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“Alright, well, my first question is…what’s your real name?”
He shrugs. “Honestly, my real name doesn’t matter. The name I chose for myself, the one I go by, and the only one that matters, is Ransom.”
“Ransom?” I squeal a little bit too loudly. “That’s like Smoke. It’s all dark and mysterious. Sexy. It fits. I like it.”
“You have no idea how badly I’ve wanted to hear you say it.”
“Ransom.” I kiss him as hard as he kisses me, not softening one bit. Our lips battle it out until we’re panting and have to stop or completely blackout. “Ransom,” I pant. “Ransom.”
“That sounds absolutely beautiful.”
“Your granny’s name isn’t really Mary is it?”
“No, it’s Scarlet. But don’t tell her I told you that. She likes to keep it a secret. She’s had many, many names.”
“I knew it wasn’t Mary. That didn’t suit her. Scarlet…I like that much better. It’s dangerous. Daring. And kind of wicked.”
“I think it does suit her, yes.” He grazes my chin with his lips and works his way over to my ear. “Please don’t bag me for real when I tell you that my brothers might have had the best intentions in kidnapping your best friend.” His wince is instant. “Don’t worry, she’s unharmed, and they’ve returned her to her house.”
“What? Are you kidding me?” I jerk back, and he flinches.
“I wish I was. They thought she was you. They wanted you to listen, and uh, well, my other brother met his lady by kidnapping her, and everything worked out for them. They were trying to make things better. I promise she’s fine.”
“Oh boy. Just, oh boy. Cass is very shy, but I think that has more to do with how much bad luck she’s had in the past than anything else. She’s tough, though, in ways no one knows about. I’ll call her right away.”
“My brother was going to get her pie or fries to make up for it. And he apologized.”
“Well then. How could pies and fries not make everything better?”
“Hmm, I fail to see how it can in this case, especially after being kidnapped. But anyway, everything is going to be fine. I’m not going to let it end up being any other way.”
I could cling to a lot of things. Fears. Worries. My own issues from the past. But nope, I’m done with that. Of course, I’ll have fears and worries, and my past will always be my past, but I’m not letting that motivate or drive me anymore. From now on, I’m going to be motivated by hope and happiness. I’m going to cling to what Ransom just said and to the hope that everything will work out.
If we both believe in ourselves, that’s all we can do. That’s our home base. The thing we’ll always come back to and the promise we can make each other. To keep holding on and hoping.
CHAPTER 13
Ransom
“No funny business,” I warn my brothers, who are sitting around my living room, and by sitting around, I mean squashing my furniture with their big bodies and big rumps.
The twins chose a beer each while Granny and Lennox went for espressos, which I made with the fussy machine I hate so much. I love coffee. I just don’t like making coffee. I suck at the fancy schmancy shit, but Granny insisted on the machine. I wish I had a regular old coffee pot, but no. She likes her coffee the way she enjoys life—wicked strong with a hell of a kick. So, yup. Fancy machine it is.
“No jokes?” Lennox cocks a brow and asks innocently. He looks ridiculous, a six-foot-three burly man drinking coffee from a tiny little cup.
“And no laughter?” Atlas asks.
“No joy?” Orion is just being a dick.
“You know what he means,” Granny grunts. “Behave. I’ve sent the men ahead to Switzerland without us. We’re going to be joining them in a few days when everything is settled here, and we’re leaving your brother behind to start a new life. It requires a shit ton of courage to do what Ayana’s done, and you’re all going to be on your best behavior. She’s understanding, forgiving….”
“And clearly crazy if she’s willing to be with Ransom,” Lennox finishes for Granny.
She gives him a filthy, nut-shriveling look while holding her tiny coffee cup tightly. Looking away, he shrinks back on the loveseat and sips his coffee obnoxiously. The twins snort out little twin snorts of chuckles because they think it’s hilarious when Granny has to discipline one of us. Unless it’s them facing the punishment, then it’s not so funny. Staring down the barrel of an angry and cocked and ready-loaded Granny is a very scary thing.
“Little Ransom. I can’t imagine it,” Orion says boldly. I guess he doesn’t know when to quit.
“Imagine it,” I grunt. “It’s happening. And you’re going to be nice to her.”
