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Chapter 82: Nikki
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Withstanding 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
Withstanding 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
Withstanding 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
Withstanding 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
Withstanding the Odds Chapter 87: Nikki
"How can I help you?""I'm here to speak with you actually." He stated with such pride that it threw me off. I wasn't the one people came in for a meeting with, but his sinister smile hadn't yet gone away, and I knew this wasn't going to be a good meeting."I'm sorry?" My eyes narrowed, taking in every detail of the man that felt familiar yet not. Where had I seen him before? What the hell did he want with me?His hair was slicked back, like a fifties grease ball and his gray eyes sparkled. He was tall, taller than Bronson but lanky and slimy. Mob boss was the best way to describe him."It must feel strange Nicole. To be apart of something such as the Bandits, and not know what they have in store for you.""What did you just say?" I ask standing up abruptly. His eyes dance with humor but I didn't let it deter me. "How do you know about the Bandits?""Simple my dear. I will be working closely with Mick and Charles, along with your little brother. It's really quite easy when you th
Withstanding the Odds Chapter 88: Bronson
It's Christmas day, a day for celebrating, a day for joy and blessings, but a day I would normally spend behind my desk at work while I watched the semi empty streets of New York go about their holiday routine.But this Christmas is different, and as I turn and my eyes land on Nikki's naked body, the blanket riding low below her hip, I reflect on why. Nikki being in my life has changed it for the batter and although last night was one of the hardest nights of my life, I know I wouldn't have made it without her beside me.Last night was difficult. To hear my father, mutter the words that have scared me since I was a child and learned just how devastating childhood cancer could truly be. Clara was in the hospital and she was there because her cancer was not only back, it was fighting her with everything it had.I can recall her feeling weaker later in the evening on Christmas Eve, but I chalked it up to the normality of having cancer for the third time in her short life.It wasn't fa
Withstanding the Odds Chapter 89: Bronson
"I'm sorry Bronson." She lightly laughs then shakes her head. "Here I am crying on Christmas morning. Are you sure you wouldn't want to go see your sister?""She doesn't want anyone at the hospital just yet. She told us all she needs her space, and I'll respect her wishes for now. Today, is about the two of us making a new out of the darkness of our past."She nods her heads and I kiss her again. Standing up, I walk over to my nightstand, pulling out the red pathetically wrapped Christmas present that I had made for her. I walk back over to her and place it down on her lap."You got me something?""Of course I did." Did she assume I wouldn't?"It's just that… I know you didn't always celebrate it with....""Nikki, you mean so much more than anything before you. I wanted to get you something not because of the holiday, but to show you how much I have changed."Watching her rip into it like a child has me chuckling under my breath and when her breathing hitches as she pulls out th
Withstanding the Odds Chapter 90: Bronson
I look over at Nikki whose eyes continuously travel from me to the book I hold firm in my grasp. I know what this is, I know what this means, but I don't exactly know how she acquired it. Like the little mind reader Nikki is, she reads me well and answer my nonverbal question."Your mom helped with most of it, and Anderson filled in the rest. Your family wanted you to have a piece of the remaining parts of their life that you missed out on. Your father.... he wrote something on the inside. I didn't look, I think that's something you should read alone, but if you want, I can be here when you do."Her voice sounds so distance, so lost, and I know she is wondering if she made the right decision with this gift. I lean forward and kiss her soft lips, then smile. "This is perfect Nikki. Thank you."I look back down, and open the front page, laughing when I spot the first picture, the picture of my parents wedding. This photo meant so much to my mother, she always told us she knew our fath
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