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.

it’s only sticking-plaster

and there’s a chasm inside

can, pull on some clothes and

if, full of care, We have no time to

me. The long slide of grassy slopes down the mountain, the lake

Soul food…

I am

sun has not risen, the world bathed in the grey light of the predawn, but Venus, hanging low, heralds the

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

Pull yourself together man…

blood-red across the low

seen her for

never see

seeps into the clouds, a gash in the

You have everything…

Everything else…

“Master?”

I turn, twisting my lips to a

slippers and a

So I’m just watching the

“Would you like company?”

and join me. But put some proper clothes

*****

my eye. And of course,

Anyone else around?

quiet. We have a few moments of what passes for privacy in a

“Yes, Kirstie?”

“James, about….”

back office with a file. “Am

was just chatting with

beams up at me. “Here’s the visitor list for today, Kirstie. There’s a

put them in

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

her then, “She’s um… she’s got a bit

God save me…

Tell

twitches around her mouth and eyes. “Not a joke. She’s awfully

voice. “I hate to break this to you, but she’s not my

then turns serious again. “James, did

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