“Of course Charlotte, how long do those take?” he questioned. He really had no idea how long women spend in spas. He's never cared before.
“Just an hour or so,” she answered, really not sure herself. Since she's been under Jay's watch, feminine activities have been pretty much non-existent. He nods as he walks towards her. It hurts when she's not with him but he knows he has to give her some freedom. He places his hands on her cheeks and she feels her skin tingle. She loves his touch.
As soon as Jay catches sight of her walking towards him a sense of relief washes over him. He missed her and he prayed she would be safe. Whenever she was away from his protection he always worried about her. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a warm strong hug. She rests her face against his shoulder, smelling his familiar scent but he felt different to her now, or rather she felt different touching him. She didn't crave more from him anymore. He kissed her forehead slowly then looked at her.
“I've missed you Charlie. I hope you've been cautious. I see you're not wearing your wig,” he said with a raised eyebrow as he twirled a strand of her hair around his finger. She grinned then turned, leading him to a table near the back of the cafe. She didn't want to risk Josh spotting them if he left the hotel.
“I've been careful. I have still been using my fake name too, Misty Rose Blue. I thought you said by the end of the week, not tomorrow morning,” she questioned, surprised by his sudden arrival. He had booked his flight before he hung up on her last night. He couldn’t stay away from her any longer.
“So fill me in on this guy that followed you here, because I'm pretty sure you planned to come here alone before you met him,” he asked, needing to know more about him then what he read on the tabloid sites. He glanced over at her as she blushed, her pale cheeks turning slightly pink. Her eyes didn't look as dark, she seemed lighter and the smile that spread across her beautiful face made him stare at her longer. She was different now, she was happier.
“Josh is great with me. He is gentle and so careful. He treats me like I'm special,” she said, looking down at her hands.
“You are special Charlotte. I've always told you that. I can tell he must good for you, you're glowing. I don't think I've ever seen you so happy,” he said, placing his hand on hers. There was a time when his touch would have made her tremble but she didn't this time. In fact she just squeezed his hand then released it. He tried to hide his hurt. She was never his and now he knew she never would be. Her crush on him, her dependence on him was over.
“So you don't know who his family is? That worries me because he is high profile. If you were out with him in public in New York, his photo would have been taken. He might not be hounded here, as long as there aren't any American paparazzi around. A photo of Jed Martin's son on a romantic holiday in Paris would be a headliner in the New York Times,” Jay explained. Charlotte was shocked. She knew he had some money, she saw his apartment but he had said it was family money. She hadn't asked him to explain what his family did. Jay could tell as he watched her expression change that she really didn't know much about him.
“Doesn't he talk to you?” he asked, confused.
“Of course we talk, just not about his finances. He talks about his family. His father is covering for him while he's here with me. I didn't ask him to follow me here Jay. He surprised me after I told him to forget me, to leave me. I practically kicked him to the curb to get him to stay away from me, but he refused. I really didn't want to bring him into this. I tried to let him go, he surprised me by having my plane ticket upgraded to first class and when the flight attendant brought me to my new seat he was there, sitting beside me,” she said, gushing as she remembered greeting him. She decided not to tell Jay she joined the mile high club.
“Well, that is sweet, honestly. I'm happy you're happy, but the fact remains that he is bad for you. The press will be all over the two of you if you return to New York. His father is like Trump, a major New York City real estate mogul, a major developer and his entire family, they’re all socialites. From what I could tell his older brother Evan is more the player, it was harder to dig up anything on Josh. He keeps a low profile. I only came across a few photos of him out at a few parties,” he told her.
“Jay, I don't care who he is in public, I only care who he is with me,” she tried to explain to him.
“As far as I know, there haven't been any pictures taken of us,” she defended herself as he watched her.
“We have nothing on him Charlotte. There haven't been any sightings, he hasn't called, nothing,” Jay said sighing before taking a sip of his espresso.
“Maybe he just hasn't found me yet. It's possible,” she spoke, trying to be optimistic. He looked at her, knowing she knew what was really going on.
“We knew this day would come eventually. Your monster is done playing with you, with us. You have to go into hiding again Charlie, just until we can end this once and for all. I will not play with your life,” he whispered.
“No, I can't. I won't leave him,” she said, covering her eyes. She didn't want anyone to see her tears. Her breathing picked up, almost to the point of hyperventilating. Jay had warned her that one day she would have to hide completely until they captured him.
“If he finds you now he will kill you,” Jay warned, all serious now.
“Can I have one more night, please Jay,” she begged him. He sighs heavily as he pulls a cigarette out of his pocket. She watches him light it like she always used to. He notices but refuses to get his hopes up that they can go back to the way things used to be between them. He liked it that way. He was hoping to just go like they've always done in the past. Just throw the bags in a car and head to the airport. Charlotte knew him well, she knew what he wanted to do but she couldn't this time. He stared intensely into her eyes, knowing it would be cruel to deny her one more night with the only person she's been able to let go with. He had always hoped that one day she would find someone that made her feel loved. He wanted it to be him, even when he was married he wanted it to be him one day that loved her. He didn’t have the chance to tell her that his wife left him and now he knew it didn’t matter. He waited too long and now she loves another.
“I'll be here to get you in the morning by eight. I’m staying in the same hotel, room 536. If you feel like slumming it, don’t hesitate to come find me,” he said blowing out smoke, winking at her. She couldn’t help but laugh. He was finally the Jay she knew and loved.
“I’ll see you at eight,” she said, kissing his cheek. He looked away from her. He couldn't look into her eyes anymore. He can't bear to see more pain in them than he already has. She just nods, accepting her fate without complaining. It's the way she's been since he met her. She should be angry with him. She should be crying and screaming her frustration. Jay knows she's just gone back to holding it in again. It frightens him how good she is at it. She finishes her coffee without saying a word. Her eyes are distant. She picks up her purse and glances at Jay briefly. He nods before she walks away.
On her way back to the hotel room she stops in at the women's boutique and spa. She feels awful for telling Josh that she was getting a manicure. She thought she wouldn't feel so bad if she actually had one and she wanted to pick up something nice to wear under her dress tonight. The thought of having to leave him was eating her up. She felt numb and distant. She knew this pain would consume her. She unlocks the hotel door slowly, taking a deep breath.
“There’s my girl, let me see those fingers,” Josh grins as he strolls towards her. He can see the nervousness in her eyes. He knows she met with Jay but he keeps it from her. She holds him close to her, holding back her emotions.
“Can we have dinner in our room tonight?” She doesn’t want to share him with the world or put him in any more danger. He agrees to order in room service. She wears a silky red slip dress with her new garter and stockings underneath.
“You look beautiful tonight Charlotte, I wish I was out there with you, sharing you with the city of P
aris,” he tells her, his voice quite.
“I wish I could be proudly displayed on your arm, you should be watched and adored,” she whispers as she takes a sip of her red wine. He looks into her eyes and sees distance. She’s made up her mind to finally leave him and he wants to shake her, shout at her and make her believe that he is never going to let her go. He takes a deep breath as he slides his hand up her dress. He feels the silkiness of her stockings then his hand rests on her warm skin. He glances down at her thighs and groans, sliding her dress up further before he gazes up into her eyes.
Her heart is beating fast as he smiles at the desire he sees in her eyes now. He grips her thighs as his lips press against hers. He presses deeper, his tongue exploring her mouth, savouring her taste. A moan escapes her lips when he pulls back, tracing her lips with his tongue. He kisses her chin, than trails warm kisses down her neck and shoulders. Her flesh tingles when his hands easily slide her dress off. He glances over her body, starting at her heels and black stockings, resting on her thighs. He kneels in front of her as he kisses the pale skin she’s left exposed for him. She moans again as his lips move to the lace covering her throbbing body, begging for his touch. He grins wickedly as she moans her frustration when he stands back up.
“I need you,” she trembles as she looks into his eyes. He picks her up and carries her to the bedroom. He planned on making her beg for him tonight. He needs her to know she can’t live without him. His kisses excite her. He massages her sides, rubbing circles against her ribs as he licks her stomach, placing kisses everywhere except where she needs them the most. He enjoys listening to her gasp and moan beneath him, arching her back, her body begging him for more.
“Please, Josh, don’t make me suffer any longer, I want you,” she cries. He kisses his way back up her body, finding her lips he kisses her hard, nibbling her lip before pressing his lips harder against hers. She claws his back as he enters her, then pulls out again. Her surprise mixed with the pleasure he’s giving her makes her cry out. He places her hands on the iron bars of the headboard.
“Don’t let go baby,” he whispers behind her ear, trailing more kisses down her neck. She nods as her eyes close. Letting him go is inevitable, but in this moment she’s all his. Consumed by him, unable to breath without him.
“Look at me,” he orders. Her eyes fly open when he lifts her legs, resting them against his chest as he kneels between her legs. He slides her lace panties aside as he enters her again. She gasps as he moves fast, her head spinning. The sensation was more than anything she had experienced before. She couldn’t hold back, gasping and crying out, gripping the bars as he continues to take her. He holds her ankles, her feet still in her heels as his thrusts went deeper. She cries out in complete ecstasy as they come together. He releases her legs and leans over her, kissing her gently before lying beside her. She’s sweating and her breathing is fast but begins to slow as his hand rests on her cheek, his eyes meeting hers.
“I can’t lose you,” he tells her, kissing her again. She melted into him, his words confirming what she knew she had to do.
The next morning she wrote a note for Josh and placed it in his jacket pocket. She didn’t want him to see it until she was gone. If her monster really was done playing games then she knew he would kill Josh if he tried to protect her, just like he killed her father when he tried to protect her mother. It was so hard to hide her fears, her terror began to consume her. She considered going to Jay, just to cry and let it all out but she couldn’t use him anymore. His only plan was to hide her away. That is not an option now.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
~
Endings
At precisely six am the next morning she quietly left the hotel room and went for a run. Running clears her mind and calms her emotions. She left her suitcase and backpack with the valet, telling him she’ll be back soon to pick it up. She gave him a nice tip to oblige her request. The first thing on her mind that morning was protection. She had secretly been searching for a shady gun seller since she arrived. She needed a seller that would take cash and not look for a legitimate firearms license. She needed protection immediately. She couldn't wait weeks for the proper paperwork. Protecting Josh propelled her forward. Jay expected her to leave him today but she knew she wouldn't be able too. She had to be prepared to protect them both.
Charlotte banged on the door, shouting for the owner to open it. She didn't have any time to spare, her skin crawled and goose bumps covered her. She knew he was here, somewhere close by. She kept glancing over her shoulder. Finally a grumpy man opened the door, eying her curiously.
“Que voulez-vous?” he asked. She tried to focus, her French wasn't perfect.
“J'ai besoin d'acheter une arme, maintenant,” she said, attempting to look stern. She had no time to bargain, either he sold her one now or she walks, she had more than one place to go if he became a problem.
“Come in,” he said, in English to her relief. She held out a thousand euros. She didn’t care how much he wanted, she just needed it now.
“I need a small pistolet,” she said, keeping her confidence high. He nodded as he opened a cabinet behind the counter. He held a 9mm black gun out to her.
“Fifteen rounds,” he said bluntly. She picked it up and held it in her hand as she pointed it out the window.
“C’est parfait,” she said. He explained the gun laws in Paris and she sighed in frustration.
“I will give you cash. I don't have time, my life depends on it. J'ai un meurtrier de me suivre. I will return it to you before I leave Paris,” she explained to him. He took the money from her hands and then watched her load it. She had a lot of experience with different guns. Whenever she was hiding out with Jay he would teach her how to load and aim. On their road trips they would stop in isolated areas and he would set up targets, teaching her how to shoot. Over the years her accuracy developed. Jay was impressed with her consistent shooting.
The gun shop owner was surprised by her familiarity with the gun. He usually didn't allow customers to load the gun in his store but this girl looked like she really was just trying to protect herself. The way she kept looking out the window made him nervous.
“Do you need the police,” he asked, concerned.
“No police, they can't help me. Thank you for all your help,” she said, feeling relieved that she could at least protect herself now.
She jogged back to the hotel, the gun tucked into the back of her black yoga pants. She was within view of the hotel when she began to relax. Looking from the hotel to the street in front of her, she slowed her pace, caught in slow motion she watched a man walk quickly out of the fog. He was set on her, his legs walking quickly towards her when she stopped moving. She couldn't see his face in the fog, but the way he walked, the way he carried himself with a slight lean to his left side told her exactly who he was. He found her this time, all alone on an empty street in Paris in the early morning hours. Without Josh and without Jay.
Her monster stood only twenty feet in front of her now. She glanced towards the hotel, wondering if she could make it to the front doors before he caught her. The street was deserted, just a few people lingered in the distance. The valet stood by the hotel entrance, if she shouted for help he might hear her.
“It's over now Charlotte Bellamy. I'm done playing cat and mouse with you. It's no fun now that you are never alone. My only regret is that I won't be able to have you to myself. That was supposed to be my prize after all this time, the sweet anticipation of taking you led me on, but it’s over now. Oh well, there are plenty of pretty young girls out there for me to deflower,” he ranted, an evil sneer crossing his face. A cold chill ran through her veins as she listened to his words. She had to stop him. She had to kill him. Revenge had fueled her and now protecting all the faceless girls he’ll ruin drove her towards him. This was why she was still here and still alive. If this was to be her last stand then she was determined to take this monster down with her.
All of Paris fell a
way as she glared at him. She felt as though she was back in her house. She could smell dinner cooking. She could hear Let’s Dance in the background. She could feel her heart racing. She could hear her blood running through her veins. Her breathing was quick. This wasn't how it was suppose to end. Jay told her not to go out by his hands. She promised him she wouldn't. She’s going to miss a life with Josh if she does.
“I love him,” she said aloud. Those were the last words to cross her lips as she gripped the gun behind her back.
She screamed when her monster pointed his gun at her. The world slowed around her, as if in slow motion, she went under a trance, whipping her gun towards him, she shot him several times while attempting to run towards the hotel. The sound of the guns firing broke the early morning quiet. Charlotte flew to the ground, not feeling the impact as she looked up at the clouds beginning to disperse. She sighed as a group of birds overhead flew away in fear. She felt herself joining them, flying across Paris, away from her monster, forever.
The valet heard the shots and shouted inside for them to call the police. Her monster lay several feet away from her, his eyes on her limp body. He smiled as he watched the blood pour out of her onto the city street. He was satisfied, still holding his gun in his hand. When a black car drove at him he tried to move but couldn't. He felt the bullets and saw his own blood pooling around him. He heard the sirens getting closer. The man that nearly drove him over jumped out of his car and pointed his gun at him demanding he drop his. He glared at him, recognizing him as Charlotte's agent. He's seen him with her many times. As he laid there about to die, he couldn't help but wonder if Agent Carter has had his way with his little mouse. All those times holed up together, nowhere to go and nothing to do.
‘He should be thanking me instead of pointing his gun at me,' Charlotte’s monster thought as he grinned up at him. He raised his gun, preferring to shoot himself then let Agent Jay Carter have the honor. He refused to let him be her hero.
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