Traces Of Me

by Nikki Summers

  “Carter,” he heard him grumble.

  “Do you know what happened at the hospital last night?” Josh asked.

  “Didn’t Charlotte tell you,” he replied snidely.

  “She hasn’t had a chance. The doctor has discharged her from the hospital but the police want to see her again, why?” he demanded.

  “I’ll look into it. Just don’t book your flights till I get back to you. Take her to the hotel, I’ll be in touch,” he ordered then hung up. Josh sighed as he called his mother.

  “Josh, everything okay?” she asked immediately.

  “I’m bringing Charlotte to the hotel soon. I don’t think she’s up to going out to dinner though, I’m afraid I have to cancel,” he told her.

  “Of course, just call me when you’re back. I’d like to see the two of you before I leave,” she said.

  “I will, bye,” he said. He took a deep breath as he walked back into her room. She was smiling brightly at him as he walked in. He loved that smile.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  ~

  Trust

  Charlotte leans into Josh as he helps her out of the cab. He is so thrilled to have her back with him he didn’t notice her sullen mood until he looked down at her in the elevator. Her skin seemed paler, if that was possible and her hand was shaking as he held it in his.

  “What is it love, what’s wrong?” he asked, concerned she might be in pain. She looked up at him slowly.

  “I don’t want to stay here,” she simply replied. He was stunned, unsure what she meant.

  “We can’t leave yet, you know that right? Jay said he would call when you have the all clear, I promise we’ll leave the moment he calls,” he told her.

  “I know we can’t go back to the States but I can’t stay in this hotel. I was shot out there,” she cried as she pointed towards the road. He never even considered that it would be emotionally disturbing for her to be back here.

  “Oh shit, you’re right, I am so sorry I didn’t even consider that baby. You rest while I pack up and check us out. I’ll have us across town in an hour, I promise Charlotte,” he told her as he wrapped his arm tighter around her waist. She nodded as they stepped out in the hall towards their room. She breathed in as she recognized the perfume in the hallway. Marie had been here or still was. Charlotte looked up and down the hallway but it was empty. She trembled as Josh opened the door for her. She was relieved that she didn’t smell her in their suite. He set her down carefully on the sofa then he went to work packing up their things and checking out.

  “I just have to let my mother know. She was going to join us later, for dinner,” he told her. Charlotte felt bad for changing his plans but she knew they had to leave that hotel immediately. She had to figure out a way to tell Josh he couldn’t use his name to book the room, but all her fake identification had been confiscated after the shooting. She figured Marie probably knew all her fake names anyway. She would have to meet with the police before she tried to fly back too, she couldn’t hide from them.

  “Stop Josh, don’t check out, tell them you changed your mind and you need the room one more night,” she gasped. There was no point trying to hide. Jay had to be close by too. She needed to be here. She had to stop running and hiding, she convinced herself she had to be strong and stand up against Marie. She had to be her own hero.

  “Are you sure?” he asked, confused by her sudden change.

  “Very,” she responded. He watched her as she sat up slowly. She reached for her cell phone and checked the messages. Jay asked her to call him in private. She deleted the message then walked to the bedroom. She heard Josh on the phone with his mother so she called Jay as she stood out on the balcony.

  “Charlie, how are you feeling?” he asked.

  “I’m surviving as usual. The police weren’t too happy with me this morning. Am I going to be able to leave this country tomorrow?” she asked him.

  “I’ve talked to the detective that was involved in the shooting, I told him my investigation was still on going and it would be best if I was able to bring you back to the States, keeping you in the program until all the cases are solved. He agreed luckily and you should be cleared to go, the only problem I had was the gun you used to shoot Parker with. It wasn't registered,” he sighed.

  “Am I to be charged?” she asked.

  “I managed to convince them it was mine. It was untraceable, which is a crime but they returned it to me and told me to take it back with me when I leave the country,” he explained. She needed to return that gun, making another enemy was not on her list of things to do in Paris.

  “Can you bring it with you and meet me in an hour here at the suite,” she asked. He didn’t want to question her anymore on the phone about it.

  “I’ll be up in an hour but what about Josh?”

  “I’ll send him out for me,” she sighed. She didn’t like lying to Josh but she didn’t want him to know what was going on either. She hung up as Josh entered the bedroom. She slid her phone into her pocket and turned to him as he walked towards her. He held her face in his as he kissed her. She melted into his warm, soft embrace. She never wanted to be away from him again but somehow she was going to have to go across country to gather up her money, her mother’s money that she had to figure out how to keep. Giving it to Marie was not an option.

  Resting on the bed, Josh brought her water and her medications. He was so attentive. How was she going to get him to leave her for an hour? When he walked back out to pour himself a coffee she opened the bedside table, finding a pen and paper. She decided to send him out on a last minute shopping trip. She knew he didn’t care much for shopping but he would do this for her.

  My Paris Wish List:

  ~ Tea from Mariage Frères

  ~ Gifts from the gift shop at the hotel Le Bristol marked with the hotel’s logo

  ~ Macaroons from Pierre Hermé or Ladurée

  ~ Chocolates from Patrick Roger

  ~ A Beret

  ~ A notebook from Tout Note

  ~ La Mère de Famille candies

  ~ From Monastica, soap, sandals or honey made by monks

  ~ A book on Paris from Shakespeare & Co. stamped with the store emblem

  ~ Candles from Diptyque

  ~ French perfume

  She put the pen and pad away then crinkled up the note. She folded it a few times then bunched it into her fist. When Josh came back in to check on her she allowed a little of the paper to stick out of her hand, hoping it would catch his eye. She hated herself for this but the alternative would be far worse. She couldn’t even imagine what Josh would do if he saw those pictures. He sat beside her on the bed and as he leaned over to kiss her he saw the paper. She pretended to hide it and he grinned.

  “So my love, what are you hiding from me?” he asked, searching her eyes as his strong fingers unfolded her fist. He took the paper from her and read it over. She felt her cheeks warm, she loved him so much. She told herself she didn’t deserve a man like Josh. She felt the tears in her eyes but he assumed it was because their trip was cut short. He placed the note in his pocket and lied down beside her.

  “Consider it done my love,” he whispered in her ear. She rolled over as best she could and rested her cheek on his strong chest. She loved the warmth, the sound and his lips kissing her hair. His hand brushed through it and she wanted him to make love to her but Jay would be here soon. She had to send him away.

  “I think I’m going to nap maybe for an hour or two, if that’s okay. Thank you for taking my list. I don’t really want everything on it. I just thought maybe a few nice things to bring back with me,” she sighed. All she wanted was to bring him back with her. He tilted her chin up to him and kissed her deeply, she felt it all through her body. She was just about to stop him and tell him everything when he stood up.

  “I’ll let you sleep. I’ll give you two hours, when I’m back I want you in my arms again,” he said smiling down at her.

  “See you soon baby,” she whispered ba
ck as he turned out the lights and closed the curtains. He walked out and quietly shut the door. She gave him some time before she stepped out of bed and opened the door. The apartment was empty. She sent a text to Jay then deleted the message. He was at her door in minutes. She opened the door at his first knock.

  “Charlie, look at you, up and walking about. You look amazing considering everything you have been through,” he gushed as he looked her over, his hand reaching for her hair. He twirled a loose curl and kissed her cheek..

  “Thanks Jay, we only have an hour,” she told him. He nodded as he walked in and shut the door.

  “I’ll get straight to it then. First, I have the gun now so what’s the story on it?” he inquired.

  “I’ll give you the address of the man I bought it from. I promised him I would return it,” she said as she held out a piece of paper with the address. He took it sighing, not liking this. He didn’t trust black market gun sellers. He was amazed she was even able to find him but he didn’t want to waste any more time on that issue.

  “Okay, next is of course Marie. I think we need to collect the money as soon as we get back. The thing is there is no way Josh is going to let you go on a trip alone. You know this right?” he asked, leading up to his suggestion. She nodded, knowing he was right.

  “Tell me where you left the money and I will go on a road trip. Trust me Charlie, I have no intention of giving it to Marie, but you really should have it all in your possession before she decides to track it all down herself. I don’t mind getting it for you, for a fee of course,” he said only half joking. He had no idea she had that much money on her. He never considered going through her suitcase or backpack. He had thought about all her placements and wondered if he could find all the money without her map. He knew about the healthy trust fund she had, but he didn’t realize she was sitting on over two million in cash. He wondered when she managed to retrieve it, was it before or after the murders.

  “You can trust me Charlie, you know that. The alternative is you tell Josh that you are being blackmailed because of those pictures,” he sighed, knowing she didn’t want him to know about it. She covered her face with her hands.

  “Fine Jay, I will write out on paper where it is scattered but we have to come up with a plan. Marie can not have a cent of that money,” Charlotte said. She hated Marie and this whole ugly situation she has put her in when all she wants is her life back, a life with Josh. This made her just as angry with Marie as she was with her monster. The idea of keeping her gun and shooting Marie crossed her mind.

  “I am promising you with my life Charlotte that she will not get her hands on a cent of your money. I am going to make her pay for all of this,” Jay glared at her bandaged arm. He reached his hand to her cheek then slide his fingers through her hair again. She moved closer to him as he held her against him. She smelled his cigarettes and whiskey, making her smile as he kissed her forehead.

  “I’m going to take care of this Charlie. You have to go back to the States as though nothing is wrong. You have to appear as though you’re getting on with your life, just try and stay out of the public eye. I know with the Martins it might be difficult, just tell them you’re not ready for all that attention yet. It isn’t lying. You’re not in the clear until Marie is taken care of. She won’t hesitate to kill you if she doesn’t get what she wants,” Jay warned her. He felt her shiver so he held her closer. He wished he could whisk her away with him again. He released her, the pain too fresh, too raw. She wasn’t his and that was his fault. He needed a smoke.

  “Write me out that list Charlie, I’m just going to have a smoke on your balcony,” he told her. He walked out and she followed his movements. She wanted to trust him, she believed she could trust him but something was nagging at her and she couldn’t put her finger on it. She couldn’t get the money herself, it would cause too much trouble, Josh wouldn’t let her go without an explanation and he certainly wouldn’t let her go alone. She sighed as she wrote out the locations. She cared more about Josh than the money, but she didn’t want Marie to get it. If she did than all of this pain and death would be for nothing.

  Jay looked out at the city of Paris and flicked his ashes. This trip has been a nightmare. Not just the shooting but seeing her in Josh’s arms, sleeping in his bed, the image of it made his skin crawl. He had decided when he was looking at those pictures that he wanted her back. He didn’t care if it was wrong. Somehow he was going to get her back. He wiped his eyes and cleared his throat, stepping on his smoke, he left it there. He wanted to put doubt in Josh’s mind. He couldn’t believe the guy hadn’t run from her days ago. The girl is nothing but trouble.

  “Rich boy will walk away eventually,” he said aloud. He watched Charlotte sitting at the desk, writing out her secrets. Seeing her like that reminded him of all those times he would watch her write in different hotel rooms when they were hiding out. Never as posh as this though, he thought looking around the suite.

  “I can’t believe you like this. It’s a little too swanky, so not your style Charlie,” he grinned as he walked towards her. She smiled as he lightened the mood. His hand rested on her shoulder and she placed her hand over his.

  “I’m done. I hope I can trust you. If you disappear I’ll hunt you down. I know your secrets Mr. Carter,” she told him, slowly standing. He helped her up and looked into her eyes.

  “I’ll never disappear from you Charlie, never,” he confessed. He released his hands from her and picked up the paper.

  “Keep me posted and good luck. I’ll call you when I’m back in New York,” she told him.

  “I should go, be safe Charlie and leave Marie to me. No more black market purchases either,” he scolded, turning to the door. He opened it slowly, checking down the hall.

  “All clear, see you soon beautiful,” he said with a wink. She smiled, although his endearment seemed odd. He’d never said that before. She closed and locked the door then scanned the room to make sure there wasn’t any evidence she had been up or had company. Satisfied, she went back to the bedroom and crawled into bed. She actually fell into a deep sleep.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  ~

  Lies

  Josh walked out from the balcony and sank down onto the sofa. He couldn’t believe Charlotte had lied to him. Looking him in the eyes, she lied so easily. He was hurt she didn’t tell him she was being blackmailed. He wondered how much money Jay was retrieving for her. It pained him that she would trust Jay more than him. He would have gone with her to get it. He ran his hand through his hair, fighting his anger. What pictures? Who is Marie? Then he ran Jay’s words through his head again, he wondered if he knew he was out there. ‘Rich boy will walk away eventually,’ he heard him say. Jay has another thing coming if he thinks I’ll leave her in his hands again. He stood back up and walked out onto the balcony, kicking his cigarette butt. He turned and walked out of the suite.

  Josh met the concierge downstairs. He tipped him well when he placed all of Charlotte’s requests in his hands. He carried them up to the suite and considered throwing them out. She only wanted them to get him away from her so she could meet with Jay. His anger consumed him. He would make her tell him everything. He walked into the bedroom and was about to express his building anger at her but he stopped abruptly.

  She was lying on her back and she had a tormented look on her face. He instantly wanted to comfort her, his anger dissolving. She whimpered, her eyes twitching. Her nightmares were back, which disturbed him. He realized they were back because he hadn’t been sleeping with her. He stretched out beside her, pulling her body close to his. He wrapped his arms around her and held her. Her sad sounds stopped and her pretty face smoothed. He even saw her lip curl slightly at the corners, smiling. He kissed her cheek. He had to believe she had her reasons for keeping her drama from him. She probably thought she was protecting him again. He grinned at the idea. He had every intention of taking care of all of this. She would be his and he had promised her that no one would take he
r from him again.

  His family has dealt with blackmail attempts in the past, that didn’t frighten him. The only thing troubling him was the pictures. He knew Charlotte was a virgin so he assumed the pictures couldn’t be sexual. She’s tough but he doesn’t think she could have hurt anyone. He knew Jay was interested in her money, as well as her but he wasn’t sure what his connection was to the photos. He had said that she wouldn’t want me to see them. She must be ashamed. He kissed her cheek. He didn’t think there was anything she could have done that would change the way he feels about her, he just wished she knew she could trust him.

  “Joshua, your back,” she moaned as she rested her hands on his chest.

  “I’m here baby, how was your nap?” he asked, turning towards her. She sighed as she ran her hands down his body, resting on his hips. She heard him take in a breath as her fingers pulled his shirt up and she found his skin.

  “I’ve missed you,” she whispered as she unzipped his pants.

  “I don’t want to hurt you baby, are you sure you’re ready for this,” he was concerned he might accidentally pull a stitch. She grinned as she released him.

  “We’ll go slowly,” she said, sliding carefully on top of him. She pulled her nightgown up as she rested on top of him. The pain below her ribs throbbed a little, but she wanted him. She needed him. She kept her movements slow, reminding her of the first time they made love. She looked into his eyes and he kept her with him as they both slowly and lovingly went after the release they both needed.

  “Don’t you want to see your gifts from Paris?” he asked as she rested back beside him. She had completely forgotten that she had sent him out. She closed her eyes as guilt consumed her.