I'm an idiot.How could I do something so daring? So pathetic? So completely stupid and ruin everything I have been working hard on?My phone chimes in the background and I cringe automatically. Mick has been trying to get a hold of me since yesterday morning, but I didn't want to answer him, I didn't want his voice to ruin what Bronson and I shared.He told me he was going to grant my request and do something fun, I had nothing planned, just didn't want to be cooped up in another hotel room while he went out and played mogul. I found the first thing that caught my mind, a small amusement park that was going on fifty years old. It was spontaneous, but just seeing Bronson's face register with shock as I revealed what we would be devoting the remainder of our day doing was worth it, even if we chose not to go inside.Instead, he surprised me. He laughed, had fun, even spoiled me with hidden glances and light humor. Everything was perfect, until it wasn't.Another chime from my phone goes
The plane lands swiftly and without any complications. I stand once I see the seatbelt lights flicker off and walk right over towards Nikki.She's been ignoring me all morning and with this being our last city, I know I need to mend things with Nikki, to mend the friendship that I felt growing. I know I need to speak with her about Cassandra, especially with her being home in the next few days, but I've been enjoying our time together so much, I want nothing to ruin that.Nikki's eyes look up at me with a boring expression marring her natural beauty. Her eyes take me in from head to toe, like they often do, only this time when she reaches my eyes, they quickly look away. I understand she's upset, but it seems like so much more than that. Indifference maybe? Whatever it is, I won't allow her to pull away from me. Not when I've done so much work tearing down the massive wall she's put in place of her feelings."We're here." I announce like an absolute tool. Of course, she knows we've lan
Thirty minutes later, we enter the city of Chicago, my next venture, and the one I am most eager to obtain. It's close enough to home, that I can fly out anytime and check on my investment. The CEO of Northington Enterprise is one of the most technical establishments. It's low on the podium for its size but something I saw extreme potential in. Especially when I heard that they are now dipping into medical machinery.The SUV pulls up at the Viceroy Hotel and I exit the car and come around the other side to wait on Nikki, a fact she ignores by walking right past me and right for the entrance. She's still angry with me, but it's starting to feel like so much more.What the hell happened in the last two days?Why is she treating me with such anger and resentment?Shaking my head, I follow her lead and head right for the entrance, stopping short when I see a man quietly speaking with Nikki. Her body is stiff and her posture tight. Rand beats me to the man by stepping in between the two, pu
My hands pull the opening of my pea coat closer together as the breeze flows through my hair. I'm used to the cold, used to the frigid air being harsh on skin not covered by any type of clothing, but that's not why my body is shivering.My hand comes up and stops mid knock as every fiber of my body stays undecided if it's warm or cold. Shaking my head, riding it of the doubt circling around, I whisper a quick 'f*ck it' and knock three times.I wait.And wait.And wait, but the heavy steal door with wrought iron vines throughout the paneling, mocks me by remaining closed.I turn, shaking my head at the dumb idea of coming here, of even attempting to get a few pieces of my messed-up life, but I stop at the unmistakable sound of the door opening from behind me. I turn, one again, and this time come face to face with the only woman to show me love after my parents died and my aunt and uncle learned how to jump off the face of the Earth."Nicole?" My eyes close instinctively when I recogniz
I check my phone for what feels like the hundredth time in the last hour. I can feel the migraine growing at an alarming rate as my pacing drags my feet across the room."Is there something wrong Mr. Fortworth?" I stop mid step, looking back over at Miss Romsley, the CEO here at Northington Incorporated. I've been in her office for over two hours and yet, I do not believe we have actually gotten any work done.Not since I read the message from Rand regarding Nikki. Instinctively I check my phone once again.Rand: She's gone sir, the room is empty. Landen and I are out looking.Me: What do you mean she is gone?Rand: Checked her room, everything is still there, but her backpack is gone. Wherever she is sir, its temporary.Me: F*ck, just find her. I need to know she is safe. Do not let her know you are tailing her. Find her, report back, and make sure she is safe."Mr. Fortworth?"I give Miss Romsley a genuine smile, then place my phone back into my pocket. I have to trust Rand now, trus
"I see you have your own entourage." Maggie responds as Landen makes his way over towards me. Rand and Jim are standing near the two large SUV's that are scattered in the middle of the small quiet street. The doors are still open, and the lights are bright, indicating that they haven't turned the cars off.It looks like a damn crime scene."I just feel for your neighbors.""Oh, please honey, people are nosy by nature. Even your presence here earlier probably has them peering out of the windows to see what's happening." I look around instinctively and sure enough there are a few people peering through only to reside back into their homes when they see that I have noticed.My smile quirks up at that."Miss Myers?" I turn to Landen and notice he not only looks like he wants to scream and shout but looks also relieved. He turns his head towards my former foster mother and gives her a curt nod. He looks hysterical with his sunglasses still intact making me cross my arms and roll my eyes."I
"Maggie was my foster mom, one of them anyways. She was the only one to actually give a damn about me and my brother.""I'm sorry Nikki." Rolling my eyes, I sit up and eye him through the rearview once again. Rand is a good-looking man; his bald head and dark eyes make him look scary, but one could also dispute that to being rugged. But his pity is what has my anger spiking so drastically. "I don't need sympathy Rand. I'm sure it's not the first time you've looked into my past. Just because you found one of my foster families and feel bad for the poor orphan girl doesn't mean you have to suddenly start being nice to me."He's quiet at first, just continues to drive as we get closer and closer to the hotel. I don't ask about Bronson; I know he must have told him. I have enough to say to Bronson, many of those involving apologies. I start nodding off, the day of walking and long conversation with Maggie getting the best of me but chirp up when I hear Rand speak again."Have you kept in
The blare of the horn sounds as Rand swerves in and out of the congested traffic. I type a quick message to Bethany at which I get an instant reply from her."Glad to be home?" Nikki asks from beside me and I turn and look over at her smile. Damn this woman is beautiful."Yes, although I hate that we have to get back into a new routine so soon." The trip went longer than I would have liked, not giving us much time to rest before work begins for the both us tomorrow morning.I'm not exactly ready to share her with the world just yet."Well, at least we have the rest of the day to relax." My eyes find hers once again.Nikki has been in a good mood since coming back from her previous foster mother's home. When Rand called me and told me where she went, I felt horrible for making a big deal out of her leaving. I told her she was free to roam and knowing she most likely went to get some kind of clarity, made me feel worse.I want to ask her why she went there, why after all these years did