All Chapters of Withstanding the Odds: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Back and forth my feet take me across the room and then back again. I've been home for two days now, and all my body can do is pace. I've held my phone in the palm of hands for hours and yet, no collect call from the county jail. I feel hopeless.What the hell was he thinking?A groan leaves my chest as I give up on my pacing and collapse onto my bed and stare up at the ceiling.So much went wrong the night of our supposed grand scheme. I shut my eyes and concentrate on every detail form that night, ever second of every moment that I could have done something differently.Brody wasn't ready, and nothing proved my point more, than when we did our last practice run in the common area on the first floor of Serendin Atlas that morning. Brody was not only high, but he was out of his mind. He was excited about the schemes. His erratic behavior and spontaneous spurts of anger weren't good for the night the majority of us had in mind, but one person was in his corner. One person was just a

What was I thinking?That is the question that continues to plague my mind as I walk around the small park. I'm supposed to appear homeless, suffering from my everyday life, struggling to simply eat and enjoy a moment long enough to sleep for a short time. Mick's plan is a scary one, one that is not planned out or precautioned enough to work, but I don't hold the cards, I'm barely seated at the damn table.Bronson Fortworth.That is the new plan, that is Mick's newest grand scheme.And I'm supposed to play the ticket that leads the bandits right to his front door. I hate this absent anger I suddenly have for the man that realistically saved mine and Brody's life, but I can't help but wonder if Mick simply sees us all as expendable.Sitting down on the cold cemented concrete that wraps around the park itself, I look around and wrap my arms around my body as best I can. It's March in New York, but a cloudy and rainy one, one that somehow wouldn't want to be barely dressed in, but I

How do I get myself into these types of situations?My eyes pierce that of Bronson's and when his apparent smirk appears, I want to march over and stomp on his pride with my chucks.He wants me to move in with him. As in move inside this huge penthouse that looks as though it could go on forever. He wants me to wake up on a thousand thread count sheets and live comfortably in downtown Manhattan on the top floor of the most expensive, luxurious penthouse?I don't think so."You have got to be kidding me." I state flatly wondering if this man has hit his head in the last twenty-four hours."I'm not.""I'm not moving in with you. I don't even know you.""And what are your other options?""Excuse me?" I stand and walk over to the fireplace, placing my drink down on the mantel. Facing him I cross my arms at my chest and give him my best death glare. It's a beautiful place, this room in particular, but this isn't an option for me. I can't leave my brother, can't leave the bandits and

I f*cked this up.Hurting Nicole was the last thing I wanted to do, and yet, as I stare at the closed door leading to my elevator, I know I did exactly that. She ran out of here before I could give her a proper apology and I cannot blame her one bit.Pulling out my phone, I send a message to Rand knowing he already headed out for the night. He responds right away; a fact tat I am grateful for.Me: She's heading back to the hotel. Follow her.Rand: Sir, do you really believe that's for the best?Me: Do it.Rand: I'll find her sir, but it is late, and it seems like she left angry. I don't know if she will come back with me.Me: Understood Rand.Blowing out a deep breath, I contemplate on why this girl is able to drill such a hole in my head. I've never been intrigued by someone, had someone get under my fingers the way Nicole does. I despise the fact that she ran from help, help that could potentially save her life, but at the same time, I loved that she fought me every step of th

What a clusterf*ck.Although things are now going to plan, my face being a little on the swollen side wasn't exactly the part I was looking forward to sporting.I had run out on Bronson, there was no way I could take his deal and stay here rent-free while 'working on myself'. But that wasn't good enough for Mick. He was angry, angrier than I have ever known him to be. He hated the fact that I made a decision that affected the bandits without running it by him first.Which all in all, brings me to where I am now.Mick wanted me here, he didn't care what I had to do, but if Bronson Fortworth was offering me a roof over my head, access to everything surrounding his life, his business, his wealth, then Mick wanted me here. I couldn't exactly say no, Brody was my brother and Mick had something that I didn't.Mick had power.With the help of Mr. Kenneth Alfonso, he could easily get my brother out on bail. But I had to do something first. I had to agree to this strange plan. Mick knew I