Page 102 of Ransom

Holly shifts Noah in her arms. "Maybe we should wait?—"

"No." The word comes out clear and strong. Everyone turns to look at me. "He's alone. Need us."

"Micah's right," Colton says. "Remember how fucked in the head we all were? Finding someone? Everything changing so fast?"

The women trade amused glances as my brothers nod emphatically.

"This is ridiculous," Cadence laughs. "You can't just descend on this poor town en masse."

"Watch us," Nick grins.

"When do we leave?"I sign.

"Hold up," Cara raises her hands. "You're seriously considering this?"

"Fuck yeah, we are," Kade says. "Colt, call your friends. Jonas, plan the route."

"This is insane," Bree breathes. "You're all insane."

"Maybe," Dec admits. "But we're family. And family shows up."

Holly catches my eye, shaking her head but smiling. "There's no talking you out of this, is there?"

"Nope," I say, grinning. "Coming?"

She looks down at Noah, then back at me. "Someone has to keep you boys in line."

"Fuck yeah! Let's fucking do this," Kade says, clapping his hands. "We ride at dawn, motherfuckers!"

34

BLAIR

Istep out onto my front porch, squinting against the morning sun. My head throbs—those extra glasses of wine with Maggie weren't the best idea. Ransom stands at the bottom of the steps, hands in his pockets. The new plaid shirt hugs his shoulders, and dark jeans replace his usual suits—a far cry from the baggy clothes he used to drown in as a teenager.

"I like this look on you," I say, descending the steps. "You wear a lot of plaid in the city?" All those photos I saw online were Ransom in expensive suits or tuxedos.

He laughs, deep and warm. "No, not much. I had to pick these up in town. I only had a set of workout clothes in my Go Bag."

"Go bag? Like you're in witness protection or something?"

"Something like that. It was a habit I developed in my second foster home. I was always moving, so I always stayed packed. Now it's mainly a change of casual clothes and toiletries I keep in the car."

"Convenient for sleepovers," I say lightly, but inside, I'm turning green. Hypocritical, I know. I'm the one that's had a fuck buddy.

"I use it at the gym. I don't do sleepovers. Never have."

"Never?"

He stops, gaze serious. "Never. I had the guys to go home to. Later? I didn't want to."

"You never dated anyone?" Just when I think I understand who he is, I learn something new. This image of Ransom as this suave, rich man with women flocking to him is shifting. The woman are probably still after him. They would be even if he were poor because my god, is he beautiful. But the idea that he never let anyone close makes me as happy as it does sad. I don’t like the idea of him being alone.

But I really don’t like the idea of another woman finding a place in his heart. His heart was mine first, and I don;t like sharing.

I am a hypocritical bitch.

He shrugs and gently cups my back to get us moving again. A little shiver of electricity travels from his hand up my spine, making my skin prickle beneath my shirt. "Here and there. But no one that I ever saw any future with. No one that would have been able to handle my family." The corner of his mouth tips up in that half-smile that makes my stomach flip. "They're my brothers, not my kids, but I raised them, you know?"

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