Chapter 31 Bronson

“Sir, she cannot be trusted.” Rand states as I push the laptop away from me. I huff out a frustrated breath while Rand moves closer, standing right before me.
“And what exactly would you have me do Rand?” I ask and watch his eyes narrow then turn, his hands on hips in clear irritancy. “Would you have me lock her up and throw away the key?”
“You want me to answer that honestly?” He pouts then turns and gives me a shrug.
“Rand, your trailing her is what is pushing her away. She’s right, she chose to stay with us, with me, and I cannot have her feel unwanted within the agreement we have.”
“And what agreement is that Bronson? I mean did you ever think about what this girl could really do to you?”
I sit there starring as he begins pacing. Rand is the only human being in the world, that could speak to me this way. That is until I met Miss Myers. Not even Cassandra speaks to me on the level Rand is at the moment, but I know more than anything, it’s him attempting to do his job in protecting me. My grandfather trusted Rand with his life, and now I do. I cannot fault the man for pointing out the flaws that is making his job nearly impossible.
“Rand, my orders are to not have her followed. I understand the predicament I have put you in, but you are my head of security. I need you to understand my orders, while I note your concerns.” My voice is strong, authoritative, something Rand immediately notices, then simply nods his head and leaves the suite. I know what he is saying, I understand my trust issues must still be impact, but at the same time, I can’t bring myself to be weary.
Nikki is more important.
“Never thought I would see the stiff speechless.” I turn and smirk when I spot Nikki coming out of her room heading right for the kitchen. It’s been nearly two hours since she came back to the hotel room with Rand in tow, ready to spill her every move to me. I found it horrifying that she felt so trapped in her new life. That was the last thing I wanted for her when I spoke to her this morning about having Rand and Jim at her disposal.
I wanted her safe, it’s the only reason they are here, but I could see how she could take it another way.
“He isn’t wrong.” I stand and walk over towards her as she meets me halfway through the threshold of the living quarters.
“No, but he isn’t exactly right. I wasn’t trying to do anything bad today Bronson. I just wanted to go and look around a city I’ve never been. Isn’t that why you brought me? So that I could expand my horizons?”
I smile as she waves her hands out in the air in dramatic gestures.” I’ve never felt like laughing and shaking my head as much as I do with this woman. I thought at first that I would simply spoil her with things she’s never had, give her the opportunity to learn from me and understand the role she is meant to play in our world. Instead, she has fought me along the way of giving her anything free and has even shown me that she doesn’t exactly need my help with anything. Her fiery spirit and interesting outlook have me craving a different kind of life, and that has never happened before.
“There is nothing wrong with you exploring Nicole.” She looks at me skeptically, but I continue speaking before her attitude can change. “I want you to go to dinner with me.”
“What?”
“Dinner, it’s a strange event that happens around this time of night. People go out and get food when they are hungry then pay the good people that have served it.”
“Ha-ha, jackass. I know what dinner is. I just didn’t know zombies ate anything other than other people’s brains.”
Nothing holds me back from the laugh that bursts out of my body. I hunch over and let out all the pent-up tension from the day, from the trip, from everything I have been frustrated with in the last few weeks and laugh like I have never laughed before.
When I finally finish, I lean up to spot Nicole looking at me with shock. Her face flush and her breathing heavy.
“What?”
“Nothing, it’s just…. Every time I think I have you pegged as some smug jerk that thinks he can control everything and everyone, you keep surprising me. You’re not half bad Fortworth.”
“Wow, that has to be the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.” She giggles at my joke, but I wasn’t necessarily lying. I’ve always been the hard ass, the unemotional bastard that turned his back on his family, but to her, to Nicole, I feel like so much more.
“So, this dinner…. does it include all you can eat carbs?”
“It does.”
“Then you better watch your wallet Bronson, I tend to eat like a girl who grew up on a cattle ranch.” And just like that, the mood is lighter, and all is forgiven. She walks past me, telling me she is going to get ready while I nod and head for my room to do the same.
I will respect Rand’s assumption of her, but I think it’s time I gave Nicole a chance. I think it’s time I showed her that I am as invested in her as she is.