Un-Break my Heart: Book 2 (The Heart Trilogy) (55 page)

Mitch nodded and once he had poured her and Daniel a mug he headed back to his place.

“What on earth are you doing here, talking to my son?” Felicity demanded.

“I had to come and warn you, the local police are sniffing around your Health Spa, you know the one where your husband died. I wanted to give you the head’s up in case they arrived here”

“Why the fuck are they doing that?” Felicity slammed her palm down on the table “His death was five years ago, verdict accidental death”

“I’m not sure, my usual police contact is on holiday until next week so I’ll keep my eyes peeled and let you know if anything else happens”

“Ok, I’ll make sure my security guys are briefed not to let the police onto my property without warrants”

“So the video footage worked” Keith asked, changing the subject.

“Yes, my son appeared here at the start of the week, but I still need you to keep on top of his ex-girlfriend Charlotte as well as James and Stephanie”

Standing up Felicity looked at the time

“I’m going to have to get you to leave, I have guests arriving at noon and I need some time to prepare”

“No problem” Keith replied, draining his cup and getting up.

“Next time call me first” Felicity warned, showing him to the door.

Mitchell had just finished his dancing when he watched Keith head towards his car, he raised his hand but although Keith saw him he looked away and failed to acknowledge the gesture.

Mitchell was just on his way to shower when he heard a knock, opening the door he found Daniel standing there.

“Felicity sent me to tell you that Madeleine and Olivia will be arriving at noon so could you be ready and up at the house before then”

“Yes, I’ll be there”

“Olivia is attractive in a refined way but no where near as sexy as Charlie” Daniel said, smirking at Mitch’s rising anger.

“You’re so easy to wind up. That footage from the club was amazing so I can kind of guess why it’s taking you a little while to get over her. Betrayed with a woman…….you must be shit in bed”

Before Mitchell could say anything else Daniel turned on his heels and hurried back to the security of the house and Felicity.

The shower did nothing to sooth Mitchell’s state of mind and then for some reason he turned his laptop on and the disc inside it started automatically. He didn’t need to see the footage again as it just added to his pain, however as he was about to stop it he took a moment to look at the crowds. Had Daniel been there that night, had he got the footage? Playing the disc as slowly as he could Mitchell turned his attention to the crowd that could be seen. He immediately noticed Zack lounging at the bar and then talking to a guy who was very interested in the two girls dancing. Suddenly as the camera did a small move in direction Mitch caught the face of Zack’s companion. Freezing the screen he took a closer look, he couldn’t be sure but it looked like Keith Madison.

What was an accountant doing at a nightclub? Something just did not quite add up but as time was short Mitchell stopped the disc and then got dressed.

All though dinner Mitchell’s mind pondered the video footage and he itched to get away but Olivia seemed glued to his side.

“Why don’t you show Olivia your barn conversion” Felicity suggested, as the afternoon had stretched into evening.

“I’d love to see it” she drawled in her upper class American accent.

“Ok Mum” Mitchell replied, resigned to his fate. Letting her inside he watched as she took a look around.

“I still need to get some more furniture and this is my dance studio so it really needs some mirrors putting up on that wall” Mitch gestured.

Boldly Olivia took his hand and whispered in his ear

“Will you dance with me?”

He crossed to the stereo and pressed play on his iPod and let the notes fill the air.

“I can waltz” she declared, standing there waiting for him.

Mitchell could too so he decided that it was best to humour her, however as the music slowed and the darkness crowded the windows she pressed closer to him. Her hands ran over the muscles in his back and then to rest on his ass. She squeezed it lightly and felt him respond to her so she got bolder.

“I want you Mitchell, I wanted you back at the concert but now you’re single you can give in to your feelings”

Letting go she headed for the staircase and Mitchell could do nothing but follow, even though he really wanted to flee. He slowly climbed the stairs to find her semi-naked on his bed. The expensive silk underwear highlighted her figure as her breasts spilled out of her camisole top.

“Come here and I’ll show you what an older woman can offer you” she purred, her hands smoothed the material of her underwear, picking out her erect nipples. Like a lamb to the slaughter Mitchell shut off his heart and let his body respond, hoping that this would make him feel better. He sat down on the bed and let Olivia’s fingers get started on his shirt buttons.

Her cool hands trailed over his flat belly as she removed his belt and started to work his trousers off. He soon lay naked beneath her eager tongue as she worked on his cock until it stood erect for her. Her body felt alien beneath his touch, her large breasts hung down and although he cupped and sucked them he felt no desire. All he could think about was how different she was in comparison t
o
Charlotte. Olivia lowered down upon him and rode him with vigour until he felt her orgasm, but although she continued to work on him nothing happened. Sighing he pushed her off and wandered into the bathroom, locking the door behind him.

Chapter 67

“Mitchell, Mitchell are you alright?” her voice echoed through the door.

“I’m not feeling well” he lied “It might have been that wine at lunch”

“Can I help at all?”

“No, think I just need to sleep, will you be ok to walk back to the house”

“I can stay” she offered.

Opening the door he realised that she had pulled his shirt on with her knickers and once more his mind remembered the time in the kitchen with Charlie in one of his oversized t-shirts and no knickers.

He walked across and held her close

“I’m so sorry Olivia; it’s just never going to work between us until I get ove
r
Charlotte. It’s too soon” he soothed, before he brushed a kiss on her forehead.

He watched her face fall but she didn’t shout or cry.

“Well, if you ever change your mind, give me a call” she said, removing his shirt and pulling her dress back on.

“Send my apologies to Felicity that I won’t be there for supper”

She nodded and adjusted her hair back into its slick ponytail before pulling out her lipstick and swiping it across her mouth.

“You’re a great lay” she giggled, heading for the stairs. He managed a weak smile and then breathed out as she shut the door. He could smell her scent on the covers so he ripped them off and grabbed a new fresh set instead.

He moved the bed so that he could lie down and look out into the night sky and the moon that was shining down through the window. He could only se
e
Charlotte, she was so much a part of him and having tried with Olivia he knew that no one would replace her. But could he forgive her? And after what he had just done with Olivia would she want him back? The night stretched ahead of him but sleep would not release him from his thoughts so he got up and grabbed his laptop. Logging on he watched the club video again and this time he felt more certain that it was the same man.

The house network was unsecured and Mitch realised that he could easily see his Mother and Daniel’s files. He scanned down all the titles until one stopped him in his tracks “Charlotte” Before opening it he continued down the list and found “Darren”, “James”, “Sophie” and “Stephanie” along with his own name. Carefully he opened up the one marked Sophie and found files about her family, upbringing and even medical records. He shut it down and then opened the one on his brother. It seemed to be mostly pictures of him as a baby and then of Felicity, James and Darren – happy family life. Then he found medical records and a blood test that proved Felicity and James were Darren’s parents. Why would she need to check this? Knowing what Charlie had told him from the diary he guessed that Felicity wanted to be sure of her bargaining chip.

Taking a break he padded down to the kitchen and made a coffee, he knew he wouldn’t need it to keep him awake but he needed to read all these files and then talk to Simon tomorrow and finally Zack on Monday or Tuesday next week. Next he opened the one on James and found notes about his shifts when he was an employee of Felicity’s, strange blurry pictures that were almost too dark to make out but looked a lot like the two of them in a parked car. Fuck!! He sat back again and sipped the hot liquid, his mind alive with all these images, where had they come from? Had she thought of blackmailing him with these? There were others of the two of them in various situations that looked staged to show a love affair.

As dawn broke the glimmer of lights started to come on in the house and decided it was too risky to look any further in case Daniel or his Mother realised that he was accessing their files. Yawning and stretching Mitch lay back down on the bed and found solace in a dreamless sleep. Hours later his phone beeped and woke him up.

“Mitchell I hope you are well enough to join us for dinner this evening. I am entertaining our guests at the Health Spa but Dan is home if you need anything” was the message from his Mum.

An hour later he saw Daniel leaving in his car and finishing up his training he headed back to the computer, knowing that at most he would have an hour of two to continue his investigations.

The next file was Stephanie’s and once more he found reams of photo’s, most fairly blurry of her with Mark, then notes on her radio shifts and on her husband Mark’s hospital shifts. Someone had been watching them for most of their life together, the notes were all hand written but had been scanned into the computer. No names but he knew that the scrawl didn’t belong to his Mum. He smiled at a shot of Charlie as a tiny baby being lifted from a car. He quickly copied what he could onto his laptop and then closed the file. It was only his an
d
Charlotte’s left but hearing a car on the driveway he stopped again. Picking up his phone he called Simon and told him all about the files he had found. Simon told him how broke
n
Charlott
e
had been at his flat and then urged him to be careful.

Showered and changed once more Mitchell arrived in the dining room ready for another evening of entertaining. Daniel appeared and ushered Olivia to her seat, this time opposite Mitch and next to his. Warily Mitchell made eye contact but Olivia just smiled back at him before continuing her conversation with Daniel. Felicity played the dutiful mum as she hugged him close.

“Are you feeling better now?”

“Yes, but I might stick to water this evening”

Another couple appeared and were introduced and then a couple of guys who looked about the same age as Daniel appeared. They were all politely introduced and Mitch tried his best to engage in conversation but he mind was slowly turning all the information over and over. Each turn poisoned him further against his Mother, who as the head of the table preened and basked in the compliments that poured forth.

Later Mitch was excused and wandered back to his place. He heard laughter and music echoing from the house as the party relaxed in the indoor pool area that he could just see from his window. Once more he logged into the computer as his mouse hovered over the remaining two files, he chose his first. Baby photo’s appeared to fill most of the file, although there were far less than in Darren’s. Copies of the Will and results of another blood test that proved beyond doubt that Anthony Carmichael-Astaire was his father. Then he found his school and college schedules, details of all his short-lived girlfriends but still with names and background checks. Fucking hell was this woman possessed with needing to know everything?? He felt sick as he wondered what he would find i
n
Charlotte’s file.

Realising he was out of beer; Mitchell shut the computer off and headed over to the house. If he was careful he could sneak in and out without being spotted and made to rejoin the party which was obviously still in full swing. The kitchen was empty so he grabbed a couple from the fridge and walked back to the door, but he didn’t make it as he heard voices in the hallway. He ducked into the small bathroom and shut the door, hoping that the people in question were not heading that way. He recognised Daniel’s voice as the door shut and then he was shocked to realise that the other belonged to Olivia, her American accent unmistakable.

“Sssh, we need to be quick and quiet” Dan said. Mitchell couldn’t help but press his ear against the door, now this could be useful if he wanted to play his Mum at her own game. Olivia giggled lightly

“Oh Dan, you’re absolutely delicious”

As sighs and moans started to get louder Mitchell carefully opened the door and pressed the voice record on his phone. Daniel had pushed Olivia back onto the kitchen table and was greedily lapping between her legs like a thirsty dog. Olivia sighed and moaned under his tongue, her hands holding his hair and urging him deeper. Then he quickly turned her over so that she was sprawled face down on the table and he could plunge inside her.

Quickly Mitchell took the opportunity to sneak through the back door, he had seen enough to feel smug beyond belief. Next time Daniel said something barbed he could return the sentiment. Feeling buoyed at his discovery Mitchell logged back on and knew it was time to look in th
e
Charlott
e
file. He gasped at the various photos gathered there and another copy of the DVD file. He suddenly recognised that one of the pictures showe
d
Charlott
e
in her old kitchen, could that have been the night they scared off a person lurking in the garden. Information about their friends Shelley and Kyle, all the dance auditions they had attended. Once more another detailing Charlie’s college course times.

He was horrified, devastated at his mother’s vast array of information, he guessed gathered with the help of someone else. Could it be Daniel? Almost un-noticeable at the bottom of the list was a file parked Private and Confidential. He double clicked it but a separate screen appeared asking for a password as it was encrypted. He managed to save it across onto his laptop as he knew that Simon had a friend who was a bit of a hacker. Closing everything down once more he finished his bottle, hoping the effects of the alcohol would numb his sense of repulsion.

He checked his email and found a message from James.

              “Hi Mitchell,

Charlie told me where you are so although I’m not pleased that you have chosen to pursue her offer I understand your ambition. I know your relationship wit
h
Charlott
e
is causing you some pain and anguish but she is just as broken here, a mere shell of her vibrant self. I know why you feel hurt and betrayed by her but why don’t you give her another chance? Don’t give up on happiness like I did all those years ago, living with regret will only eat away at you.

Anyway, I’m sending this to invite you to the family Christmas Eve dinner as no matter what you are still my son and part of my family. I hope that you can come and share this evening with us and put aside any differences you may have for one night.

No need to reply if it will get you into trouble with your Mum just turn up. The door will always be open.

Love Dad”

He quickly sent a short reply saying that he was not sure but he would try
.
Charlotte’s email was still there and he re-read it again. Until he had seen that hidden file and met with Zack he closed it once more. Mitch watched as slowly cars started to file down the driveway and he climbed into bed. This time he slept and dreamt o
f
Charlott
e
once more, her body filling his arms as they danced together.

The next morning Mitch sped off early on his bike, a few cars remained from the party the night before but he knew that no one would be awake this early to ask any questions. The security guards on the gate waved him through and then he was on the way. Simon had coffee on at the bike shop when he skidded to a stop outside.

“Mate, how are you”

“Confused and angry” Mitch said.

“Not surprised with what you were saying last night, heavy stuff”

“You’re not kidding, have you sent it to your mate yet”

“Yes, he said he wouldn’t get it finished until the New Year if that’s ok”

Mitch nodded, but wished that he didn’t have to wait that long as he somehow knew that whatever was in the secret file was going to be explosive.

The day passed quickly at the shop, the activity kept Mitch from dwelling on the numerous thoughts he was having about his mother. At five Mitch swung the bike through town and stopped outside Dusk till Dawn. After an hours wait Zack pulled up in his midnight blue Ferrari and parked in the bay behind the building. Walking towards the door Mitch removed his helmet and walked over.

“Zack, can I have a word”

The words startled Zack and he turned to find Mitch standing behind him, menacing in his black and red leathers.

“Mitchell” he hesitated.

Mitch nodded as Zack unlocked the door and ushered him in.

The club looked eerie in its empty dark state. The red walls crowded and enclosed them as Mitch followed Zack to his office.

“So what can I do for you” Zack asked, pouring them both a shot of whiskey.

“I need to talk about the night tha
t
Charlott
e
danced for you”

“Look, I already apologised to Stephanie and I’ve tol
d
Charlott
e
I can’t employ her until she reaches eighteen”

“No it’s not that” Mitch paused “I wonder if you still have the footage from that night, I need to see if my Mum’s boyfriend was in the club”

“Can I ask why?”

“It’s a long story but if you can help me with this I can”

As the footage played Mitch filled Zack in on everything he could as Zack continued to fill their glasses up.