“I’ll let you dress. Meet me in my office when you’re ready,” he said, shutting the door. He shook with anger at Jay. How could he put her through this? He obviously didn’t have her best interests in mind.
She wanted to look as good as possible for him tonight. She was going out in his territory. Jay had warned her that their picture would probably be taken when they go out together. The first time they went out no one saw them, but it was a very private restaurant. He said he wanted to show her off tonight. She also thought that he may never want to see her again after tomorrow so she wanted to leave him with a perfect image of her. She let her natural curls fall down her back, fixing a few to frame her face. She put on more makeup than usual and a bold red to her lips. She slipped into her black mini-dress, the one she wore on the balcony in Paris. The memory of him making love to her in such a public place made her feel warm inside. She rolled her stockings up to her thigh then attached the garter. She planned on teasing him tonight. She smiled as she put on her heels. Dabbing a little bit of perfume on all her pulse points she inhaled deeply then exhaled.
“Stuff it down,” she whispered as she walked down the hall to Josh’s study. She stood a moment, breathing in and out deeply, calming her anxiety before knocking.
“Come in baby,” he said, turning off his computer. He stood to put on his jacket when he froze at the sight of her. During the last few weeks she was pretty much in her pajamas. He still thought she was beautiful but looking at her in front of him, his heart jumped out of his chest. She was more than just beautiful, beyond hot, she was stunning. He stared at her as he walked towards her.
“Charlotte, you look amazing, I’m afraid to show you off now. I might lose you to a better offer,” he grinned as he kissed her cheek, his fingers touching her neck.
“I’m all yours for as long as you want me to be,” she said, causing him to sigh. She still thinks he’s going to leave her because of those pictures. Pictures she’s putting her life in danger for. He considers telling her that he knows what’s going on but he doesn’t want to ruin their first real night out in his home town.
He takes her hand in the elevator, pulling her close to his side. His other hand slides up her skirt. He stops when he feels her garter and moans. She smiles, hearing the effect she wanted. She intended for him to be thinking about those garters all night.
“Oh baby, let’s go back upstairs,” he whispers, kissing her behind her ear. She trembles as the elevator doors open and his driver is holding the car door open for them. He leads her in and then sits beside her.
“Now, where were we,” he grins. She taps his hand as he slides it up her skirt again.
“Don’t dishevel me before dinner, how will that look,” she teases, bringing his finger up to her lips. She kisses it before placing it on her tongue. His eyes darken as he stares at her, she can see his desire and her muscles tighten. Her phone buzzes in her purse, pulling her away from the moment. Josh groans as she releases him. She checks her phone. A missed call from an unknown number but they’ve left a message. Nervously, she calls her voice mail.
“Hello Charlotte, it’s been way too long, looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. Hope you have a little something for me,” Marie’s voice causing her body to turn ice cold. A second message is saved. She never saves her messages. She listens to Jay’s voice. That message was sent yesterday. She glances at Josh. He must have heard it when she was out on her jog. She quickly puts her phone away. She decides there’s nothing too revealing in that message except for Jay being here and meeting Marie tomorrow, which means he’ll be watching her closer, making it difficult to leave. He takes her hand and squeezes it, sensing her sudden uneasiness.
“It’s going to be okay, trust me,” he tells her. She looks into his eyes as the car stops and his driver opens the door for them. She nods as he helps her out. She can’t help but think he knows more. She wants to talk to him but a flash goes off before they reach the front doors of the restaurant. She grips Josh’s hand as fear runs through her. He pulls her close to him.
“Just a photo, sorry baby,” he whispers in her ear, knowing she’s nervous about it. The door is opened for them and Josh is greeted by the hostess.
“Mr. Martin, great to see you again, let me show you to your table,” she says, smiling at both of them.
“I’ve been here for family dinners,” he tells her as they sit close. She feels bad that he feels like he has to explain. Out of the two of them, she’s sure her secrets are far worse than his.
“It’s okay if you brought another girl here before, it only matters to me that I’m the one sitting here now, beside you, with my hand on your thigh and my breath on your neck,” she said, kissing his neck softly before sitting back. She smiled as he struggled to compose himself.
During dinner they were interrupted twice as someone Josh knew came over to say hello and meet his date. She was nervous about the exposure but she did her best to remain calm and polite. He always smiled and winked at her, making her feel more at ease. Once their plates were removed she excused herself, heading to the ladies room she caught the scent of Marie’s perfume and her hands began to shake. Looking in the mirror, she brushed her hair back from her face and washed her hands. She began to calm herself down when the door flew open and Marie walked in.
“Hi Charlotte, how’s your dinner date going?” she asked, smiling as though they were old friends.
“What do you want Marie? I’m meeting you tomorrow, I have nothing to say to you right now,” Charlotte glared at her, an unknown confidence boiling up in her.
“Relax Charlotte. I know you don’t have my money stuffed under that little dress of yours. I’m just hoping you can trust Jay enough to come back here with it. He told me two weeks ago that he was picking it all up. It shouldn’t have taken him that long. He’s had quite the head start if he took off with it. I can tell you I was surprised you told him where it all was, I know what you had to do to get it,” she said, placing doubts in Charlotte’s mind. Maybe she shouldn’t have trusted Jay.
“I took it to keep it away from you,” she said, laughing at her predicament now, more than five years later.
“Funny. It’s partly my fault. I should have just taken it when I had the chance. Do you really trust Jay with all that cash?” she asked, making her skin crawl with every word she spoke. Charlotte remembered hiding the money after her monster left. She saw her father putting it into a duffel bag and hiding it in the attic the night before their murder. Once the house went quiet she ran with it to her bedroom and placed it in her closet before calling the police. She begged her case worker at the time to let her go back to her house. She told her she just needed a few things from her bedroom. She was escorted there and then left alone in her bedroom long enough for her to fill the suitcase with the money and some clothes. It hurt her to be back there but she wasn’t about to let anyone else take that money. Even at fourteen she knew somehow that Marie was involved and wanted that duffel bag.
“I trust Jay. It’s you I don’t trust. Why don’t you tell me how many copies of those pictures you have? Why don’t you tell me why I should believe that as soon as you get that money you won’t release the pictures anyway? What guarantee do I have Marie,” Charlotte asked, catching Marie hesitate for a moment.
“I guess you’ll just have to trust me. I only have two copies, one set on my phone and another set on my laptop. I have instructions left for my boss to have my laptop if I go missing. I’m sure he’ll recognize Jay,” Marie told her.
“You’re lying. Where’s the third copy?” she demanded. It would be too easy if she really wanted to get the pictures. Break into her house and steal her laptop and her phone, done. There must be somewhere else.
“There isn’t a third copy,” she mumbled, turning to leave. She knew Josh would come looking for her any second now. Charlotte followed her to the door. Marie’s hand landed on the handle but Charlotte reached her hand up and held the door shut.
“
Tell me where the third set is or there is no deal tomorrow,” she threatened. Marie didn’t turn back to her. She stared at Charlotte's hand holding the door closed.
“On a USB stick in my security box at my bank,” she told her. Charlotte moved her hand and Marie walked out, passing Josh as he stood by the women’s washroom door. Marie kept her head down as she left. Josh held his hand out to Charlotte as she walked out of the restaurant with him. She assumed he must have known something was up when she took so long. He had paid for their dinner as soon as he saw Marie walk past the table, following Charlotte he made his way back to wait for her.
He listened to Charlotte demand answers from her, answers Josh already knew. By tomorrow morning all the copies of these infamous photos would be in his hands. He didn’t want to see them but he knew he probably would. For some reason, Charlotte was willing to risk her life and hand over what sounds like a lot of money for them. That part he didn’t understand and he didn’t know if Jay was going to bring it all to her either. His investigator hasn’t been able to locate him yet.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
~
Letting Go
On the way back, Jay held her close but they didn’t speak. Neither of them knew how to let each other know what was going on. Charlotte remembered Josh telling her that everything was going to be okay but if she couldn’t get into Marie’s security box than she knew that it wouldn’t be. Josh would leave her and she would be without her inheritance.
When they arrived back at the apartment Charlotte sent Jay another text. Marie had placed a lot of doubt in her head. She wanted to believe that her relationship with Jay was solid but she has seen his bitterness towards Josh. She knew that he was hurt, seeing her with him.
“I need to talk to you, where are you staying?” She waited patiently but there was no reply. She sent it again, still nothing. She took her cell phone to the bedroom and called him. No answer. She called again and left a message.
“Jay, I need to talk to you. I saw Marie tonight. Please call me, I know where all the pictures are,” she said before hanging up. If those pictures get to his boss he’ll lose his job. Unless he figures two million is enough to retire on and he’s really not coming back. As the minutes went by and he didn’t call back she knew her worst fear was true. Jay stole her money and left her here to face the heat alone. She threw her phone on the bed and began crying. Josh stood by the door, unsure of what to tell her.
“Charlotte, can we talk,” he sighed as he walked to her. He knew they had to get through this if they were going to get a chance to be together. He still worried she might run, especially if she thinks she can’t buy the pictures back. She sat up and wiped her eyes.
“I’ve made a mistake, a terrible mistake and I’ve lost everything because of it,” she said with sadness in her eyes that he’s never seen before.
“You haven’t lost me and you won’t, ever,” he told her. She couldn’t believe him. He didn’t know the terrible press that was coming his way once those disgusting photos were released.
“Just know that whatever happens, I’m so sorry and I love you,” she said, taking off her dress and stockings. He had wanted to take those off for her but he knew she wasn’t thinking with her heart, she was angry and determined to seek her revenge. She put on her jeans and her boots, a sweater and pulled her hair back in a bun. He still thought she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
“Where are you going Charlotte?” he demanded, already prepared to follow her.
“I’m going to find Jay. He has something of mine that I need back. I’m sorry Josh but I have to go alone. Please don’t follow me. I’m doing this for us, that is if you’ll want me back after,” she cried, then walked out of the room. She couldn’t look at him.
“How do you know he hasn’t left the country already?” he asked her, digging for a clue. She put her phone and her laptop in her bag, along with her wallet. She felt the bottom of the bag for her gun. It had been easier to obtain in New York than in Paris. On her jog the day before, she picked it up. Josh hadn’t noticed her slide it under the bench by the front door as soon as she walked in.
“He hasn’t decided what to do yet, he won’t leave his home until he has to. Jay enjoys his comforts and his job, without his work he’s nothing. He needs to destroy those pictures as much as I do,” she said as she walked towards Josh. Her fingers ran through his hair as she pressed her lips to his before turning from him and running out the door. She knew she was being cold but it was the only way she could leave him without crying. She was sure he was thinking the worst. She believed it was best that way. Once she was outside, she hailed a cab.
“I need those pictures tonight,” Josh said when his call connected.
“I’ve got two sets, just waiting on the third,” the man said.
“Good, call me when it’s done,” Josh ordered then hung up. Charlotte told him not to follow her, but he had told her he was never losing her again and he meant it. He borrowed his brother’s car, one she hadn’t seen yet and followed her cab. He had pinned a GPS to the bottom of her bag. He had been shocked to discover her gun tonight but he left it in there. He prayed she wouldn’t need to use it. He wasn’t surprised that she was headed to Marie’s new apartment. She had just recently relocated from Seattle, accepting a transfer. Josh couldn’t believe she was still an agent. He parked several houses back, watching Charlotte get out of her cab. He looked around for any signs of Jay, but the street was empty.
A gunshot rang out, dogs began to bark, neighbors shouted and Charlotte disappeared from his view. A black car with its lights off pulled out of a nearby alley then drove away. Josh followed as her bag began to move with it. He called his PI and told him that the police would be arriving at Marie’s, stay back but let him know what happened. He made another call.
“Tell me you have all the copies,” he demanded as soon as he heard his contact answer on the other end.
“I do, safe and secure, waiting for you,” he replied.
“I need your help, I’m following a car out of the city. I think I may need your expertise,” Josh seethed.
“I’m right behind you,” he said before hanging up. Josh was relieved to have someone he trusted as back up.
Charlotte had only reached Marie’s doorstep when the shot was fired. She froze, not sure who was shot or did the firing. She took a step back when someone came up behind her, grabbed her waist and covered her mouth. The black leather glove suffocated her. As much as she tried not to breathe in, something was making her dizzy before the city lights went out.
She awoke with a start in the back seat of an unfamiliar car. She glanced up at the driver. He was wearing a cap with the visor pulled low but she knew who he was. She knew by his posture, by the way he held the steering wheel and by his smell. Her hands were tied and a bandana was covering her mouth. She tried to kick the seat but her feet were bound together too.
“No point in fighting me now Charlie, don’t worry, we’re almost home,” he smiled. Jay truly believed that all their troubles were over. He had stolen Marie’s cell and her laptop. On the way out of town he smashed them and threw them off a bridge, watching as each piece sunk to the bottom of the ocean before getting back in his car and driving away with his prize. He didn’t notice anyone following him as he drove out of the city and back down south to a house he rented just outside of Atlantic City. He knew Charlie would be mad at him for awhile, but he truly believed she loved him and would come around eventually.
“You’ll remember soon enough that you love me. We were meant to be together from the beginning, I was just too stupid to see it until now. I promise to love you forever Charlie,” he told her. She closed her eyes shut, praying Josh had followed her. She was able to sit up enough to look out the back window. Her heart sunk when she didn’t see a single car behind them. A slight wave of relief went through her when she saw her backpack by her feet, unopened. Her gun was in there and she planned on using it if he wouldn’t le
t her go.
“In case you’re wondering, I have the money and I’ve destroyed the pictures. All our problems are solved,” he informed her as he lit his cigarette. She gagged at the fact that not so long ago this would have been a dream come true for her, until she met Josh. Josh had picked her up, brushed off her cobwebs and made her believe in herself. He made her feel wanted, lovable and desired. He made her feel funny, smart and strong. He reminded her of who she was suppose to be, he didn’t push her affections away and order her around like a puppy. She knew it was Jay’s job to do so, but he never returned her love and now it’s too late.
Once Jay had her in the basement, he set her down on a chair. They were far enough out of town that no one would hear her scream if she tried.
“I’ll release the gag but if you scream it’s going back on. I think you know that would be a wasted effort though. I have you hidden away just like the old days Charlie,” he said, taking a sip of his Jack. He took off her gag with one hand and kissed her cheek. She felt his warm breath on her neck but she didn’t respond. He sighed as he stood back from her.
“Remember when you asked me to sleep with you in Raleigh. You wanted me to share your bed. I wanted to so badly, it is my biggest regret because if I had you wouldn’t have gone running to New York and you never would have met Joshua,” he said with that same tone of voice that surprised her in Paris. She should have known, the signs were there that he wasn’t himself anymore. She watches him take another sip, hoping he’ll drink himself into a coma.
“Jay, it’s over. Don’t do this, you have to let me go. If you keep me here you’ll only end up ruining your life. Go back to Seattle, take care of your wife and take that desk job. Have a life. Please Jay, you know there was a time when all I wanted was to love you, all I wanted was for you to touch me but you refused and now you want to steal my money and lock me away. It’s crazy Jay, please, just let me go,” she whispered. He knelt in front of her. He kissed her lips, his tongue licking her but she refused his entry. He rested his head on her lap and cried. Gut wrenching sobs escaped from him.
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