Embrace Me (17 page)

“
I’ve missed you so much, Shan.” Charlie smiled before kissing me. I could never get enough of his lips against mine—it was pure heaven.

We mingled with everyone and I introduced Charlie to a few new clients who had been pretty keen to meet him. He was a star in the making, and I couldn’t have been prouder having him stood by my side. My mother was her usual over-the-top self when she saw him. I always felt as if she was trying to prove a point—that she loved me more than he did because of what she could offer me.

“
Is London going well?” my mother asked Charlie before sipping her drink.

“
Very well, thank you, Jennet,” he smiled, looking down at me.

“
What was all that in the papers about you and Megan Field?” Trust my mother to bring that up.

“
Just a PR stunt by Sir Straton,” he laughed.

“
I hardly think it’s funny, Charlie. Have you forgotten what that family did to my daughter?”

Charlie’s face dropped, and I hated my mother right then for saying that to him. “I am more than aware, Jennet,” he replied firmly

“
To be honest, I think it’s hardly fair to hate them if you consider what they’re going through with Maisy,” I interrupted, looking harshly at my mother. “Just imagine how you would feel knowing your daughter might never be found.”

“
I already found out how that feels when they took you away the first time. Karma will always get to you in the end,” she replied bitterly. I could hardly look at her. I was annoyed with myself for upsetting her, but also angry with my mother for being so heartless. “I know you think it’s wrong of me, Lizzie, but after what they took away from me, I have no sympathy left for them. I’m sorry.”

“
I just thought with you understanding how it felt, you might…”

“
It’s different when you know they were
the
kidnappers,” my mother whispered, touching my face. I was beginning to understand what she was trying to tell me. “They took twenty-two years from me. I can’t forgive that—I never will.”

“
Your mother has a point, Shan,” Charlie whispered. My mother looked at him in surprise.

“
Thank you, Charles,” she smiled. “It’s good to see we agree on one thing.”

“
Jennet, I think I am the only other person in this world who loves your daughter as much as you. I understand your fear of losing her again…trust me,” he replied while I just stood there with my mouth open wide, listening to their little heart-to-heart. My mother looked at him and grinned slightly before she disappeared into the crowd.

“
What was all that about?” I asked Charlie as we sat down at one of the tables.

“
What was what?” he asked.

“
You and my mother.”

“
She did have a point, Shan. I mean…the Fields are no better than the bastards who took Maisy.”

“
Hardly,” I muttered.

“
Megan was a mess when I saw her,” he commented. “I have never seen her so broken. I almost felt sorry for her.”

“
Did she tell you anything?” I asked sadly. “Is there any hope at all?”

“
They have detectives on it, but Maisy is pretty deep underground. Someone is paying big money for her,” he replied solemnly. “Poor kid. She was the only decent one out of the bunch.”

“
I wish I could help, but my mother would go crazy if I tried.”

“
There is always hope. If anything, it’s made Sir Phillip and his wife realise just what their children mean to them.”

“
It’s a shame it’s a little too late,” I replied in a daze, just thinking about poor little Maisy.

“
What is it, Sweetheart?” Charlie pulled my face up to his.

“
Frank told me what would probably happen to Maisy…I never realised human trafficking was such big money.”

Charlie looked shocked. “Frank shouldn’t be scaring you like that.”

“
I asked. It wasn’t his fault,” I quickly replied. I didn’t want to get Frank into trouble. He was my saviour from boredom down here on the ranch.

“
Well, it’s sad, but true. These things do go on, and people pay heavy prices for pin ups like the Field sisters.”

“
I don’t get it. I mean, everyone knows what Maisy looks like. How could someone get away with it?”

“
They just go deeper underground. Shan, people with that sort of money can do anything they want. You can look at what your mother and the Fields have, but underground crime can earn just as much. It’s wrong, but true.”

“
How could Maisy get mixed up in all of that?” I whispered.

“
Megan said Maisy went a little off the rails when you left. I guess that sort of shit can stick. The Fields as good as kidnapped you for twenty-two years. I suspect Maisy was the only one in the dark about the entire thing. Imagine how difficult it would be to deal with all that information.”

“
It shouldn’t be Maisy who is made to suffer, though. Maybe we went about this the wrong way…” I whispered as a tear trickled down my face

“
Hey,” Charlie soothed as he pulled me towards him. “None of this is your fault. The Fields made their own mess…now they need to deal with it. Besides, there is always hope, Shan. They may get Maisy back.”

“
She is just a kid, Charlie—barely twenty!” I sobbed.

“
I know, Sweetheart. I know.” Charlie caressed my back as he held me in his arms. ”Do you want to get some fresh air?” I smiled in agreement.

It felt good to be outside. Charlie and I wandered along towards the luxury barn. The security men patrolling the grounds nodded as we walked past them one by one, and I swear Frank had about one hundred guys here tonight. I hadn’t realised just how far away the main barn was from the party. It was quite a walk.

“
Did you want to go in?” Charlie asked, pointing towards my barn.

“
Can we stay out here until the sun sets at least?” I smiled, looking towards the Black Mountains. “It really is a beautiful sight. I’ve wanted to show it to you for months. I know what you are like with your sunsets and sunrises,” I smiled, shivering a little.

“
Of course we can. I will just go and get your coat. It’s a little chilly.” Charlie kissed my shoulder and quickly ran into my barn. Could he be any more perfect?

It was peaceful outside my barn. Everyone was back in the marquee, apart from the security men wandering around. The night breeze was slowly weaving through my hair, making it dance around my face. I sighed, content to finally be with Charlie again after all these weeks.

I watched the horses grazing in the field ahead of me and looked out towards the stunning mountains, counting all the different shades of green I could see.

Suddenly, I heard voices shouting. I turned to see Rachel yelling at Mac as he charged towards her. It was difficult not to listen to them because they were screeching so loud. I began to walk over to try and defuse the situation.

“
YOU STAY AWAY! DO YOU HEAR ME!?” Rachel yelled, pushing Mac hard.

“
Rachel, he has a right to know!” Mac yelled. “I have lost all my family. I…”

“
YOU ARE NOT TALKING TO HIM! DO YOU UNDERSTAND!?” Rachel was sobbing and yelling. I was about to run to her to stop this fight when Mac’s words stopped me dead in my tracks.

“
Rachel, Charlie is my brother! He has a right to know!” Mac roared. “He is all I have left!”

Rachel slapped Mac round the face, hard. “He is
my
family, not yours. Your father never wanted him. He wanted me to have an abortion. I’m sorry you are all alone, but leave
my
son out of it.”

“
I’m not my father. I want Charlie in my life,” Mac replied sadly.

“
DEAL WITH IT. NOW LEAVE MY SON ALONE!” Rachel spat at him as she stormed off back towards the party. Mac put his hands in his pockets and walked slowly away. Neither of them had seen me witness their fight.

I jumped as a pair of warm arms engulfed me from behind a few moments later.

“
Shan, it’s only me,” Charlie smiled. “Are you okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

If only it had been that simple. “Sorry, I don’t feel very well. I think I need to lie down,” I whispered, completely numb.

“
Oh, Sweetheart, come here. I’ll carry you. Have you been mixing your drinks again?” he teased as he picked me up, cradling me against his chest.

I lay on my bed with Charlie’s arms wrapped around me in total confusion. Where did I go from here? I couldn’t just blurt it out to him. I wasn’t even sure Mac
was
his brother…and what about Rachel? If it was true about Charlie’s father, it was no wonder she wanted nothing to do with Mac.

I was in a dangerous dilemma because, either way, I was going to hurt Charlie. I was either going to be lying and keeping secrets from him, or turning his whole world upside down. I was stuck between a rock and a hard place with nowhere to move at all.

“
How are you feeling?” Charlie asked in the morning. “Do you feel like some breakfast?” He placed his hand on my forehead gently. “You don’t seem to have a temperature anymore.”

“
Breakfast sounds great,” I smiled, kissing his lips. He responded urgently, rolling on top of me.

“
Or we could just skip breakfast and do something else instead,” he murmured as he kissed down my neck.

Now my body was on fire. I knew one sure thing that would take away all my worries and troubles. “Make love to me, Charlie,” I whispered. “I’ve missed you so much.” He didn’t need to be told twice. My nightgown was off my body within seconds, and before I knew it, Charlie’s soft lips were relaxing my mind and sending me to euphoria.

We spent most of the weekend making love. It was the only way I could relax my mind. I didn’t even get dressed until early Monday morning when Charlie finally had to leave.

“
Call me when you land,” I breathed against his lips.

“
God, I am missing you already,” he smiled, caressing my back.

“
I’ll miss you more,” I sobbed.

“
I will call you when I land, Sweetheart. Be good.” Charlie smirked, hitting my ass and making me giggle. He was too sexy for words.

I waved him off. When his car had disappeared, my mind crumbled into a confused mess. How would I even begin to sort out what I was going to do—if I was going to do anything at all?

I felt guilty enough with the whole Maisy situation, but this was totally out of my control. How did I even begin to tell Charlie that he might have a brother? And to top it off, it was a guy I knew he hated!

I could see it now, though—the little things that Mac did that made me think about Charlie. There were some similarities, I couldn’t deny that, but was that just coincidental? Mac couldn’t be Charlie’s older brother. It was impossible.

“
What are you thinking about, Shan?” Lorna waved her hand in my face to get my attention. I hadn’t even noticed her and Grace enter. “Actually, if it’s about Charlie, I don’t want to know.”

“
What about Charlie?” I replied, dazed.

“
Shan, are you okay?” Grace asked, sitting next to me on the couch.

“
Grace, she has been in bed with Charlie all weekend. I bet she can hardly move her legs,” Lorna winked.

“
Shut up,” I smiled. Trust Lorna to make me laugh. I wished she could stay a little longer.

“
Lover boy has gone then?” Lorna asked. I nodded my head sadly. “Do you want a coffee?” I needed more than coffee, but it would have to do.

I sat in the living room with my two dear friends, not really saying much. What could I say?  

“
Charlie will be back soon,” Grace smiled, sipping her coffee. “I know it must be hard for him to be so far away.”

“
I know. I just hate the goodbyes.” I winced, wishing I could tell them the truth.

“
How much longer do you think your mother will keep you here?” Lorna asked. “Because, as beautiful as it is down here, Texas is not for you, Shan.”

“
I’m not sure…a few more months maybe. I am coming to New York in a few weeks for the yearly conference, though.”

“
Is this still about Maisy Field?” Lorna asked, studying my face. “I saw how upset you got on Saturday night before you and Charlie left.”

“
A little,” I sighed. “I kind of feel a bit responsible, and Maisy was the nicest out of all of them.”