14 Nikki

What was I thinking?

That is the question that continues to plague my mind as I walk around the small park. I’m supposed to appear homeless, suffering from my everyday life, struggling to simply eat and enjoy a moment long enough to sleep for a short time. Mick’s plan is a scary one, one that is not planned out or precautioned enough to work, but I don’t hold the cards, I’m barely seated at the damn table.

Bronson Fortworth.

That is the new plan, that is Mick’s newest grand scheme.

And I’m supposed to play the ticket that leads the bandits right to his front door. I hate this absent anger I suddenly have for the man that realistically saved mine and Brody’s life, but I can’t help but wonder if Mick simply sees us all as expendable.

Sitting down on the cold cemented concrete that wraps around the park itself, I look around and wrap my arms around my body as best I can. It’s March in New York, but a cloudy and rainy one, one that somehow wouldn’t want to be barely dressed in, but I need to portray an image. I need him to assume I am not only homeless but in need of his help. So, with ripped jeans, a small red shirt that I’ve had for years, and shoes with tons of holes in them I borrowed from Amy, I was ready to meet Bronson Fortworth.

I hate every ounce of this plan.

I wait at the park for what feels like the entire afternoon and I’m just about to call it quits and march back inside the Serendin so that I can warm up, but halt when I spot the same man that was prancing around on Mick’s surveillance, coming towards me.

His body is rigid and hard, anger but professionalism bounce of his body in waves. I stay rooted in my spot, pretending to look down and cower away, but he continues pounding the pavement, his steps exact and precise.

Yep. This guy is definitely ex-military. Most people can spot them but being on the streets gives you a keen eye for those that proudly wear the uniform, versus those who hate when they are brought back to those moments. Rand was definitely the latter.

“You Nicole?” I cringe when I hear my full name coming from him. Not many people call me Nicole. Brody is about the only one and I prefer it that way.

Mom always called me Nicole.

“Who are you?” I ask looking up sheepishly. I’m supposed to play with pathetic homeless girl, a role I’ve been before and wasn’t looking forward to revisiting.

“Rand. I’m the security detail for Mr. Bronson Forthworth. He would like to meet with you, please come with me.” Rand backs up and turns, walking towards the other end of the park where a large black SUV awaits him.

I stay rooted in my spot, partly because I don’t trust this man, and partly because I need to continue to play my part of the damsel in distress. Rand eventually turns around, clearly noticing I am not following him and stops in his tracks. I stand and cross my arms at my chest once again.

“You think I’m going to just follow you? I don’t even know you.”

Rand smirks then walks back over to me, stopping just three feet from me. His large frame and tall statue are intimidating but I’ve got too much at stake for this not to work. Mick explained that he was having Mr. Alfonso look into seeing if he could get Brody released and out on bail, but knowing Brody is most likely coming down from whatever he was on that night, my mind is in a constant race against time.

“I’m not buying it little girl.” I snap out of my mode and stare up at Rand.

“Buying what?”

He leans his face further into me, far enough away that I couldn’t reach out and slap him but close enough for him to whisper and allow me to hear him even past the rain. “I know what you are, I know who you work for, and as much as your little helpless mask is placed on correctly, it’s not working on me.”

Narrowing my eyes, I watch as Rand stands up straight then heads for the SUV once more. I shout past the rain, past my beating heart, causing Rand to turn back over to me. “What the hell does he want with me?”

Rand shrugs his shoulders, but I do notice his face fall. He really doesn’t know, but it’s clear he is fond of his boss. Interesting. “Come with me and find out.”

I stay rooted in my spot for a few moments more. Rand gets into the passenger seat of the SUV and never comes back out. He knows I’m going to follow him. He somehow knows I don’t necessarily have a choice.

Each of those facts are making me more and more nervous.

Placing on my big girl panties, I walk over to the SUV just as the passenger door opens and Rand steps out. He doesn’t say anything to me, simply opens the back-passenger door and allows me to climb inside. We pull out moments later, heading straight to my unknown fate.