55. Ransom
55
RANSOM
I stand in my office, staring out at the Chicago skyline. The place feels different now—emptier, quieter. When we first built this headquarters, I imagined all my brothers working here, side by side. Funny how life changes.
"Heading out, boss?" Cara saunters in, one hand on her growing belly. The diamond bands on her ring finger catch the late afternoon light.
"Yeah, helicopter's waiting. You should head home too."
"Please, I've got three more meetings." She drops into my visitor's chair with a sigh, rubbing her belly. "This one's doing cartwheels anyway. He's not ready to settle down yet." Cara stretches her feet out. How the fuck is she still wearing those shoes? I can’t stop myself from holding onto her every time we walk side by side. She gets pissy about it, but until those fucking shoes go, she’s going to have to deal with it.
"You guys coming down this weekend?"
Cara grins. "Of course. I plan to spend most of the weekend floating in the pool. Everything is so heavy right now. We'd come tonight, but I have a doctor's appointment in the morning. Then we'll head down."
"Everything okay?" Her cheeks are rosy, she seems to have plenty of energy, but I still worry. Maybe I’ve gotten a little worse in the worry department since we went through Maggie’s illness. We were in hospitals and clinics around the world, and we came too damn close to losing her a few times.
"Just a regular checkup. I'm doing great."
Declan appears in my doorway, his eyes locked on Cara. He doesn't even acknowledge me as he beelines straight for her, dropping to his knees in front of her chair. His hands cup her rounded belly with such tenderness it makes my chest tight. I’m getting so damn sentimental in my old age.
"Hey little man," he whispers, pressing soft kisses to her stomach. "Your daddy missed you today."
Cara's whole face transforms, that hard-edged businesswoman melting away. Her fingers thread through Declan's hair as he continues murmuring to their baby. The love between them radiates through the room.
I could turn away, give them privacy, but I don't. These moments—watching my brothers find their perfect matches, build their families—they're precious to me. After losing my first family, I never thought I'd have this again. So I’m damn well going to watch them enjoy it.
"He's been doing somersaults all afternoon," Cara tells him, her voice soft in a way she reserves only for Declan.
"Of course he is." Declan grins against her belly. "Maybe he'll tire himself out and let you get a full night's sleep."
"That would be amazing. Not likely, but amazing." But Cara's laughing as she says it, her fingers still gentle in his hair.
I give Declan's shoulder a quick squeeze, then bend to kiss Cara's cheek. "Get some rest, both of you."
The stairs to the roof stretch before me as I take them two at a time, briefcase swinging. The helipad sits empty, waiting. Wind whips across the surface, and the sun hangs low on the horizon, painting the sky in brilliant oranges and pinks.
When we bought this building, the helipad was just an extra selling point. Now it's become essential. Our fleet has grown to three birds, constantly ferrying us between cities as our empire expands. But their most important job? Taking us home.
The familiar thrum of rotors grows louder as our pilot brings her in for landing. I climb aboard, settling into the leather seat as Chicago spreads out below us. Our tower rises in the distance, its glass face reflecting the sunset. That penthouse used to feel so empty, echoing with silence. Now I only stay there when Blair's with me, maybe once or twice a month. Otherwise, what's the point?
Opening my laptop, I dive into emails. Might as well clear my inbox now—once I land in Badger Falls, work is the last thing on my mind. The city falls away beneath us as we bank south. Skyscrapers give way to suburbs, then farmland. My fingers fly across the keys, responding to messages that can't wait until Monday. The rest can pile up over the weekend—I've got better things to focus on.
The landscape below shifts from concrete jungle to patchwork fields and dense forest. My heart rate picks up as we approach the compound—this feeling never gets old.
Leaning forward against my seatbelt, I spot at least ten kids tearing around on bikes and skateboards below. Mia's sparkly pink helmet catches the sun like a beacon. She's leading the pack, fearless as always. Max trails behind her, still getting the hang of his new BMX bike. Maggie just shook her head when she saw it, but she didn't say anything. She's learning. Just let me spend my money the way I want. She's like a lobster in a pot. Right now it's rocking chairs for her front porch and a bike for Max. By next summer, I'll have her agreeing to move into one of the empty houses. She's my woman's heart sister, she's family, and she needs to be closer so we can all keep an eye on her.
Beyond the chaos of the play area stand our homes—ten occupied, two finished but waiting. The architecture flows together perfectly, each house unique but cohesive. Jonas insisted on that. Said it had to feel like one big family compound.
As we approach the helipad, I see Blair waiting. My wife. Even now, years later, that word sends a thrill through me. I put a ring on her finger just four weeks after we reconnected—I couldn't wait any longer. Two months after that, right as summer bloomed, we got married in the town square.
God, she was beautiful that day. No fancy wedding dress, just a simple white sundress that made her look like summer incarnate. Mia and Max had woven her a flower crown—crooked and messy and absolutely perfect. She wore it like a queen.
The whole town turned out for the ceremony. Afterwards, we had the biggest BBQ Badger Falls had ever seen. Everyone pitched in—John manning the grill, Macy organizing the sides, Holly coordinating the dessert table. And my brothers, all wearing tuxedo t-shirts, manning the alcohol table. The perfect blend of my two families becoming one.
It was everything I dreamed of, and so much more.
Blair shields her eyes against the sun as we descend, her ponytail whipping in the rotor wash. That crooked smile of hers still hits me right in the chest every single time.
"Thanks, Pete." I grab my briefcase, ducking under the slowing rotors. Blair's waiting at the edge of the pad, and my heart does that familiar skip. Twenty-five years apart, and now I can't stand two days away from her.
I drop my briefcase, sweeping her into my arms. She lets out that little squeak I love as I dip her back, claiming her mouth. Her fingers curl into my shirt, holding on as I kiss her deeply, thoroughly. When I finally let her up, her cheeks are flushed pink, those gray eyes sparkling.
"Miss me?" Her voice is breathy.
"Always." I tuck her against my side as we head toward our house. "How was your day, beautiful?"
She gives me a rundown: the tricky transmission repair at the shop, Micah's new custom job that came in, and the committee meeting that Zach and John took over.
Through all of it, I soak in every expression that crosses her face. I don't take the privilege of looking at her for granted. When Robert was alive and we were living under the same roof, I couldn't look at her like this. I couldn't be obvious about it. Our relationship was something to hide. Something forbidden.
But now, I can show the world how in love with her I am.
"Vroom! Screeeech!" Noah comes tearing up on his little push bike, rear wheel sliding dramatically on the gravel. His blonde curls bounce under his helmet as he skids to a stop.
"Uncle Ransom! Come see! Come see!" He bounces on his seat, practically vibrating with excitement. "We doing tricks!"
I rap my knuckles on the top of his helmet. "Lead the way, buddy."
Noah takes off, legs pumping furiously as he heads for the BMX track. Blair's hand finds mine as we follow at a more sedate pace.
"I still can't believe you guys built a professional-grade BMX track," Blair shakes her head, watching the kids zoom around the berms and over jumps.
"The kids love it."
"You bought a bulldozer and a grader and learned to drive them."
"The boys needed a project. Besides, that equipment's been useful. We helped grade the Hendersons' driveway last month."
We bought them for fun. I can be honest about it. Living on this much property gives us so many spots to dig holes, then fill them in. We had a rotation worked out, so everyone gets a turn.
"Look! Look!" Max launches himself over a jump, getting impressive air. He takes his role as the oldest seriously. He's a great role model and so fucking kind. He's the best kid. And the rest of our brood idolizes him.
"Careful!" Blair calls automatically.
"He's fine. Kid's bones are like rubber. He'll just pop right up again. Besides, the surface on those turns is padded." We don't care about speed, just that the kids are safe and having fun, so we used that playground padding on the sketchier bits of the track. That part we didn't do ourselves. But we supervised. And by supervised, I mean we stood around watching, drinking beer, and making helpful suggestions. The guys doing the actual work were pretty good sports about it.
Blair groans. "I know. I can't help worrying, just a bit. I'm not even going to ask how much all this cost. I'm sure you spent way too much money and had the best of everything."
"It's our money, you know. You're technically a billionaire now too."
She punches my arm. "Shut up. I'm trying very hard to pretend that's not true."
I pull her close, pressing a kiss to her temple. "Too late. You married into this circus."
"The circus I can handle. It's the stupid amounts of money I'm still adjusting to."
"Look at me!" Noah yells, pedaling furiously before executing a wobbly turn.
"Great job, buddy!" I call back.
"Watch this!" Mia shrieks, following Max's lead over the jump. Her landing's wobbly, but she stays upright, beaming with pride.
"I taught her that," Max announces, circling back around. "She's getting really good."
"You're an excellent teacher," Blair tells him, and his chest puffs up with pride.
Noah tries to copy them, but his little push bike doesn't quite make it. He doesn't seem bothered, just giggles as he rolls backward, and tries again.
"Oh, that reminds me," Blair says, squeezing my hand. "Max is staying with us tonight. Maggie's got a date with her bathtub. And Connie mentioned she needs to talk to you. She and Nan will come by later."
"Perfect." I tug her hand, leading her toward our house. "Let's have a chat before everyone descends." I love them all, but they're all a bunch of cockblockers.
We pass through what's become the heart of our compound—the circular drive lined with comfortable lawn chairs where we gather most evenings. We insisted on moving the garages to the back, accessed by grassy lanes instead of pavement. We wanted the front to be purely for family.
Inside, I drop my briefcase on the entry table, then flick the lock on the door. My policy is pretty open-door, but right now, I need some quality time with my wife.
I shrug out of my suit jacket and kiss the top of her head, inhaling the scent of her shampoo. "You smell good enough to eat."
She leans back, looking up at me with a spark in her grey eyes. "Is that so?"
"Mm-hmm." I dip my head, capturing her lips in a soft kiss. She melts into me, her arms snaking up to loop around my neck. I deepen the kiss, exploring her mouth with my tongue. She tastes like old-school bubblegum. I know if I pat her down, I'll find a pack in her pockets.
I fucking love that taste.
"You're trying to sweet-talk me into something," she murmurs against my lips.
"Is it working?" I ask, trailing kisses down her neck.
She shivers, her fingers playing with the hair at the nape of my neck. "Maybe."
I scoop her up into my arms, carrying her bridal-style to the living room. She squeaks in surprise, clinging to my neck. "Ransom! Put me down! You're going to pop a gut."
"Nope," I say, kicking my jacket out of the way. "I've got plans for you."
She raises an eyebrow. "Plans, huh?"
I set her down in the living room, turning her to face the couch. "Yep. Now, bend over."
She laughs, looking at me over her shoulder. "Bossy, aren't you?"
I swat her ass lightly, making her yelp. "Only when I need to be."
She sticks her tongue out at me but complies, bending over the cushions of the couch, hands on the back. I run my hands over her hips, up her sides, and around to cup her breasts. She sighs, leaning back into my touch.
“Shit. Wait.” I spin and grab a light silk scarf, then carefully cover Chester’s cage. “Hi Sweetheart. Mommy and Daddy need to have a conversation.” She twitches, squeaking then goes into her little hiding place.
“You guys have a weird relationship,” Blair says, laughing at me.
“It would be weirder to let her watch.”
“Fair.”
I hop over the coffee table, and press my hips against hers, making her gasp. "You have no idea how much I've been thinking about this all day," I murmur, pressing kisses along her shoulder. Two fucking days is too long without her. We have twenty-five years to make up for, and by my count, that means I need to get inside her at least twice a day to make up for it by the time we’re eighty.
"Oh yeah?" she asks, wiggling her ass against me. "And what exactly have you been thinking about?"
I unbutton her jeans, sliding them down her legs along with her underwear. "About how much I want to taste you," I say, kneeling behind her. I run my hands up her thighs, spreading her legs wider. "About how much I want to make you scream my name."
She shivers as I lean in, running my tongue along her slit. "Ransom..."
"That's a start," I say, circling her clit with my tongue. She moans, her fingers gripping the couch cushions. I slide a finger inside her, then another, pumping slowly as I continue to lick and suck her clit.
Her moans grow louder, her breath coming in short gasps. "Ransom... please..."
"Please what?" I ask, curling my fingers to hit that spot inside her.
"Please... don't stop..." she pants, grinding against my face.
I don't stop. I keep licking, keep fingering her, until her body tenses and she cries out my name, coming hard around my fingers. I slow my movements, letting her ride out her orgasm before gently pulling away.
She turns around, sinking down onto the couch with a satisfied sigh. Her cheeks are flushed, her eyes glazed. "That was..."
"Just the beginning," I say, standing up and unbuckling my belt. She watches me, her eyes darkening with desire as I strip off my clothes.
I sit down next to her, pulling her onto my lap so she's straddling me. She reaches between us, guiding me to her entrance. She sinks down onto me slowly, her eyes locked on mine, drawing out a gasp from deep within my chest.
"God, you feel so good," I groan, gripping her hips, feeling her heat envelop me. Two years she’s been mine, and I want her more today than I ever have. I slowly slip my hands under her shirt, feeling the soft warmth of her skin. With a gentle tug, I lift the fabric over her head, revealing her simple white bra. I undo the clasp, letting it fall away, leaving her exposed and utterly beautiful. Her body’s changing. John’s cooking’s put a little more weight on her. Her breasts are a little heavier. She’d call them saggy.
I call them perfect.
She smiles, a soft and sultry curve of her lips, leaning forward to kiss me. "We're magic together," she whispers against my mouth, her breath mingling with mine.
She starts to move, rising and falling on my cock, setting a slow, steady pace that drives me wild. I let her take the lead, content to watch her ride me, her tits bouncing with each movement, her head thrown back in pure pleasure.
I lean forward, capturing one of her nipples in my mouth, teasing it. She gasps, her pace faltering as I suck hard, swirling my tongue around the stiff peak. She moans, grinding against me, her hips moving in a delicious rhythm.
"Ransom... I'm close..." she pants.
I release her nipple, gripping her hips tighter. "Then come for me, baby," I say, thrusting up into her.
She cries out, her body convulsing as she comes again. The sight of her, head thrown back, mouth open in a silent scream, sends me over the edge. I come with a groan, spilling into her.
She collapses against me, her head resting on my shoulder. I wrap my arms around her, holding her close. We sit like that for a moment, our breathing syncing, our hearts pounding in tandem.
"I love you," I murmur, pressing a kiss to her temple.
She leans back, a soft smile on her face. "I love you too."
I trace my fingers along Blair's spine as she nestles against my chest, both of us still catching our breath. The early evening sun streams through our living room windows, casting a golden glow across her skin.
"You know what I love most about us?" I brush my lips against her temple. "How we fit together. Not just like this, but everything. The way you roll your eyes when I'm being ridiculous. How you know exactly when to call me on my bullshit."
She chuckles, the sound vibrating against my chest. "Someone has to keep you humble."
"You always did. Even back then." I run my fingers through her hair, remembering that fierce teenage girl who wouldn't let me wallow in self-hatred. "You saw right through me from day one."
Blair lifts her head, those grey eyes searching mine. "You saw me too. Really saw me. Not the quiet, awkward girl everyone else did." Her fingers trace patterns on my chest. "You still do."
"Always will." I capture her hand, bringing it to my lips. "I spent twenty-five years comparing every woman to you. No one else stood a chance."
"Smooth talker." But her smile is soft, vulnerable in a way she rarely shows anyone else.
"Just honest." I cup her cheek, thumb stroking her skin. "You're it for me, Blair McKenna. Always have been."
She turns her face into my palm, pressing a kiss there. "It's a damn good thing you married me then. I'm grateful we found our way back."
"Me too, baby. Me too."
Blair shifts in my arms, her fingers tracing idle patterns on my chest. That faraway look crosses her face—the one I've come to recognize when she's thinking about her dad.
"What did you think?" Her voice is soft. "When Dad came to see you. You never really told me."
This conversation has been a long time coming. But she wasn’t ready, and it’s not something I needed to push. I knew when she was ready, she’d ask. My Blair isn’t one to hide from anything, especially the tough conversations. "Honestly? I felt like that scared fifteen-year-old kid again." I press a kiss to her temple. "Like I needed his approval, even after all these years."
"Were you angry?" Her fingers still on my skin.
"Part of me was." I capture her hand, threading our fingers together. "But mostly I was overwhelmed. Here was this man who saved my life, asking me to take care of something precious to him. And yeah, I was pissed about how things went down back then, but..."
"But?"
"But I respected him too much to show it. He was dying, Blair. And all he could think about was making sure you were taken care of."
She's quiet for a long moment. "He always tried to protect me. Even when he was wrong about what I needed protection from."
"I know, baby." I stroke her hair, feeling her slight tremble. "He loved you more than anything. Maybe too much sometimes."
"I just..." Her voice catches. "I wish he'd trusted me to make my own choices."
"Me too." I tighten my arms around her. "But he was trying his best. And look at us now—we found our way back anyway."
She lifts her head, those grey eyes shining with unshed tears. "Yeah, we did."
I wipe a tear from her cheek with my thumb. "And I'm never letting you go again."
"Promise?"
"Promise." I seal it with a gentle kiss. "You're stuck with me, McKenna."
Blair traces her finger along my collarbone, her touch feather-light. "Do you think we would have found each other if Dad hadn't gone to see you?"
"Honestly?" I catch her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm. "I was already cracking."
"What do you mean?"
"I'd been fighting the urge to come back for years. I would've caved eventually, promise or no promise."
Her brow gets that adorable wrinkle. "Really?"
"Yeah. I used to look you up online sometimes. Not much came up though."
"I'm not surprised. My life is pretty simple." Her lips quirk. "At least it used to be. But I looked you up once too."
"You did?" My heart skips. "When?"
"About five years ago. There was this article about the Brash Brothers' latest acquisition. You were on the cover of some business magazine."
"And?"
She shrugs one shoulder. "It felt like reading about a stranger. Private jets, billion-dollar deals... seemed like we were living in completely different worlds. I wouldn't have come to find you back then. The life I saw in those articles... it felt so far from everything I am."
"But that's not really my life. I mean, yeah, I have money now. But most nights I was just hanging out with my brothers, playing video games or working on cars."
"You own a helicopter," she points out, grinning.
"Which I mostly use to avoid traffic." I cup her cheek. "Everything that matters about me—the stuff that made you love me back then—that's all still here."
"I know that now." She leans into my touch. "But back then, seeing those pictures of you in thousand-dollar suits..."
"They're actually closer to fifteen thousand dollars."
She stares at me, then behind her at the suit pants crumpled around my ankles, then back at me, and says the most Blair thing I've heard all week. "Honey, I love you so much. But money made you dumb."