Determined & Derailed (Storm Corp Book 1)

by Gracie Wilson

  “Everyone out now. Except for Nolan, Move it.” Everyone turned to each other, trying to figure out what just set me off. Even Nolan looked startled. One by one they all left but Nolan who hadn’t moved an inch since I yelled at him. I walked right up to him and pushed him hard and he hit the wall behind him. “You are an asshole, Nolan Nathans. You knew about everything to do with Lucas. You knew about Maxwell and that’s why you freaked when you thought I’d found that journal. I have a few of his journals and yes I have the one that talks about him. God, how stupid was I? I trusted you to tell me the truth and when I got involved in all this I knew for some reason I couldn’t trust you.” I was screaming and by the clouded vision I was balling too. I was so hurt that he knew about this and hadn’t gone after Maxwell.

  “Lexi, I’m sorry. I want to tell you everything, but I promised your brother. It’s for your own safety and I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to you too.” I turned away from him and thought of all the things my brother said in that letter. Trust Nolan. I wish it were that easy.

  “Nolan, I’m going to be staying at my private residence. I’d like you to stay at the penthouse from now on. I will have a security team set up there, as well as at my club. I will check in and I’d like you to do the same, but that doesn’t mean we’re okay. I will get Maxwell on my own and I don’t need your help with that, so just stay out of this.” I didn’t turn around. I couldn’t look at him.

  “Lexi, please just look at me.” I hesitated, then turned to see Nolan’s eyes glistening back at me with a small tear running down his cheek. “I never wanted you to know about any of this, I wanted you to be safe and that why I kept things from you. Trust me that I am only doing what’s best for you.”

  Before I got a chance to rebut, his lips were crashing down on mine. I could taste our tears and I gave in for a moment. Being with Nolan was like finding home again. I pushed myself further into the kiss, but something pulled me back. He was still lying to me about things whether for safety or not. You don’t do that to someone you care about like this. I pushed him away and he looked heartbroken.

  “No, Nolan, not anymore. When you’re ready to be honest with me we can talk about this, but until then there is nothing to talk about. If you won’t or can’t tell me the truth, it’s best we just move on. Don’t worry, Davey and Jax knew my parents and Lucas. They won’t let anything happen to me.”

  He was full on rage now. “Jax, as in the boy from the summer house?” Shit, I forgot admitting to that crush when we were younger, but I hated that he thought he could control this.

  “Yes and he tells me the truth no matter what kind of code he’s bound to. Know why? You don’t lie to the people you care about or love. Which is how I know you don’t give a fuck about me or love me, so stop saying it to make yourself feel better.”

  With that I walked out my office door, telling Tory I would call to check in with him and to enjoy his new ride. He tried to look happy, but I knew it was killing him not to know where I lived now or what was going on. I just didn’t know who to trust, but I knew where to start looking. Jax knew I was upset and had been crying. He put his arm around my shoulder and led me out of the building with his dad behind us. I just wished I were back in a time where my brother was alive and here. He’d know what to do about everything.

  Chapter Nine

  It had been five days since I was last in Storm Corp. Tory called three times a day and I knew Nolan was right next to him, but he hadn’t called me. I was hoping he’d come clean. However, that was obviously not going to be happening on his own. Lucky for me, I was heading back into the office today to upload my new software into the system. Cohen knew some of it, but he thought it was all just corporate watching. Which it was, but I had made a few minor specifications. Between working on this new system, dodging Maxwell’s calls and now with tonight being the grand opening of Cadenza, I was exhausted. I also was supposed to start classes next week and this had caused Davey a bit of discomfort, as he was not sure how to keep me safe. Jax and Blake had been attached to me and were my usual detail, but Davey didn’t like them being partners too often. Today we had Jax and one of the other guys. They all kind of looked the same. Dark buzzed hair, sunglasses and a black suit. Don’t forget the gun straps with loaded guns in them.

  As soon as I entered my floor, I bumped right into the one person I didn’t want to see. I was pushed back and Jax caught my arm, putting me back right again. “Sorry, Alexis, I didn’t see you there.” Oh, we were back to Alexis.

  “That’s fine, Mr. Nathans, I was just stopping by to check some files.” You could see the hurt right across his face. You’d think I slapped him by calling him Mr. Nathans. “ I’d like it if you came to the opening tonight at Cadenza. Bring anyone you like, I will put you on the guest list and invite Tory, please.” He just nodded and I continued into my office. I told the guys to stay in front of the door, but Jax just came in and shut the door behind him.

  “Lex, I’m sorry this is so hard on you, but I don’t think it’s a good idea with the latest threats.” We had received a few threats and also a warning by Maxwell’s men to hand over the weapons. My response was fine, but they would be entirely useless without my code. This only further pissed Maxwell off.

  “I won’t hide, Jackson. I may be a woman, but I’m still a Storm. We don’t hide from anything and we can weather anything.” He smiled at me repeating my father’s words. “Jax, you’re not working tonight, right?” He shuffled and I knew he’d asked to work it.

  “Well, I told my dad I wanted to work the opening.” I laughed and he looked a little taken back.

  “Now who am I going to take with me to this thing?”

  Jackson called Davey and it was all sorted. Blake would cover the shift, but they also had the whole team coming in, except those stationed at my two houses. While he was talking to his dad, I got to work on setting up the system. I felt bad for spying, but at times like this, you had to do what you had to do to survive. I was a survivor and Maxwell wouldn’t make me distrust my family or friends anymore. I set it up so that everything from texts, emails or calls from Tory and Nolan went to my tablet. I then set it up so that any of my key words would filter the emails or computer searches to my device. I had given all the guards phones as well and linked them to this system. Before I left I added Jackson’s name to the list with Nolan and Tory. I wanted to trust Jax, but I wouldn’t end up like my brother. If that happened, there’d never be justice for Lucas.

  * * *

  I was surprised when I went to the penthouse to pick up some things to find Trisha and Lissa in my apartment. They had decided to surprise me and I was so happy to see Trisha. I missed her so much now that she wasn’t living in New York. Lissa was another story, she was going to be a pain in my ass tonight and I knew it just looking at her. As soon as she set her eyes on Jackson, I cringed. Here we go again, Nolan and Jackson. Couldn’t she just leave the guys in my life alone? “I’m Lissa and you must be my date tonight?” He laughed at her and I was instantly crushed. Just like Nolan, he was completely blindsided by her obvious beauty. I went away, but he grabbed me, putting his arm around my waist.

  “Sorry, Lissa was it? But I’m already spoken for the grand opening and my name is Jax.” He looked at me and I stared back at him utterly shocked. No one said no to Lissa.

  “Holy toast. This is the “Jax” as in Jackson mchottie from the summer house?” I was sure I just turned about forty shades of red.

  “Trisha.”

  She mouthed an “I’m sorry” and I tried not to smirk at her, but when I turned to look at Jax I was caught off guard. He looked completely ecstatic at my embarrassment.

  Looking around the apartment, I saw Nolan’s stuff, which made me glad that he actually moved in, but I knew he said that he and Tory were staying at his place tonight since it was closer to the opening. “Well, looks like we have another boy to add to your list of guys, don’t we Lexi?” Lissa was smiling, but I knew she was tr
ying to get to Jax by telling him about Nolan. Sucks to be her, he already knew about Nolan.

  “If you mean Nolan, I already know about him and I don’t see how you pointing that out make you look any better? I figure that’s what you were going for, Lissa?” Trisha went into full hysterics with laughter.

  “Oh, man, I love this guy already. Any man who can put Lissa in her place twice is someone I want around Lexi.” Lissa snarled at Trisha and then turned to me.

  “Oh, I was talking about Cohen, did you know about him?” I was two seconds away from ripping her hair out. What the hell was wrong with her?

  “Computer geek that works with us, right?” I nodded to him. “He’s the one that told me to make sure I was at the opening tonight, Lissa. He’s her friend. You do know that a girl can have a guy friend without getting in bed with them?”

  I couldn’t help it. I joined Trisha in laughter and Lissa just lost it. “I’ll see you tonight, I don’t approve of this one, Lexi.” With that she left and we were all laughing now.

  “If this one here doesn’t marry you, I am, because that was the funniest thing I have ever seen. She’s always trying to take whoever is giving Lexi attention. I’ll tell you, you’re the first one to put her in her place for Lexi. So I approve of you and that’s all that matters. I never know why she’s friends with that bitch anyway.” From Holy toast to bitch, well, I knew Trisha was mad. She’d never been so vocal about Lissa, but she was right. I didn’t know why I was friends with her most days.

  I grabbed a few things from my closet, but when I showed up Trisha stopped me. “We must go shopping. You’re a club owner now and you’ve got to look the part. Hot and sexy is all you can do…and Lexi, you can do that in your sleep, but now it’s time to show everyone else that you are all grown up.”

  We headed to the main strip and found a little boutique with flashy dresses. The first two made me look like I should be standing on the corner, not running a business. The third one was it. I knew it as soon as I put it on. It was shorter than I would have liked, but it fit me so well. It was dark green silk that hugged all the right spots, with a low dib in the collar that made it impossible to wear a bra and it clung to every inch of my backside. As soon as Trisha saw me in it, her jaw nearly unhinged itself. “Whoa. Who knew you had all those curves under all that business crap. Jax is going to lose his mind. Nolan is going to be sorry and if Cohen didn’t want you before, he sure as hell will now.” I twisted uncomfortably, but deep down I knew she was right. This dress was perfect for me and with my black peep toe heels it would be perfect for the club.

  We went off, stopping to get our nails done and our hair blown out. I skipped the blow out and asked for loose curls. Now staring at myself in front of the mirror, I knew I was right. My hair was cascading down my back, which was completely bare, as this dress had absolutely no backing until right above my backside. I was glad I asked Jax to meet me there, as I would be too embarrassed to walk out there in all that light. He’d definitely see me blush.

  When I walked out, I noticed that my detail had left, except the two that would be driving me. Blake and one of the other guys named Clark, but to be honest they looked the same behind their suits and earpieces. Clark only stood out because he had a gentler looking face and was about six feet tall, where the others were all over six-four. He looked familiar and I felt like I’d seen him before, but I didn’t have a chance to figure out from where. Blake looked at me stunned and I was not sure how to take it. “Well, I think my brother may have been right.” With that they led me out the back and into the armoured Escalade.

  When we approached Cadenza, I couldn’t believe the sight. The new sign was exactly what I wanted. It had different music notes integrated with the club name. There was a line around the block, waiting to get in. We pulled around back and my guards brought me in and scoped things out before letting me into the front of the club. I saw they had started letting people in and I decided I was going to do introductions before I went out front. I got up to the stage with Clark right behind me the whole time. Man, was he taking this seriously. As I approached the microphone, a low light was sent down on me and the rest of the club went dark. “Welcome to Cadenza’s, I’m Lexi the new owner. Thanks for coming out and I look forward to many nights like this. Tonight we will have both a DJ and a solo act throughout the night. Have a great night.” The room erupted with cheers and I walked off to the stairs to head down.

  Jax was waiting for me at the bottom with a look of awe on his face. “Jesus, Lex, are you trying to give your customers a heart attack with that dress?”

  “Hi, Lexi, I can’t believe what you’ve accomplished here.” Nolan looked so unlike himself. He had lost his confidence with me and it didn’t suit him.

  “Thank you, Nolan, it’s everything I hoped it would be.” Jax pointed to his brother and I nodded as he walked off to talk to Blake.

  “Lexi, I’m sorry.” I was so lost in his eyes at this point, I thought I just imagined what he said. “I didn’t lie to you because I didn’t trust you. I just omitted things for you safety. I will always do what’s best for you safety no matter the cost.” I believed him and that was what made it worse. I knew he would continue to keep me in the dark if he thought it meant I was safe. I didn’t want this. I wanted to be equal and honest.

  “Hey, Lexi, how’s your date going? Maybe you should go talk to him and stay away from mine.” I looked right to Nolan, who was looking everywhere but at me. I knew it was true. He’d come with Lissa. He would always choose anyone above me. How many more times would I let this man break my heart?

  “Jax and I are friends. It wasn’t a date like yours intends to be. I know at the end of the night I will be alone in my own damn bed, unlike Lissa who will end up in whoever’s bed she lands in.” With that I spun on my heels and turned in search for Jax. A hand grabbed me and I turned to see Nolan. “Don’t, you don’t get to do this to me again. Not tonight. Tonight is about me, those who love me and I don’t think you qualify with that anymore. You wouldn’t keep me in the dark if you did.” I wrestled my arm out of his grasp and stomped off to Jax, who was in the corner with Blake. Jax looked up and smiled, but it faded when he saw my face. I was sure it was an easy tell that I was absolutely miserable, thanks to Nolan. He walked up and slid his arm around my shoulders.

  “Chin up, little Lexi, this is all because of you.” I looked around the bar and saw that it was a full house. In the back was my one way mirrored office, a new DJ booth off to the side of the stage, and a bar that Paula said was “the shit.” There were fewer tables and booths, but much more standing and dancing room. I couldn’t believe I put all this together and that it was a success tonight. I was finally standing on my own without Storm Corp and what my parents built. I had something I could call my own.

  “Lucas would be proud of you, Lexi, and so would your parents. You made this place your own.” Jax’s words were my trigger. Tears filled my eyes, wanting to spill over. I missed them all so much. When I turned around, the tears started streaming down my face for an entirely different reason. Over in the corner, I spotted them and my stomach hit the floor.

  Chapter Ten

  I’d never wanted anything more than not witnessing this. Lissa’s hands were all over Nolan’s back and he had her pressed up against him. He was wobbling and clearly intoxicated. I looked back to Jax, who looked perplexed. He didn’t know what to say or how to react. I saw a small amount of hurt cross his face and I knew then that he had more than friends on his mind for us. I just couldn’t deal with any of this, but before I got the chance to do anything, Cohen grabbed me, bringing me to the stage, not before whispering something to Jax, though. He looked like he wanted to kill Cohen, but nodded in agreement. He had me announce him to the stage and he took his place with his guitar.

  “How’s everyone doing tonight?” The crowd cheered and he had the most beautiful smile on his face. However, when he looked at me he had a hint of something in his eyes that I couldn’t qu
ite place. “As our beautiful new bar owner said, I’m Cohen Price and this is my new song called “For her.” I was instantly motionless when his eyes locked on mine, but he then turned his eyes to someone else and gave them a look like “this is for you.”

  How can this not be what we were meant to feel?

  We all say that when feelings come from nowhere.

  But sometimes love means being the one to walk away.

  Don’t leave it until she can barely look you in the face.

  You’re getting close to having her out of your life.

  Loving her the way she deserves isn’t going to be effortless.

  Are you sure that it’s something that was meant for you.

  You say you love her but you break her down.

  Even it kills you; it’s time to do what’s good for her.

  If that can’t be your love it’s time to move aside.

  Give her that and let her love another guy.

  So she can be loved the way she should.

  The way you wish you could.

  I wish I could just tell her how much I really felt.

  We can’t pretend it’s just us that want her like this.

  But until you walk away you’ll always be in the way.

  Don’t leave because of me; leave because it’s the right thing.

  All you can do is build up and break apart her heart.

  How many more shatters can her poor heart take?

  You say you love her but you break her down.

  Even it kills you; it’s time to do what’s good for her.

  If that can’t be you love it’s time to move aside.

  Give her that and let her love another guy.

  So she can be loved the way she should.

  The way you wish you could.

  Say something to prove me wrong and I’ll go.