Everything happens quickly, too quickly for me to connect each fragmented dot. A large body lands atop of mine, making the both of us grunt out in pain. I look up and hear another gun go off, this one much closer than the last and my eyes widen when I realize not only is Bronson on top of me, but he's been shot."Bronson!" I panic, pushing him off me, and placing him onto the ground. Rand runs over as well as I check over Bronson's body, trying to figure out where the pool of blood under us is coming from."Nikki." He grunts out, but I place my fingers down on his lips, stopping him from whatever pathetic last-minute speech he wants to give me. I will not let him die. I can't lose anyone else."Stop, just save it, you're getting out of here, do you hear me? Rand I are going to take you to a hospital and get you help." Bronson's hand reaches out and gently rests on my cheek. A single tear falls from my eye, something I don't even realize as time stands still.We're given our own mom
I feel heavy, my eyes lids try and open but it's no use. I can hear someone beside me, shifting uncontrollably in their seat, only to curse when something drops on the ground beside them. I moan, trying like hell to get rid of my unconscious stupor, only to stop when I feel her come closer, whispering things in my ear to calm me."I'm here Bronson. I'm safe." My body softens, hearing the horrors my mind has been churning around as unanswered questions was killing me. I needed her safe, I needed to know she was okay. I fall asleep, relishing in the fact that she is beside me.The next time my brain connects the dots of conscious living, my eyes finally get the memo and blink open a few times. I'm in pain, a good amount, but I force myself to look around the room and watch as Nikki's body, thrown haphazardly over a couple of chairs thrown together to make a bed, rises up and lower back down. I watcher breath for what feels like hours, then finally shift enough to make a groan erupt fro
My feet pound the pavement as I look back and notice him catching up to me. A small giggle leaves my breath as I force through my weariness and begin to run faster."Damn it Nicole." He shouts but I cough out a laugh and continue running.After another ten minutes of running, my feet finally give my legs the message and I'm forced to pull off to the side and lay onto the grass, begging for breath as I shield my eyes from the golden sun.Eight months.It's been eight months since everything went down in Bronson's office, and when I look back, it feels like a different life altogether. Bronson and I have been going strong. There are times we have moments of relapse, mainly me when I assume he doesn't trust me, but he assures me, that after I practically threw myself into his penthouse knowing there was danger, there is no mistrust in our relationship."Did you really think you could outrun me?" I look up and smile when I see the glorious face of Bronson Fortworth. He's just as hands
My feet hit the pavement with fury as I clutched the large white bag with all my might. I can feel him catching up to me, but I don't give in. I know he won't catch me. I'm fast, faster than him, and have no intention of slowing down. Spotting a parking garage ten yards in front of me, I head right for the darkened area and duck inside, hiding behind a pillar. "Where did, she go?" I turn my head and look around the large cemented pillar. Security guard number one looks around where the pay station is."I don't know. Did you see what she grabbed?" States security guard number two. He was the one that initially saw me looting, something I normally pride myself on being more discreet about. I've been doing this for over five years, and I could honestly say that I have made it my mission to remain the person no one notices; however, I wasn't counting on The Grove Mall having two security guards in one store. Mick, my boss, has made it his mission to hit this location often and it looks
"Hmm, I think I've got some candy bars in here, which one do you want?"Sarcasm happens to be one of my best traits."Can you ever just hand me the goods and move about your business like everyone else?""Nope." I say, and then look behind him at the closed door, hoping he will get the hint that I am not interested in speaking with him. Charles has always asked me to hand my work over to him, but, unlike everyone else, I stick to the number rule of our world: Trust no one."Well, too bad, girly. Mick's busy and can't be disturbed. Guess you're going to have to trust me this one time." He smiles at me, which only grows when I try to go around him, and he cuts me off with his giant form."Look, big man, you know I don't trust you, so you don't get my work. As far as Mick being busy, I'm sure you can tell him I'm simply dropping off. My feet are killing me, and I am thirsty and ready for a nap. Not always the best combination when dealing with a woman, by the way.""You ever get tir
Mick' s face turned serious. It wasn't often I brought him bad news, and he knew that."Oh?""I had two security officers on me. They knew what I was doing, tried to trap me in one of the stores, but I was able to get away without a trace.""Then I don't really see the problem," Kenneth states still looking over the jewelry. I move my gaze back over to Mick who is looking at his partner with his eyes narrowed."If you don't know the problem, Mr. Alfonso, then maybe I have invested in the wrong man." Kenneth Alfonso looks up and over at Mick with tension weighing heavy on his features. A few blinks later his gaze transfers over to me, I stare him down and answer his question."The problem, Mr. Alfonso, is that, if simple security guards hired only to watch over a local shopping center can figure out who and what we are, then we now have to change up our game plan. That is not a location we can enter for a while, and I am not the one that should be out and in the open right now.""
My fingers tap anxiously against the table with frustration and annoyance. We have been here in this meeting room for over an hour and yet, it feels like we have not made a dent in our work."Sir, I suggest we speak with Mr. Jorimo once more. He was hesitant about allowing our company to buy it out, but I believe pride played a major role in that decision." Rubbing my temples, I shut my eyes and push down the urge to scream out in anger at this fool. Does he honestly believe I don't know that?"And if he tells us no again?" Jonathan, my newest hire and so far, biggest asset to me states with arrogance."Look kid, I know you're new and want to get all fired up for these kinds of meetings, but the truth is, we do our best merging by settling. If we sit down and speak with David Jorimo– ""Then it still won't be enough. We need to go over his head. I know you think I'm young Mr. Edwards, but I know enough about Mr. Fortworth and this business to do my homework. Mr. Jorimo was recently
Some would call me unfair; I have made it my life's goal to surround myself with only people that have the same desire as myself. Asking to leave early, requesting time off for her godforsaken wedding, it's all pushed me in the direction of replacing Bethany. I won't, not if I don't have to, but this is exactly the push she needs to remind herself of what is profoundly important in the walls of this building.My grandfather handed Forthworth Inc. over to me four years ago, and, in that time span I have made it into the enterprise it is today. At just thirty years old, I am the most successful billionaire in the city and have no means of slowing down at any time.I spend the remainder of my time at my desk and answering calls. When I look up at the clock on the wall across the room, I notice the time and see its nearing nine pm. Shutting down my computer and grabbing my phone, and wallet, I leave my office and head for the elevator. I spot Bethany still at her desk, looking down at th