Un-Break my Heart: Book 2 (The Heart Trilogy) (52 page)

“So I’m guessing you want to set up your dance studios with this money” she asked.

“Yes”

“Well, there are two more large barns further down the driveway and off to the right, you can’t see them when you come up as they are shielded by trees. That money could easily convert them into either 2 large studios or 4 smaller ones and as they sit close to each other a passageway between them could be built” she paused, watching him closely “There is space for a car park and everything it would be perfect and no commute for you each day other than a pleasant walk down the driveway”

Mitchell drained the last mouthful from his glass and placed it on the table.

His mind had finished living in the dream world of dance studios and remembered the letter.

“So Mum, what is your condition” he asked, cautiously. Her smile broadened as she poured herself another glass and took a mouthful, enjoying the way victory tasted as it slowly slipped down her throat.

“You must sever your links with James, Stephanie and Charlotte to recognise Anthony as your father by taking his name. Then all this money and the barns will be yours. This will allow my Will to recognise you as my sole heir in the future” her eyes bore directly into his, challenging him to protest.

“That’s not fair Mum, you’re asking me to end my relationship wit
h
Charlott
e
and disown James who has brought me up for most of my life for this” he stood up, his eyes dark with disgust.

“The deals off Mother, I knew that this wonderful offer would be too good to be true. The answer is No” he shouted, his hands clenched tightly into fists.

“Mitchell, please don’t go” she pleaded “Please at least tell me you’ll think about it. This offer will set you up for the rest of your life”

“I can’t Mum
,
Charlott
e
means the world to me and the studios will be for the both of us and our future together. She is my dance partner, lover and soul mate and after six weeks i
n
Americ
a
I am never letting her out of my sight again” Mitchell turned to leave as he heard his mother break down into tears. He turned to look at her and hesitated.

“I’m sorry Mum, but unless you can recognise tha
t
Charlott
e
is part of my life then this conversation is finished”

She continued to cry so he went over to her and put his arms around her shaking shoulders

“If you give Charlie a try you might get to like her”

“That little slapper, I don’t think so” her tone changed as the sobs subsided.

“She’s so wrong for you. Olivia would be perfect, older, refined and would support your career. Her mother told me how you treated her i
n
America”

“Look Mum”

“Don’t look Mum me” Felicity butted in “I think the best thing you can do is go now. I’ll give you a week to think about the offer and Daniel will give you something on the way out that might help” she shrugged his arms off and stood up. The tears had dried and the rage simmered just beneath the surface of her calm expression.

Feeling completely drained Mitchell wandered back to the front door and pulled his jacket on. Daniel appeared from the kitchen

“Oh you’re going. That’s a shame I was rather looking forward to the three of us eating out together” he said, smoothly. He glanced down the hallway and saw Felicity standing in the doorway, she gave him a quick nod. He pulled a disc out of his back pocket and handed it to Mitchell. Who placed it in the inside pocket of his leathers.

“Bye Mum” he called, then he was out of the door and jumping onto his bike. Riding slowly down the driveway he couldn’t help but pull into the small side lane and stop to look at the barns his Mum had told him about. They were perfect but the conditions that hung on them were a step too far for Mitchell.

Revving the machine beneath him he floored the bike and kicking gravel up behind him he sped off down the rest of the driveway and onto the road. The miles flew by and he soon pulled in and parked next to his Dad’s car. James would always be his Dad, Pam and Peter his grandparents, Stephanie and Charlotte the only family he would ever need.

Chapter 63

Walking into the warm hallway Charlie came running full pelt and leapt in his open arms.

“Come and see all the Christmas decorating we’ve done…Oh by the way how did it go?” she said, grabbing his hand and pulling him towards the lounge. Mitchell gently moved his hand

“I need to talk to Dad first but then I’ll be in”

Charlie planted a kiss on his lips and then sauntered back to the lounge, passing James who had appeared in the doorway of his office.

“Hey, Mitch” James said, noticing the pale colour evident beneath the tanned skin.

“Dad, I need to talk to you” Mitch said, walking into his Dad’s little den and flopping down on the small sofa.

Sitting in his office chair James waited for Mitchell to speak, watching as it took him a few moments to decide where to start.

“Mum told me about her affair but it wasn’t with a masseuse like she told you, it was with her next husband Anthony”

James sat back startled by the news

“You have proof” he asked

“Only in the photographs and a letter that he left with his Will, I share the same eye colour as him. The only way to prove anything for certain is for us to take the test to confirm that you’re not my Dad”

“Is that what you want to do?”

Mitch shook his head “You are the one who raised me and has been there for me all my life so I’d like to think that you’d be alright if I still call you Dad”

The word hung in the air as James stood up and grasped his son’s hand

“Of course Mitch” he said, jubilation in his voice.

“There’s something else Dad” Mitch whispered, trying hard not to burst the good mood. James sat back down again and listened.

“In the letter Anthony left me £5 million to invest in a business but there were conditions attached”

James’ face fell, he knew all about the sort of conditions Felicity was capable of.

“She wants me to disown all of you, leav
e
Charlotte. She’s converted a barn into a house for me and has offered me two further barns that could be altered into a dance studio. She wants me to recognise Anthony as my father and take his name”

James watched his son crumple in front of him, whilst deep inside him the hatred for Felicity was built upon once more.

Tears slid down Mitchell’s cheeks as he tried to rid the bad taste from his mouth that saying those words had left. The ambitious part of him really wanted to grasp the money but his heart was winning the battle.

“I’m not going to accept it” Mitch said “I can’t, I lov
e
Charlott
e
too much and I don’t want to lose her, or you and Stephanie or Darren, Pam, Peter” he took a breath “She’s told me to think about it and give her a definite answer next weekend”

“Oh Mitch, I don’t know what to say except do what feels right for you and in whatever way I will support you”

A tap on the door startled them both, as I popped my head into the room

“Anyone for a coffee”

“Yes” James said, Mitch nodded as he tried to hide his wet cheeks. I searched James’ face for any clues.

“I’ll come and give you a hand, see you in the lounge Mitch”

“Yes, I’ll be there in a moment” he wiped his eyes and thought of Charlie waiting for him. A slow smile crept onto his lips, dispelling the black clouds that his Mum had pushed there.

In the kitchen James filled me in on the conversation as we listened to Mitchell climb the stairs and head into the bathroom. Charlie was putting the final touches to the tree as she threw angels hair onto the branches, covering everything in a sparkling gold blanket. Refreshed from his quick shower he headed back downstairs and took in the sight of his very own Angel, balancing on tip toes trying to reach the top. He crept up behind her and she gasped as he lifted her into his arms and she sprinkled the star that sat atop of the tree.

“For god’s sake can’t you leave each other alone for a moment” I joked, carrying a tray of coffee and a tin of biscuits.

“The tree looks superb, girls” James said, reaching to give my ass a cheeky pinch.

I saw Charlie looking into Mitchell’s eyes, trying to discern what had gone on at his Mum’s without actually asking.

“I’ll tell you later” Mitch whispered in her ear, he didn’t want to spoil the magical mood that the arrival of the festive season heralded.

“Can I use some decorations in our bedroom” Charlie asked, between biscuits.

“Take what you want, we seem to have enough to do the whole house” I said, laughing as Jester appeared with a strand of tinsel wrapped around his collar.

In bed later Charlie turned to Mitch after he had told her all the news. She was shaking with rage as she held him close, thankful that he had chosen her over the evil bitch’s offer.

“We will make it you know” she whispered.

“I know we will, Lucky Star Studio’s will succeed but on my terms only”

“Our terms” Charlie murmured as she pressed her lips down onto his and pushed the covers aside to straddle him. Their naked bodies in tune to every beat of their hearts.

I held James close as we snuggled down under the duvet together.

“What a day”

“Yes, but I think we might be through the worst of it now. Mitchell still wants me to be his Dad and has to a degree made his feeling clear on the money offer” James responded, as his hand ran slowly up and down my leg.

“I hope so” I breathed, although something in my mind refused to believe that Felicity would give up this easily. His finger burrowed into my wetness I sighed and turned my thoughts off for the night and tuned into the feelings that James’ touch aroused in me.

The next morning everyone was up and about. James was on day shifts so left at the same time as me. Charlie headed off on the bus for college leaving Mitchell to have a lie in before he went over to the bike shop. Charlie had bought him up coffee and toast in bed and he had enjoyed watching her dress for college, knowing that the sexy underwear she was wearing beneath her jeans and jumper would be removed by him later. Pulling on his leather jacket he suddenly remembered the disc that Daniel had given him. His curiosity piqued he slipped into his Dad’s office and fired up the Pc.

He watched the blackness reveal lights and a familiar club background. Then a spotlight highlighted two girls standing ready in the centre of the dance floor, he knew them both it was Charlie and Shelley. Smiling he sat back, wondering how on earth his mother or Daniel had got this footage as he heard the song “I kissed a girl” start to play. Realising that the dance was actually a strip tease he leaned forward and felt anger rising like the flames over the first piece of kindling. How could she do this? He could hear all the guys in the audience wolf whistling and shouting more as the routine ended.

The screen went black again and he was about to press stop when the next piece of footage started. It appeared to be a small room, a little like a dressing room with mirrors and clothes and towelling robes lying around. The view from this camera was slightly more distant but there was no mistaking it was still Charlie and Shelley. The sight of the two of them on the sofa was too much for him to take, he could feel the bile reach the back of his throat but he couldn’t look away until the end. The cries of her orgasm echoed in his head. Racing for the downstairs toilet he threw up in the bowl and then sat back on his heels. He had been so lonely i
n
Americ
a
but had never once succumbed to another’s touch, despite the many girls including Olivia who had tried. He had been completely true and faithful t
o
Charlott
e
and this was how she repaid him. Who else had she been sleeping with? Zack to get the job as he knew her age wasn’t legal for that type of show.

The disc was still looping round as he returned to the office and removed it from the drive. The trust he had for Charlie was rapidly disintegrating as the images continue to flick before his eyes. Checking his watch, which had no doubt been bought with the money she had been paid for that exhibition he quickly ran upstairs and grabbed some clothes and his toiletries. Then he headed for the Bike shop and Simon, hoping that he could rely on his best mate for some advice. At the same time the figure £5 million played on his mind, his Mum was right. The disc lay discarded on the desk.

Zooming into the parking area Simon noticed Mitchell striding towards him with speed, he hadn’t even taken his helmet off but Simon could sense from the walk that something was wrong.

“What’s up, Bud?”

Mitchell stopped and pulled off his helmet to look at his friend. Simon saw the red rimmed eyes and immediately steered him through to the back office.

“My Mother and Charlotte” Mitch replied, placing his head in his hands.

“Go on, I’m all ears and I’ll help in whatever way I can”

“Mum gave me a DVD disc with footage o
f
Charlott
e
on it
.
Charlott
e
dancing with her friend Shelley and taking her clothes off in front of everyone in the club”

Simon took a deep breath, he had been there that night but he wondered whether he should mention it.

“It seems that all the time I was being faithful to her i
n
Americ
a
she’s been having an affair”

“Who with?”

“You’ll not believe it in a million years. In fact if I hadn’t seen it for myself I wouldn’t either” Mitch muttered

“Have you talked t
o
Charlott
e
yet?”

“No. I’m not sure what to say and whether to believe the footage is real or whether my Mum is playing her usual games again”

“Mate, I hate to say this but I was at the club that night and it wa
s
Charlott
e
dancing” Simon’s voice trailed off into the heavy silence.

The kettle that Simon had put on to boil clicked off un-noticed.

“I know it’s her dancing but then I saw footage from the dressing room”

“You mean Charlie and the club owner…..what’s his name again?”

“Nope, Charlie and Shelley or at least that’s what the video shows. It’s a little harder to tell as they are quite a long way from the camera”

Simon could hardly believe it as he poured hot water onto the coffee granules and handed the mug to Mitch.

“I guess if your Mum knows someone clever then this footage could be fake? do you have it with you”

“Fuck, I left it at home on my Dad’s desk”

“Well if you get chance to retrieve it then I know a guy who’s a bit of a computer wiz”

Mitchell nodded as he cradled his mug and Charlie’s beautiful body danced through his mind.

“Si, you might want to sit down for this next piece of news”

“My Mum had an affair and James is not my Dad. My real Dad is dead now but he left me £5 million in his will”

Simon spluttered his mouthful of tea out at the revelation
“Did you just say £5 million?”

“Yes but it comes with a stipulation that I have to start a business with it but at the same time disown my family and Charlotte”

“But why the whole disowning thing and how would a dead guy know about your girlfriend” Simon asked, puzzled.

“The last condition was that my Mum would add a rule to his one about the business. She’s the one that wants me to leave them all. She’s even got a barn conversion that I can move into and a further two barns that could be converted into an amazing dance studio”

His heart lay heavy in his chest at the thought of confrontin
g
Charlott
e
later.

“I really don’t know what to say, mate” Simon said.

“If it’s true I’m not sure that I can forgiv
e
Charlotte. Even if she says it’s nothing how will I ever trust her when we are apart?”

“Well there’s room at my flat if you need it” Simon offered, draining his cup.

“Thanks, it might be best if I crash at yours for a couple of days while I get everything straight and decide what to do”

“I guess that if you are no longer with Charlie then maybe the money offer might not be a bad option”

“I guess” Mitch replied, standing up. “I think I need to do some work and try to keep my mind from dwelling on it until later”

“Ok, there are a couple of bikes needing a general service and valet in the back” Simon said. Mitchell headed through and Simon went back to the front of the showroom.