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Chapter 78: Nikki
Last Updated:
2022-06-23 14:02:31Related chapters
Withstanding 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 : 2022-06-23Withstanding the Odds Chapter 81: Nikki
The ride is silent on the way back home. Embarrassment fills though me, so much so that I can't look over at Bronson. I know he is angry with me, I don't blame him, but there is a spark inside of me that is angry myself.How dare he tell my boss I am no longer working for him.Rand drives the SUV with speed I've never seen from him, and I know it's due to the fact that you could cut the tension back here with a knife.Bronson had sent Jim and Landen ahead of us and since it was nearly Christmas, he told them to just take the rest of the day off when they were finished.I take a deep breath, then turn towards Bronson, noticing his brooding mask is placed back on and is currently starring daggers at the outside world through the window of the SUV. I want to crawl into his lap and apologize. I know we need to talk but I've never been in a relationship before, I'm not exactly sure what to do. I decide to get it over with and speak."Bronson, listen I know you're angry, but we need to
Last Updated : 2022-06-23Withstanding the Odds Chapter 82: Nikki
Brody: I need to speak with you.Me: Can I call you?Brody: I'll call you. Give me a minute.I wait exactly two, then nearly come out of my skin when the phone begins buzzing in my hand. I answer immediately, wanting to get this conversation done and over with."Brody.""Yeah, it's me." A shaky breath leaves me. I don't know if it's because I am so stressed out and confused on what to do about my brother, or Bronson and I's newest fight. It seems like nothing can go right for longer than a few days. "Listen Nik, I need to tell you something.""What is it?""Mick thinks that you've turned on us.""What?""I mean, I don't think anyone else believes it, but he's got Charles looking into you more and more every day, he pulls me into his suite all the time and grills me, he even accused me of seeing you a few days ago.""Brody, listen what is going on? Why is Mick so agitated?""Cops are still sniffing around us. We're running low on money. Mick overheard Marla and Anderson debat
Last Updated : 2022-06-23Withstanding the Odds Chapter 83: Bronson
Pacing. It's all I seem to do with myself now. I used to be a man that could handle any situation, any display of an unnatural order and I adjust, arrange, and move forward.Until Nicole Myers walked into my life.But for once, Nikki is not the reason for my absent mind, for my consistent pacing of my foyer as my eyes are glued to the elevator doors.Last night, Nikki told me something that had me grabbing my phone and making calls the moment she went to sleep. She was righting her wrong, making good on her negative past. And if she could confront the man she took advantage of, then I could certainly call my older sister and speak to her.If Clara was surprised to hear from me, she didn't show it. We spoke for over an hour while I brushed Nikki's hair with my palm as she laid her head against my chest. She was exhausted, after we had apologized to each other, we spent the next two hours decorating not only the tree, but the entire penthouse."I think that we should all get togethe
Last Updated : 2022-06-23Withstanding the Odds Chapter 84: Bronson
We take a tour of the entire floor, stopping for a while at the kitchen as mother gives me her expression. I show them the bedrooms, my office, where I hear my father scoff, and of course the pool, something Anderson and Clara equally laugh at. My family has always known me to swim, but only my mother knows what it truly did for me back then. It was my escape, and when I catch her eye twinkle then give me a wink, I know she understands my need to have one.We stop once again back at the study where the tree is and that's when I spot Nikki standing beside the fireplace looking deeply into the lit flames dancing and flickering.I march over and place my arm around her, only to have her teary gaze look up at me."Nikki? What's going on?" I whisper as my family fills in the space. She shakes her head, but I reuse to let it go."I'll tell you later." She whispers back and although it takes a moment, I nod my head in understanding. After my family leaves, she will tell me."So, this mus
Last Updated : 2022-06-23Withstanding the Odds Chapter 85: Nikki
I need to tell him. That is the thought that continuously runs through my head as I lay beside the man I have fallen in love with. Bronson has been asleep for over an hour and as much as I want to join him, lay mixed into his body heat wrapped like a cocoon in between his arms, I can't.I'm holding a secret that is about to be unveiled and I have no idea how I am going to tell him.The memories from this morning come rushing though as I recall going into work to fix things with George McCall only to be stopped by Brody who looked worse for wear. I don't know how he knew where I worked, I know I never told him, but when I saw him standing besides the doors, the security guard looking him up-and-down, I knew I needed to get him out of there.His body was haggard, weak and skinny. He had been using, that much was obvious, but instead of his usual lackluster self, Brody was something I've never quite seen with him. He was paranoid. His eyes traveled around the block as if at any moment
Last Updated : 2022-06-23Withstanding the Odds Chapter 86: Nikki
I headed across the street and walked into the building taking the elevator up and threw myself into work after apologizing to George about being late. He must have seen my desperate eyes and fearful look because he simply nodded his head and told me to get to work. For the next three hours, I threw myself into a workflow that was only distracted by people walking in and scheduling meetings for George.The McCall building was much like Fortworth Inc. It was a large corporation that dealt with failing businesses but focused mostly on energy efficient ones. It was amazing the things I learned but with my mind only on Brody and what he had planned for Bronson, I couldn't think of much else."Nikki?" George had called me to his office with the intercom buzzer that I despised. I knew it was time to speak with him about what went down yesterday. I couldn't necessarily pretend it didn't happen, and although I only wanted to think about my brother, I had more bridges to cross."George, than
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
