God, this seems it’s a lot farther in the dark.
I finally arrive at Edward’s house and duck behind a tree before I peer around it. Like my house, his house is made of sandstone and covered in ivy. Our houses are near identical, both two storied with four bedrooms. The only differences being that he has had his house updated to his tastes and added another large living area at the back. Unlike me, he won’t be leaving his house, so he has made it his forever home.
I tiptoe across the large circular driveway. There are no cars here, damn it. She must be parked in his garage, whoever she is.
The lights downstairs are off. I walk around to the side of his house and look up to the higher floor. Edward’s bedroom light is on and the curtains are open.
Ugh, damn it, I wish I could just see who he has up there.
I blow out a breath and sit down on the ground for a moment.
I look around and wonder what to do.
About three metres out from his window sits a large tree. What if I climbed it? Just got a look at who is in there and then climbed down.
No harm done.
My heart rate quickens as I walk over and look up at the tree, smirking to myself.
What the hell are you doing, Charlotte?
I put my arms around the trunk and take the first step up, then another, and then another. Before long, I’m way up high. I just need to get to that taller branch and I will be able to see in. I step up and hug the trunk. It’s pitch black outside, but I can see into the lit bedroom clearly.
I watch in silence. Nothing’s happening.
I peer down at the ground. Oh hell, I’m up really high. I cling to the tree as if my life depends on it, because at this point, it actually does.
I didn’t think this through at all.
Then I hear movement. I squat down in a panic.
Edward comes into view, forcing me to hold my breath. He’s facing away from me but… oh no.
He has no clothes on. My brother is naked.
The blood drains from my face.
He turns towards the window, his huge erection standing proud. He’s holding handcuffs and spinning them around his finger as he talks to someone who is obviously still in his bed.
My eyes are as wide as saucers. Oh, dear God.
Not this. Anything, but this.
I step back to try and get away. I slip, and I try desperately to grab the trunk. Unfortunately for me, I miscalculate and go hurdling down towards the ground, somehow managing to grab a branch along the way. It kind of breaks my fall for just a moment before I hit the ground hard with a thud.
“Ouch,” I whimper as I lie in a crumpled heap.
What the fuck did I just see?
I stare up at the stars hurting all over. I get a visual reminder of my naked brother and it makes me scrub my eyes with my fingertips to try and remove it from my brain.
I remain on my back, looking up at the dark sky for ten minutes, in the dark, crumpled on the ground.
That really hurt.
Eventually, I crawl onto my hands and knees and push myself off the ground.
That is the last time I’m ever going to spy on anyone ever again.
What is he doing up there right now?
I scrunch my eyes together to try and block out the image of him with those handcuffs.
I feel nauseous.
*
I stand in the afternoon sun on the front landing of my father’s house. My father and Edward are in their customary expensive suits. Their security staff are buzzing around, and the last of their luggage has been packed into the car. Five men are going with them, while the other five stay here to look after the house and me.
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.”