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Chapter 72: Nikki
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2022-06-23 14:02:31Related chapters
Withstanding the Odds Chapter 73: Nikki
A few blocks later, and I stop once again, feeling my phone vibrate in my pocket this time. I pull it out and nearly jump out of my skin when I see Brody calling. It feels like it's been ages since I've spoken with my brother and knowing how we left things between us the last time, I didn't think he would want to speak to me again anytime soon.I find a private spot just behind a pet shop and answer it. "Brody?""Nikki, hey." He sounds like his normal self, a self I have not seen or heard from in some time."Hey.... listen Brody I'm glad you called. I think we need to talk, maybe we can meet up somewhere?""That's not the best idea." I'm taken back by his words but don't let myself falter as I listen to him continue speaking. "It's bad here right now Nikki. Mick and the others, we've been getting a lot of raids and cops pulling us over for various reasons. Charles even got taken in the other day. He was released a few hours later, but it's clear we are on some kind of radar.""What?""
Last Updated : 2022-06-23Withstanding the Odds Chapter 74: Bronson
My fingers find my temple and I rub for the millionth time today. I've been at work all day, and much like the last couple of weeks, I have thought only of what lies at home.Nikki.She is the only constant thought on my mind, and knowing today is her first day of work, its an even stronger thought. I didn't see her leave, but by the time I woke this morning and went to her room, she was gone.Would I have said something to her? Would I have wished her luck, or offered her a ride on her first day? I don't know the answer to those questions. I have spent this past week ignoring her, ignoring this tension between us, because I couldn't face her after throwing my heart into hands, only to pull it back immediately.Why didn't I end things with Cassandra? Clara's visit has my mind constantly off, and even now, as I sit and listen on the third conference call of the day, all I can think about are my mistakes. Nikki didn't steer away at my past, but I couldn't continue to taint her with t
Last Updated : 2022-06-23Withstanding the Odds Chapter 75: Bronson
I gaze over everyone's confused faces as I pace back and forth. Never have I called a meeting so abruptly, never have I called a meeting with the entire staff at my whim, but I wanted to show them a different side of myself, the side of myself Bethany sees, no matter my constant negative tone towards her."I'm sure you are all wondering why I have summoned you so, but I needed each and everyone of you to hear what I have to say, and a simple email sent out wasn't going to cut it." I state then walk over towards the far window, the one Bethany's desk faces. Everyone's body turns towards where I am going and the few people in front of the window move quickly out of my way, most likely afraid I am going to throw one of them out of the damn thing."I look outside, and I only see a city worth taking, an area that is begging for our business, but I never stopped and thought about what I should be looking at." I spot Bethany and Jonathan moving a little further towards the center of the roo
Last Updated : 2022-06-23Withstanding the Odds Chapter 76: Bronson
I've never noticed Christmas before, not since leaving my parents and teaming up with my grandfather, but suddenly, the streets of New York aren't just busy with mashes of people, it's littered with color and wonder, small snow specks fall onto the hood as people make their way around the SUV while holding onto gift bag after gift bag.We make it home in record time and I take the elevator up to the penthouse, the small Tiffany's box inside my suit jacket. Rand stands beside me whistling some Christmas tune at which I shake my head and chuckle. "Your timing is impeccable." I state and watch as he turns his head and looks at me."Sir?""I wouldn't normally allow you to whistle some ungodly Christmas tune around me.""Then I should be grateful you changed your mind this year.""How did you know Rand?" I ask and although he turns around with an inquisitive face, I know he understands what I am asking."Simple sir. You're a good man, and although it often takes some time to show it,
Last Updated : 2022-06-23Withstanding the Odds Chapter 77: Nikki
What the hell did I just witness?My hand covers my mouth as I watch Cassandra storm out of the penthouse, Rand trailing close behind her, my guess is to make sure she doesn't cause a scene in her dramatic exit.I knew Cassandra was being unfaithful and I hated that Bronson found out this way, not that it seems like he wasn't aware. I can remember the conversation we had about her being good for his image and I would often wonder if he sees himself the way she does.Expendable."Wow." I say in a released breath. Bronson turns towards me and give me a small smile before walking straight into the kitchen and pouring himself a drink. I follow behind him and stay silent as he hands me one as well.To say today has been a long and interesting day doesn't give it quite enough justice, and as dramatic and insane as the last five minutes have been, they have nothing on my whole day.Today was my first day working in corporate America, and as much as I was doubting my skill and hesitant a
Last Updated : 2022-06-23Withstanding the Odds Chapter 78: Nikki
My hand reaches out and knocks gently on the door that is partially ajar. I hear movement on the other side of the door and brace myself when I hear his deep voice call out."Nikki, perhaps this isn't the right time." I shut my eyes, knowing he is right, but I also know I cannot hold in this secret anymore. I have ruined this man's life and he doesn't even know the true reason of my being here. I know Rand didn't mean for me to come clean, but his words resonated with me. I did love Bronson, and that meant, I had to protect him, even if it is from myself.Opening the door, I walk inside stopping when I spot Bronson on the bed of his bedroom. His shirt is off, and he is starring down at what looks like a small photo. I step closer and watch his body tense, his tone muscles grow stronger as I near him."Bronson, we need to talk. It's important.""I don't want you to blame yourself." He states then places the photo back into the drawer of the nightstand beside his bed. I couldn't make it
Last Updated : 2022-06-23Withstanding the Odds Chapter 79: Bronson
I look around aimlessly as my feet stomp out tracks across the pathetic attempt at the winter wonderland. Fake snow blows around from a large machine making enough noise to carry its own steering wheel, and the workers are walking around in small elf suits with matching red jingle belled shoes.What in the living hell did I just step into?"Hey, did you find one yet?" Nikki clings to my arm, and I suddenly feel loads better. I don't understand how she has the power to bring me down from anger and annoyance, to gratitude, but I'm grateful each and every time her skin touches mine.It's been two days since we made love. Cassandra leaving, Clara coming by surprise, my new attitude at work, it all came through extremely fast, but nothing makes me happier than Nikki. I feel whole around her, complete, and I never want that feeling to go away.We had spent the last two days in bed, and although I wanted today to be the same, the moment Nikki woke in my arms this morning, she had an epiphany.
Last Updated : 2022-06-23Withstanding the Odds Chapter 80: Bronson
I watch as Nikki runs back over to where Jim and Landen are helping, the f*cker load the tree onto the roof of our SUV. I'm just hanging up with Rand when I hear my name being called from across the lot. I turn and spot George McCall coming over, his small granddaughter clinging his hand tightly."George, good morning." I state extending my hand out. He shakes it immediately then looks down at his granddaughter."We're getting in some last-minute shopping and Elizabeth here wanted to come and see the trees. She always enjoys picking one out for us to put right outside the home. What about you?""My girlfriend. She wanted a tree and I suppose we just waited last minute.""Girlfriend?" He asks, surprising even me. It's the first time I've referred to Nikki in that way, and the first time I have admitting to even myself that it is truly over between Cassandra and myself. Although I should have been more convinced when Rand found out not twenty-four hours after our split that she was tryin
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
