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 the

there’s a chasm

sleep and moving as quietly as I can, pull on some clothes and head for the kitchen. Then, coffee in hand, I go outside to sit

if, full of care, We have no

spot, this view, normally calms me. The long slide

Soul food…

inside, I am unquiet. I cannot

in the grey light of the predawn,

I wait and I watch as the rim of the

Pull yourself together man…

blood-red across the low mist writhing over

not seen

never

blood seeps into the clouds,

You have everything…

Everything else…

“Master?”

twisting my lips to a

a robe.

So I’m just

“Would you like company?”

would. Come and join me. But put some proper clothes on. It’s

*****

catches my eye. And of course, I know what

Anyone else around?

We have a few moments of what passes for privacy

“Yes, Kirstie?”

“James, about….”

back office with a

all. I was

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

them in

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

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

God save me…

Kirstie, please. Tell me

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

voice. “I hate to

then turns serious

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