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Chapter 54: Bronson
Last Updated:
2022-06-23 14:02:31Related chapters
Withstanding the Odds Chapter 55: Nikki
The walk to the Serendin Atlas is a long and draining one. It takes me well over two hours of nonstop walking and when the sun went well past the skyscrapers, and the cold rain began seeping into my clothing, I was more than ready to turn around and be home.Instead I continued walking towards my ultimate goal of seeing my brother, in fear that if I turned around and went back to the penthouse, I would walk into an image that would leave me a blubbering mess.I couldn't take much more of what I saw before I left."Nikki?" I hear a deep voice call out to me as I enter the old abandoned hotel and run when I see it's Brody sitting at the top landing of the first stairwell. My body envelopes his as he dips his head down and engulfs me in a long hug. It feels like it's been years since I have seen Brody and although it has only been a few weeks, it's the longest we've been apart since our parents died."Brody." I cry out and I suddenly can no longer hold in my emotions. Everything I have be
Last Updated : 2022-06-23Withstanding the Odds Chapter 56: Nikki
"It's just hard you know? Being away from home. I really wanted to come home and knowing you were here, I had to see you. To make sure you're okay.""Thanks Nik, but I'm fine. I really am. Jail was hard but, Mick and Alfonso were able to get me out. I only wish I weren't walking around on eggshells around everyone here."I nod my head in understanding. Mick and Alfonso may have gotten him out, but the Bandits don't trust anyone that could easily come back to our home after speaking with the authorities. It's never happened before, and given the fact that Brody is the one that f*cked up the grand scheme in the first place, it's a true wonder why Mick hasn't gotten rid of him."I'm sorry Brody.""You shouldn't be. It was me that messed everything up. I was so out of my mind that night, and when I saw that a**hole's hand on you, I didn't know what came over me." His face turns dark and angered, as if something has set him off inside his mind. He recovers quickly, as if the thought alone c
Last Updated : 2022-06-23Withstanding the Odds Chapter 57: Bronson
Me: I need you to track down Nikki.Rand: Got itMe: And Rand?Rand: Sir?Me: If she is upset, and no longer wishes to come back home.... I will understand.Rand: Yes Sir.Blowing out a necessary deep breath, I place my phone down and stare at the crackling of the fireplace. The orange and red flames carry over like waves through a surfer's board.I take another pull of my bourbon and rub my temples when the damning headache returns with a powerful thud. Sitting up to place my glass down on the small coffee table, I groan when I feel the pain of sitting in this chair for over three hours resonate through my back.It has been hours since Nikki has left, and Mr. Gilsh has made me aware. Hours of wondering if she has chosen to leave this place and go back to her original home with the criminals, she calls the Bandits. I haven't slept. I cannot, not when I know she isn't safe, safe here, in this building. Down the hall from me.A door closes from the front of the penthouse and I sit up, no
Last Updated : 2022-06-23Withstanding the Odds Chapter 58: Nikki
My eyes blink open from the harsh sun pouring through the window. I try rolling over, trying to allow sleep to cover my unconscious once more, only to blink a few times at the small folded card laying gently beside my bed on the nightstand.Sitting up, I look around my room then rub my eyes, grabbing the card before plopping back down on the bed. Opening the card, I reread the words over and over again, not allowing them to immediately sink in.-I'm sorry Nicole. You deserve better.Hating he tears that have already begun threatening to reappear form last night, I close the card and put in inside the small drawer of the nightstand attempting to keep it away from my lingering thoughts of all things Bronson.I didn't think I would be able to sleep last night, not after everything that happened the moment I left the park after Brody shut himself off from me.Images from last night come rushing through my head at an alarming rate. I had begun walking back home to the penthouse when a car p
Last Updated : 2022-06-23Withstanding the Odds Chapter 59: Nikki
Making my way down the stairs, I stop mid step when I notice Nadia, Bronson's chef, standing at the kitchen cooking something that smells like heaven. She's small, shorter than I am, and has a bob cut with highlights. She's wearing light makeup and is dressed in a cute white and black uniform. Both Bronson and Cassandra are nowhere to be seen and a relaxed breath fills me. The last thing I could have handled this morning was the man I was originally trying to set up and now trying to save, sitting with his fiancé on his lap feeding him grapes."Miss Myers. Good morning. I've made some breakfast, please help yourself." I nod my head at Nadia, pulling up the straps of my baby blue camisole that has seen better days. Taking a seat at the breakfast bar, I take in Bronson's kitchen, for once having a good look at it.The appliances seem to be brand new, the stainless-steel gleaming off each object. Marble countertops flow throughout the open space and the clear view cabinets compliment it
Last Updated : 2022-06-23Withstanding the Odds Chapter 60: Bronson
"Welcome back Mr. Fortworth." Jonathan states as I walk into his office. Although I have been gone for only a couple of weeks, it has felt like ages since I have been inside my building. I stopped by Jonathan's office before reaching my own to see how the merger is going that I left him in charge of."Thank you, Jonathan. Tell me, how are things going with the Blackwell Corporation deal? Have you spoken with Mr. Jorimo?""Yes sir. Everything is going according to plan. I actually have a meeting with Mr. Jorimo this afternoon to go over the final details of the merger."Good. You've done great work Jonathan." I turn to leave but stop when I notice his desk. He catches me studying the image of the framed photo and picks it and comes around his desk to show me."It's my son. He has Cerebral palsy." I look from the frame back over to him, watching as his eyes water. His son is young, couldn't be older than three, and a beautiful woman stands in the background smiling alongside him."And yo
Last Updated : 2022-06-23Withstanding the Odds Chapter 61: Nikki
The streets of New York are thriving as I bounce between one person after another. After Cassandra had gone upstairs to do whatever it is that she does, I finished my breakfast, ran up to my room to get dressed and ran out of the penthouse.I had to escape being in the same house as her. I wasn't going to allow her to see what her cruel words had done to me.After walking over thirty minutes, I stop when I spot an old run-down library and peer inside through the windows. I adore books, always have, but after joining with the Bandits, I had to limit myself on going any place unnecessary. It was bad enough authorities were now starting to recognize us, I didn't want them trailing where I normally go.So, books became afterthoughts for me, and I simply reread the ones I already had. Romance has always been the genre of choice and when I note that they have an enormous collection of the gritty, dirty, cheesy books, I head inside and take a look.It's busy inside, mostly children and their
Last Updated : 2022-06-23Withstanding the Odds Chapter 62: Nikki
We talk for minutes more, only stopping when more and more people come into the isle. Eventually our conversation leads us to the line, where we check out our books giggling when the woman behind the counter winks at our choices. Afterwards, we head to the local café, not a block away from the library, and grab a seat with a coffee in one hand and our newest books in the other."So, where did you grow up?" Clara asks while she takes a sip from her mug. The coffee shop is one that is meant to have a cheesy theme. This one's theme is futuristic and so far, they have missed the marker tremendously. Clara is currently sipping form a mug that has a Star Wars logo on it."Kind of everywhere. I moved around a lot as a kid, but my brother and I settled here in New York a little over a year ago." It's not exactly a lie, but the last thing I want to do is scare Clara away by proving just how messed up my past and present are. "What about you?""Right here. I grew up in New York but always loved
Last Updated : 2022-06-23
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Withstanding the Odds Chapter 108: Epilogue-Nikki
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
Withstanding the Odds Chapter 107: Bronson
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
Withstanding the Odds Chapter 106: Nikki
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
Withstanding the Odds Chapter 105: Bronson
Brody goes down, and I barely hear anything outside the scream Nikki unleashes. My head swivels over to Mick whose face is sporting a bored expression.Sick bastard. I may not have liked the asshole that had no problem watching his sister get pummeled, but to kill him so easily?"Brody! No." Nikki's tears flow as she stares at the vacant spot beside me that makes up where her brother once was. Her struggle becomes a problem when she attempts to get out of Mick's hold, calling him every name in the book. "You son of a b*tch. I'm going to make sure you suffer for that.""Stupid girl. It's your fault he's in this situation to begin with." Mick angrily shouts. I look over from them back to Charles, who is starring at them with shock. Brody was expendable and I think he is beginning to realize that he is as well."Do you see it now Charles? He has no plans of continuing on with you. He's already gotten rid of one expendable person, who do you think is next?" Rand speaks up once again, h
Withstanding the Odds Chapter 104: Nikki
How do I get myself into these situations. Granted, I should have known better than barging in here when Mick practically left Alfonso on the ground of the Serendin as a dare to me, but my heart strings were completely pulled for Bronson. I frankly, blame the love-stricken tool I've come to be, but this? This situation is just plain comical.Mick's arms tighten around my chest and neck as he halls me up and cuts the ties off my waist and arms. I'm no longer in the chair but with the large knife in his right hand and a gun in his left, I'm still very much at his mercy.The moment we heard Rand coming inside the penthouse, seconds before the yelling began, we knew the tables had turned. I just never thought it would end in a shootout."Think about this Mr. Reynolds. This will not end the way you expect it to." Rand states as he enters even further into the room. He came inside, Brody tugged discretely in front of him as if using him as a human shield. I wanted to scream at him, but he
Withstanding the Odds Chapter 103: Bronson
I can't watch this. My body is rigid as I hear the noises of Charles's grunts. It's lasted for what feels like hours, but I know it's only begun because Nikki can still keep in the yelps and screams, I know she wants to unleash.I was a fool. A pathetic fool to think Nikki wouldn't bother showing up. When Charles and Mick, along with her deplorable brother ambushed me, attempting to get me hand over all of my money from the new companies I had acquired, I had an ace up my sleeve. I wasn't going to give them anything, they would have to kill me first, something they wouldn't do if they wanted to get paid.But then Mick had a plan. Get Nikki here. He knew, deep down he knew I would have fought him tooth and nail, which is why when they told me about leaving their informant Alfonso down at the Serendin for all to see, I hoped Nikki was still angry enough with me that she wouldn't bother showing.I was a fool.I cringe when I finally hear her weakened murmur, the humming vibration each
Withstanding the Odds Chapter 102: Nikki
Fuzzy. Everything is fuzzy, clearing only when I give a few dry blinks. The first thing that comes into my vision is Bronson. Relief flows through me as I see him staring blankly at me. His head is titled, as If tired from holding it up at an awkward angle and the blood that was coming from his face has now dried all over his shirt. His eyes glance me over, and once he sees that I am awake, he sits up startled and looks around the room, then back to me."Nikki?"I nod my head, not knowing what else to do, and that's when all the blanks fill in. I'm sitting in a chair, same as Bronson. My hands are tied to the arms of the chair with zip ties and around my waist and legs are a tight rope cutting into the skin. I shake my head and close my eyes, making a mental note of how I feel.My head is hurting, but not a skull splitting kind of pain. My hands and legs hurt, most likely from how tight my ties are, and my lips feel swollen, in desperate need of water."Bronson?" I answer his worri
Withstanding the Odds Chapter 101
After what feels like years later, I finally arrive at Bronson's penthouse. I throw some loose bills that were waddled up in my bra at the cab driver, not entirely sure it's even enough, and run up the few steps and inside the building. I notice the doorman looking at me strangely, but I'm thankful when he doesn't stop me. He must have seen me enter enough times with Bronson to recognize me.By the time the elevator dings and my sore muscles enter the penthouse, I'm shocked by what I see. It's quiet, eerily so, and as I look around, I don't see anything out of place, aside from the way it looked yesterday after Bronson destroyed it. Rand told me that Bronson hung up quickly, and that he thought he heard some kind of scuffle, but I'm not sure if Rand is here. I don't call out either of their names, just in case I'm not the only one here, instead, I move into the living area, making my way closer and closer towards the study area.Entering the kitchen, I look around more, noting the em
Withstanding the Odds Chapter 100: Nikki
The cab driver was humming a familiar song as I hopped in and gave him the address. I knew I couldn't run all the way back to the penthouse and with Brody, Mick and Charles already ahead of me, I knew I needed a quick ride there."So, you new to New York?" He asks and I fight the urge to tell him off and roll my eyes."No, I live here. Now please, step on it, it's an emergency." I state then sit back and pull my phone from my back pocket. I need to call Rand and tell him what I know. He answers immediately, sounding out of breath and worry struck me hard. "Rand?""It's Bronson, I was on the phone with him and then suddenly it turned off. I heard what sounded like a scuffle, I'm on my way to him now but I'm in traffic, where are you?"I couldn't answer him fast enough, my mind was reeling on all the information he just threw at me. Bronson was hurt. Does he know that for sure? Was he watching the footage? I shook my head and tried to keep my thoughts about me. I couldn't jeopardize
