Trusting Nicole (The Last Hangman MC #4)(23)

“You’re going after the *s threatening our beautiful city. I figured.” She shrugs and puts on a kimono robe.

“How-”

“I’m not stupid, besides considering the fact that they are closing in on us, it’s pretty obvious.” She leans over and kisses me. “I’ll make some coffee, you can take a quick shower if you want.” She smiles, pecks my lips and leaves me to my thoughts.

I watch her leave and go to her ensuite bathroom for a quick shower. I don’t want to leave her, but I don’t really have the choice. I need to get to work and rid our good city of those scumbags. I’m not sure how today is going to go, but I don’t have the choice, this needs to be done. I just hope it’s not the last time I see Nicole.





CHAPTER 7




Nicole

I head downstairs to get a quick breakfast ready before Jase has to leave for work. I can’t stop smiling after how last night and this morning turned out. It’s been a few months, well closer to a year since I last saw Jase. I smile remembering that day as I start the coffee.

I was still in college in Grambling and he visited me before summer break. We spent an entire weekend locked up in a hotel room, living in pure bliss. My happiness was short lived though. A planned four day weekend turned into a two day weekend because he had to go back to his wife. I felt horrible after completely realizing that he was indeed married and made a commitment to another woman. I knew that he was, although not from the beginning, he hid that very important detail from me for a couple of months. I was pissed at him, but I couldn’t help my attraction. I had a massive crush on him and I let it get the best of me. Every time, I felt guilty and I was disgusted at myself, but at the same time, the only happiness I could find was from being with Jase.

Do I wish things happened differently? In a way, yes. I wish he could’ve been mine from the beginning and that we didn’t meet in such circumstances, but I can’t change the past. I’m not sure if I would want to. Had we not met, what kind of trouble would I be into? Would I still have my little slice of happiness once in a while? All those questions are left unanswered and maybe it’s for the best. They say everything happens for a reason but I’m still trying to figure out what the reason was for all the f*cked up shit that happened in my life.

I’m brought back to reality by Jase’s phone ringing from the living room. I don’t pay any attention to it and put a few frozen croissants, graciously given by Josie, into the oven. I’m starving and I’m sure Jase is too. I don’t want him to leave without eating something, God knows how long his day is going to be. Hell, I don’t want him to leave at all. I’m a bit bummed that he has to go so soon, but it was good to be with him again.

Nothing could ruin my mood this morning. My life might not be exactly how I want it to be, but it’s pretty close. I try not to let what Jase will have to do get to me, but I can’t help but worry about him. I can’t even imagine what he will have to do today. I wouldn’t want to be in his position, having to stop those *s from attacking our city, our friends, our families. I know it’s going to be dangerous and that he’ll be risking his life to protect ours, but I don’t want him to be in any danger. I know I can’t stop him from going to work, but the last thing I want is for him to be subjected to those men. I know all too well what they are capable of doing, unfortunately.

I groan at hearing his phone ring for the tenth time since coming downstairs. I don’t know if I should pick up or not but the ringing is driving me insane. I pick up his phone from the coffee table. An unmarked number. I answer, not wanting it to ring one more time.

“Hello?”

“Who is this?” I hear a thick Russian accent on the phone. What the f*ck?

“Who are you?” There’s a pause of a couple of seconds. “Hello?” I ask again, thinking they hung up.

“It doesn’t matter. Let Jason know I called.”

“Who should I say called?” I ask confused.

“He’ll know…” Mystery man hangs up, leaving me all the more confused.

I know that voice…

I sigh to myself, even more confused than when I first picked up the phone. I take the croissants out of the oven before they overcook, or knowing myself, burn. I then set them in a bag on the counter along with a travel mug.

“What did you make, Kitten? It smells amazing.” He says joining me in the kitchen.

“Croissant.” I take an angry bite out of one.

“What’s wrong?” He looks at me, confused.

“A Russian man called you.”

“How do you know?” He looks at me, not pleased. His face is tense and his whole demeanor changes.

“Because I picked up the phone.” I deadpan.

“Why did you pick up my phone?” He raises his eyebrow, getting madder by the second.

“Because it kept ringing. It rang ten times while you were in the shower, it got on my nerves hearing it ring over and over so I picked up.”

“Never pick up my phone.” He growls.

“Easy. I just wanted to be helpful, what if it were work and they needed you?” I shrug. “I’ll know next time not to pick up.”

“There won’t be a next time.”

“Right, just because I picked up your phone? You’re being ridiculous.” I scoff.