Back and forth my feet take me across the room and then back again. I've been home for two days now, and all my body can do is pace. I've held my phone in the palm of hands for hours and yet, no collect call from the county jail. I feel hopeless.What the hell was he thinking?A groan leaves my chest as I give up on my pacing and collapse onto my bed and stare up at the ceiling.So much went wrong the night of our supposed grand scheme. I shut my eyes and concentrate on every detail form that night, ever second of every moment that I could have done something differently.Brody wasn't ready, and nothing proved my point more, than when we did our last practice run in the common area on the first floor of Serendin Atlas that morning. Brody was not only high, but he was out of his mind. He was excited about the schemes. His erratic behavior and spontaneous spurts of anger weren't good for the night the majority of us had in mind, but one person was in his corner. One person was just a
Nicole Myers.Her name rings an alarm in my mind, but I ignore the trepidation I feel. Rand did another sweep of the place she calls home and as much as I hated to admit it, I had to listen to him when it came to make it the last visit.Dangerous criminal organization. That was what he called her band of misfits. Criminals. Although I understand that Nicole was not at the charity function to serve cocktails and shrimp, I find it hard to believe that she could be dangerous."Sir, I have Mr. Kroffer on the line." Looking up, I gaze over at Bethany entering my office. "Thank you." Nodding her head, Bethany leaves the office and I grab the call. "Carl, how are you?""I'm doing great sir, but something tells me you wouldn't like to hear all about my exciting day.""Not in the slightest. What have you got for me?"I had called Carl Kroffer after Rand told me where he was able to find Nicole. She had no known address, no career or work history, not even a damn high school diploma
What was I thinking?That is the question that continues to plague my mind as I walk around the small park. I'm supposed to appear homeless, suffering from my everyday life, struggling to simply eat and enjoy a moment long enough to sleep for a short time. Mick's plan is a scary one, one that is not planned out or precautioned enough to work, but I don't hold the cards, I'm barely seated at the damn table.Bronson Fortworth.That is the new plan, that is Mick's newest grand scheme.And I'm supposed to play the ticket that leads the bandits right to his front door. I hate this absent anger I suddenly have for the man that realistically saved mine and Brody's life, but I can't help but wonder if Mick simply sees us all as expendable.Sitting down on the cold cemented concrete that wraps around the park itself, I look around and wrap my arms around my body as best I can. It's March in New York, but a cloudy and rainy one, one that somehow wouldn't want to be barely dressed in, but I
"Mr. Bronson will be down shortly." I hear Rand speaking downstairs to whom I'm assuming is Nicole. I don't hear a reply but step forward from my home office and step into the hallway upstairs. Rand takes a few steps and greets me in the middle. I'm far enough away that Nicole cannot see me, but close enough that I can see the back of her hair as she looks around my living quarters."Sir?" Looking over at Rand and his confused glare I stand straighter, unaware that he was speaking to me."What was that?""I said she's here sir.""Yes, I see that. How did she take it." I state, my eyes going back down to where she is continuing to look though my books along my bookcase on the wall beside the fireplace."She's a firecracker, didn't trust me one bit, even came up with some plan and made herself look like a true homeless person in order to win me over. She's been conning people a while, that much I can tell."I say nothing, just stare down the stairs that lead me to Miss Myers."S
How do I get myself into these types of situations?My eyes pierce that of Bronson's and when his apparent smirk appears, I want to march over and stomp on his pride with my chucks.He wants me to move in with him. As in move inside this huge penthouse that looks as though it could go on forever. He wants me to wake up on a thousand thread count sheets and live comfortably in downtown Manhattan on the top floor of the most expensive, luxurious penthouse?I don't think so."You have got to be kidding me." I state flatly wondering if this man has hit his head in the last twenty-four hours."I'm not.""I'm not moving in with you. I don't even know you.""And what are your other options?""Excuse me?" I stand and walk over to the fireplace, placing my drink down on the mantel. Facing him I cross my arms at my chest and give him my best death glare. It's a beautiful place, this room in particular, but this isn't an option for me. I can't leave my brother, can't leave the bandits and
"What is it you really want Bronson? You want me to be your charity? You want them to name a damn soup after you because you helped the poor homeless foster girl who can't even get a high school diploma?""Nicole, there is nothing I want with you other than to help you. We do not have to tell anyone. It could be our secret.""Oh, so what you're really after is sex." I state but he doesn't flinch. He must have guessed I would make my own assumptions."I don't want sex Nicole. Trust me when I say, I wouldn't need to bribe a woman in order to get that."I believe him. But that doesn't mean I fully trust him. No one, especially someone as put together and wealthy as Bronson Fortworth, gives up his piece of mind and sanity by allowing a thief to live with him and better herself in the meantime.""I really just want to help you." His words are soft, not hard and professional, but humane and kind. It's a nice change to his constant need to always have it together."Why?""You saved my
I f*cked this up.Hurting Nicole was the last thing I wanted to do, and yet, as I stare at the closed door leading to my elevator, I know I did exactly that. She ran out of here before I could give her a proper apology and I cannot blame her one bit.Pulling out my phone, I send a message to Rand knowing he already headed out for the night. He responds right away; a fact tat I am grateful for.Me: She's heading back to the hotel. Follow her.Rand: Sir, do you really believe that's for the best?Me: Do it.Rand: I'll find her sir, but it is late, and it seems like she left angry. I don't know if she will come back with me.Me: Understood Rand.Blowing out a deep breath, I contemplate on why this girl is able to drill such a hole in my head. I've never been intrigued by someone, had someone get under my fingers the way Nicole does. I despise the fact that she ran from help, help that could potentially save her life, but at the same time, I loved that she fought me every step of th
"What happened Nicole.""I said, nothing." She holds her stance, matching my angered glare. Damn this woman brings out such a fight within me. Something I'm growing to both crave and be annoyed with. I've only just met her, and yet I could see myself easily having arguments with her all day and night. "Now, are you going to calm down so that I can speak with you?"I hold her stare a few seconds later, then finally blow out a deep breath and take the towel being handed to me from Rand. He nods his head, gives Nicole one last look I cannot decipher, then leaves us. Wrapping the towel around my body I look back over at Nicole whose eyes are glued to my abs.F*ck this girl is doing this to me."So, you're not going to tell me who did that to your face?""Would you believe me if I did?" I deserved that, I know I did, but that doesn't stop me from wanting to kill someone."Nicole.""Bronson.""Fine." I huff out a breath of irritation then indicate with my chin for her to follow me to