20 Nikki

What a clusterf*ck.

Although things are now going to plan, my face being a little on the swollen side wasn’t exactly the part I was looking forward to sporting.

I had run out on Bronson, there was no way I could take his deal and stay here rent-free while ‘working on myself’. But that wasn’t good enough for Mick. He was angry, angrier than I have ever known him to be. He hated the fact that I made a decision that affected the bandits without running it by him first.

Which all in all, brings me to where I am now.

Mick wanted me here, he didn’t care what I had to do, but if Bronson Fortworth was offering me a roof over my head, access to everything surrounding his life, his business, his wealth, then Mick wanted me here. I couldn’t exactly say no, Brody was my brother and Mick had something that I didn’t.

Mick had power.

With the help of Mr. Kenneth Alfonso, he could easily get my brother out on bail. But I had to do something first. I had to agree to this strange plan. Mick knew I couldn’t just go back after only an hour; my roles were now flipped, and I needed a reason to get back into the threshold that holds the most powerful man in the city. I explained to Mick, Rand’s precautionary view of me, giving him the intel, he needed to figure out an angle around him. In the meantime, I needed an alibi.

Hence why my face looks like a torn-up rag doll.

Mick had Charles rough me up. We needed it to look like I was thrown out, like I was nearly killed and barely escaped with my life. Charles must have loved the idea because it took a few Bandits to get him off me.

A**hole.

I knew it would work, only when I saw Bronson’s face after he looked down at mine, something came over me. I didn’t want him to be angry or sad. I didn’t want him to look at me with empathy. I wanted to calm him, wanted to keep him sane and rational.

And now, as we walk upstairs to what will be my temporary yet permanent home here, I’m wondering if that has more to do with the strong hold, he seems to have on me.

“Here we are, you could stay here.”

“Wow.” I state but even that seems like too small a word to serve the room I am currently looking at.

The penthouse is large, made up of what I could tell, at least four bedrooms and a massive kitchen, office and family room. The room Bronson is currently showing me, is larger than Mick’s suite. There is a large queen-sized bed with a gray headboard that seems to be illuminated in the dim lighting. There is an attached bathroom that looks massive from the doorway and a walk-in closet that is easily putting mine to shame.

“I take it you approve?” I turn and watch as his large body leans against the threshold of the door. Damn, he is good looking.

“Approve isn’t quite the word I would use to describe this room, but yes. It will work.” Walking further inside, I place my backpack down and sit beside it on the clean and soft bed.

“Well it’s yours all the same.” He speaks then moves further into the room and sits beside me on the bed. It’s late, nearly one in the morning but I suddenly feel no sense of time. Bronson being this close to me is doing things to my mind and body that I’m not sure I want. “I have a proposition for you.”

I stand instantly and walk over towards the other side of the room. Bronson stands quickly as well, throwing his hands up in defense. I knew he was no different than the other men that run this city. Give a man some power, and they all go back to their former glory of being dogs.

“It’s not what you think Nicole.”

“Really?” I ask crossing my arms over my chest. “Because I’m having a hard time believing that.”

“My proposition was not in regard to your body.” My arms fall and a tired peace covers me. Bronson walks closer towards me and stands stoically. He’s close, but not close enough that I feel what I did not seconds before. How is he able to do that? “I will be leaving the day after tomorrow for a few days. I’ll be headed out early, and although you didn’t get much rest, I would like you to join me.” It’s strange to listen to him speak to confidently, yet anxious at the same time.

“What do you mean?”

“I want you to be my assistant. I’d like you to join me and the get the feel of what you would be doing once you partner with your permanent boss.”

“Wait…. you’re serious?”

“Yes Nicole. It’s an amazing opportunity and that way I won’t have to bother sending email after email to my assistant Bethany.”

I stare right at his eyes, the beautiful gold specks inside his blue irises twinkles as he talks animatedly about his trip. Apparently, Bronson has this planned for a few weeks now. He plans on hitting up a few businesses to see about acquiring them. We would start somewhere in California and end in Chicago. Leaving sounds like heaven, I’ve never had anything close to a vacation, but I worry for Brody.

“I-I don’t know Bronson. How do you know I won’t f*ck this up for you? I’ve never been an assistant before.” My eyes lower, my vision focusing on the bare feet of Bronson Fortworth. It sort of warms me that I’m most likely one of the only women that hasn’t slept with him that has seen his feet.

Strange, I know.

God, Nikki get a damn grip.

“Nicole. I trust you. I know that sounds insane, but I do. I trust my gut, and my gut is telling me to trust in you. You can do this. Work with me for the next few days, that will give you an idea of what your true potentials are.”

I don’t say anything, my mind reeling too much on his close proximity. Finally, after seconds that feel like hours of silence, I nod my head, giving Bronson my first real truthful expression. This may not have been the best plan.