Closer to the Heart (The Heart Trilogy Book 3) (21 page)

“If you need anything or have any information for me then just give me a call at the club, you have the number”

“Of course”

“And Mr Madison, I'd appreciate you not ruining my surprise by telling Felicity of my trip or this meeting”

Keith watched him saunter out of the door and let out a huge sigh of relief. Then the panic engulfed him, he knew that Felicity had requested that Sasha never resurfaced but on the other hand an address for her current location and maybe a photograph would suffice. Keith would make him wait and pay for it!

Back in the club Zach booked a couple of plane tickets and then sent Charlotte a tex
t
“Le
t
me know when you're free to talk”

Chapter 28

Charlotte picked up her phone after another gruelling day of rehearsals. She was slowly starting to trust Lucas but he was nowhere near as good as Mitchell. Sliding into the hot bath water she replied “Now is a good time”

Feeling the heat hit her tight calves the phone rang.

“Hi Charlotte, how are you”

“Aching” she moaned “so what's the news”

“I met Keith Madison today, he knows more than he's letting on but I now know where they are in the States”

“And”

“I have two tickets for flights to New York, leaving Friday night”

“Why two?”

“Because I'm taking you with me, I need you to be certain that this Matthew is Mitchell. Without photographic proof I can't tackle Felicity and win”

“What”

“Flights booked for nine in the evening on Friday and we'll be back on Sunday evening. You'll have to wear the wig”

“So will they know we are coming?”

“Nope, not unless Keith tips them off, but he knows I have stuff on him that I will use”

“Ok” she moved in the water.

“Where are you?” Zach asked.

“In the bath” she murmured.

“Now that's a nice image” he felt a stirring to be there with her.

The rest of the week flew by and when Zach appeared in the flat at just before seven Charlie was ready and waiting. Zach was pleased to see the colour back in her cheeks and a sparkle in her eyes.

“Come on, the taxi is waiting” he held out his hand for her small suitcase.

“Good, you've packed light we can get this and mine on as hand luggage”

Sitting on the plane Charlie gazed out of the window from the business class seat. The stars sparkled and memories of her last trip to see Mitchell flooded her mind. Sh
e
move
d
her hand slowly over her still flat stomach and rested it there. Zach noticed but said nothing, he still hadn't thought about what he would do if it was his. His mind was fixed on destruction.

Touching down in JFK airport Zach gave Charlie a nudge to wake her up. He guessed the rehearsals were taking their toll. She stared at him through bleary sleep kissed eyes.

“Are we there?”

“Yes, just need to hail a cab and we'll be at the hotel in no time”

“Good
,
co
s
I could sleep for England”

With Charlotte's hand in his and their bags in the other Zach guided them into th
e
nearest cab.

“Waldorf Astoria please”

He checked them into a suite and led her inside the vast room. She spun 360 degrees to take in the space divided into a lounge area, doors led to the bathroom and then double doors into the bedroom.

“It’
s
all yours” Zach motioned, placing her bag in the room “I'll be fine on the sofa”

He crossed to the small bar and poured a drink, offering Charlie a fresh orange juice.

“This bed is huge, we can share”

“We'll see” he murmured, slouching on the sofa and looking at home.

“I'm going to crash for a bit”

Zach nodded and watched her enter the bedroom. When he knew she was asleep he scribbled a note and went down to the bar. Daniel was waiting for him.

“Mate, great to see a friendly face” Daniel remarked, sliding a drink across to Zach.

“Yeah, bit of a flying visit and mad that I'm in the same hotel as you”

“Cheers” they toasted and swallowed the shorts.

“Where's Felicity?”

“Meeting to discuss the lease on a Spa, then we're meeting for dinner later you should surprise her and join us it will mak
e
up for your quick exit at the party”

“Sounds like a plan, add us to the table”

“Us”

“Yeah, Casey's here” he winked at Daniel.

“She must be a fantastic fuck if you're still seeing her”

Saying goodbye until later Zach returned to the room, stifling a yawn he dropped his clothes on the floor and crept into the large bed beside a sprawled Charlotte. He set the alarm for a couple of hours, enough time to prepare Charlotte for the meal. Rolling over Charlie felt a body next to her and in her sleepy state spooned up against the broad back. He flinched but let her arm stay flung around his waist.

When the alarm sounded later he woke to find her gone. The sound of the shower next door told him where she was. He slipped a hand down to his erection as his body yearned to chase the dream of a wet, soapy Charlotte. She appeared in the doorway before he had time to finish and laughed.

“Is that a tent pole or are you pleased to see me”

“Smart arse...I should spank you for that comment”

“Oh Mr King, you are kinky” she smirked, flashing open her dressing gown. He looked away and stumbled out of the bed, past her tempting body to the shower.

Dried and sipping orange juice when he returned he sat down beside her.

“Are you up for some serious acting?”

“Why?”

“We have a dinner date in about an hour with Felicity and Daniel and maybe this mysterious Matthew”

“Fucking hell” he watched her skin turn pale as she lifted a finger to her mouth and started to nibble the nail.

“Are you up for it Casey” he asked, his tone serious.

“I guess, just don't leave me alone with them”

He reached to squeeze her hand, feeling the chill in it.

“What should I wear?”

“I've got some dresses ordered, they should be here soon”

Charlie wandered into the bedroom and started to fasten her hair up inside the wig. With the blue contact lenses in once more Zach appeared in the doorway with an armful of dresses. The red one looked dramatic but also made her skin look really pale. In the end she tried on the silk kimono style dress in green and gold. It matched her gold heels and clutch bag that she had bought along.

“Perfect” he breathed, undoing the catch on her pink heart necklace. Whilst applying her make-up she cast furtive glances in the mirror as Zach shed his towel. The awful initials on his skin were hard to miss. Closing her eyes she saw her Mum's wrists and the hatred began to burn within.

Standing in his suit Zach glanced at his watch.

“Ready?”

“I guess” she replied, a small tremble in her voice
.
With his hand resting gently on the small of her back they made their way to the lift and then into the spiders lair. The waiter showed them to the Carmichael-Astaire table and Charlotte took a deep breath. Felicity stood and embraced Zach and then cast a critical eye over Charlotte.

“You look familiar”

“I was at your party with Zach a few weeks ago” she replied.

“Casey, isn't it?” Dan said from his place across the table. Felicit
y
nodded
,
her expression still blank or was it just the Botox Charlie wondered?

They sat down and Zach noticed the empty space at the end of the table.

“Are you expecting someone else?”

“Oh yes, Matthew will be with us shortly, I don't think you've ever had the opportunity of meeting him” Felicity addressed Zach although her eyes never left Charlotte.

“Matthew is my son” she proclaimed, looking across she saw him walking towards the table. Charlotte stiffened and stared straight ahead. She felt Zach place a calming hand on her arm. When he came into view Charlotte knew without looking that it was Mitchell from the scent alone.

Her contact lenses felt dry so she blinked a couple of time trying to regain her focus.

“Sorry I'm late” he apologised as he took the seat at the end of the table, farthest from Charlotte. Felicity introduced them all and Charlotte could see Matthew trying to act like he'd never met Zach. He glanced swiftly over at Casey and she smiled shyly back before turning away. Aware that Felicity was staring intently at her.

The wine flowed but Charlotte avoided it and instead drank water. Daniel was opposite her and kept topping up her glass. Over dessert he asked the question

“Not drinking Casey?” Dan winked at Zach “knocked up is she?”

“I'm still feeling dehydrated after the flight” she stammered, indignantly.

“She's a dancer and currently rehearsing for a big London show” Zach explained, staring Daniel down.

Charlie was stunned that he had said that, but Matthew seemed to perk up at the end of the table.

“I dance a little” he offered, as Felicity aimed a kick under the table.

“Oh” Charlie exclaimed, blushed and then excused herself.

In the rest room she let her body shake and the tears fall. Matthew was Mitchell. Felicity had him under tight control and her disguise was so good that he hadn't guessed her identity. Straightening her dress she reapplied he
r
eyeshado
w
and returned. Matthew and Felicity had left and she found Zach and Daniel in silence.

“Shall we head up” Zach asked.

“Can I come” Daniel slurred, reaching out he just caught the hem of her dress. She flinched and moved away so he slumped across the table. Zach patted his shoulder.

“I think you've had too much to get it up” he joked.

A snore escaped in response and Charlotte stifled a giggle as the waiter tried to rouse him.

Grabbing her hand Zach pulled her into his arms, planting a kiss on her lips.

“Class act” he whispered, as they left the restaurant.

Pushing the door open Charlie flung off the itchy wig and shook her hair loose.

“So?”

“It’
s
Mitchell, but how are we going to get proof”

“Let me sleep on it” Zach said. He took her hand in his and led her to the bedroom.

“I think this bed will be big enough” he winked and let her go as he walked into the bathroom. She was down to her underwear on his return, her back to him as she stared out of the window
.
The New York skyline wasa myriad of bright lights from buildings and the cars in the streets
.
They highlighted he
r
silhouett
e
and Zach struggled for breath.

He wanted her, but would she welcome him now she had seen Mitchell again? He walked up behind her and she jumped slightly as his hand coiled around her waist. Still she turned to him, tears stained her cheeks.

“Fuck” all she uttered. He easily carried her to the bed and la
y
besid
e
her, waiting as the tears still streamed. She held his hand tight until they stopped. Then without another word she started to kiss him, covering his face, neck, chest and lower. But he remaine
d
soft
,
he didn't have the heart to let her thank him in this way.

His hands pulled her off and he enfolded her.

“No Charlotte, not tonight” he whispered. She curled into his arms and closed her eyes. Zach tried to sleep but his mind was churning. He needed Mitchell to see the real Charlotte but that was too dangerous when Felicity had him on such a short leash. This was going to take longer than he planned but maybe that was a good thing. Revenge needed careful planning that would not hurt this girl beside him.

In his room Mitchell stared at the ceiling and wondered what Zach was doing there? The girl had reminded him of his vision from the garden the night of the party. Her build was similar to Charlotte's but then so would any dancer of that size. His muscles twitched while his mind danced the steps.

Zach ordered breakfast on room service and Charlie ate some before throwing up. They had enough time for a short walk in Central Park before the flight home. Both of them were silently wrapped up in their own thoughts. During the flight Zach explained his plan, he would invite Felicity, Daniel and Matthew to the opening performance of Dirty Dancing in the hope they would come. He would need some co-operation from Keith. He had a couple of months to work on it. Charlie nodded despondently, she didn't want to wait that long but it was possibly the only way.

At the flat he paused.

“Not coming in?”

Zach shook his head “Think I'll just head home”

“Oh” she replied, disappointed in a way. Zach reached for her and wrapped his arms tightly. His cheek brushed hers and she glanced at the tickle.