All Chapters of Withstanding the Odds: Chapter 81 - Chapter 90

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

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

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

"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

"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