Mr Spencer(22)

I wish it wasn’t like this. I wish we didn’t even have to have security. My father was, and still is terrified that something is going to happen to me like it did to Mum. He knows now that casinos and gambling are mixed in with the family empire, all bets are off. Security is at an all-time high.

My father’s eyes rise to meet mine. “Will you please reconsider coming with us, Charlotte? Six weeks away would be wonderful for you.”

“Dad,” I sigh. “You two are going to be working the entire time.”

“I’ll have the plane pick you up. Maybe you could come out there for a shorter amount of time,” he offers hopefully.

“No.” I smile as I kiss his cheek and wrap my arms around him. “Have a great time, and I will see you soon. I will call you every day.”

I turn and smile at Edward who is unusually quiet today.

Don’t think about it, don’t think about it, don’t picture it.

Last night’s spying activities have traumatised me. “Have fun, Edward.” I smile.

He frowns, and I know he’s worried about leaving me. “I can be back here in twelve hours if you need me to be.”

“I’m fine.” I step back from him. For all of Edward’s faults and his overbearing ways, I know he really does mean well and is acting out of love for William and me. “It’s six weeks, for God’s sake.”

“Please be careful, Charlotte. I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you. Don’t go anywhere without Wyatt and Anthony.”

Anthony is Edward’s normal guard, and he is leaving him here to guard me. “I won’t, I promise. I’m not stupid.” My eyes glance over at Wyatt who drops his eyes to the ground. Okay, fine, maybe I’m a little stupid, but I never will be again. I learnt my lesson, and thankfully Wyatt has kept his promise about keeping Spencer a secret.

Edward and my father get into the Bentley. Eventually, it slowly pulls out of the driveway with the security in the car following on behind them.

I give them a wave and a smile as nerves flutter in my stomach.

I’ve never been alone for this long before.

I angle my face up to the sun and smile broadly, feeling the vitamin D sink in.

“Elizabeth is coming over for the night.” I smile over at the boys.

Anthony’s face lights up. “What time will she be here?”

“Around six.”

“Very well.”

Anthony has had a crush on my beloved friend for years, and to be honest, I think she has a bit of a thing for him, too.

I’m going to set them up on a date one day.

I turn and walk towards my house.

Six weeks all alone. I don’t know whether to be thrilled or petrified.





Spencer


I hear the handle turn on my office door, and I glance up to see Sheridan standing before me.

“Hello.” She smiles.

I grin brightly and stand to kiss her cheek. “Hello, darling.” My eyes drop down her beautiful figure which she’s dressed in her usual power suit—a navy skirt and matching jacket with a white silk blouse unbuttoned to tease me just enough. Her long dark hair is up, and she is wearing tortoise-shell framed glasses.

Sheridan is the CEO of a multi conglomerate global company. At the age of thirty-five, that’s a huge accomplishment. My company supplies steel to her company, so we effectively work side by side but for different companies. Listed on the New York Times as one of the most powerful women in the United States, Sheridan works hard and plays harder.

She gets me like nobody else ever has. We have a sexual relationship based on trust and friendship, but we both know this for what it is. No lies, no pretence that we’re going to fall in love, and best of all, no bullshit.

“How are you?” I ask her.

“Why is Electra still here?”

I roll my eyes and drop into my chair. Electra is one of my PAs who gives us all nothing but trouble. She gets under Sheridan’s nose, and the last time she was here Sheridan demanded that I fire her.

“She’s here because I can’t fucking fire her. I gave her a written warning and she brought the damn union in to threaten legal action.”

Sheridan points to the door with her thumb. “She’s sitting out there messing around on Facebook.”

I swing my chair from side to side, holding my pen between my fingers. “Wouldn’t surprise me. Where are the other girls?”

“God knows. I mean it, Spencer, you need to fire her. It’s not fair that your other two PAs have to do her share of the work.”

“It’s just not that easy.”

“Oh, fuck off. It’s dead easy. I’ll do it now for you, if you like.”

I smile as I look up at her. “Not everyone is an ice queen like you, Shez.”

Sheridan makes grown men cry in her company. She’s the hardest woman I know.

She strolls over to the window and looks out across the city, casually flicking through her phone before she hits call.

“Hello, this is Sheridan Myer from Universal Steel.” She listens for a moment. “I need some security cameras installed throughout the offices, please.” She listens.

“Immediately.” Sheridan glances over at me, and I roll my eyes. “I need you here today, please. There are three offices that need to be fitted with invisible cameras after hours. Okay, great. You do know where we are? Yes, the fifteenth floor, and ask for Spencer Jones.” She hangs up without saying a goodbye.