Masters & Lovers Box Set Three

Chapter 16

After Finchby and Yakovlevski leave, Bech still wears that ‘just sucked a lemon’ expression.

“Something to say, Bech?”

He scowls and looks down. “No, sir.”

“Good. Remember who's in charge here. And who's already made you a rich man.”

“Yes, sir.”

I turn to the girl where she cowers at my feet. “Tell her she can write a letter. Make sure her family know it’s her.” Luuk translates.

“Thank you, sir.” She launches herself at me, wrapping her arms around my ankles, weeping incessantly. “Thank you.”

Bech lashes out with a foot. “Get back, you little bitch!”

Disentangling myself from her grasp, I stoop, looking her in the face. “Remember, they have to pay for you. And they have to outbid the others. I’m a businessman, not a charity.”

“They will, sir. They will,” says Luuk.

*****

 

James

Sleep escapes me. My green-eyed Love lying next to me, my friend beyond her, I toss and turn in the dark, my mind churning.

Georgie…

Family matters…

Michael was right to pull me away that day. He enjoys a drink as much as anyone but doesn’t normally overdo it.

When did I last see him drunk?

?

When he believed he was losing Charlotte…

… to me…

He’s right, partially at least. It helps blot out the worst for a few hours. And he went there with me. Stayed with me.

sticking-plaster over

a chasm

fingers creep through the panes, I give up on sleep and moving as quietly as I can, pull on

if, full of care, We have no time

spot, this view, normally calms me. The long slide of grassy slopes down the mountain,

Soul food…

I am unquiet.

of the predawn, but Venus,

on the mug, I wait and I watch as the rim of the world

Pull yourself together man…

the low mist writhing over the

not seen

never see

into the clouds, a gash in

You have everything…

Everything else…

“Master?”

turn, twisting my lips to

wearing slippers and a robe. “Are

So I’m

“Would you like company?”

and join me.

*****

And of course, I know what

Anyone else around?

We have a few moments of what passes for privacy in a spot like

“Yes, Kirstie?”

“James, about….”

with a file. “Am I interrupting you,

I was just

beams up at me. “Here’s the visitor list for today, Kirstie. There’s a couple more confirmations to come in, but that’s most

put them in

Gillis nods to me. “Mr Alexanders.” Then she waddles off

watches her ‘til the door closes behind her then, “She’s um… she’s got a bit of a thing for

God save me…

Kirstie, please. Tell me

“Not a joke. She’s awfully

lowering my voice. “I hate to break this

turns serious again. “James, did

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