Chapter 26 Nikki

Opening my eyes fully, I let my vision settle and my stomach calm as I sit up all the way, noticing Bronson is no longer holding me, but I am laying on some kind of bed, alone in a cabin-type bedroom. It’s small, holding only a bed, and small closet. I stand rubbing my temples, realizing I must have fallen asleep at some point.
He was holding me. Bronson Fortworth, the man I am attempting to play in order to get nice and close to him, only to rob him with my team of experts from the inside, was holding me.
A large part of me felt like an idiot, like a damsel in distress that can’t even tie her own shoes. The other part of me never wanted him to let go.
I never knew I had this fear of flying, hell I live in New York where I spot planes coming and going like people mulling around in the faceless void of the streets. But this was different. A panic like I’ve never felt before paralyzed me. It was like I could feel my body shutting down but couldn’t do a thing about it.
How the hell was I supposed to survive for the next week?
In the arms of Bronson?
Walking over towards the door, I open it partially, noticing Rand, Landen and Jim, who were introduced to met earlier this morning, are sitting alongside Bronson as he speaks with them privately.
This should be the moment I lean in, pretending to simply be coming out of the room, only to listen to what he is saying to his head security, but after how safe I felt waking up just now, I no longer want that. Mick warned me that this plan was important, so important that he would get my brother out of jail and allow him to rejoin the Bandits, all sins forgiven.
I can’t f*ck this up.
Stepping out fully, I stop when I see Rand’s gaze look over at me then lower back over to Bronson. Seconds later, Bronson stands and turns, walking right over towards me. His suit jacket is off, leaving just his white button up and loosened tie. His chest looks broader, firmer than before.
Wait what? I shouldn’t be noticing those things. I shake my head, not wanting to even go there.
“How are you feeling?” He asks when he reaches me. I drag my gaze from his chest up to his bright blue eyes.
“Better, thank you, for you know…. helping me back there.” Great, I can not only feel the pathetic blush across my face, but I’m stammering like a teenage girl.
“You’re welcome. We will be landing in just a few moments; would you like something to drink?”
“I slept the entire flight?” Branson turns and smirks at my shout, then continues grabbing my small bottle water out of the small cooler. He marches back over to me, handing me the water then speaks.
“It was only a five-hour flight Nicole, you didn’t miss much.” Giving me a warm smile, I feel myself refresh the memories from earlier. He called me Nikki. It was strange to have someone like him call me by the name everyone else does.
“So, why San Francisco?” I ask moving to sit at the nearby chair. I had messaged Mick last night, making him aware of the plans of our trip, but even I didn’t know the exact destinations until this morning. The only response I received from Mick was this morning and it was simply reminding me that I needed to gather as much info as I could on this trip.
Like I needed the reminder.
Bronson comes and sits beside me, his security now pulling out what looks like a deck of cards. “There is a business here I wish to require.”
“And you plan on simply taking it and putting people out of work?” I know I’ve given him shit in the past, but the truth is, I’m not one hundred percent sure what exactly he does.
“No, Nicole I don’t.” His answer is direct, I know I’ve offended him and as much as I want to shrug it off, he did just help me out when I was practically an invalid in front of him. “The business is closing, but not for lack of creativity. The CEO that also owns it is dying and he didn’t leave anyone behind to manage things. It was a foolish notion, one that is causing his staff to do things they have no experience doing. In order to save it, I need them to see that joining me is their only opportunity.”
I remain silent as I listen to him speak. The business is in relations to government contracts that allows other small businesses to subcontract out employees. Bronson explains that not only would them shutting down hurt the business and their employees, but initially others that are enrolled inside it.
It’s a different aspect of looking at his commitment toward his job. Guilt like nothing else hits me but I push it down. I’m doing this because I have to, I’m doing this given no choice. Brody is my responsibility. Brody is my brother.
“The landing will be a bit hard, are you ready Nicole?” I blink back the tears threatening to fall and nod my head.
I’m ready.