Bucking Tradition, page 8
“I can’t really imagine you with a colorful cast,” Ransom chuckled. “Unless of course they had black.”
I smiled broadly. “They did, but I was more leaning towards blue.”
“Well,” Ransom drawled. “If you have to get it refit, you can always go with the color.”
“And that could be possible because the doctor said I was still swollen, but I told him I wasn’t about to stay another night. I promised to sleep with my arm above my head.”
Ransom shook his head and smiled. Man, he really did have a beautiful smile. Hell, the whole man was beautiful. He could totally be in one of those cop calendars. Hot Men on the Force or some bullshit like that.
“I broke my arm when I was seven. And then again when I was seven and a half.”
I tipped my head to the side. “That sounds like a good story.”
Ransom chuckled. “I fell off the bed the first time, and then the second time, I was trying to ride a skateboard and fell right on the old break. I spent that year pretty banged up.”
“I bet you kept your mom on her toes.”
Ransom nodded and took a drink of his beer. “I think she would tell you she was always putting a Band-Aid on or wrapping up a cut for a good ten years.”
“Sounds like life at the clubhouse.” Those were really good years. We all gave each other hell, but at the end of the day, we would all fight and defend each other ‘til the end of time. I technically only had one brother, but most days, it felt like I had seven brothers and one sister.
“Pretty sure life at the clubhouse was a whole different world.”
A different world I was lucky to be a part of. A world Ransom had tried to be a part of, and he had been told no.
Bear walked into the kitchen and looked around. “What in the world smells so good? It smells like we’re at a damn restaurant.”
I chuckled and nodded to the stove. “Bristol was kind enough to bring us over some meals. She saved us from my mom cooking.”
“Aren’t all moms kickass cooks?” Bear asked.
I bugged my eyes out and shook my head. “That is a big fat no when it comes to my mom. You would be shocked at the foods she has ruined by adding mayo or turmeric to.”
“What in the hell is turmeric?” Ransom asked.
I shrugged. “Something Meg used one time when I was nine, and my mom thought it was the best thing in the world. Swear to goodness we went seven weeks choking those recipes down with every meal.” It was so bad that I now wouldn’t touch any meal that had turmeric in it. It could be the most delicious thing in the world, and I wouldn’t touch it.
“I’ve heard Meg is an amazing cook, and obviously Bristol is, too. Why don’t they teach her how to cook?” Ransom suggested.
“It’s been tried. So many times,” I drawled. “It’s like my mom listens, but then, she goes home to do it on her own and it’s a disaster. She’s somewhat coming to terms with the fact that cooking just isn’t her thing, but she still dabbles.” I wrinkled my nose. “Too much dabbling.”
“I hope it’s okay I grabbed the first room at the top of the stairs,” Bear replied. “I do plan on sleeping in the recliner, though.”
“That’s fine by me. I barely ever sit in the chair. My dad and Pie are the ones who sit there when they come over which really isn’t often before today. The chair is yours now.”
Bear pointed at Ransom. “See, that is how you invite someone into your house. Not chuck the keys at them and send them the address.” Bear glanced at me. “Ransom failed to mention to me that he didn’t have decent furniture, let alone a recliner.”
“How was I supposed to know you’re an old man with back problems?” Ransom scoffed defensively. “A lot has changed in the five years since we were partners.”
Bear pulled out one of the chairs at the table and sat down. “That’s what happens after you fall off a cliff when you’re chasing a meth junkie through the desert.”
I tipped my head to the side and wrinkled my nose. “That again sounds like an amazing story I would like to hear.”
Bear shook his head. “Not as exciting as you would think. Ended up in the emergency room and the meth head managed to disappear.”
“Those junkies are fucking sneaky, man. Those drugs make them like super strength ninjas.”
Bear chuckled. “I can agree with you on the super strength part. Ninja this guy was not. Pretty sure he fell ten times before I teetered over the edge of the cliff. He was so high he couldn’t feel anything. Just kept getting up and going.”
I sat back and listened to Ransom and Bear share stories of when they were on the force together. You could tell they really were good friends.
“So, why did you quit and become a bounty hunter?” I asked when there was a lull in the stories.
Bear looked at Ransom. “It was just time for a change.”
Ransom folded his arms over his chest. “Right.”
“I have a sneaky suspicion that there is a little bit more to it than that.”
The timer on the oven sounded. “There is, but I don’t really think we have time to go into it since dinner is ready.”
I rolled my eyes as I stood, then grabbed the hot pad off the counter and opened the oven. A waft of delicious aroma hit me, and I grabbed the pan. “You guys might have to find something else to eat because I think Bristol only made enough for me.” I didn’t realize how hungry I was until I laid my eyes on what she made. This thing looked nothing like a gloopy and messy tuna casserole.
You could see the large chunks of tuna mixed with a creamy sauce and potatoes. Yes, potatoes. I was expecting noodles and peas, but Bristol’s Tuna casserole had tuna, potatoes, artichokes, carrots, and a creamy sauce with herbs in it.
“Holy shit,” Ransom gasped. “Did you pay her for this? I think you should have paid her.”
I chuckled and set the casserole on the stove. “I didn’t, but I’m going to give her a great big hug the next time I see her. I haven’t even tried this yet and I’m already salivating.” And I was more than likely going to ask her for the recipe. Thankfully, Mom’s lack of cooking skills hadn’t been passed down to me. Granted, I wasn’t a gourmet chef, but I could easily follow a recipe and make passable food.
Bear moved behind us, and we all just stared down at the casserole.
“I feel like this is a special moment in my life,” Bear muttered.
“I feel that way every time I get to eat Meg or Bristol’s food.” I licked my lips and wondered if it would be rude to snag a potato.
“I’ll get the plates,” Ransom muttered.
“And I’ll not ask you how you know where the plates are,” Bear mumbled.
Ransom moved to the cabinet with the plates, and I grabbed three forks. “Open the drawer to your left, Bear, and grab a serving spoon.”
Bear opened the drawer and grabbed the spoon without taking his eyes off the casserole. “I’d normally say ladies first but fuck that.” He shoved the spoon into the casserole and put a heaping serving on his plate. “Ladies next,” he chuckled.
I grabbed the spoon and put about half as much on my plate which turned out to still be a lot. I sat down at the table and Ransom wasn’t far behind with as much on his plate as Bear had.
We dug into the casserole and the only noises there were for the next five minutes were oohing and ahhing over how amazing dinner was.
I sat back when my plate was empty and sighed. “I don’t think I had ever had something like that before in my life.”
Bear grunted and stood to get seconds.
“I can see why Leo hired Bristol and why Pie hooked up with her since your mom can’t cook,” Ransom laughed.
“You think she would want another boyfriend?” Bear asked. “I’m more than willing to share her as long as she cooks me dinner.”
I laughed and laid my hand on the table. “I can tell you, with all certainty, that Pie will not be okay with sharing any part of Bristol with you.”
“Well, then I hope she keeps bringing meals over while we’re here. Otherwise, I might have to do a kidnapping of my own.” Bear sat back down with just as much on his plate as when he started. “This is my first meal from her, and I can already tell you I am not willing to give this up.”
I smothered a yawn with my hand and sighed.
“Why don’t you get to bed, Luna? Bear and I can clean up the kitchen,” Ransom suggested. “Hell, we’ll probably end up finishing the casserole and look to see what you have for dessert.”
“You guys are bottomless pits.” I grabbed my plate and took it to the sink. “But I am not going to turn down you two deciding to clean up. I’m about two minutes from falling over, and I plan to do that in my bed.”
Ransom followed behind me and refilled his plate. “You need help?” He wasn’t joking when he had said that Bear and he would finish the rest of the casserole.
Bear scoffed.
“I mean getting up the stairs,” Ransom clarified.
I smiled and shook my head. “I think I can handle it.” Ransom did know his way around my house since he had been here a few times before, but I didn’t need his help now. “Broke my wrist, not my leg, Ransom.”
“And just remember I’m here to help and keep you safe, Luna.”
I rolled my eyes. “I know, you’re my babysitter, Ransom. You were the lesser of the choices I had.”
“What do you mean by lesser?” Ransom asked.
I shrugged and made my way to the stairs. “Have a good night, boys,” I called.
“Luna,” Ransom called. “What the hell do you mean I’m lesser?”
I laughed loudly and walked to my door. I simply meant Ransom was the less of three evils when it came to being babysat. Of course, he thought it meant something different entirely. I stepped into my room and shut the door behind me.
Ransom could take the rest of the night to worry about what I actually meant.
It was time for him to have a restless night and I could sleep like a baby.
I just hoped if Ransom did get to sleep that his snoring didn’t penetrate my walls and keep me up all night.
A night without his ridiculous snoring would be amazing.
I changed into a nightshirt and was laid out under the covers of my bed while I listened to the sounds of Bear and Ransom down below.
It should have been weird having them in my house, but it wasn’t.
I knew, with them being there, I was safe.
I never would have admitted it to anyone before, but the feeling of safety was one I hadn’t had since the day we had discovered Bunny in her trailer. Now, with Ransom in my house, I finally took a deep breath and felt safe.
Ransom was my safety, and I couldn’t deny it if I tried.
Chapter Nine
Ransom
“I’M COMING WITH YOU.”
I sipped my coffee and looked out the window over the sink.
“Ransom,” Luna called. “I’m talking to you.”
I never really had the chance to enjoy Luna’s house before. The times I had been here were at night, and when the sun came up, it was out the door I went. She had a rather large backyard and even had a birdfeeder that had birds buzzing around it. “I hear you, Luna.”
“Then why aren’t you answering me?”
Because I didn’t want to piss her off by telling her no. “I’m thinking.”
“Thinking about what?” she demanded.
How the hell I was going to tell her no? I was headed to work, not out on some picnic. I know she wanted to be a part of finding this killer, but it was my job. I couldn’t take just anyone with me. “Don’t you think you should be resting more?” I asked.
“I don’t think I can rest anymore, Ransom. My concussion is gone, and for the tenth damn time, I don’t need my wrist to walk.” She tapped her feet around. “Both of my legs are perfectly fine, and I took my pain pills. Let’s go.”
I shook my head. “You know I’m going to say no, Luna, and then you’re going to get mad at me.”
“Then don’t tell me no,” she insisted. “I can help you find this guy, Ransom. I heard his voice.”
“You do know his voice, but it’s not like we’re going to knock on everyone’s door and ask to speak to them until you find the killer?”
“Well, no, but I can be there when you question people. For all you know, you’ve talked to the killer, and you didn’t even know it,” she insisted.
“That is true, but that isn’t going to make me bring you with me. I’m working this case, Luna, but I also have other things I need to do at the station. You’re staying here with Bear today.”
“That is just dumb,” she spat. “You brought Bear here to find the killer, not be my babysitter.”
“I know. For today, he is staying with you, and tomorrow, your brother will be here.”
Luna stomped her foot. “You didn’t!”
I glanced over at her. Yeah, she was pissed. She didn’t seem too bad until I had mentioned that her brother was coming over tomorrow. “You were the one who just said that I need Bear to help find the killer. Pie will be over around eight tomorrow and will stay with you until I get home.”
“I should have chosen to stay at the clubhouse then if you’re just going to make my brother watch me.”
I shrugged and finished the rest of my coffee. “If that’s what you think, but you wouldn’t have had your bed there.”
She wrinkled her nose and folded her arms over her chest.
“Is that the same bed you had...before?” I asked.
“Wouldn’t you like to know,” she growled.
“I’ll find out,” I laughed.
“Uh, I don’t think so.”
I set my cup in the sink and reached for my wallet on the counter. “I think so.” Luna put up a good fight. The thing of it was that I did, too.
“You’re not getting back into my bed, Ransom.”
I leaned close to her face and locked gazes with her. “You say that now.”
“You don’t get to tell me you’re going to be in my bed.”
That wasn’t what I was telling her. I would never force my way back into Luna’s bed. She was going to invite me back in. “I’m a patient man, Luna.” I reached up and brushed her hair behind her ear. “And I know good things come to those who wait.”
“Never,” she mumbled.
“We’ll see.” I stepped back and shoved my wallet in my pocket. “See you tonight, babe.”
I called to Bear that I was leaving and walked out the front door without a goodbye or another word from Luna.
This was going to be an uphill fight with her, but I knew it would be worth it in the end.
I just didn’t know when the end would be.
Chapter Ten
Luna
“DO YOU WANT ANY MORE?”
Bear shook his head and rubbed his stomach. “I was still full from dinner, but I never can turndown waffles and bacon.”
I unplugged the waffle iron and dropped the fork I had been using in the sink. “It’s always good to start the day with a full stomach. Makes for a good day.” A day I had plans for and Bear had no clue about. Of course, I did have different plans when I had woken up, but Ransom had squashed them like a bug. Now, I was onto plan B.
Ransom always claimed that he was trying to keep me safe, but that safety was suffocating at times.
The doorbell rang, and I patted my pocket to make sure I had my phone and debit card. “I can get it,” I volunteered.
Bear shook his head and stood. “I’ll get it, doll.”
And that was exactly what I had hoped he would do.
With each step he took to the front door, I moved to the back door.
He opened the front door, and I dashed out the back. I was almost to Greta’s car when I heard Bear shout my name.
“Put some gasoline on it, girl! You’ve got a lumberjack on your ass,” Greta shouted from her open car window.
“Put it in gear!” I shouted to her.
Greta reached across the passenger seat, swung open my door, and started to roll out of the driveway.
“Fucking run!” Greta hollered.
“Luna! Don’t you get in that car!” Bear shouted.
I glanced behind me and saw I had about twenty-five feet between Bear and me. “Why are you running so fast?” I snapped at him. It broke the laws of physics for Bear to be able to move as fast and be as agile as he was.
“This is what I do for a fucking living,” he gritted out. “Stop!”
His voice radiated through me, but it just urged me to move faster.
I made it to the car that was rolling away from me and managed to leap in and slam the door shut behind me.
“Luna!!”
Greta slammed down on the gas, and we catapulted out of my driveway and onto the road. I watched behind us as Bear ran into the road and shook his fist in the air, screaming my name.
“Girl, your neighbors are going to think you’ve got an angry lumberjack pining after you and you just crushed his heart.” Greta flew down the road and hooted with glee.
I turned back in my seat and slumped. “Oh, my God, I haven’t run that fast since we got caught gigging frogs over off Ol’ Mill Road.”
Greta snorted. “I think it more had to do with the fact that we were both half in the bag and only eighteen. I don’t think they cared we were gigging frogs.”
I laid my head back and sighed. “Whatever.”
“So how much time do you think we have before Bear is catching up to us?” Greta asked.
“Probably a couple of hours. He doesn’t know Rockton, so he won’t know where to look for us.”
“Are you thinking that he isn’t going to sound the alarms to Ransom and the Devil’s Knights?” Greta scoffed.
That, I didn’t know. I was hoping Bear would be too proud to call for help and try to find us on his own at first. “If he calls Ransom, we probably have an hour. But if he reaches out to the Devil’s Knight, you know we’ll be found in no time because those jerks know us.”
Gretta nodded. “As much as I hate to admit, those assholes do know us pretty well.”
