Page 30 of Ransom

Taking the thick stack of papers from her hand, I stare down at them with more than a little hatred in my heart. "How do I get him to stop?"

Maggie lets out a relieved breath, and a little wash of resentment flows through me. Life is hard sometimes, I get that. I don't get quitting. But if Ransom taught me anything, it's that trying to change a mind that's made up is a good way to make yourself feel like a pathetic fool.

Though the fear of losing Maggie might trump the fear of feeling pathetic. But today, I can't go there.

"Well, you've tried several creative options, and it hasn't made any difference. I think you're going to have to go nuclear."

"What does that mean?"

"You're going to have to go see him."

My stomach flips, making me regret that egg salad sandwich at lunch. "Not a chance." I sigh, rubbing my temples. "Mags, I can't just go see him. That's... that's not an option."

Maggie leans forward, her eyes bright with excitement. "Why not? Blair, I've been doing some research. Did you know he's become quite the success story? I found some articles about him online, and?—"

"Stop," I cut her off, holding up a hand. "I don't want to know. I've spent years avoiding any information about him. I don't need to start now."

"But Blair, you should see him. He looks... well, he looks good. Really good."

I groan, covering my face with my hands. "Maggie, please. I don't care what he looks like or how successful he is. That's not the point." She doesn't need to know that I looked him up or that I stared at the picture of him on that website for too fucking long.

Or that I’ve searched him up a few other times. There’s lots of pictures of him, but not a lot of personal information.

She reaches out, gently pulling my hands away from my face. "I know, sweetie. But maybe... maybe it's time to let go of the past. You were both just kids back then."

"No," I say firmly, standing up and pacing the room. "It's not about forgiving the past. Ransom doesn't want anything to do with me. He's only doing this because Dad asked him to."

Maggie's brow furrows. "Your dad? How do you know that?"

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. "There was a sticky note. Stuck to one of the offers last year. Ransom said Dad had approached him about buying the garage."

"And you didn't question that?"

I shrug, feeling a twinge of guilt. "With everything going on with your illness... I just didn't have the energy to wonder why Dad would do that."

That’s a lie, and it’s not. Maggie’s my priority, but it didn’t stop me from laying in bed wondering what they could possibly have talked about.

And wondering why Dad wouldn’t have talked to me about it. It feels off. But the only way I’d get an answer is if I talked to Ransom, and that’s not something I’m ever going to do. Besides, I’m sure I wouldn’t get past the front door. I’d have to be a fuck of a lot wealthier to be allowed anywhere near him.

Maggie nods, understanding in her eyes. "Well, what about hiring a lawyer? We could file a cease and desist."

I let out a bitter laugh. "With what money, Mags? We don't have the kind of cash Ransom does. It'd be like bringing a plastic spoon to a gunfight."

She taps her chin thoughtfully. "What about going to the media? A story about a billionaire bullying a small business owner could be pretty effective."

I shift uncomfortably, avoiding her gaze. The thought of causing trouble for Ransom, of dragging his name through the mud, makes my stomach churn. But I can't tell Maggie that.I can't admit that despite everything, I still care about what happens to him.

"I don't know, Mags. That seems... extreme."

She opens her mouth to argue, but I hold up a hand, cutting her off. A thought's forming in my mind, a potential solution that doesn't involve confronting Ransom or causing a media circus.

"I have an idea," I say slowly, the plan taking shape in my head.

11

RANSOM

Where the fuck am I?

---