Seventeen: Ransom Tanager
1170 Words
Nineteen:
Ransom Tanager
The board meeting was a success.
Piper met the members, they congratulated her on the position. Everyone remembered Piper because of her parents. And because she was my “adopted sister”. No one had any objections. I knew they wouldn’t. This was what my father had wanted, and despite his complicated work, my father was a good businessman. The board liked Piper too. Unlike me, she had never once gotten into trouble. She’d been a good girl. That was all they needed to know. The one who had been the most impressed by her was Jamie Redford. I knew she would be.
Jamie was in her late twenties, had gone to business school, and had six companies. I’d gone to school with her. She’d been a year ahead. “Well, you must be over the moon,” she said.
I folded the leather file holder that I had on the desk and placed it in my briefcase. “Why?”
“Because you finally get her back,” said Jamie, “I heard about what happened the night of graduation.”
“How did you hear about that?” I asked.
Jamie smirked. “Who do you think Oliver licked his wounds with? He came over to my place and got drunk. He kept on talking about how his mother slipped a ring into his jacket and ruined everything. Was there a ring?”
I frowned. “There was a ring. That was part of why I kissed her. I didn’t want her getting married too young. It would have derailed everything.”
Jamie laughed. “You mean, it would have derailed you getting a chance to marry her? Everyone was under the impression that the reason Richard Tanager adopted her was because he wanted to secure an heir with Powell DNA.”
“Why are you asking?”
She shrugged. “I was close with Oliver. You know we dated way back when. I figured that since she’s back, you would know what’s going on with them.”
“They’re dating,” I replied, “he’s taking her to brunch right now, as a matter of fact.”
“Well, if you ever want to get your girl back from him, I know something that could change everything for you. Permanently.”
“Such as?”
“I’m a businesswoman, Tanager. I don’t do anything for free. You let me know when you’re ready to get your girl back.”
“How do you know I’m not ready to get her back?”
“Because,” she said, “if you were, you wouldn’t be letting her go off to brunch with Oliver. Or at the very least, you’d be doing something to make her realize what she’s missing.”
“What do you suggest?” I asked.
“Me,” she said with a smile.
I looked her up and down. Jamie Redford had always been an attractive woman. Tall, blond, and leggy. We’d even hooked up a few times in high school before she’d gotten tired of me and briefly dated Oliver.
“I’m too busy for a relationship,” I said dismissively.
She laughed. “So am I, Tanager. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have our fun.”
Her eyes twinkled with mischief, and I closed my suitcase. I kept an apartment in the city because it was closer to work on the days that I needed to work late. Or nights where being Bombtastic made it too difficult to get home. I could take her there, f**k her, and keep my mind from going crazy about Pip and Oliver being together.
“I don’t need your secrets,” I said, “not yet, anyway. I’ve got secrets of my own. But I wouldn’t mind taking you up on that fun you’re suggesting. I’ve got an apartment in the city. Meet you there?”
She smirked. “Sounds like a plan.”
“On second thought,” I said, “Piper’s probably going to be gone all day with Oliver. The mansions lonely, and there’s plenty of more places to have fun in. Why don’t you come spend the day with me there? I’ll show you a good time.”
She smiled. “Even better.”
I adjusted my tie, then picked up my suitcase. “Even better. I’ll see you there.” I strode from the room, smirking. It wasn’t that I had a hard time getting women. With money, and looks, I’d had my fair share of girlfriends and s****l partners. But since Piper had left, and I’d taken on Bombtastic, the women had been few and far between.
Maybe it was dumb, bringing Jamie to my home. I had a kidnapped woman there and an EVO. But it was my mansion. What harm was there in doing that? It had nothing to do with Piper having a date with my former, best friend. Nothing at all.
When we got to my apartment, I pulled Jamie close, wrapping my hands around her waist. “It’s been a long time since we’ve been here.”
Jamie smiled. “We had some good times, you and me.”
“Why didn’t we ever go out?” I asked. “We both had a good time when we hooked up.”
“Well, I should have thought that was obvious.”
“What was obvious?”
“You were waiting on Piper. Everyone knew it. There were many guys that were interested in her at the time that we went to school. Not just Oliver. Oliver was just the only one that you kind of approved of because the two of you were best friends. So, you tolerated him.”
“That’s not true. She went out with Christian.”
“That ended with a fire, and a dead body.”
My eyes narrowed. “You and your father both signed non-disclosure agreements about that.”
She laughed. “You don’t have to worry. I’d never do anything to put Piper in danger. I know how much she means to you. But everyone knew that you were in love with her. Including me.”
“Then, why risk it? Because I won’t lie to you. I am still in love with her.”
She shrugged. “Because you look good, Ransom. And I want you to make me feel good.”
I smirked. “That can be arranged.” I kissed her, and I carried her into the bedroom.
- Writer
