Chapter 73 Nikki

A few blocks later, and I stop once again, feeling my phone vibrate in my pocket this time. I pull it out and nearly jump out of my skin when I see Brody calling. It feels like it’s been ages since I’ve spoken with my brother and knowing how we left things between us the last time, I didn’t think he would want to speak to me again anytime soon.
I find a private spot just behind a pet shop and answer it. “Brody?”
“Nikki, hey.” He sounds like his normal self, a self I have not seen or heard from in some time.
“Hey…. listen Brody I’m glad you called. I think we need to talk, maybe we can meet up somewhere?”
“That’s not the best idea.” I’m taken back by his words but don’t let myself falter as I listen to him continue speaking. “It’s bad here right now Nikki. Mick and the others, we’ve been getting a lot of raids and cops pulling us over for various reasons. Charles even got taken in the other day. He was released a few hours later, but it’s clear we are on some kind of radar.”
“What?”
“I know, meaning we can’t do too much right now. We’ve just been steering clear of the city, but that means we need you more now than ever. We need this plan Nik.”
“Brody listen–” I start, shutting my eyes and tipping my head back, letting the small bit of sunshine through the cloudy day warm my face. “I don’t think it’s a good plan. Mick hasn’t even told me how he plans on taking the money from Bronson and if this falls out, we go to prison for some serious time. You were lucky to get out but that means they are just waiting on you to mess up again.”
“I won’t mess up Nik. I know in the past you couldn’t always count on me, but I promise, this time you can. His money can set us up, we won’t ever have to do this again in our lives.”
“Brody….”
“Please Nik. Please.” I take a deep breath and breath out, wavering when it makes me lightheaded.
“Okay Brody. Alright, I’ll try and get some more intel to Mick.”
I can hear his breath of relief on the other end. “Thank you, Nik.” He replies then hangs up.
I walk the rest of the way back towards the suite with so much doubt in my mind I’m not even sure which way is up. I make it back, in a little over an hour, where I spot the doorman, Gary, calling someone on his phone the moment he spots me.
Great, now I’m being snitched on.
Taking the elevator to the penthouse, I look around and spot a small light on in the kitchen. The mess has been cleaned up, no doubt from Nadia, and another light has me following the small whispers I can make out in the study.
Bronson and Cassandra are standing, facing each other, and speaking in hushed tones. I appear at the threshold, ready to tell them that I will pack up my things and leave, when Bronson spots me and stands up straighter.
It feels like it has been ages since I have seen him, and although it’s only been days, he looks different.
“Nikki, I’m glad you’re here. Please come in.” I walk further into the room, certain that Bronson has not only been drinking heavily, but he intends on drugging me up and slicing up my body, hiding it in the walls.
Okay, no more sci-fi thrillers at night for me.
“Cassandra called me today, told me you two had gotten into it, but that you had spoken and made up. Is this true?” I look over at Cassandra, noticing her eyes pleading at me. I don’t know what makes me save the she demon, especially since she admitted to only wanting Bronson for his money and fame, but I do it.
“Yeah, sorry about bringing you home early. It was just a misunderstanding.” Bronson doesn’t look like he believes me but nods all the same. Cassandra moves forwards, kissing Bronson on the cheek, a gesture that makes me look away, and tells him goodnight.
“Want to tell me the truth?”
I watch Cassandra head all the way upstairs before I answer him. “There is nothing to tell Bronson. We got angry with each other, but it’s now in the past. No hard feelings.” I shrug and he nods again.
“Fine.” I start to walk away but he stops me, calling out my name. “I wanted you to have this.” A box is placed on the coffee table before Bronson walks past me and heads upstairs himself.
I almost don’t look, but my curiosity gets the better of me and I sit and open it. A beautiful rose gold Cartier watch sits inside the box. I pull it out and place it on my hand, turning it over and nearly sobbing like a child when I read the engraving.
-Beauty is sarcasm in its rarest forms.
A smile forms as I think of the wonderful gift Bronson has given me. It’s meant for my first day of work, that much is clear, but to me, it’s so much more than that.