Un-Break my Heart: Book 2 (The Heart Trilogy) (56 page)

Eventually Mitch spotted Keith appear on the camera that was positioned over the main entrance.

“Freeze that” Mitch demanded, and took a closer look. Zack looked too and realised it was the guy who had introduced himself as a club owner.

“I remember talking to him at the bar, he wanted footage of the two girls dancing but he never got back to me”

“Could he have recorded it himself” Mitch asked.

“No I would have seen as we were chatting by the bar”

They watched the footage and paused at the bar image of the two of them.

“He’s my Mum’s accountant” Mitch said “I met him the other day”

“Oh, he told me he was an international club owner”

Suddenly it was Zack’s turn to stop the recording and look shocked.

“Fuck, how the hell did he do that?”

Mitch saw a figure pop out of the shadows and through the door to Zack’s office. He emerged a few minutes later and happened to look around and the camera picked him up again.

“I believe the answer is that yes he could get the footage, directly off your computer” Mitch said. That was all he needed to see, he knew how the footage had been leaked and whoever this Keith was he was not a club owner or an accountant.

“Can you keep this footage, I might need it” Mitch asked.

Zack nodded; the anger at the violation he felt was immense.

Mitchell stood up and swayed slightly at the alcohol in his system

“Thanks” he said, extending his hand to Zack.

“Give my love t
o
Charlotte, I want you both dancing in my club next year”

“Maybe” Mitch replied; the mention of Charlie pierced his heart. Zack caught the sad look in Mitchell’s eyes and wondered if something had happened between the two of them. That thought softened his rage. The bar area was lit up as Zack moved through the club to let Mitch out. A couple of the girls took in Mitchell’s frame as he moved gracefully behind their boss.

Chapter 68

“Come on Charlie, please come out with us it’s Christmas Eve in a couple of days” Shelley pleaded over the phone.

“I don’t know, I don’t think I’m in the mood”

“Please, just for me. Kyle and I are off to spend the holidays with my folks i
n
Irelan
d
so I won’t be around again until the start of college next year”

Her friend’s plea touched Charlie and after a moment she replied.

“Ok, I’ll come for a bit” she relented.

“Great, we’ll come and pick you up in an hour then” Shelley’s voiced bubbled with excitement.

Charlott
e
headed for the shower and then stood in front of the large wardrobe in Darren’s old room. Every dress she pulled out held memories of Mitchell and it just made her sad thinking he might never see her in any of them again. She found a red and white dress that she had bought while Mitchell had been in the States. Pulling it on she realised how much weight she had lost as she had to take it off and find a padded bra to wear to fill it out. Luckily the skirt was flared and hid the rest of her easily. Pulling her hair into a ponytail she applied some make up to her pale skin, the tan from her holiday i
n
Americ
a
had already faded in the cold weather.

Running downstairs she poked her head around the door of the lounge. James was working nights so her Mum was curled up in the chair reading and listening to music.

“I’m going out” Charlie said. I looked up from the page and almost gasped at Charlie’s now slight frame.

“Where are you going?”

“Dusk till Dawn I think, with Shelley and Kyle and some other friends from college”

“Have a good night”

“I’ll try, Mum” she answered, as a horn sounded from the driveway.

Shelley was shocked to see how much weight Charlie had lost since she split up with Mitchell, as she gave her a quick hug before opening the car door.

“Let’s party” Kyle said, turning the music up and driving through the lit streets to the club. The festive decorations that adorned the shops did nothing to brighten Charlie’s mood as she thought about all the presents she had for Mitchell. The club buzzed with crowds of people ready to drink, dance and party the night away. Charlie hoped their happiness would infect her as she handed over her coat and wandered into the main bar area.

The beat pumped inside the club and travelled up through her feet and into her body. Grabbing a booth Kyle and his friends bought some jugs of cocktails and some shots

“Here’s to Christmas” Kyle said, holding aloft his shot glass. They all followed suit and on Charlie’s empty stomach the alcohol travelled swiftly though her body.

“Let’s dance” Shelley said, grabbing her hand and pulling her onto the dance floor. They pushed into a small space and started to move to the beat. After a few songs they returned to the table and a further round of shots and Charlie discovered how great this was at numbing her feelings.

Zack had notice
d
Charlotte’s arrival and the absence of Mitchell. Wandering down through the crowds he spotted Shelley alone by the bar and he stepped into the space beside her.

“Evening Shelley”

“Oh Hi Zack, fantastic music tonight this place is pumping”

He placed his hand on the swell of her ass and guided her away from the main crowds.

“I
s
Charlott
e
here” he asked.

“Yes, I managed to persuade her out of the house, she’s not been good since she split up with Mitch”

“Oh, I didn’t realise” he feigned surprise at her revelation.

“Mad, isn’t it!! She’s really cut up about it all so I’m hoping tonight will cheer her up a bit”

Zack nodded and smiled

“I’ll send a jug over to your table. Merry Christmas” Zack said, dropping a quick kiss on her lips. Shelley smiled and headed back to the table. The drink arrived shortly and after another session on the dance floor Charlie was really starting to sway and not because of the music.

“I’m just going to the Ladies” she slurred. Weaving through the club Charlie found the tiles on her forehead soothing. The banging in there was not just from the music, as she shakily re-applied her lipstick. She checked her phone but still no message from Mitchell, no hope that he might change his mind.

Back out in the hot atmosphere Charlie knew that she was really not feeling well. Wandering into the lobby area she pulled out her phone again and rang a taxi. The air felt so warm around her, the club music started to fade into the distance as her legs crumpled beneath her and the ground pushed the air from her lungs. Opening her eyes a moment later she was confused to find deep brown eyes staring back into hers.

“Charlie, can you hear me” his deep voice broke through the cotton wool feeling of her blocked ears. She closed her eyes once more and took a deep breath before she opened them again and noticed she was in Zack’s office.

“Its fin
e
Charlotte, you fainted downstairs so I bought you up here” he said.

“My taxi” she gasped.

“Look, you’re in no fit state to jump in a taxi at the moment” he said, as he helped her to sit up on the leather sofa in his room.

Grabbing a glass of water from the desk he handed it to her. She grasped it and took a long slow swallow. All the while she was aware of the way that her dress was all bunched up at the top of her thighs and Zack was still looking at her. Smoothing the fabric down she handed him back the glass.

“Thanks”

“Do you want another?”

“No, I’m feeling better now”

Charlie watched as he placed a hand onto her hot forehead, its coolness soothed her headache and she closed her eyes for a moment. His soft fingers ran down the side of her cheek and then onto her shoulder. She shivered slightly as he continued down her bare arm and the pulse point at her wrist. She was sure that he could detect her increased heartbeat as his large hand circled her wrist like a watch.

His breath was like a whisper on her cheek, a light touch of stubble that grazed her soft skin.

“I want you Charlotte” he whispered into her ear. In her mind it was Mitchell saying the words as his lips moved to her lips, planting soft kisses on his journey there. It was only when their mouths touched tha
t
Charlott
e
remembered that it was Zack and not Mitchell and she quickly pushed him away.

“Sorry Zack, I can’t be here with you
”
Charlott
e
cried, as she struggled from the sofa and raced for the door. But Zack was too quick for her and pulled her back against him.

“I’m sorry” his low voice murmured “I’ve been fighting my growing feelings for you and I just couldn’t resist”

Letting her go, he watched her compose her shocked expression at his declaration.

“I can’t even think about that now, my mind is a mess since Mitchell left” she sobbed “I’m not eating, sleeping or anything”

Sitting down she hid her tears with her hands as Zack sat down beside her. His arm wound around her shoulders and he held her while the cries of pain racked her thin body. Eventually she was silent and still but he remained close to her side, waiting for her next move. Lifting her head she turned to look at him, her red rimmed eyes stark against the grey pallor of her skin. Something inside Zack yearned to just keep holding her, keeping her safe against the horrors of the real world, but he knew that he had to keep playing the slow game.

Looking at his watch Zack realised that it had not even turned midnight yet.

“Can I give you a lift home?”

Charlie raised wary eyes at him.

“It’s ok, just friends. But I’d rather not send you home in a taxi as you are” he said, handing her a tissue to wipe away the tears. She nodded and managed a weak smile. She waited while he informed his Head Barmaid and then he returned with her coat. Following him down the back stairs she was thankful they didn’t have to leave through the club. Upon entering the car park she watched him blip his keys and the lights lit up on a Ferrari.

“Wow, is that yours” she gasped in admiration.

“Yep, it gets me from A to B” he replied, opening the passenger door for her.

The heated seat started up as he pressed the ignition button and a throaty, powerful roar filled the car. He turned the music on low and then slowly left the car park and out into the street.

“So whereabouts are you?” he said, his finger poised on the dashboard fitted sat-nav. Charlie reeled off her postcode and then sat back as the car came to life on the roads that led to home. The smell of the leather seats mingled with Zack’s aftershave which she recognised as the same one that Mitchell wore. Closing her eyes she breathed in deeply, apart from missing the feel of the wind buffeting her body on the bike as she held onto Mitch, the speed of the car was so similar.

“Charlie, we’re here” Zack said softly. He killed the engine and reached over to casually brush her thigh with his hand.

“Thanks Zack” Charlie replied. He rushed around to open the door as Charlie alighted on shaking legs. Then in a small moment of abandon she reached up and planted a ghost of a kiss onto his cheek. “Merry Christmas”

“Merry Christmas
,
Charlotte” Zack replied, feeling his cheek burn from her tender touch “And if you ever need me just call”

She nodded and pushed her key into the door. Luckily the house was in darkness as she headed into the kitchen and turned on the light. From the window she watched Zack’s car pull out of the driveway and disappear at the corner in the road. Switching the kettle on she made a small cup of tea and sipped it slowly at the kitchen table.

From my bedroom I heard the door open and close and looked across at the clock. Charlie was earlier than I had expected as I heard the sound of a powerful engine fade into the distance. Pulling on my dressing gown I headed into the kitchen.

“You’re early” I said, seeing her tear stained cheeks.

“Getting drunk doesn’t help, does it Mum” she said, sheepishly. I shook my head

“Didn’t my diary teach you?”

“Yeah, I guess I’m just crap at taking advice”

I found some crumpets and popped a couple into the toaster.

“Midnight snacks?”

Charlott
e
nodded and smiled at my obvious attempt to get her to eat.

An hour later we both headed upstairs to our rooms, at the top she reached for me and I held her close.

“Everything will work out” I soothed.

“Maybe” was her reply, as she headed into the room and shut the door. Insid
e
Charlott
e
undressed and snuggled into her pyjamas, her head still spinning but not from the alcohol. She thought about what Zack had said to her, he had feelings for her. But were they romantic or sexual? She knew that he had a reputation as a bad boy, womaniser but that jarred against the way he had been with her tonight. He could easily have overpowered her and she wouldn’t have had the strength or will power to resist him. His scent was almost the same as Mitchell’s but the feel of his body against hers had been different.

She thought about the club, his car and the obvious money that he had, compared with Mitchell. If she were swayed by those material assets then maybe things would have turned out differently tonight. As if to affirm this a stroke of moonlight lit up the picture of Mitchell on the bedside table. Her heart started to race as closing her eyes she remembered the feel of his lips on hers, the solid chest pressing her into the soft duvet. The way that they magically moved together on the dance floor as more tears seeped down to join the million other’s that her pillow had soaked up since they had parted.

Under the duvet cover I closed my eyes and thought of the evil woman who I felt was somehow behind all the tragedy in my life. She had now moved on to my daughter and I just hoped that the Police investigation would un-cover something that had been overlooked.