Unbreakable

Chapter 1

Jennifer

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What?

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Sleepily I looked at my phone, smiling I answered "hey baby". I wasn't ready to get out of bed.

I just started my first year of medical school at Columbia and everyday was kicking my ass. If I wasn't in lab, I was studying and if I wasn't studying I was sleeping. I was trying to balance having a relationship and school. The scale always tipped towards school. Thankfully Adam understood; he was more than just understanding he was wonderful. We made long distance work; it didn't even feel like long-distance. He was here in my apartment almost every weekend. Well to say it's mine is a stretch; Adam bought this penthouse apartment in the Upper West Side of New York for me.

I have a breathtaking view of the Hudson River, a separate dining room and family room with a wet bar and a private terrace. The kitchen is full of the highest end of appliances: Sub-Zero refrigerator/freezer, a floor to ceiling wine cooler, wolf 6-burner oven, microwave and wall oven with warming drawer. All the cabinetry is hand-wrought and lacquered, walnut lined and features details. All five bedrooms have ensuite bathrooms with white Macauba Italian marble. The master bedroom has a walk-in closet as well as a dressing room and the five-fixture luxurious master bath has a deep European soaking tub and oversized shower. The whole place came complete with 24/7 security.

The place is without a doubt beautiful, I could never afford a place like this. Adam told me not to worry about it, it's was a gift. To him it was pocket change; I ran his business for a few months to know money was never an issue for Adam. When I saw how many zeros were in my account when Brandon "paid me for my time" I was set for life. I could never spend 500 million dollars. So I did the sensible and responsible thing I invested half of the money into a saving account and the other half I created a savings account for Jemma, that she could have access to by the time she was 20.

"Hey love, did I wake you up?"Adam said. I heard a crowd of people in the background on the other end.

"Yes", I pulled my covers up around me, "Where are you?"

"I got my license!" Dani yelled in the background. She was supposed to be going to school this semester, but at the very last minute decided to postpone for one more semester. I think she's going to come to Columbia with me in the spring. I'm just happy she picked a school; we visited at least twenty colleges this summer.

"Cala Deia, car shopping with Dani", Adam said.

"Spain?"

"Yeah, Dani got her license and I did promise to take her to get her first car. Plus I may see something too."

"Any excuse to go looking at cars", I teased.

"I've been really good since you threw the book at me for spending too much. Honestly, we make more now that you expanded us".

When I was standing in for Adam, when he was in his coma, I changed a lot of things. The Drug Lords got on broad with it, but when Adam woke up there was a bit of an adjustment period. Now with this new threat we needed to be careful, we need to be saving money ready to go dark if need be. We haven't heard from our mysterious 9th member since they first made contact. I was ready for a fight or whatever they threw on us. I started training with Thomas again, and my aim was almost perfect. I was preparing for a war; Adam on the other hand was just going to handle the situation when it came up.

I was prepping like the end of the world was near. The money I had invested could care for us and our families for a life time. If we had to disappear overnight we could. I just wish Adam would think more long-term.

"I'm proud of you, instead of buying ten new cars you just get six ", I said laughing.

"Seven one will be for you love. You should learn how to drive stick", he said.

"I'll add it up there with swimming", I said looking at the time.

Shit!

I was going to be late. I had decided that I needed a job; I didn't want to keep relying on Adam and my parents. I wanted to be responsible for myself; so I put in an application at a bar not too far from the apartment. So far Asterik's bar was the only place to call me back. I haven't told anyone, but Nate and Thomas about my job hunt.

I jumped out of bed and started to get ready, "Shit! I've got to go! I forgot about a thing I have!"

"A thing? What thing? You don't have classes today? I was going to swing---"

"I'm sorry, baby I got to go! Talk later, bye," I said quickly hanging up my phone. I got ready in less than five minutes. I went with a long black pencil skirt, white blouse and heels. I put my hair in a bun grabbed my coat, and flats and ran to the elevator.

I started to make my way down to the lobby.

Just keep going! Don't stop on six.

Ding!

Fuck!

As the elevator opened I saw him; Elliott Winters. He had to be the rudest and self indulgent prick in the world. His father runs Winters Real Estate. Basically, you can't even look at them unless you have a billion dollars in the bank. He wanted my apartment but, Adam paid top dollar for it and Elliott's father wasn't going to cave to his demands when it got in the way of daddy making a profit.

"Morning," I said.

Looking me up and down Elliott said," I've seen hookers who dress better than you". He got in the elevator and we continued down.

"And I've seen trash cans with a better personality, that yours." Elliott also goes to Columbia. I see him every day I think he just hates me because I challenge him in class. If there are only two A's given out it's normally us.

"Cute," he said.

Ding!

We reached the lobby level.

I said good morning to everyone in the lobby, Elliott just barked demands. If he wasn't such an ass, he would be attractive. Nate said he looked like a young Leonardo DiCaprio, I could see it if I put him on a sinking ship, doomed to die.

"Good Morning, Charles!" I said to the concierge.

"Good Morning, Miss Faust, should I have them bring the car around? It's bitterly cold out there today" he said with a smile. I started to use my maiden name again. I have been tailed ever since moving to New York. They followed me everywhere, I guess hoping to catch Adam "in the act", but that would never happen. Adam doesn't run New York there are too many other gangs and small time pushers here, it's not worth the competition.

"No, I'm just going down the street, fingers crossed I get this job," I said hopefully.

"You'll do fine, good luck," Charles said.

"Getting or giving," Elliott said poking his tongue in his cheek;"Try some makeup". Ignoring him I continued out the door.

I saw Thomas standing by the entrance;"I was just about to come in and get you."

"Morning Thomas, how is Amy settling into the new house?" I asked.

"Great she loves it, it's Charlotte who won't sleep at night anymore," Thomas said.

Thomas and Amy had just had their first baby a little girl named Charlotte.

"Maybe it's the city sounds? Her little ears can't take it?" I pondered.

"Maybe, Amy's reading all these books I'm sure she'll figure out the reason why. Until then I expect a lot more sleepless nights" he said." Anyways do you want the car we have about ten minutes to get there?"

I never use the car service Adam had insisted on having so I have it just in case. I would only use for a real emergency.

Ten minutes we can make it!

"We can make it, it's not that far." We ended up running the last block to Asterik's. I thought New York would be more like Sex and the City, but it's really just expensive and too many people crammed together. Adam had giving me a black card to use if I needed to buy anything, I've never used it and hopefully after today I never will.

We made it to Asterik's with a minute to spare.

"Hey, can you hang back for a second; I've got to do this part on my own." Thomas gave me a face that said he really didn't want to. Every class lecture, lab and function I went to Thomas was right behind me. "Please? Just think about it for a second, would you hire me if you saw my bodyguard".

"You'd probably get the job then," he said laughing," I'll be out here."

"Thank you!"

I was about to rush in when Thomas said," Wait! You still have that knife I gave you?"

"Yes, I never go anywhere without it".

I walked through the front doors it was a small dive bar. The room was brick lined, and the large wooden bar that ran the length of the room. There were a couple of seating booths There was a well used darts board and the back wall was covered in arcade game machines.

There was a man in his late thirties on a ladder fixing a light. He must have heard me enter because he yelled, "We're closed!" in a heavy smoker's voice.

"Hi! I'm here for an interview; I'm Jennifer or Jen for short." I said overly excited.

My first job interview!

I felt like Kairi when we made our first breakfast together; I did that all by myself.

A spark went off from the light fitting shocking the man he yelled, "Son of a bitch!" He climbed down the ladder saying," You've got small hands!"

"Uumm yes?" I said confused.

"Slide this light bulb in," he demanded.

Is this how all interviews work?

"Ok," I kicked off my heels, took the long light fixture and climbed the ladder. I carefully slid each side in.

"Ok kid this is how it works, I'm looking for young blood to bring in new customers. You'll work weekends five to close, no exceptions, tips are yours. Most nights are relaxed; you'll be bartending at night for Andy. Do you think you can handle that?"

I got the light bulb in place, "Yes, I'll memorize all the drinks and how to make them." He handled me another light bulb.

"Six people work at a time, waiter hostess, cooks, bartender and manager/owner - me. The people that do come here are looking for a cheap drink and a pretty face. Don't take offense to it, that's just my customer base.

"Work what you got," I finished with the second light and sat on the ladder."Does this mean I've got the job?"

"Yeah, I didn't waste my breath for nothing."

"Yay! So, I can start tonight?" I said eagerly.

"Hell, you can start right now. I'm Ralph by the way," he said.

"Thank you, Ralph! I won't let you down" I gushed and put on my flat shoes.

"Yeah, yeah just have an ounce of common sense and you'll work fine. Wipe down the tables and get the bar ready".

"You got it!" I said.