“Well, I wanted to make an effort. You look pretty striking yourself.” Charlie looked dreamy in his dark blue suit. It reminded me of the one he had been wearing the night I first laid eyes on him.
“Where did you want to start?” His eyes looked sad as he voiced the question. We had made light chat for the last half hour, but I knew we had to start somewhere. We couldn’t keep pretending this was just a nice meal for us to enjoy.
“Why you left.” My voice was a whisper as I subconsciously reached for my wine and took a large sip.
Charlie exhaled before he began. “I had to, Shan. My head was all over the place…I didn’t want to say something I could never take back.”
“I wanted to tell you so much, but Rachel begged me not to. She wanted to tell you herself.”
“I know, Sweetheart. It only took me a few days to realize how hard I had been on you. I can only imagine how difficult it must have been for you. My mother should never have put you in that position. I blame her completely.”
“You are going to forgive her, though, aren’t you?”
“It’s getting easier. Once she sat me down and told me everything, I felt sorry for her. She was the other woman. All Mac’s father did was use her to gain information about your mother’s business.”
“Why do I have a feeling the Fields are going to come into this conversation?”
“Because they are. It would appear that Sir Phillip was paying off a lot of people in those days, trying to worm his way into your mother’s company.” I shuddered, knowing his biggest payoff was faking my death with my mother’s doctor.
“I have no idea how we are all going to be civil to each other next week.”
“It will be interesting. It’s your mother and Sir Phillip I am looking forward to watching,” Charlie smirked. I had to giggle. My mother would eat Sir Phillip for breakfast. We both knew that.
“Is there anything you need to ask me?” I questioned once our mains had arrived.
Charlie looked torn for a moment so I steadied myself before he spoke. “I don’t like the relationship that’s developing between you and Mac. He’s using you, Shannon. He wants you because you’re mine.” His words left me speechless; I had no idea what to say to him. How could I make him see how ridiculous he sounded? “I know you have to work with him, but I want you to keep your distance…for me. Please?”
“Mac isn’t who you think he is.”
“You see?” Charlie’s voice was slightly raised. “He is getting to you already. Why can’t you see it?”
“I do keep my distance. I’ve told Mac that I can only converse with him on a business level, but it doesn’t stop him from asking about you.” He huffed, laughing. “He asks about you every time I see him.”
“He is brainwashing you…”
“You mean like Megan did?!” I glared, my voice more irate. “Do you have any idea how much you hurt me when you compared me to Megan?” His gaze dropped from my face in shame. “Out of all the things you could say to me, why that?”
“I’m sorry, Shan. I regretted it the moment I said it. I was hurt and lashing out. You
are nothing like Megan. Not even the wealth has changed you. You’re still that same girl I fell in love with.” I sighed, shaking my head but so blissfully happy at his words. Megan’s words to me at the airport had still been affecting me until now. I shouldn’t have been surprised. After everything that happened, she still knew how to get to me. Hearing his words, though, made me realise I wasn’t who Megan believed I was.
“What?” Charlie asked, watching my reaction.
“I thought you might be falling out of love with me because I had changed.”
“Never doubt my love for you, Sweetheart.” His eyes were intense as he looked at me. “That is the one permanent thing in my life.”
“I know,” I blushed, overcome by his powerful gaze.
“Can you forgive me? I was hurting, and knowing Mac was with you while I was hundreds of miles away…it drove me a little insane.”
“I forgive you,” I smiled, reaching for his hand over the table. “Just never say that again.”
“I promise. I will never hurt you like that again.”
We made small chat while we waited for our desserts. I knew there was one other question I needed to ask, but it was the one I feared the most.
“Was there something else bothering you?” Charlie asked as he began to eat his rich chocolate torte.
“Um…no.” My voice was too weak, so he chuckled while shaking his head.
“Out with it, Shan. I thought that was what tonight was about—clearing the air so we can both move on.”
“Okay.” I inhaled and took two large gulps of my wine.
“Is it that bad?” he teased. “You can tell me, Shan. Don’t be afraid.”
“It’s about what you had planned for the charity ball,” I muttered, taking another large sip of my wine, noticing the glass was now empty.
“Ah.” It was all he said for a few moments while he searched my eyes. I was trying not to hyperventilate from over thinking everything. Eventually, he grinned at me, filling my wine glass before he spoke. “You are wondering why I haven’t asked you yet.”
“No.” I was lying and he knew it; Charlie could read me like a book.
“I told you, Shan, when I ask you, I have to take your breath away.”
“So you are going to ask at some point?” Why was my voice so quiet? It was embarrassing.
“Is that what you are worried about?” he shook his head with a euphoric smile on his face.
“I just…” I couldn’t finish my words. I had no idea what I was trying to say.
“I will be asking you, Shannon. Have no doubt about that.” My eyes snapped to his, and suddenly all I wanted was to be in his arms. “Shall I get the bill?” he smirked, reading the desire on my face.
“I think that would be best,” I smoldered. “I’m not sure this table can keep me away from you for much longer.”
It was a pure frenzy of lust the moment we stepped inside our mansion. Items of clothing made a trail up the grand staircase as we made our way to our bedroom.
“Shouldn’t we pick our clothes up?” I moaned against Charlie’s lips as he lifted me up in his arms.
“We’ll get them later,” he whispered as his lips traveled down my neck. “We’re kind of busy at the moment.”
“Mmm…” was all I could groan. Charlie pulled us in our bedroom, closing our door with his foot.
I sat watching my computer screen, my mind miles away. It was somewhere between the memories of last night and the fact that Charlie had confirmed he would be asking me to marry him. I was trembling with pleasure just thinking about it. How would he propose? Thinking back, he had planned the most perfect fairy tale proposal at the ball. I knew for sure he wouldn’t be doing that again.
“Shannon?” Lorna was waving a Starbucks cup in front of my nose. “Earth to Shannon.”
“Sorry,” I blushed, taking the coffee from her. “Thanks.”
“What were you think about? You look a little hot and bothered.”
“Charlie and I had the talk last night.”
“The talk you say?” Lorna rushed around, taking the seat in front of my desk. “This sounds interesting.”
“We finally got everything out in the open.”
“Good.” Lorna wanted more, I could tell by the look on her face.
“I have to watch myself around Mac.”
“All women do…that’s fine,” she winked. “Did you know he asked me if I had ever had phone sex? It apparently is not a form of cheating.” I had to laugh. That was so Mac. “Trust you to find that funny.”
“Mac and Charlie aren’t so different in some ways.”
“So, you guys are good?”
“Better than ever,” I sighed, sipping my coffee. Just as she was about to say something, Grace stormed in like a whirlwind. “Grace, what’s wrong?” I asked as I noticed her blotchy red eyes.
> “Do you mind if I go home?” she sobbed.
“Grace?” Lorna stood up, wrapping her arms around her. “What an earth is going on?”
“Danny has gone back to Texas. It isn’t working.” Lorna and I spent a good hour consoling her before I sent her home. I knew the feeling of going home to an empty house.
“Poor Grace,” Lorna sighed, watching her leave.
“It can’t be easy for her. New York has really gotten under her skin. I think she knows Texas isn’t an option for her anymore.” I sighed, turning to my emails and groaning at the three business meetings I had to attend with Mac next week.
“Alright, I’m going to go over this invoice and then go home, if that’s okay. Bradley is cooking.”
“Wow…what is he up to?” I smirked.
“Nothing, I hope.” She smiled, leaving my office.
I didn’t stay much longer once Lorna left for the night. I always tried to finish on time when I knew Charlie would be at home.
“How was your day?” He planted a kiss on my lips as I found him jumping out of the pool back at our mansion.
“Okay. It looks as if Danny and Grace have split up.” I sighed, handing him his towel that was draped over the chair.
“Oh, no. That’s a shame. What happened?”
“I’m not sure. Grace was too upset to talk about it.”
“The poor girl.”
“I guess the city couldn’t take the cowboy out of Danny.”
“I thought he was enjoying his job?” Charlie questioned as he dried his hair. I was slowly burning, watching the way the water droplets were weaving down his chest.
“Clearly not enough,” I sighed. Charlie rubbed my back before I followed him into the main house.
“I’m sure you and Lorna will look after her. Grace is lucky to have the pair of you on her side.” He kissed my forehead. “I’m just going to get changed. I’ll be back down in a minute.” I nodded, wandering into the living room and kicking my shoes and jacket off before I sat down on the soft white sofa.
Daisy, the housekeeper, came in, checking to see if I needed her for anything before she left. I shook my head and thanked her before turning the TV on and waiting for Charlie to come back down.
“Chef says dinner will be ready in an hour,” he smiled, slipping onto the sofa with me. “Do we really need her four days a week? I didn’t think my cooking was that bad?”
“We both have busy lives, Charlie,” I chuckled. “Plus, it gives us a little more time together.” I grinned, pulling myself closer to him, resting my head on his chest as he wrapped his arms around me.
“I can’t argue with that,” he muttered, holding me tight. “Do you think you could get some time off in eight weeks?”
“That depends…what for?” I teased, looking up at him.
“I want to take you away for a week.”
“A week alone—with you? I’ll see what I can do.” I kissed his lips as he chuckled against mine.
“Well, that didn’t take much persuading.”
“I’m a slave for you, what can I say?” I muttered, relaxing back onto his chest.
“I thought it would be nice to get away after having to work with…the Fields. It will give you something to look forward to.”
“You are too amazing.”
“I know I’ve been distant, Sweetheart,” Charlie sighed, stroking my cheek, “but I never want you to doubt where my heart is. These next few weeks will be difficult for you, especially if the Fields agree to Jennet’s demands. I know that. And working with Will won’t be easy for either of us, but if it keeps you safe, I’ll do it.”
“We might even find Maisy,” I replied hopefully. He smiled at my sweetly, kissing my lips softly before he spoke.
“You really are the most selfless person I have ever known.”
“You are too biased,” I teased. “I keep telling you that.”
“I can’t wait to get you alone for a week,” he smoldered, pulling me even closer to him as he planted a fierce kiss on my lips. I could feel his desire as he gripped my body tighter, and suddenly I was taken over by my own want. My hands were almost imbedded in his shoulders as I clung to him while he pushed me against the sofa.
“I’m going to be late home tomorrow,” Charlie muttered as his lips moved down my neck. I could hardly concentrate. “I’m having dinner with my mum. I know I need to talk to her seriously so we can all move on.”
“That’s…a…good idea.” I panted, feeling my entire body begin to burn.
“Maybe we should go upstairs?”
“Dinner will…be…ready…soon.” The feelings he brought out in me were still so intense.
“Do you promise we can finish this later?” he breathed, running his hand up my thigh.
“God…yes,” I groaned as he lightly pecked my lips before he moved to get us a glass of wine. “You are in so much trouble,” I panted before he left.
“Punish me later,” he winked.
It was impossible to worry about the upcoming weeks with Charlie firmly by my side.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“If you feel the slightest bit uncomfortable just let me know. I’ll have you out of that boardroom within seconds,” Charlie breathed, rubbing my shoulders.
“I’ll be fine. I doubt I will even have to say anything,” I smirked, nodding towards my mother, who already had a face like thunder.
“True,” he mused, taking my hand in his.
As far as boardroom meetings went, this had to be the most ambitious one I would ever encounter. Could the Fields and Downings have a normal conversation that didn’t involve some kind of manipulation?
None of the Fields had arrived when we entered the room. My mother and Sir Phillip had decided to meet on neutral ground at the Hilton Hotel in New York, rather than at the office where we could be said to have the upper hand.
Charlie went straight to the coffee station, pouring my mother and me a cup.
“Do they have anything stronger, Charlie?” my mother called, pulling her laptop out.
“No, but I could ask if you wanted something, Jennet.”
“Coffee will be fine,” she breathed, turning her computer on. “Maybe I should have brought your mother. I can never remember the password.”
“Let me,” I smiled, entering the code quickly.
“Thank you, Lizzie.” She held my hand as Charlie placed our drinks down. “Just so you know, I am humoring you two with this. If any of the Fields step out of line today, we are leaving. They need our help, not the other way around.”
“I was under the impression we were helping each other, Jennet,” a strong male voice called from the far corner of the room. I knew it was Sir Phillip Field. We turned to see all four Fields standing there watching us. Charlie sat down next to me, taking my hand, which I held as tightly as I could without stopping his circulation.
“Hello, Phillip.” My mother’s voice was pure hatred as they joined us at the table.
Megan’s eyes caught with mine before glancing over to Charlie, and it only made me hold onto him tighter.
“Hello, Charlie,” Megan smiled, throwing her long blonde hair over her shoulders while batting her eyelashes at him. “I finished with Tim a few months back, so when you wise up to what Shannon is really like, I might take you back. You’re looking really good, by the way.”
“That’s enough, Megan,” Phillip scolded. “I don’t believe we have come here to bicker.”
My eyes swept over Will, who smiled softly. I didn’t think his eyes had left me since he walked in, but I couldn’t be sure.
“What is all this about, Jennet?” Sir Phillip asked, pouring himself some water from a pitcher on the table.
“We believe the same underground criminal gang who abducted Maisy might be after Shannon,” my mother said as she took my other hand. “And I am sure you can understand why I will not let that happen…not again.” I swallowed, praying that this wasn’t going to turn into another war.
; “Are you sure?” Veronica asked. Her appearance shocked me the most. Her hair was scraped back and she had barely any makeup on her face. This wasn’t the Veronica I remembered. She looked lifeless. Who would have known losing one of her children would make her realise just what they meant to her.
“My head of security has had several leads and foiled an attempted abduction on Shannon last month,” my mother replied, sipping her coffee.
“What do you expect us to do about it, Jennet? I’ve already bowed down to all of your demands. I know what we did was wrong, but if you are asking me to help you protect Shannon, I will not! I have my own daughter to find. Surely you of all people can understand that.”
“I’m not asking for that, Phillip!” my mother seethed. I could sense that she was struggling with all the niceties. “Shannon thinks we all need to work together to bring these criminals down. With both our resources pooled together, we may even be able to locate Maisy.”
I could feel my cheeks flush as all four of the Fields’ eyes turned to look at me.
“Really?” Will asked. “After everything we did to you, Shannon, why would you want to help us?”
“It’s not the reason you’re hoping for, Will,” Charlie spat from across the table. “I will not allow you to be alone with Shannon for a single second. I swear if you so much as look at her the wrong way…”
“Charlie,” I whispered, touching his chest to relax him. “Breathe. Everything is fine.”
“You two are so…moving,” Megan yawned.
“What are we talking about here, Jennet?” Phillip asked, trying to regain control of the situation.
“A truce until we bring the gang down. We share each other’s information and go after them together. We are the two largest companies in the world. We need to make sure everyone fears us so no attempts will ever be made on our children again.”
“I don’t know what to say…” Sir Phillip was speechless for once. “I never thought this day would come.”
“Mark my words…when this is over, the partnership will end.” My mother rose from her seat. “I will have Rachel meet with your PA. Once our security teams have conversed, we can arrange another meeting to decide our next move.” With that, she left the room. I knew it had to be difficult for her. I was trembling inside as I sat looking at my old life. My life that had been a complete, deceitful lie.
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