....My beautiful Mitch........ Looking at me like shit on a shoe...."Is she alive? Charlotte's mother?" Blondie asks.I can't stomach looking at him. "I've no idea. The police gave her a new identity, hid her from me. I couldn't find her, and I've not seen her for over twenty years. But if she's not s
Mastering Charlotte Chapter 285: Family, Part 15, The Present
KlempnerHer face twists...."You still don't want to believe me? She was very good at her job. Good enough that, at first, we didn't realise she was a professional. We thought she was just being.... friendly. And I'll admit, when I set eyes on her, I thought she was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen...."..... Mitch's daughter....Blondie's knuckles on her shoulder whiten. ".... So did Frank. We took a room for the night and.... well, you know the script from there. You've had two guys together often enough I'm sure...."Her face sets. "So, what then?""She was fun to be with. Not just a good fuck, but actually good company. We both liked her. And she seemed to like us.... Really like us I mean, rather than just pretend to because that's part of the job description. In the morning, we took her number, and later, we called her back. It went from there. We'd meet up with her a couple of nights a week. It became regular. And then.…"Blondie breaks in, his voice low. "A
