He cackles and drops back to the couch. “C’mon, let’s figure this shit out. Boy’s got no game, despite Zach’s best efforts. I need to know how badly he fucked things up between you.”
I press my lips together and study him. “What exactly do you know about it?”
“I have eyes, Cara. You’ve been hooked on him for a long time. And his reaction to you has been funny as fuck to watch. We all thought he’d sort himself out soon enough. Obviously, we were wrong.” He wrinkles up his nose. “That’s the only reason I agreed to Colt’s stupid plan. I thought it would give you both the chance to straighten shit out.”
I feel a little bad for assuming this was just about Declan. I’m a little squishy knowing he was trying to help me, but I’m also still a little pissed over their methodology. But the outcome...that’s yet to be seen, but it’s promising.
“Tell me what happened,” he coaxes. Like, I’m really going to spill my guts to him. Bree yes. Him? Nah. I’ll keep my mouth shut and j—.
“He beat up two guys.”
Ransom’s gaze sharpens. “Ok. And?”
“He just...did it like it was no big deal. He was really relaxed about the whole thing.” And so in control.
“And that’s a problem?”
“No. Yes. No.” I drop back into my chair and rest my head on the back. “I don’t know that part of him. Like, at all. I didn’t even know he was capable of that.”
“And it scared you?”
“What? No. Not exactly. It just made me realize I’ve been chasing this idea of him. Not the actual him.”
“Did you get to know the actual him this weekend?”
“If I say yes, Colt’s going to be a giant pain in the ass.”
His lips twitch. “Probably.”
I tip my chin and stare at the ceiling. “A bit. We were in a bubble, though. It’s not real life.”
“Maybe it was more real than anything. No distractions. Nothing to hide behind.”
The man may actually have a point. I drop to the couch next to him. “Maybe. But...”
“But what?”
“What happens if...”
He chuckles softly. “Planning for contingencies isn’t a bad thing, Cara, but when it comes to people, it’s not as easy to do. People are complicated, messy, and unpredictable. At least, my brothers are. But your position with me is secure. No fucking way will I let you go anywhere, no matter what happens with my brother.”
“But if shit goes sour, I’ll have to see him every day.”
“How is that different from now? You see him every day, and shit’s been tense.”
“It’s not the same. If we try and then he...”
“I doubt that’s going to be the problem, Cara. He’s been stuck on you for a long time. I know my brother. He’s got it in his head that he needs to be the man you deserve. He’s not going to stop until he’s got you.”
“Jesus, you guys have a way of saying sweet stuff in a really creepy way.”
He laughs, leaning back on the couch. “What can I say? It’s a gift.”
“So what do I do?”
“Just spend some time with him. That’s all.”
“And Colt?”
