Determined & Derailed (Storm Corp Book 1)

by Gracie Wilson

  She was pulled out of the water and is in the hospital. For now we stay put until we know more.

  Who were the “we” he was talking about? Could it be Tory? No, I quickly dismissed that. Tory would die before he’d let something like this happen to me. He already felt responsible. Why was he emailing about me and who was this to? I turned to Tory and he nodded to the back hall where I knew Nolan had his own room. He was hiding from me.

  “I asked him to stay away until you decided if you wanted to talk to him.” Tory at his best still protecting me, and I wondered then how often before he had done something like this.

  “Cohen, how about I show you to your room?” He came up and linked arms with me. I guided him into my hall and put him in the room next to mine. “Jax will be in the room across from us. Davey and Tory will be in the hall with Nolan. The other guys will have to switch off in the spares.” I opened the door and he laughed at the huge window overlooking the city. “I figured you’d enjoy this view with your lack of sleeping and you can play your guitar in here all you want. You won’t wake me or Jax, if he still sleeps like he did when he was a kid.”

  “Lexi, you don’t have to do this. I could have just gone home. Don’t get me wrong, I want to stay, but that’s to make sure you’re safe.” I shook my head vigorously at him.

  “No, Cohen, I don’t know that you’d be safe there. I won’t endanger those I care about, not knowing what I do now. I trust you and I know you’d never do anything to hurt me.” He embraced me and I melted into his solid chest. I never noticed how muscular he was until now. I wish I could just love him...it would be so easy, as easy as breathing.

  “I meant everything I said in that song. I wrote it about all this, Lexi. I know you love Nolan. I think you’d love me if your heart was free to do so.” I clung to him because his words that night affected me so much. I hadn’t noticed the outside world could see how screwed up things had gotten with Nolan and I since my brother died. Before my brother had died, Nolan was expressing interest in being with me. My brother was not keen on the idea but never against it completely. But then everything changed. Lucas died, then a distance that was never there appeared and started pulling Nolan and I apart.

  “I think you’re right, Cohen. I want that too. He may not be ready to let go, but I’m going to try. I can’t promise it will be smooth. However, it’s the right thing to do.”

  A knock came from the door and we pulled apart. I sighed and walked toward the door to see Tory looking at me with solace and the thought was ‘oh God, what now, what is he going to say?’ “Alexis, he is in bad shape. If you don’t want to see him I will deal with him, but if you do, you should do it now.” There was nothing I wanted to do more than make everything okay, but sometimes that just couldn’t happen.

  “Tory, I will talk to him, tell him to stay put and I will come by his room.” He nodded and took off to deliver my message. “Cohen, I know what I have to say and do. It doesn’t make me feel any better knowing it’s right, but I can’t continue this pattern with someone who doesn’t trust me.” He sighed and pulled me into another hug.

  “As long as you’re happy, that’s all that will ever matter to me. I can stand by and watch you be with someone else as long as you’re happy. I can’t watch you be continuously hurt and do nothing. I will always be your friend no matter what becomes of this, Lexi.” I took the chance and stepped up to kiss him. He took my queue and leaned into me. Our lips met and it was not overly sexual. It was sweet and tender. I knew right then and there, I could love this man. I just needed to make sure I was over the one who’d had my heart since I was twelve.

  Standing outside his door I felt like I’d been there an hour. I could have for all I knew. I raised my hand to knock and before I could, Nolan pulled the door open. “No, I have to see her. I can’t wait any longer.” Tory just stood there and nodded in my directions. Nolan’s face fell and he tried to smile at me, but it was not fooling anyone.

  “Let’s talk then, Nolan.” I sneered a bit and I didn’t mean to, but I was so frustrated. As soon as I saw him all I saw was flashes of him with Lissa. I was jealous and I hated that he was making me into one of those girls. I walked in and Tory took his leave, shutting the door behind him. I turned and Nolan’s lips were on mine. He was putting everything he had into this one kiss and I was not sure what he was trying to convey. I pushed him back and he crumbled to my feet, wrapping his arms around my legs. He was crying and I knew this was going to be hard if at all impossible to do. “Nolan.” He was shaking his head against my legs and I felt my heart sink.

  “Please, baby, I’m sorry. When I heard what happened I just couldn’t believe what I had done and how I’d pushed you away. I swear I will never see her again. I thought you were with Cohen or Jax and that this meant nothing anymore.” I knew I had told him I was moving on, but I’d never have done that and went to one of his friends.

  “Nolan, nothing has changed. I know you’re hiding things from me.” He looked up at me, tears streaking his face.

  “Lexi, I am doing this so you stay safe. I’m not keeping something from you out of malice or to be deceitful, I swear.” I pulled away and he tried to stop me.

  “Nolan, please.” He shook his head and grabbed me again.

  “Don’t push me away. I want to protect you. I won’t let Maxwell anywhere near you. I won’t let you get hurt.” I looked down into those eyes that I loved and knew this was a changing moment for me.

  “You’ve already hurt me enough, Nolan. Whatever Maxwell has planned can’t be worse than that.” I pulled away and this time he let me. The hurt and torment on his face were giving my heart crushing pains.

  “Lexi, please let me try to fix this. When it’s real, you can, right?” I shook my head at Nolan. He was using my own words against me and it was one of the hardest things I had ever done.

  “Exactly, you can’t fix this, Nolan.” This time it was my turn to walk away and I did, not looking back.

  Chapter Twelve

  Walking out that door was the hardest thing I’d done and I still regretted it at times. It had been awful around here. I hadn’t been to the office in a month and I wasn’t “allowed” to start this semester, not that I wanted to anyway. Lissa and I had signed up for the same courses but one of them, and she was the absolutely last person I ever wanted to see again. I’d banned her from the club, office and this building. I knew she was continuously hounding Nolan and that he wasn’t responding until today when she sent a message saying she couldn’t believe he was wallowing over a stuck up bitch like me and it was time to move on to a real woman. I had to admit that hurt. She was supposed to be my friend, but I couldn’t say I was entirely surprised. She always came off as catty. The emails however were very bothersome and I still hadn’t been able to figure out who he was sending them to.

  Things aren’t going well, maybe we should re-think this.

  I can’t keep lying to her, I need to come clean about this and try a new approach.

  She isn’t talking to me, so I have no way to keep track of what’s happening.

  She doesn’t trust me and hasn’t spoken a word to me in a month. We need a new plan.

  Each time the recipient told him the same thing just in different variations. Each message sent across the same signal, though. Stick to the plan and don’t let me find out. I never thought it was him, but I couldn’t help it. I knew for a fact it wasn’t Tory. I had been tracking his messages as well. Every day Nolan tried to get information about me and it was always the same. Nolan asked what was going on and Tory called him a jackass for doing what he did. Nolan always sent back a message saying he just wanted to know that I was okay and safe. There were always more curse words sent in his reply, but always stating that he’d never let anyone hurt me and that included Nolan. If I wasn’t safe, he’d tell Nolan. Tory was one hundred percent on my side. However, Nolan wasn’t looking so great right now. If I found out he had anything to do with Lucas, he would suffer the same fate
as Maxwell did. Here’s hoping Nolan is on the right side.

  The team hadn’t let me go to Cadenza’s very much, at least not when it was open. Tonight was a big night we were having duelling DJs and I told them I was going so if they had to call in the whole team, then do it. As I walked to my room, Trisha came running through the door with bags of designer clothing and I immediately knew I had no option as to what I was wearing tonight. She pushed me to my mirror and sat me in front of it and started primping. She straightened my wavy hair and put blue extension pieces in it. I’d have to admit I was not thrilled when I saw them, but now that they were on, they grew on me. She did my makeup, paying special attentions to my eyes and making them a smokey gray. When she brought me over and pulled out the outfit, I paled. “No Way. That is not a skirt, it’s a belt.” She laughed and pushed me into the bathroom.

  “It’s time we show everyone the hot sexy club owner you can be.”

  * * *

  Everyone was on duty tonight, except Clark and Jax who were off with Cohen, at my request, as he was trying to lock down a new contract for a computer program he was working on for Storm Corp. He wanted to reschedule when I told him I was coming out and Jax wanted to stay behind to protect me. Davey had the final say and agreed with me. I think he knew I needed a breather from them constantly being around. I had feelings for both of them, but in such different ways and I hadn’t made a move with either. When we arrived, I saw Paula and she waved me over to the bar. When I got up there, she had four shots of tequila waiting and I looked at her puzzled. “Two for you, two for me.”

  I laughed at her lack of worry at me being upset that she’d be having a drink at work. “I need to be able to walk out of here tonight.”

  She pushed the shots toward me and smirked. “You have a team of like twelve men, I’m sure they can carry little you out of here, if needed. Besides, someone is coming tonight that I think you might want to have a drink before he gets here.”

  “Nolan is coming to Cadenza tonight?” She nodded and I grabbed each shot, pounding back all four. “Hey, those were for me.” I laughed and grabbed the bottle from her and poured us some more. I was getting drunk tonight or I might do something I regretted with Nolan, like punch him.

  Blake was continuously watching me and on his phone texting. I was sure it was Jax being crazy overprotective because I knew he wouldn’t message Davey. He wouldn’t get an answer from him. I walked past him and laughed. “Tell Jax I said hello.” He smirked at me and I continued to the dance floor. Duelling DJs was Paula’s idea and we were the place to be tonight. I knew I’d made the right choice making her my manager. I hoped to one day branch out and own more than one place. I liked the idea of her being my partner, not my employee. Paula had become a lifeline for me since owning Cadenza and she stopped by daily at the penthouse to spend time with me.

  Trisha came barrelling up. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know he was coming. I swear and I didn’t know he had a date. I will have security kick her out. I told her dumbass not to come back here.”

  I looked over and saw Lissa trailing behind him. Oh, Nolan, how could you? I walked up to them, intercepting them before they could move their way further into the club. “Back office, now.” My head was buzzing and I was regretting that last shot of tequila. Paula and Trisha trailed behind as we made our way. “Explain to me how you thought it was a bright idea to bring this skank of an ex friend to my club again? Do you enjoy what you’re doing to me?” He looked sullen and I flinched. Was I being too harsh?

  “Lexi, Chicky, I don’t believe for a second this thing was his idea. He called and asked if it was true that you were coming tonight. He couldn’t possibly be that dumb shit stupid to bring her here knowing that.” Paula turned to Nolan and pointed her finger into his chest. “You’re not that stupid are you Nolan?” He shook his head.

  “Baby, don’t lie to her. You promised to tell her the truth.” Lissa had this sweet smile on her face and I wanted to scream or cry. Which, I didn’t know.

  I saw red and jumped at her, but Paula grabbed me before I got to her. “Oh, no you don’t, this one here would have you arrested for the fun of it.”

  Nolan looked like pure rage was pouring out of him. “You were in the line and begged me to bring you in so you could apologize to Lexi. I was hoping to set everything straight tonight with her and you knew it.” Set what straight, was he finally going to tell me everything?

  “You can’t be this stupid. You’re Alexis Storm, aren’t you? He and I have been together since that night you pretended to drown. How pathetic you had to make up something like that to get his attention away from me. It didn’t stop what had already happened, sweetheart. While you were grasping for air, he was having his wicked way with me.” I was about in tears, but something clicked.

  Before I had the chance to call her out on her lies, she was lying on the ground, holding her hand to her face. “You are not welcome here, Lexi isn’t to see you again. If I see you anywhere around here, I will only give you another black eye. Now get the hell out of here.” Paula swung open the door and Blake looked confused at the sight. “Throw this in the back alley, that’s where the trash goes.” I looked at Paula with admiration and came to the realization I was not alone. If anything I was surrounded with new love. I was still determined to get those responsible, I just didn’t want it to be at the cost of my friends. This issue with Nolan may have momentarily derailed me, but I would get them.

  When the door slammed shut after Blake assisted Lissa out, Paula turned to me. “Now that she’s gone, you two have some serious shit to work out, so get to it. Trisha, let’s go.” They both turned and walked away, closing the door behind them.

  “Lexi, I’m sorry. I didn’t know she was going to pull that.” I moved toward him and grabbed his hand.

  “I know she was lying about the two of you. I know you haven’t been with her this whole time.” The look on his face brought me into instant tears. Oh my God, what had he done? His look was one that said ‘you’re never going to get over this, Lexi.’ I looked around the room and anywhere but at him.

  “I have to tell you something, but first...Lexi, how did you know I haven’t talked to her or been with her this whole time?” Dread filled me and I tried to back away, but he wouldn’t let go of my hand.

  “Please, don’t ask me that.” If he knew, well, a lot of things could happen. He could hate me forever or worse...I could find out he was working with Maxwell to get to me. I’d rather have him hate me than think he’d ever turn me over.

  “Baby, just tell me what you’ve done. Have you had me followed? I won’t be mad.” His words gave me courage and I thought to myself, here goes nothing.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “I don’t need to have you followed, Nolan. I’ve been tracking you for some time with the devices we use at Storm Corp.” The smile he was holding fell and with that went any doubt that he wasn’t doing something wrong.

  “Meaning you have access to everything I send out or use connected to the office?” I nodded and he got angry. “You have been spying on the company or just me, Alexis?” I was angry now, how dare he judge me.

  “I’m sorry, but someone killed my brother and has tried to kill me on more than one occasion.” I flinched with that last detail, as he didn’t know about the car bomb Davey and Tory found under our SUV Last week.

  “What? What do you mean more than once? Why didn’t you tell me?” Really? Knowing I’ve been tracking him and he still asks me this?

  “You have to ask why I wouldn’t tell you anything, I don’t know that I can trust you and the more I’m hearing, the less I think I can.”

  “Lexi, everything I’m doing is to protect you. Can’t you just remember that I love you and wouldn’t do anything to hurt you intentionally?” Whoa, Nolan had never said he loved me, but I was unsure if he meant romantically.

  “Nolan, no more lies, just tell me whatever it is.” He grabbed my hand and I looked at him for answers.

&
nbsp; “Lexi, I can’t tell you I’m sorry, just believe that I’m doing this to keep everyone safe.” I looked down at the floor because I just couldn’t look at him anymore. I needed Nolan and he was leaving me vulnerable.

  “Then what did you need to tell me, Nolan? I thought you were going to admit to what I already knew. I thought you were working against me and were going to coming clean.” He looked offended.

  “I would never work against you. I wanted to tell you the truth about Lissa.” I don’t think my brain heard anything but the last part of that.

  “I know she has been messaging you.”

  He shook his head. “Yes, that part is true, but you know I never responded. I’m talking about that night and what happened.”

  I yanked my hand out of his grasp and walked backward. I was trying to put as much distance between us as I could. “Lexi, it didn’t mean anything, it was just sex. I’d had a lot to drink and she was just there, willing.”

  I was revolted and started hyperventilating. I tried to catch my breath before I made myself sick. He made his way to touch me and I jumped back. “No.” I was shaking and the tears were a continuous stream. “Don’t you ever touch me again, Nolan. You knew. I’ve loved you forever and I would have continued to love you forever. She was my friend, you could have fucked anyone else.”

  I saw him trying to figure out what to do and I was shocked when his lips collided with mine. I struggled, trying to push him away. “Baby, just feel it, it’s still there, and I love you.” I somehow got him off of me and slapped him hard. “No, Nolan, if you loved me, you wouldn’t have done that to me.”

  He turned to a predator and I felt myself backing up slowly. “You know you still want me, just let me show you how sorry I am, baby.” I pushed him back, screaming and I wanted to be anywhere but here.