Page 31 of Ransom

Yeah, this was the plan, but it's only been six months, and I don't recognize this place. The formerly depressing corporate office has been completely overhauled, and finally, for the first time in six months, I'm excited at the idea of moving in.

"What do you think?" Cara asks, her stilettos clicking on the polished floor as she walks beside me.

"It's... impressive," I admit, running my hand along a sleek wall. "I can actually see us working here now."

The contractor, a stocky man named Bill, leads us through the space. "We've addressed all the issues you pointed out during the last walkthrough," he says. "But please, let me know if you spot anything else."

Cara nods, her sharp eyes scanning every surface. "What about that scuff mark on the baseboard over there?" she points out.

Bill squints, leaning so far forward he looks like he’s about to tip, then nods. "Good catch. We'll touch that up before we're done."

I have to squint and take three steps forward before I spot the scuff. Am I just old? "You've got eagle eyes, Cara."

She grins at me. "Details, Ransom. It's all about the details."

Cara's a master of details, which makes her the perfect assistant. I like to look at the big picture, set things in motion, and let her run with them.

As we continue through the building, I start to truly picture working here. Everyone has their own space, but there are better options for gathering and just more room to move.

"Hey, Ransom," Cara calls out, interrupting my thoughts. "Come check out this view."

I join her at a large window overlooking the city—well, a different part of the industrial area. But it's a nice view, especially compared to the sea of parking lots at our current headquarters.

"It's not too shabby, is it?" Cara says, nudging me with her elbow. "I think the boys are going to love it here."

"Yeah," I agree, a smile tugging at my lips. "I think you're right."

We move on to the kitchen area because that's the one thing all of us could agree on: we need a big kitchen with someone to cook in it, and Cara immediately starts pointing out potential issues. "Are these countertops sealed properly? And what about the backsplash? It seems a bit uneven here."

Bill assures her that everything will be perfect before we move in, but I can see the determination in Cara's eyes. She's not letting anything slip by.

"You know," I say to her as we examine a conference room, "I'm glad you're here for this. I'd probably miss half of these things."

Cara laughs. "That's why we make such a good team, Ransom. You've got the big ideas, and I've got the eye for detail. That’s why you keep me around."

"That must be why," I reply. But that's not it. It never was. Cara has a giant set of brass balls. Combine that with her loyalty, and she's irreplaceable.

Which she reminds me of repeatedly at her annual salary reviews. She makes double what my competitors would pay for the same position, and she's worth every penny.

Cara smiles, placing a hand on my arm. "I told you it would work out. Sometimes change is good, Ransom."

I nod, taking one last look around. "Yeah, I think you're right. This is going to be good for all of us."

And this time, I actually believe it.

It's nearlythe end of the day by the time I get back to headquarters. The lobby is mostly empty, except for a few staff and one larger man in very bright overalls sitting in the waiting area. I don't think anything of him until he says my name.

"Mr. Kyle? Ransom Kyle?"

I turn to face the man who called my name, bracing myself for anything. A sob story about a sick daughter. A plan for a new business he needs an investor in. An attack.

All things that have happened to me in the last year.

He's massive, easily six feet tall and pushing four hundred pounds, but there's no aggression in his stance. Instead, he's wearing what looks like sequined coveralls, a sight that momentarily throws me off balance.

Before I can speak, the man hits play on an old-fashioned boombox at his feet. Music fills the lobby, and suddenly, he begins to dance. I'm stunned into silence, watching as this mountain of a man busts a move. And fuck if he can't move, despite his size.

"What the fuck?" I mutter under my breath, unable to tear my eyes away.

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