Novels by Nancii Agosto

After my meltdown and discovering some things in Francisco’s past, I began hearing my mother’s voice again. She was haunting me and I knew I wanted to see Leo to calm myself. I drive the only car available to his house and knock on the door. Elena cracks the door open and tells me that Leo is not home. A answer I refused to accept. She stood in my way as much as Claire. I try shoving the door open but she slams it shut in response and locks it. Feeling defeated, I sit on the doorstep and stare at the pavement for what felt like eternity. Then I see Leo’s driver drop him off as he parked the town car and I wait for him to notice my presence. I expected him to at least be happy to see me but his face expressed nothing but disdain. He didn’t expect me or want me there.He tries to tell that he will never choose me and that it’s Claire - it’s fucking Claire. And the next thing I know, the Chief Commissioner is detaining me at Leo’s request and taking me to the car. How could Leo do this

I arrive at home and see an unknown vintage car is parked on my property. I was in no mood for company unless it was Claire’s. I send a photo of the license plate Mason and he asks that I remain inside as the vehicle belong to the mafia leader Francisco who has just escaped prison. But I see something even more shocking as I get closer to my front door. Charlotte is there sitting on the pavement outside my front door. Her hair is disheveled and her clothes are wrinkled. She looks to be a complete disarray. I text Mason back, letting him know that Charlotte was here and there was no sign of Francisco.“Charlotte?” I ask in disbelief as I approach the front steps.“Oh. Leo, I’ve been waiting for you to get back.” She looks to have been crying.“Are you okay?” I ask as she begins to stand.“No. I was thinking about what you said and I think you should reconsider. I would’ve waited inside but Elena refused to let me in.”“That’s because you’re not welcome here anymore.” I say coldly as sh

I missed sleeping in an actual bed as I stretch out my limbs and see it is the next morning. The attorney texted and confirmed his flight. Soon he’d arrive here, pay Charlotte’s father a visit and come to collect his payment but I had to sense in waiting for him. I needed to catch up to whatever Dalia had done while I was locked up.“Enzo!” I beckon my henchman and watch as he comes in.“Have you seen or heard anything about Dalia? Enzo was always on the avenue and overseeing our territories. If the streets were talking, he’d be listening.“Last notice I got was that she was staying at the Hilton hotel just downtown. I placed a few men there. They haven’t seen anything suspicious.” “Good. We’re going to pay her a visit today.” I smile lightly as I imagine the fear in her face as I come to find her. And for a second, I feel guilt. Her sister would be disappointed if she were here to witness all that had happened.I get dressed and have Enzo drive downtown. The drive is lengthy but I w

I see Nathan’s face line with confusion at the mention of Jordan. I knew our line of work wasn’t large and there must be something he must’ve heard about Jordan.I hear him question the name I had just mentioned.“Yes. I dated Jordan. He’s the owner or was the owner of a construction company here in the city and I had gone to architectural school with him years ago.” I explain.“It’s been a long time since I’ve heard that name.” He seemed to be upset in his remembrance of that name.“Did you know Jordan?” I ask curiously.“Actually, yes. I did a job or two with him when he first opened his company. I thought he had a pretty good vision but come to find out, he’s been fucking my wife.” I could see the rage painted across his face. Jordan had overstepped once again and this time, he involved himself in someone else’s marriage.“I’m so sorry, Nathan. I didn’t know. Was this recent?” When had this started? From my understanding, he had been going through mediations and his divorce for jus

I peak downstairs as I hear the front door open. I hoped to see Claire had returned. I’ve taken a liking to her company. I see her come in with her husband behind her. And the from the looks of it, he didn’t enjoy my waiting. I come down the stairs casually and head to the kitchen. I grab myself a soda when I hear footsteps behind me.“Spying on my wife?” I hear Leo say from close behind me. I turn to see he is just an arms reach away.“I just wanted to make sure she made it back alright.” I say as I open my soda and take a drink.“Why wouldn’t she? She was with me.” His tone was unenthused.“Well, she disclosed her attacks. I felt it was only right to check on her.”“Is that all?” He asks presumptuously.“What do you mean?” “Well, I’ve heard the news that you’re going through a divorce and I just want to make myself clear when I say this - Claire is my wife. She is carrying my children and I won’t tolerate you disrespecting that.” He stands firm - assuming it’s an intimidation tacti

I was thrilled to hear my babies were healthy and developing and even more so, when I the doctor informed me that they were boys - just like I dreamed of. I couldn’t wait to share the news with Elena and Charlotte. As we ready to leave, I see Leo watching me extremely. I’m sure the news has him feeling as though he needs to do more to protect me.“Can we see Elena?” I ask as we get in the car to leave.“Of course.” He replied without so much as a disagreement. I’m sure he thinks that Elena would convince me to come home but my decision wasn’t wavering at this moment. We drive back to Leo’s home and I see a pair of eyes watching from the window. She had been expecting me long before I decided to come. Leo assists me out of the car and I walk to the front door which is already open as I near it. “Ms. Claire, how are the babies?” “They’re good. I have some news for you?”“You are coming home?” She asks hopefully as she waits for me to announce the news.“No.” I nod sadly and try to s

I don’t remember what happened exactly.I remember a nose bleed that was problematic.A conversation with Darren that was uncomfortable and then darkness. I slowly look at my surroundings to find myself still in the oncology treatment bay and Darren is sitting by my side.“What happened to me?” I groggily ask as I search my mind for answers.“You lost consciousness for a few minutes. I believe you were overwhelmed.” I could tell by his response that he was giving as little and as much information as possible.“Why was I overwhelmed?” I didn’t need to be tip-toed around. I needed to know what was happening to me.“You ran your fingers through your hair and well, some of it came out.” He fidgets with his fingers as he says what I feared most in the beginning.“I’m going to lose all of it, aren’t I?” I sit back to contemplate my life. What would it be like once I looked just as sick and they told me I was? What would people see? Or worst, how would they treat me?“Your hair can grow bac

I push the tissue to my nose and apply pressure as Darren grabs a first-aid kit on the shelf across from me - returning with a stop bleed stick and placing it gently into my nose.“What’s happening to me?” I ask in a nasal tone as I try to calm my roaring thoughts.“It’s just a side effect of the radiotherapy. Bleeding isn’t uncommon.” He says as he holds the stick inside my nose.“I’m not going to be able to go back to EnviroDoc, am I?” I needed to know if this was going to be my life as I proceed treatment.“You can go back. You just have to listen to your body and take it easy sometimes.” He makes it seem easy. “It’s going to tough for a little bit while your body tries to cope with the radiation but you can do it.”“What if I can’t?” I ask as the tears begin rolling down my face.“Hey, it’s going to be okay. I’ll do everything I can to make sure you get better. This is just the beginning of a long journey but it’ll pass.” He says with a soft smile.“I’m vomiting, losing consciousn

“Are you sure about your choice?” He asks as he clasps his hands together.“My choice?” Was he referring to Maverick? My choice in one man or the other? “Yes. I know you chose to pursue treatment and since the very first one, I felt a connection to you. I know you felt it too.” He says as he makes unbreakable eye contact with me. This was not the kind of conversation I thought I’d be having while being injected with radiation.“I did but my connection with him was growing as well and he’s made me happy.” I think back to when I first met him. I had been swoon after our dream but after seeing his genuine nature - I was very enamored. His confidence, intelligence and appearance were paired with care, compassion and dedication. I never thought a man like that existed or that someone like that would be interested in me nonetheless. “I didn’t think that the moment we spoke in the bathroom would lead you to him.” He bows his head.“But it was a clarifying moment, Darren. It just didn’t go

After what has come our nightly ritual, we laid down for bed. Maverick had cuddled me close until I fell asleep.I awoke the next morning to my alarm. I’d have my first radiotherapy enhancement today. I look over to see Maverick is still sleeping and I shuffle quietly out of bed. I almost make it out until I feel a hand grab my wrist. “It’s early. What’s wrong?” I look over to see Maverick peaking at me groggily.“Treatment - today. I have to be at the hospital in twenty minutes.” I say as I stare down at the bed.“Want me to come?”“No, get some rest. I’ll only be gone about an hour.” I lean over to kiss him and then get ready to leave. I watch as he rolls onto his side and falls back to sleep.This was the first time Maverick had been there when I woke up. His chiseled features accented by the shadows of light dancing along the curtain. His hair thrown carelessly and his blue eyes - out of sight as he slept. He reminded me of what Greek mythology expressed as Gods. As u admired his

Once we get back to my apartment, Maverick wakes me gently and picks me up to bring me inside. He gently opens the door and takes me directly to my bed. He then shuts the door and brings himself back to the room, sitting down in the bed carefully.“You feeling okay?” He asks carefully as if the words were boulders that would roll over me if spoken too loudly.“Yeah. I’m just really tired.” Not a complete lies I was tired although I was more exhausted than anything and it had nothing to do with a lack of sleep. I wasn’t improving the way we had hoped, my health was slowly interfering with my life, my doctor seems intent on pursuing me even while I have my person sitting in the same bed as me, I embarrassed myself at EnviroDoc and there’s still the cherry to top it all off: I have brain cancer. A cruel sick joke that taunts me relentlessly so I meant it wholeheartedly when I said I was tired.I look up at Maverick to see his mind is steadily at work. He had read between the lines. There

After Darren left, I waited about an hour while Maverick stayed resting peacefully at my side. Waiting for my discharge was just as eerie as walking up in this same room once again.I hear a knock at the door as the nurse slowly enters. She sees Maverick sleeping and decides to speak to me quietly.“Ms. Richardson, these are your discharge papers. The doctor has added your new treatment regiment in which you’ll be following up in the oncology department. I believe he spoke with you already?” “Yes. I’m aware.” I say quietly as I try not to wake Maverick.“Okay, great. Well there are some health guidelines to follow for your condition and the doctor has added a prescription of antacids for your stomach and zofran for your nausea. I have your prescriptions as the doctor requested they be sent and filled to in-office pharmacy. Do you have any questions for me?” She asks as she carefully hands me the paperwork and a bag containing my prescriptions. “No, thank you. Am I okay to leave now?