[Charlotte] I grabbed Micah’s fallen phone and contacted Roger. I didn’t have to say much, he knew that if I was calling him on Micah’s phone, it must be something vitally important. Roger came immediately. I was playing the part of the concerned employee, although I’m sure I was doing a terrible job of it, especially considering I needed to be practically dragged off of his body. If people didn’t know I was in love with him before that moment, they are either willfully blind or purposefully ignorant. Which I guess describes Andy to a T. As Micah’s bodyguards hoisted him out of the room, Andy grabbed my arm, holding me back. “Let me go, Andy,” I twist out of his grasp. “I need to go with him I need to…” “No you don’t,” Andy insists. “We’re free of him now, don’t you see? The poison…” “Poison,” the word comes out like a strangled hiss. “Who? Did you…?” “No,” he grinned, “But a little birdy from up north told me that this could be a possibility… that is if he liked what he s
[Charlotte]I still have an hour until I need to meet McAllister. An hour to process my evening and prepare myself to be who I need to be to survive what comes next. Violetta and I spend some of that time discussing our plan. With McAllister meeting me at the tarmac with his private jet and sending along this invitation, it is obvious that he plans on taking me back to Portland with him. Rather than allow him to take me by surprise, I will arrive ready. But I can't look too ready, so I won't be able to bring much more than myself. "He'll want to at least appear like he has the upper hand," Violetta shrugs. "With men like him it is all about ego. Besides, bringing luggage will look suspicious."Since I won't have more than my purse, and anything I take with me might be confiscated at any time, Violetta put trackers in very creative places, some so intimate I hope he doesn't check for them. She also gives me two phones. One phone to use more obviously, and another sewn into the linin
[Andy] When I got home this evening, there was a message waiting for me on my phone and a packet of paperwork in my mailbox. “Bad news, Andy,” my lawyer droned. “Your divorce is final and you have lost all parental rights as well. She has also been awarded the house and all of your assets. You are penniless, Andy. And if I were you, I'd start looking for a new place to live. Preferably by the end of the week." I open the envelope. Eviction papers. The bitch is kicking me out of my own house! “Fuck!” I scream at my phone. Not that my idiot lawyer could hear me. Why was I paying that asshole if he couldn't even do his goddamn job for five goddamn minutes? “McKaine did this! Fucker thinks he can steal my wife!” Charlie wasn't smart enough to fuck me over this completely. This has Micah's fingerprints all over it. It is going to feel so good to fuck him over when this all comes apart at his feet. I punch a hole in the wall. If she wants this house so bad, I'll make it worth her t
[Charlotte] My hands are still shaking when I make it to what I assume is McAllister’s private jet, as it is the only plane on the tarmac. He must be very powerful and very rich to make himself such a high priority. My suspicion is confirmed when one of his plain-clad security detail comes down the stairs to greet me. “Mrs. Slate.” “It’s Ms. Monroe now,” I try to smile. “My divorce was final about an hour ago.” “Ms. Monroe,” he corrects himself without missing a beat. He doesn’t say another word as he holds out a hand to help me navigate the steep jet steps. As soon as my eyes adjust, I can make out McAllister in the back of the jet, surrounded by his associates. He waves me to him as he shuts his cell phone. Standing, he takes my hand in his. “May I be the first to congratulate you on your divorce,” he gives me a wide, genuine grin. “Andy is a snake. You deserve better, Ms Monroe.” “Than..Thank you,” I sputter, surprised. “Now if you could take a seat,” he motions to the ch
[Charlotte] “Come on Charlie, live a little!” Juni puts a drink in my hand. It’s large and pink and smells like fruity gasoline. “I don’t drink!” I scream back at her over the booming music, my eyes burning from the flashing club lights. “Your cheating bastard husband just fucked his mistress in front of you! In front of your kids! For fuck’s sake, you deserve a drink!” Juniper tosses her shot of tequila with a single gulp, shivering as the burn makes its way down her throat. “Hot damn!" she exclaims in appreciation before slamming her glass on the bar. "Come on, sis, woman up! Just one drink and you’ll feel better, I promise!” Taking a sip I almost gag. It tastes worse than it smells. I have so little tolerance for alcohol that the buzz hits my head almost immediately. “See…” Juni purrs. ‘Better right?” “No,” I feel my eyes start to water. “What’s in this?” “Not sure,” she shrugs. “Does it matter?” “I guess not,” I take another drink. Juni sets a kiss on my cheek as she hop
[Charlotte]Kissing this man is a drug, a dangerous powerful elixir giving me life while also stealing my breath.Our bodies are locked together for the entire ride as we sample one another, our hands tentatively exploring, enjoying the first taste of what the night promises.The car stops outside one of the most expensive hotels in the city. Once his driver opens the door, my devil helps smooth my dress down as he gently rocks me forward, pulling me out of the back seat. He drapes his jacket across my shoulders, shielding my body from the view of others in a way that feels both possessive and protective.“Welcome home, Sir,” the door attendant tips his hat to us as he opens the door for us.Hand in hand he leads me to the elevator. As soon as the doors close behind us, he walks me into the wall of the elevator, kissing me gently at first, and then more passionately. His hand reaches down to cup my bottom and feeling bold I lean against him, hooking my right leg to his hip so that he
[Charlotte] It’s been 62 days. 62 days since Andy broke my heart and I fell into the arms of an incredible stranger. A man too amazing to be real. The only one who knows about that night is Juni. Nobody else can know. If they did, it could ruin everything. My soon-to-be-ex husband will make sure of it. Thankfully, San Francisco is a large city and the odds of us crossing paths again are very slim. Even if my mystery man did find me, I’m sure that if he saw me he’d either walk right past without recognizing me. Because without makeup and Juni’s designer dresses, I’m just…me. And right now I am filthy, covered in sweat as I head home from my day job to eat dinner with my daughters. From there I’ll be heading out to my new night job. A job I never wanted to take. But after being a stay-at-home mom for 5 years, I didn’t have the right kind of experience on my resume to secure steady, good-paying work in a city as competitive as San Francisco. The only jobs that I can find that are
[Charlotte] Dear Ms. Bellarina, I am impressed with your dancing and natural grace. You have an incredible talent and I would love to cultivate it. Can we meet to discuss an opportunity that could be mutually advantageous? When you are ready to hear my offer, please call me at the number below. I eagerly await your response, Kane (415) XXX - XXXX This note was waiting for me backstage last night with a single white rose in a fine crystal vase. When I asked the assistant stage manager who had left it for me, she didn’t have a clue. She just shook her graying sandy curls and looked over me in that way that she does when she thinks one of us is acting foolish. "Do you really want to know?" she had asked. "Why not just let it remain a mystery?" None of the other girls knew who had left it either. Maybe it was a ghost, a phantom fan leaving love notes and flowers for unsuspecting women. I guess if I want to know, there is a simple way I can find out. I can just