Mr Spencer(80)

“The guy stole a girl off of me years ago and it escalated from there. I’ve had run-ins with his friends, too. He hangs out with Julian Masters and Sebastian Garcia.”

I narrow my eyes even farther. I know Julian Masters. Our fathers have done business together in the past. I saw him once at Madison’s when he was coming out of a suite. He didn’t see me, though. If he goes to Madison’s, Spencer would too.

“What happened at the ball?”

“Nothing while I was there. He talked to Charlotte, he and I had words, and then later in the night, my mother fell ill so I had to take her home an hour before it finished.”

“You left Charlotte there alone?” I frown.

“She was with my sister Mariella, and she knew everyone at our table. Her guards were there, too, of course. But here’s the thing, as soon as I left, she was back at the bar talking to Spencer Jones again.”

My fury begins to rise. “Did they leave together?”

“No, separately.” He pauses, as if he has something else to say.

“What?”

“Look, I don’t know if I’m imagining it, but I called around to see her the next day unannounced and she was… half-dressed, and she most definitely did not want me in her apartment.”

I sit forward in my seat, glaring at the images of this Spencer Jones with what seems like every beautiful woman on the planet. “You think he was there with her?” I ask.

“No, but it was obvious she didn’t want me there.” He pauses. “I don’t know, it just felt off, man. I can’t put my finger on it.”

“Hmm.”

“Anyway, it’s been eating at me ever since so I thought I should let you know. Spencer is the last fucking person that Charlotte should be associated with.”

I glare at the computer screen with a sarcastic smile plastered on his face.

“I can see that.” I inhale sharply. “Don’t mention this to father or anyone else.”

“I won’t.”

“I’ll check it out, thank you. You’re a good friend.” I hang up and sit back in my chair, studying the Playboy in front of me.

“Over my dead body will you get your hands on her,” I whisper. “Over my dead body.”





Charlotte


I wake with a start, and I can tell by the light of the room that it’s now early morning. I get out of bed, go to the bathroom, and tiptoe down the hall.

My man didn’t come and get into bed with me when he’d cooled down like I thought he would. I’ve been thinking about it all night, and Spencer is right… I should have asked him before I jumped to conclusions. But he should have told me she came to him, and he was being deceitful when he hid the key from me. We’re both in the wrong here and I won’t take all the blame.

I open the bedroom door and my shoulders slump. The crumpled up bed is empty.

He must have just left, although he normally leaves at 5:30 a.m.

Great.

I head downstairs and make myself a cup of tea, then I sit at the kitchen counter as I drink in silence.

What the hell do I do now?

Damn this, I’m not spending the day worrying.

I take out my phone and dial his number.

“Hello,” he answers in a clipped tone.

“Hi.” I smile nervously. “Why didn’t you wake me up before you left?”

“What’s the point?”

“Spence,” I sigh. “What did you expect me to think?”

“Exactly what you did.” He pauses. “I am my father’s son, after all.”

My heart drops. “Stop it and come back home. We’ll work it out.”

“I can’t, I have to work.”

I close my eyes. Damn it, why did I fly off the handle before talking to him?

“Will I see you tonight?”

“I’m busy.”

I frown.

“See you later.” He hangs up.





*



Five hours to stew on something is a long time. I sort through the mail on the table like a zombie, my mind with Spencer and how he doesn’t think he’ll see me tonight.

He said that he loved me.

“Are you okay?” Sarah frowns. “You’ve looked like shit all day.”

“Not really, I feel sick,” I lie.

“Go home.” Paul tuts. “We don’t want it.”

“Yeah, go home,” Sarah says. “We’re entitled to sick days. Just go, and we’ll tell them after you leave that you were throwing up.”

“Really?” I could go and see Spencer at work. “Is that okay?” I ask.

“Sure! Off you go.”

I can’t stand the thought of him thinking that I think he’s like his father.

I need to fix this situation right now.

I’m worried sick about this.





*



Half an hour later, I’m walking into Spencer’s building with Wyatt and Anthony close behind me. I read the lists of businesses in the directory in the foyer.

Universal Steel — Fourteenth floor.





We take the elevator up, and my heart beats furiously in my chest. Up until last night, I wouldn’t have thought Spencer had a temper, but now I know that he does and it’s a little scary. The doors open up to reveal a huge office space. It’s modern and decorated black and white with huge, brightly coloured abstract paintings along the walls.