Chapter 43 Nikki

I’m an idiot.
How could I do something so daring? So pathetic? So completely stupid and ruin everything I have been working hard on?
My phone chimes in the background and I cringe automatically. Mick has been trying to get a hold of me since yesterday morning, but I didn’t want to answer him, I didn’t want his voice to ruin what Bronson and I shared.
He told me he was going to grant my request and do something fun, I had nothing planned, just didn’t want to be cooped up in another hotel room while he went out and played mogul. I found the first thing that caught my mind, a small amusement park that was going on fifty years old. It was spontaneous, but just seeing Bronson’s face register with shock as I revealed what we would be devoting the remainder of our day doing was worth it, even if we chose not to go inside.
Instead, he surprised me. He laughed, had fun, even spoiled me with hidden glances and light humor. Everything was perfect, until it wasn’t.
Another chime from my phone goes off and I huff out an irritated breath and stand to walk over and grab it. We’ve been in Houston going on two days now. Bronson couldn’t get the CEO of the Orchesturn Corporation to consider his deal, so his plan was to try again today, this very morning.
Which left me alone, inside the giant suite, to pace back and forth on how the hell I was to face him today. Yesterday he was gone all day and night, and when I woke this morning he was gone again. I knew he was trying to avoid me, making me hate my decision to let things get physical between us, even more.
My eyes blink back the few tears that have remained from last night. I used to never be the kind of girl to cry, and yet, since I’ve been on this trip, that is all I seem to do. Bronson brings something out of me, something I’ve spent years attempting to bury.
Wiping my eyes, I focus on my phone in my hand and read the message from Mick that has just come in.
Mick: Need a status report Nicole.
Blowing out a much needed deep breath, I sit on the soft queen sized bed, pushing the loose strand of my blonde hair out of my eyes so that I can place back on the mask I’ve been living without these last few days.
My bandit mask in place, I call Mick, grinding my teeth when he answers on the first ring with a sneer to his breath.
“Nikki, I’ve been trying to get a hold of you.”
“I know that Mick. Sorry, it’s not easy to step away and speak. He has security around and we have been traveling each day.”
“And you’re where exactly? You’re not exactly keeping us updated Nikki.” His anger is ostensible, but I ignore it, intent on just giving him the information. The faster I get off the phone with Mick, the faster I can sulk over my pitiful attempt at something I do not deserve.
“Houston. They don’t tell me ahead of time where we will be going.”
“They don’t tell you? Or you don’t ask?” He has a point there. I’m sure if I asked, Bronson, Jim and Landen, they would be happy to give me the remainder of the trip’s itinerary, Rand is a different story. Although, Rand’s words to me the other day are flowing around in my head.
Was he trying to be nice to me because he now trusts me? Somehow, I doubted that, but he said I was good for Bronson. What did he mean?
“I’m trying not to gain too much attention Mick. If I go around asking a bunch of questions, they are going to figure something out. I already have one of the guards on my tail constantly.” It’s not exactly a lie. But what’s got me worried most is how much Mick’ s anger is clear on this phone call. “Mick, is everything alright? Is Brody back at home?”
Silence greets the other side of the line and for the first time in a ling time, I enter into a panic.
“Mick?”
“He’s still inside Nik.” My head lowers automatically. I’ m not one hundred percent sure how to handle this news. I thought that I would be able to speak with my brother. Last I spoke with Mick, Brody was getting out on bail with a potential hearing.
“But you said….”
“Things got a little out of hand the last time we spoke. Alfonso thinks he may have been speaking with the police about our organization. He’s cut out Nik, Alfonso can’t get in and speak with him anymore.”
“Brody would never– “
“I know that. He’s loyal, always has been and he knows you’re waiting on him, knows you’re doing everything you can now to get him out. But in the meantime, we have no idea what he’s saying to the cops and because of that, we can’t get him out. He’s a good kid Nikki, but he ain’t always the smartest. The charity event was proof of that. These cops are trained to target kids like him, get him to break by thinking we won’t be there for him when he gets out.”
My eyes shut and I lower my head and rub my temple with my free hand. A migraine is already forming inside of my skull. All I want is to get to my brother, but I can’t. I can’t let Bronson know anything that is happening. I can’t afford for any of them to put the clues together.
“What do you need me to do?”
“Finish this Nikki. I need the cops on something else. I’m going to continue to attempt to get a message in to him through Alfonso, but we cannot blow our lead with him.”
I look around automatically, hating this secret I am keeping from Bronson. Could I go to him for help? Explain everything to him and hope he understands that I was doing this for my brother? Surely Bronson has some ties, some favors that he could call up on and help get my brother out and both of us free of a life without the Bandits? He’s helping me get my life together, could he help Brody? Would Brody want that? Would he have a choice?
I shake my head from my fantasies. I cannot be that stupid. I cannot afford to plea with Bronson and hope for the best when my brother’s life is on the line. I don’t have a choice. I’ll have to continue my mission and get into Bronson’s life even deeper.
Whatever it takes. I must protect my brother at all costs.