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Chapter 241: Hunters, Part 24, The Present
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Mastering Charlotte Chapter 242: Hunters, Part 25, Seven Years Ago
Jenny sits up in bed, Chad perched on the blankets beside her, holding her hand.There's a sharp tap at the door and the kind of short hesitation that suggests the maker of the rap might be allowing a moment's grace before entering.The door swings open and Mrs Collier steps in with a tray. "I've made you chicken soup Jenny. You'll be staying to eat with us of course, Chad?""Thank you, Mrs Collier. I'd like that."She places the tray down on Jenny's lap. Pale creamy soup, fragrant with thyme and sage and.... something else wonderful.... steams gently up. "If you want more, there's plenty more where that came from.""Thank you. It smells lovely."The woman flicks non-existent crumbs from her apron. "I'd like you to know Jenny that, while we will all respect your wishes not to bring the police into this, Jacob is in hospital and whatever happens, he won't be coming back here. We have also put the word out that he is unwelcome here to all the neighbours, but we have not told
Mastering Charlotte Chapter 243: Saviours, Part 1
JamesDespite my hopes, the situation between Michael and Charlotte has not improved. The only people who can really hurt you, are those you love the most....Michael sits on the couch, pretending to watch old movies. Charlotte is reading, but she's standing up to do it. I sit with my laptop, trying to muster up the will to do some work, but finding myself constantly distracted by the cool looks the other two award each other.There's a shudder and a rumble, as though of distant thunder or crashing traffic. We all look up and around."What the hell was that?" I mutter.Trouble?I meet eyes with Michael and as one we stand to look out and down. There's nothing unusual to be seen, but perhaps there shouldn't be. The noise sounded - felt - internal to the building.Charlotte has snapped open her laptop and is busily mousing and clicking....What's she doing?Her face heats as she sees me looking. "Um, the security cameras...." She tenses again.She shouldn't be look
Mastering Charlotte Chapter 244: Saviours, Part 2
JamesMichael, pallid and sweating, won't meet my eye. I could punch him and smile about it, and he knows it, but this isn't the time. With Charlotte on the penthouse floor of the building, flames taking hold somewhere below, and Michael's instruction to her to remain where she is, it is only a matter of time before she is trapped beyond rescue.Fucking idiot....And because in our headlong rush from the apartment we both left without our phones, we have no way to contact her.As my imagination cries havoc, I battle the terror for her that rises in me, unbidden, unwelcome....Flames…Heat....Burning........ Smoke, choking fumes....Trapped....Jade....Don't panic........ You're no good to her if you panic....We sprint up a flight of stairs, the sound of heated, rushing air growing louder around us, a hot wind rising....But as we climb only the second flight, firefighters, masked and uniformed are descending. Arms outstretched, blocking our path, "Ge
Mastering Charlotte Chapter 245: Saviours, Part 3
James"Get back. Get back...." Police push the moronic reporter back to a safe distance.Straining my vision to pick out the detail, way up, I see a doll-sized figure being winched away from the rooftop and into one of the choppers. A minute later, and another follows.Is that them?Is she safe?The clenching in my gut, visceral and nauseous, begs that it be so, but from so far away, I simply cannot be sure it was Beth and my Green-Eyes I have seen. My breathing is short and shallow. Deliberately, I take a couple of deep breaths, filling my lungs, trying to clear my head and the smog around my thinking.The choppers are sweeping away across the City. As I watch them, something else dawns on me. Something missing.Where are they all?It's an office building. There should be people leaning out of windows. Crying for help. Waving arms. Screaming. There is no-oneIn the background, I hear the reporter again.".... In the wake of what is rumoured to be a terrorist att
Mastering Charlotte Chapter 246: Saviours, Part 4, Six Years Ago
The church is only small, serving a farming community spread over many miles. It sits in a grassy acre, dotted with wildflowers and fragrant with spring blossoms. And today, with the gathered congregation, it is standing-room only.Flowers, picked from the meadows and tied with bright ribbons, decorate the end of each pew. Everyone is wearing 'Sunday Best' and just outside the door stands a young woman, tall, slender, copper-haired under the brilliant blue skies, and lovely as the May morning of her marriage.Mr Kalkowski, wearing formal suit and a stiff collar that must surely be cutting into his neck, stands close by. And inside she knows is her husband-to-be, Chad.Chad, who was her first friend here.Chad, tall, broad-shouldered and handsome, blue-eyed and golden-haired as the sunshine.Chad, who defended her, then taught her to defend herself.Chad, who asked her to marry him.Chad, who waits inside for her.Natalie, her bridesmaid, fiddles with her train and arran
Mastering Charlotte Chapter 247: Saviours, Part 5, Six Years Ago
The day has been marvellous. After sleeping off the reception meal, the farm courtyard has been cleared for partying. Dancer, Charlie and Maggie hang their heads over stable doors, apparently enjoying the music. Anyone who can handle an instrument has been pulled in to perform, all taking turns so that everyone has a chance to enjoy the celebration, the singing and the dancing.Tables and trestles are set up under the cover of barns in case of rain, but the May weather is perfect. A feast is laid out, everything grown or made on the farm, or brought in by wedding guests for all to share. The table groans under succulent roast joints, chicken, deviled eggs, three different kinds of salads, homemade bread from a dozen different well-wishers, cakes and puddings and trifles. On another table is wine, bought in and home-brewed, lemonade, and someone has provided a canteen-sized water-boiler for tea and coffee.No-one will go hungry or thirsty tonight.The big chestnut tree on the corn
Mastering Charlotte Chapter 248: Saviours, Part 6
JamesShe sits by me, pushing a coffee mug my way."Thanks." Then I take a good look at her....Something's changed........ She's happier....Ah.... Yes....I drink my coffee and wait for her to volunteer what I think.... what I am almost sure.... is coming."Um....""Ah-ha?""I thought I should tell you. I'm not pregnant."As I thought....I take her hand, kiss the fingers. "Good. I'm glad. I know it was worrying you."She nods into her coffee. "I do feel better now."I rub my thumb over the fingers, noticing the roughness of the skin. Charlotte has 'working hands' and I'm conscious that it embarrasses her sometimes.When this is all over, I'll ask Beth to take her to a spa or beauty centre. Get her to pamper herself a bit.I'm less sanguine about her nails. She doesn't normally bite them, but right now, they're chewed to the quick.Nerves?Upset about her fall-out with Michael....?Change the subject........ Happy futures...."Perhaps, one da
Mastering Charlotte Chapter 249: Saviours, Part 7
James"Wait here. Listen in."He nods unhappily.Charlotte's there, staring out of the window. For several days she would only wear jeans, covering her bruises I think, embarrassed by them. Now, largely healed, she wears a simple skirt and a woollen top against the winter.Although she is physically recovered, her cuts and bruises healed, emotionally the wounds are showing. Her sheer unhappiness gnaws at me.They love each other....They want each other…Yet somehow, they can't speak....Enough already...."Charlotte."She doesn't move, continuing her vigil. "Master?"Dominate...."I expect you to look at me when I address you."Her shoulders shrink in as she turns, seemingly facing me, but not meeting my eye. "Sorry, Master."And I don't speak. I wait.After a few seconds, she looks up, takes in my appearance, and now I don't meet her eye, instead straightening my jacket and shirt sleeves, adjusting my cuffs, before looking up to be sure I have her attent
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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
