Fragments of Us (A Contemporary Broken Hearts Romance) (Book Book 2)

by Vasser, LaShawn

  “No problem. Nicole?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Make sure you reach out after the two of you talk. Remember, good sex covers a multitude of problems.” Dana laughed, hoping Nicole would take her advice, not necessarily about the sex, but definitely the talking part. Hopefully, it would lead to an incredible make-up smash session.

  Nicole disconnected the call. Sex was never our problem, too bad everything else was.

  *****

  “I think this is cause for celebration!” Aimee Simon, the Angel Foundation President, clapped her manicured hands together and declared in a fit of laughter. She pressed the conference room’s intercom. “Claire, get the champagne. Somewhere in the world, the afternoon has arrived.”

  Nicole was so excited she could barely sit still. The board sat around a luxurious cherry wood conference table, surrounded by the best view of the city, celebrating the closing of the deal. Roman, or Rome, Adar Abboud and his associates agreed to donate ten million dollars toward the building of the new Angel Group Home facility due in no small part to Nicole’s persuasive skills. This was the most significant donation Nicole had ever landed. Her first instinct was to call Davis, but that would have to wait until she contacted Jane about DJ.

  At the end of the meeting, before everyone was about to leave, both parties were standing around, shaking hands, and smiling from ear to ear. The group had broken up into pockets of individual conversations. However, the man with the pen and the money, Mr. Abboud, wanted a word with Nicole. “Ms. Chatham. May I speak to you—privately?”

  She nodded and answered through a permanently fixed upon her face grin. “Of course.” Nicole stepped away from her colleagues and followed the giant over to a small corner of the conference room. Roman had to be over six-feet-five. Erika Lancaster, one of the members of the Angel Foundation’s board, had been crushing on him ever since they met at another fundraiser for children’s autism. Dark, brooding eyes, broad shoulders, thick jet-black hair, and a smile to die for with perfectly straight teeth that shined bright against the natural tan of his skin would have made most women weak in the knees. He was the talk of the office the first time the entire board met with Mr. Abboud. Nicole wondered how the thirty-seven-year-old had remained single all this time—especially, one with a philanthropic heart. That was always sexy on a man. Still, while he made the other women in the room lose their minds, he did absolutely nothing for her—not a pitter nor a patter.

  “Ms. Chatham, I was especially persuaded by your story of growing up in foster care. Being a woman of color, I know it added just an extra layer of difficulties that others with a different hue might not have had to face.”

  “That’s why this facility is so important. I want young girls who grew up like me to have a place where they can feel safe. A place where there will always be people to help them feel grounded. Nothing can ever replace a loving home, but my hope is Angel House will come very close.”

  “A worthy cause and a woman with pure passion running it. It can’t be anything but successful. Congratulations again on making a man like me part with his money.” Roman chuckled. “You’ve staged a coup that doesn’t happen as often as it should. I would love it if you would allow me to take you to lunch to celebrate. Maybe we could discuss more ways I could be of service.”

  The way he said service was . . . interesting. Nicole’s smile remained in place while her brain attempted to figure out what he meant. Was this invitation an innocent request, or was Roman coming on to me? She didn’t know. No—Nicole was being ridiculous. Her mind was just playing tricks on her. The man had just donated ten-million dollars to her organization. He was obviously interested in the cause. “Oh. Lunch? Unfortunately, I have a pressing personal matter that I need to attend to. However, I’m sure Ms. Lancaster would be more than happy to discuss other ways in which the foundation can work more closely with you.”

  Roman’s eyes bore into hers. “I’m sure Ms. Lancaster could be helpful, but I would much rather work with you. So, if not lunch, let me take you to dinner. We could not only talk about the organization, but perhaps, we could have some personal conversation as well.”

  The man was definitely flirting with her. That was unmistakable. Nicole cleared her throat. “Oh. I see. Well, as flattered as I am that you would like to have dinner, I don’t think my husband would approve.”

  His eyes, dark as coal, glittered. “He doesn’t have to know, does he? I’m fine if you want to keep it . . . shall we say . . . between you and me.”

  Nicole’s smile faltered. “Mr. Abboud, I understand you just donated millions of dollars, but, if it comes with strings, you can keep your money. I’ve heard you are a man of great integrity. So, forgive me if I’m mistaken.”

  Roman bowed slightly. “You’re a beautiful woman, and I couldn’t resist. I apologize if I offended you. That was not my intention.”

  She nodded. “Again, thank you for your generosity, and if there is nothing else, I must get going.” Nicole couldn’t believe it. She turned and walked away. The nerve of some men. They thought just because they were rich and powerful, it gave them permission to say or do whatever the hell they wanted. Maybe it worked with some women, but not with her. She quickly said her goodbyes, gathered her things and left.

  Roman stared as he watched the sway of her hips and the curve of her ass when Nicole strutted away. She was perfect. Sculpted like a goddess, but sexier than anything was her fire. Nicole had done something men were afraid to do—she stood up to him—and he liked it—a lot. Roman continued to stare after her long after she was gone. She may have gotten away today, but there would be other opportunities. Roman would make sure of it. He quickly pulled out his cell to make a call. He may have to rethink a few things.

  As Nicole made her way to the escalator stairs that led down to the elevators, she pulled her cell phone out of her purse to check for messages. There were several texts, but she ignored them all except for Jane’s. It was the first one.

  Jane: DJ is okay. He has bronchitis and an ear infection. Dr. Swanson prescribed a different medication and gave him a dosage before we left the office. He’s sleeping and seems to be resting well.

  Bronchitis? That was insane. She had to get to her son ASAP.

  Nicole was just about to respond when she was nudged on the escalator. Actually, it felt more like a strong push. She looked up just as her feet slipped off the step she’d been standing on. Her phone, purse, and portfolio all went flying out of her hands. She tried to gain her balance, reaching out to grab hold of anything that would steady her, but her hands found nothing but air. Everything happened in slow motion. She could see herself falling down the flight of escalator stairs. Fortunately, there was no one in front of her that might get hurt, nor anyone to break her fall. She tumbled down the stairs, hitting her head every time she rolled over and scraping her legs and knees in the process. A sharp pain pierced her side. She could barely breathe.

  Nicole’s head slammed particularly hard into something, sending her entire world into complete darkness.

  Chapter 6

  Nicole’s vision slowly started to come into focus. Darkness gave way to light. She blinked a few times to clear the blurriness, and when her eyes finally opened, they connected with a familiar pair of worried green ones. She croaked out his name. “Davis?” It was all Nicole could manage. It hurt to talk, breathe, or move. Her entire body ached.

  He smoothed her unruly curls away from her lovely heart-shaped face. “I’m here.”

  Nicole realized she was lying in a hospital bed—and then her fall. “I fell down the escalator stairs.”

  “Yeah, you did, but you’re going to be fine.” When Davis received the call from the Angel Foundation President, he had initially been frozen in fear. She hadn’t known how severely Nicole had been injured only that she had been unconscious when the paramedics rushed her to the hospital. Terrified, his initial paralysis left, and he had one singular goal—to get to Nicole as quickly as possible. Davis
broke every transportation law on the books in an effort to do just that.

  He called Jane from the car to tell her about the accident. They decided it was best for her to stay with the kids. Jane’s husband, Russell, would bring their twins over to wait it out and keep Rayna company.

  Nicole’s moan brought him back to the present. She whispered a few words. “I hurt everywhere.”

  Davis tried to smile while his heart beat a mile a minute. It was still about to pound out of his chest, but seeing those big round hazel eyes staring up into his, with life in them, allowed him to calm down a little. He attempted to make light of the situation so that he didn’t reveal how scared he truly was. “A concussion, a broken wrist, and a couple of cracked ribs will do that to a person.”

  “Really? I have all of that?”

  He leaned over her and nodded. “Unfortunately, yes.”

  “That means I can’t go home?”

  “You’ll need to stay here a couple of days.”

  Nicole was surprised to see that crease forming between his eyes. She hadn’t seen it in years. He must have been really worried, and she didn’t want him to ever feel like that. Nicole was able to look past the jokes and his bravado clear through to the soul of the man. “Davis, please don’t worry. I promise I’ll be fine. I have a family that needs me.”

  “When it comes to you, and us, that’s an impossible thing to ask. I’ll always worry.”

  Briefly, Nicole closed her eyes. “Hmm . . . I s’pose you’re right. I would do the same, but in this case, I’m telling you, I’ll be fine.”

  With all the craziness surrounding him, Davis’s worst possible thoughts were bouncing around in his head when he first got the call. He’d immediately phoned Harlan Washington after telling Jane about the accident. Davis had worked with him on the Shebet case five years ago. Although Harlan had retired from the FBI, he still had contacts. More than likely, Davis was jumping the gun. He hadn’t known the details of the incident, but still, he’d rather be safe than sorry.

  Davis asked the one question that had plagued him since he had received the phone call. “Do you remember what happened?”

  Nicole was embarrassed. “It was nothing nefarious. I’m just a klutz. I was leaving my meeting and was riding down the stairs. I wasn’t paying close attention because I was on my phone. Now I know why people shouldn’t text while driving or riding on escalator stairs.” Nicole tried to laugh, but it hurt. “I was about to send Jane a text regarding DJ when I lost my balance. The next thing I knew, I woke up and was here.”

  Davis sighed with relief. He hadn’t been breathing the entire time Nicole recited her story. “I’m just happy you opened your pretty eyes for me.”

  “If I can survive a plane crash on a deserted island with you, I think I can survive falling down a flight of stairs. It’s going to take more than that to take me out of here. Still, I’m sorry I worried you.”

  “All that matters is that you’re going to be okay.” Davis picked up Nicole’s hand, the one that wasn’t broken, and brushed his lips softly against her knuckles. “No need to be sorry. It was an accident.”

  “Do the kids know I’m here? Are they alright?”

  “The kids are fine. They are at home with Jane and Russell. Not sure if she had a chance to tell you, but DJ has bronchitis and an ear infection. He took some medicine before leaving the doctor’s office this morning and already seems to be feeling better. Rayna only knows that you have a bump on your head. Russell is probably reading every book in the house to keep her occupied.”

  Nicole was in so much pain that smiling was out of the question at the vision of Russell reading to Rayna. However, she managed something that looked more like a grimace. “Tell her that’s my job to worry. When she gets older and has her own kids, then it can be hers.” Nicole attempted to move and winced.

  Concerned, Davis pressed the nurse’s call button. “Are you in a lot of pain?”

  “Some.” She would never tell him the full truth. Davis would have every specialist in the state at Mercy Medical to examine her.

  Moments later, a nurse entered her private hospital suite. “Mrs. Chatham, I’m glad to see you’re awake. How can I help you?”

  Davis spoke on his wife’s behalf. “She’s in a lot of pain. Is there something you can give her?”

  The woman nodded. “Yes. Her physician prescribed a morphine drip. I’ll be right back to administer it.”

  Nicole’s brow furrowed. That was the only thing she could move that didn’t hurt. “Morphine? I’ve never taken anything more than ibuprofen or Vivarin.” However, every time Nicole inhaled and exhaled, a sharp pain would shoot throughout her entire body. Since her discomfort level was only a couple levels from pure agony, Nicole reasoned that if the drugs could lessen her pain, she would make an exception.

  Davis encouraged her. “It’s obvious from the look on your face you need it.”

  The nurse waltzed back into the hospital room and put the medicine into Nicole’s IV bag while Davis continued to hold her hand.

  It didn’t take long for it to start working. Nicole’s mouth had gone bone dry and felt heavy—her eyes too. They were beginning to droop. She fought to keep them open, but it was a losing battle. Before she fell into a deep sleep, she mumbled. “There were so many highs and lows today.”

  Her voice wasn’t very audible. Davis could barely hear her, so he leaned in close. “Tell me about the highs.”

  “You, being here with me. I’m sorry about our fight earlier.”

  “Me too.” He thanked God he was given a chance to tell her and smiled that Nicole counted him being with her as a high. Davis wanted to wrap her in his arms but was afraid of hurting her. So, he brought her hand up to his lips instead and kissed the back of it.

  She started to slur her words, and they became even harder to understand. Her voice was now nothing more than a whisper. “We landed the donor. He gave us ten-million dollars for Angel House.”

  Nicole’s eyes closed. She stopped talking, and her breathing leveled off from short, choppy breaths to long even ones. It had only been moments since she had been given the medication, but already, she was out cold.

  Davis wondered if he heard her right. Did she say someone donated ten-million dollars to Angel House? If so, he was damned impressed, but not surprised. He knew Nicole could do anything she put her mind to. He stood and stretched. It was early evening, but it felt later. He ran a tired hand down his face. Now that his adrenaline was slowing down, Davis was exhausted and felt as if he’d run a marathon. Now would probably be an excellent time to make a couple of phone calls while Nicole was resting—one to his office and the other to his sister. He contacted his assistant first to let her know he wouldn’t be in for the rest of today and most likely the rest of the week. Davis called to update Jane about Nicole’s condition. She volunteered to take Rayna and DJ home with her. He could hear Rayna in the background asking a million questions. She was so smart to only be six. If he didn’t FaceTime her tonight, there would be no peace in that house, and he couldn’t do that to Jane. Until then, Davis reassured Rayna over the phone that her mom was a little banged up but would be home in a couple of days. That seemed to make her feel better.

  “Daddy. I’ll take good care of DJ until you and Mommy can come home.” Not only was she the spitting image of her mother, but she also had her kind and nurturing heart. Rayna always wanted to take care of everyone.

  “Thank you. He’s going to need you to be the helpful big sister that I know you are.”

  On the other end of the line, Rayna bobbed her head up and down. “I will be. I love you to the moon.”

  “I love you to the universe.” They added their own spin to Davis’s mother’s words.

  After he was finished with his calls, he opened his laptop with the intent of going through a few e-mails and reviewing a report until he glanced up into his wife’s bruised face. Her words came back to haunt him. Work could wait. Davis turned the laptop off and closed
it putting the damn thing back into its bag. Then he pulled two chairs together and moved them as close as he could get to Nicole’s bed before stretching out. If she was going to be here all night, so was he.

  Davis knew when he spoke to her that she couldn’t hear him. Still, he meant every word. “I promised you a lifetime of happiness. I plan to keep that vow. I just need a little more time to sort out this mess, and I’ll make up for all the lost time. I love you, Nicole Chatham.” He placed her hand in his once more, leaned his head back on the uncomfortable chair, and fell asleep.

  Chapter 7

  Davis walked through the front door of his home, and it looked like a floral shop. He smiled knowing he had contributed quite nicely to the hoard of red roses that were placed throughout the house. As word spread about Nicole’s accident, friends and acquaintances made their contributions as well. Davis was just about to go find her when the doorbell rang. He doubled back to answer it, and when he pulled them open, a delivery man stood, carrying another bouquet of flowers. Davis was immediately put on guard. It was after 7 p.m. What company delivered flowers this late? Was he being paranoid?

  The young man sat the arrangement down on the ground. “I have a delivery for Mrs. Nicole Chatham.”

  Davis’s response was gruff. “From who?”

  The driver looked down at his clipboard. “The paperwork says Rome.”

  “Rome?” Davis racked his brain, but he couldn’t place the name as he spoke his thoughts aloud. “Mr. Rome? Who the hell is that?” He hadn’t been expecting an answer.

  “Sir, I’m not sure, but I think Rome is his first name. There was not a last name listed on the order.”

  “What floral company delivers after hours?”

  “We’re not a floral company but a specialty delivery service. This delivery is time sensitive.”

  One of Davis’s eyebrows lifted in question. “Really now? And why is that?”