Determined & Derailed (Storm Corp Book 1)

by Gracie Wilson

  “Alexis, you can’t ever put me through this again.”

  “I won’t. I promise, Dad.” I gave him a small smile to see if it was okay that I called him that and he laughed, giving me a gentle hug. A nurse walked through the door and stopped when she saw that I was awake.

  “You’ve given your dad and brother quite a scare, missy. They haven’t left your bedside.” I looked to Clark and Tory, waiting to see if they’d explain, but they just gave me a smirk.

  “Where’s Nolan?” I heard the nurse sigh and she turned back to me. “Hun, you’ve been in the ICU and we only allow immediate family in. Mr. Nathans didn’t take kindly to that, but your brother did talk to him and has been giving him updates.” With that she walked out the room, leaving me even more confused.

  “What the hell is going on? How long have I been here? Why does she think Clark is my brother? If you just lied to get him in here or something, then why didn’t you do that for Nolan?” I looked between them and they both looked like they wanted to be anywhere but with me at this moment. “Tory…”

  He sighed and came to sit beside me on the bed. “It’s been six days, Alexis, and I didn’t think it was a good idea for Nolan to be here right now. He has some explaining to do and he wouldn’t tell me where he was when the fire happened or why he left you alone. He just told me to leave it, so I didn’t want him around you until I knew what was going on. I won’t let anyone near you who I can’t be sure I trust or account for there whereabouts.” I nodded because honestly what he was saying made sense and with Nolan lying to Tory too, I worried about what he was hiding.

  “So Clark just said it to get in here then. Okay, I understand. I love you too, Clark.” I laughed. “My brother.” I looked at Clark and he was as white as a ghost.

  “I swear, I didn’t know until they needed blood for you and they told me your blood type. It was rare and I happened to be the same type, so I donated. When they approved it and set you up, the doctor slipped and said that you were lucky your brother was here. I corrected him and he told me that I was the one who was incorrect.” I looked hesitantly over to Tory, who wasn’t saying anything.

  “Tory…what does any of this mean?” He looked down at me with such sadness.

  “It means that Clark is your half brother, Alexis.” Shocked didn’t even begin to explain what I was feeling right now.

  “Did you know about this, Tory? When he showed up, please tell me no one knew. That no one didn’t say anything to just watch us stagger around. God. Good thing I didn’t try to get in his pants or some crazy shit like hit on my brother.” I was fuming and I looked to Clark, who was laughing at me.

  “I’m pretty sure I saw you check out my ass once if that makes you feel better.” I went to swat him and he laughed, pushing me back down. “Easy, I was kidding…maybe.” He was chuckling and I was about seven different shades of red right now.

  “If I remember correctly when you got assigned to work with me, you and one of the other guys were calling Alexis a babe.” I snorted at Tory’s remark and started hysterically laughing at the way this conversation had turned.

  “Clark, this means we have the same dad, right? Did you never know that your dad wasn’t your biological dad?” I hated to be the one to go back to something instead of lightening the mood, but I had far too many questions.

  “I knew that he wasn’t, but it didn’t matter, he’s been there since I was born. My mom met him just after she found out that she was pregnant. I never asked questions. I didn’t need to I know who my dad is.” I nodded my head because he was right, his dad wasn’t mine. A dad is someone who takes care of their kids, who is there to give them cereal and be a part of they’re life. I thought to myself, I was lucky enough to have two of them. I had Tory and I had my dad when he was alive. I couldn’t believe my dad never said anything. I wondered if he even knew.

  “Does Nolan know?” Both men shook their heads and I knew that I was not going to tell Nolan, at least not yet. “Jax, where’s Jax?” How could I forget Jackson?

  “He’s okay, they released him yesterday. He had some minor burns because when he couldn’t find you, he went back in looking for you. He’s fine now, just kept him for observation.” I looked at Tory, who had just divulged this information to me with thankful eyes.

  “When can I see him? What about Davey? When can I see everyone? What about Cohen? There are things I have to take care of. He didn’t have any family.” I felt my heart race and the machine seemed to pick up on that.

  “Slow down, Alexis, I’ve taken care of Cohen’s arrangements and as soon as the doctors say you’re okay to go, we will have the funeral, okay? As for seeing everyone, let’s wait until you’re released. I just need you to focus on you and if you won’t, then I sure as hell will.” I took a deep breath and looked to this man who had become a dad to me, in more ways than one. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t seen it before, but he had this undeniable protectiveness over me and I wouldn’t give that up for anything. I looked at Clark and grabbed his hand. “I’ll do whatever I have to, to get better and go home. As long as I’m going home with my family.” They both looked stunned and tears trickled down both their faces. I thought I was all alone in this world now and had nothing left to lose, but I was wrong.

  * * *

  Today was the day, it had been two days since I woke up and today was the funeral and the day I got released. Talk about a double whammy, I should be at home resting, but I had to do this now or I might never be able to. I hadn’t seen anyone other than my brother Clark and of course Tory. Clark went to the penthouse and Trisha had picked out something for me to wear to the funeral. I looked around the bathroom in my hospital room and I knew it was time to go. I didn’t want to do this, because then it made it real. To make matters worse, I couldn’t even see Cohen. It was a closed casket for obvious reasons, but I still wished I could see him. It would make it more real. I kept imagining he was going to come through that door and tell me to get my boney ass out here and grace the world with my presence.

  I grabbed the door handle, but took one last look in the mirror. I was pale, still having some bruising on the side of my hair line from my fall and run in with Maxwell. My wrist was in a cast and I look like I had been through hell and back. I let out a little laugh. Hell and back? That would be an easy trip compared to what I’d been through. I opened the door and stopped to see both Clark and Tory looking at me. Their eyes looked to me with such sadness that I couldn’t speak. I almost lost it right now in my hospital room and broke into tears that I knew would not stop.

  “Time to go, I’m afraid.” Tory was barely keeping it together, but he managed to get those words out. Both men came and put their arms out for me to link onto as we walked out of the hospital. When we had checked out and went to get in the vehicle, I noticed it was a long limo and not our usual SUV, which only made what I was about to witness that much more real. The three of us piled in and then Tory told the driver to take us to the church. The silence in the limo was eerie. This was all so surreal, I wished I could just wake up from this nightmare. When we pulled up to the church, I immediately saw Davey, Jax and Nolan standing there, waiting.

  “You just wait here with your brother, I’m going to go talk to them.” I didn’t know when I would get used to him referring to Clark as my brother, but when he reached over and put his hand over mine, I had no doubt he was my brother. Even now I saw the similarities between him and Lucas. He was a Storm.

  I glanced out, watching as Tory approached them and I could tell with what he was telling them that they weren’t pleased. I saw that Jax and Davey nodded to whatever he had just said. They soon dispersed, but Nolan stood there, crossing his arms and shaking his head. I heard the window in the limo being lowered and I looked to see Clark smirking at me. He had opened the sunroof so we could hear what was being said.

  “I have to see her, Tory, she needs me.” My heart sunk because as much as that was true, I wouldn’t even know what to say to him.
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br />   “She needs her family and family doesn’t lie about things, son. I know you said you can’t say, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to trust you on it. Not after it’s been shown the lengths Maxwell will go to get to her. I won’t risk anything. Right now she’s hurting and she needs everything to get through this. Come by later tonight and you can talk to her then, just let her get through this first. But I won’t leave her alone with anyone until this threat is over.”

  I looked over to see Nolan’s shoulders sag and I knew he was giving in. “Just tell her I love her, okay?” My eyes wandered over to Clark and he just sat there, holding my hand.

  “Tell her tonight yourself, she’s going to need everyone and I don’t know if she will ever be the same, either way.” I saw Nolan walk off and I knew that he didn’t believe Tory, but he was right. I wouldn’t be the same ever again. Cohen was dead and it was my game I started that did that. I wouldn’t ever forgive myself for this and I was going to have to learn to live with that. I didn’t think the girl he loved even existed anymore. I didn’t know if I could ever love again.

  “You won’t always feel so broken. I promise, Lexi. He wouldn’t want you to be either.” Clark’s words gave little comfort, but I still needed to hear them.

  “Time to go in, Alexis.” Tory opened the door and was holding out his hand for me to take. I got out of the limo and Clark followed, putting his arm around my shoulders as we walked into the church. I looked straightforward, making eye contact with no one. I saw the casket at the front, draped in flowers and music notes. I stopped and felt like my breath was being pulled out from me.

  “Lexi, you can do this, I won’t ever leave you alone again.” I turned to Clark and saw that he was having as much of a hard time with this as I was.

  We began to move forward and took our spot at the front of the church. It was just the three of us sitting there in front. The Priest started talking about Celebration of life and all I could do was look at the casket and feel like my whole world had come crashing down around me.

  “Alexis, would you like to come up and deliver the Eulogy?” the Priest asked. I nodded, moving to get up, but Clark was still clutching my hand.

  “I have to do this.” He released my hand and I made my way up to the front and turned to face everyone. I saw many people whom I knew from Storm Corp and from our social circles. My eyes found Jax, Davey, Nolan and Paula, their eyes glistening at Cohen’s coffin and my battered appearance. I looked down and took a deep breath.

  “At the end of the day any person just wants to know they’ve made a difference in this world. That they have done something of importance or that mattered. Cohen Price has done all those things during his life and even at the end he continued to show his courage and bravery. I’m standing here today because of the sacrifice that he made. Cohen wasn’t just an employee or a friend. He was an amazing individual who gave everything he had into each and every project. He was an amazing friend who you could always talk to and he would listen. He was someone that I loved and will always love. Someone I was in love with and forever will be. We shared so much in our times together, but it will never be enough. He told me that same thing the night in the fire. Well, Cohen, some people don’t get a forever. You deserved every moment of forever. Our lives will all be a bit emptier without him in it. Music was such a large part of his life and our relationship that I felt I could say so much more with a song.” I nodded and a man brought out my guitar. I saw Clark and Tory looked worried, but I tried and gave them a small smile. I hadn’t really told them about this. I had only written it yesterday when I asked for my guitar and to be alone. “This song is about everything that happened that night and the feelings behind it. This song is for Cohen Price.”

  I looked at Tory and Clark, then at Nolan and Jax. “He was murdered by Maxwell Finch, he set fire to my building. That same place that Cohen lost his life while saving mine.” Before I began to play, I looked at them again. The realization that I’d just called Maxwell out at a public event was not lost on them. Game on.

  I see you here with me, the way it should be.

  Not sitting here singing out from my broken heart.

  I wish we had our forever and that this wasn’t the end but the start

  You will forever be here with me, always just like you said.

  Always putting me first even in the very last moments.

  Saving my life by giving up yours instead.

  I wish you could have stayed and been my all.

  But you had to go and I know I’ll always be thinking of you.

  The time is near, the time I fear, and you’re not here with me.

  You’ve gone on and I’m still here, Always missing you.

  I want to visit you but all that’s left now is your grave.

  If there was a way to visit you in Heaven I’d be there everyday.

  I’ll think of you always but now this is our final goodbye.

  Goodbye, Cohen, I’ll love you forever. Oh God I wish this wasn’t the end.

  Can’t you see I can’t do this without you, why couldn’t you get out too?

  How can this be the end, how can I be here and you be dead.

  How didn’t I see it till it was to late and nothing had been said?

  You gave your life for me but yet you say I saved you.

  You said I set you free and made you love me always.

  I didn’t know it then but I loved you more than just a friend.

  But you knew for the both us, didn’t you, always and forever

  The time is near, the time I fear, and your not here with me.

  You’ve gone on and I’m still here, always missing you.

  I want to visit you but all that’s left now is your grave.

  If there was a way to visit you in Heaven I’d be there everyday.

  I’ll think of you always but now this is our final goodbye.

  Goodbye Cohen, I’ll love you forever. Oh God I wish this wasn’t the end.

  Can’t you see I can’t do this without you, why couldn’t you get out too?

  Why did this have to be our end, can’t this just be a nightmare.

  To be told I’ll never see those hazel eyes or hear you laugh again.

  Goodbye Cohen, it’s our final goodbye. I loved you then I’ll love you always.

  Goodbye, Goodbye, Goodbye.

  I put down my guitar and slowly walked through the back of the church, leaving them to finish without me. When I walked around front I saw Clark leaning against the limo. As I approached, he opened the door and didn’t say a word. He knew I couldn’t handle anything. I was barely keeping it together now. We sat there until the service was over and people started coming out to continue on to the burial. Tory climbed in and gave me a small smile, which I couldn’t even try to give back. It wasn’t long until we were there and all standing around a hole waiting for them to finish the service and lower him into his final resting place. The priest told everyone that now was the time for a private goodbye and he thanked everyone for coming.

  Everyone filed away, but I noticed that our group stayed behind. I went and grabbed a rose and place it on top of his casket. “I’ll get him for this, Cohen, I promise.” I took a step back and rested up against Clark, holding on to him for support. They began to lower him and as I saw this playing out in front of me, I lost myself, crying into my brother’s chest. Once it was done everyone started to disperse and I asked Clark for a minute alone. He went and waited for me by the limo while I approached the tombstone. “I love you, Cohen.” As I said the words I had a rush of anger come over me. “Why couldn’t you just save yourself and be here with me? You lied, you said you’d never leave me.” I crumbled to the ground and succumbed to the tears that had been held in. I barely noticed that I was being picked up by Clark and carried off to our limo.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  I woke to find myself in my bed at the penthouse with my brother parked in the corner, on my laptop. “Hey. Sorry about all that.” He p
ut the computer down and walked over to sit on my bed.

  “You have nothing to be sorry about. But I do have something to ask you.” I nodded. Looking at him, I saw how serious his face was right now. “How long have you been spying on Nolan?” I was shocked at his question and hadn’t really been thinking about it.

  “Since I came back and took over the company. I had to know whom I could trust and I did it to all of you, even you and Tory. I’m sorry.” He gave me a hug and kissed the side of my head.

  “Don’t be sorry for keeping yourself safe. Even before I found out you were my sister, I would have…” He got choked up and tried to speak again. “I won’t let anything happen to you, Lexi, you will always have me no matter what or how crazy things get. I’m on your side. I’d be lost without you in my life.” I squeezed him tightly and sighed into his chest. I felt safe even after everything bad that had happened, and all that still wasn’t settled.

  “You took the words right from me, Clark. I feel the same way. I love you and am so happy to know that you’re my brother.” He laughed and squeezed me back. “Love you too, little sis.”

  We pulled apart as a knock sounded from behind the door. “Come in.” I looked over to see Tory come in and he smiled at us.

  “Davey and Jax are here. I think we all have some questions we want answered.” I nodded and Clark grabbed my hand, dragging me behind him to the living room.

  “Thank God you’re okay.” I was pulled away from Clark and crushed against Jax. Davey came up and joined in on the hug.

  “I’m so sorry about everything, Alexis,” Davey said. I wanted to reassure them I was okay, but I couldn’t. Standing between the two of them I couldn’t help but remember Blake lying motionless on the floor of my oasis.

  “I’m sorry I couldn’t save them.” It was all I could get out before tears overtook me once again.

  “Don’t, you don’t say sorry, Alexis. That boy made his choice by working for Maxwell, and Cohen…well, that man loved you more than anything and he showed that by saving you for us.”