Page 16 of Satisfied
Chapter Six
Ransom
If it were in my control, I would stay by her side for twenty-three out of twenty-four hours a day. I’d keep her close and within sight whenever we’re outside these walls, but we both have lives that pull us in different directions. Abby is focused on her student teaching, and I have my work at the clubhouse. Sometimes I sit at the café across from her school, working as I watch out for her ex, but when I can’t leave my responsibilities at the clubhouse, I ask one of the prospects to keep an eye on her.
We wouldn’t have to go through all this shit if I got hold of the ex, but that fucker is one paranoid son of a bitch and changes locations as often as most people change their underwear. But he can’t hide forever, that’s for sure.
Today, however, I don’t have to worry about him. And I plan on making it my mission to ensure Abby doesn’t think about him either.
“Here you go.” I nearly jump at the voice, startled when a set of keys lands on my desk. “I delivered the flowers to the apartment like you asked me to.”
I turn around with a sigh to find my sister leaning against the door to my office, her amber eyes watching me with amusement. “You couldn’t hand over the keys like a normal person would?”
“I had to toss them to get your attention. Do you have any idea how long I’ve been standing here calling you? It’s like you were lost in your head.” She smirks, nodding at my blank computer screen. “Do I need to report to the prez that you’re slacking off at work?”
“Oh, go to hell, CJ.”
“Hey, that’s no way to talk to someone who spent two hours arranging flowers in your apartment,” she says, pushing away from the door and walking into the room, then leaning against my desk. “Your place should smell like a field of roses when you walk in.”
I groan at her words. “You went overboard, didn’t you?”
“Define overboard.”
“CJ, all I asked of you was to drop a bouquet of flowers in my apartment and leave them on the kitchen table. I did not ask you to plant a fucking garden in there.”
“You’re welcome, by the way.”
I sigh, knowing it’s pointless to argue with a gardener—a flower junkie. What was I thinking, bringing my sister into this? I already had everything set up when I left, and thought my sister could just take care of the flowers for me. Now I’m half terrified to walk in with Abby and get the surprise of a lifetime.
“Just tell me I won’t walk in there and trip over flowers.”
“I can’t make any promises,” she says with a laugh, tilting her head to watch me. “You like her, don’t you?”
There’s no denying that. It’s obvious to everyone, especially my sister, that I am hopelessly in love with Abby Chester. Tonight, I plan to tell her just that. I’ve prepared everything for tonight, and the flowers were a last-minute touch—one I’m starting to regret.
“You’ll like her when you meet her too,” I tell my sister, glancing at my wristwatch. It’s nearly four, and soon, Abby will be leaving her classes. I have Kyle, a prospect, watching her incase her ex decides to show up, but I want to be the one to pick her up. “I need to go. Look, I owe you one for the flowers.”
“You owe me nothing,” she says, stopping me in my tracks. When I turn to look at her, I’m surprised by the somber look on her face. “I’m the one who owes you. For life.”
“Hey, what are you talking about?”
“You sacrificed so many years of your life to look after Nonna and me.”
My eyes widen in panic when her eyes well up. “Hey now, CJ, don’t do that. I don’t want to get into it with Hound for making his fiancée cry.”
She chuckles even as the tears spill. “You’re a great brother, Ransom. And an amazing man. Any girl would be lucky to have you.” She brushes the back of her hand over her wet cheeks. “She’s going to love what you did with the place, and the flowers. I’m glad I could help.”
I step in to embrace her, wrapping my arms around her and pulling her close. “Thank you. You’re not so shabby of a sibling yourself.”
She slaps my shoulder with a laugh, restoring order to the world. “I can’t wait to meet the woman who’s stolen my brother’s heart,” she says as I start to pack my things into my bag. “She must be incredible to be able to steal your attention from your computers. I don’t think I’ve ever seen your computer screen blank before.”
I shake my head at her teasing, but I can’t deny she has a point. “You’ll meet her alright. I just have to take care of a few things before I can introduce you two.”
I find myself smiling as I drive to pick up Abby, already looking forward to seeing her. Part of me is nervous, like I’ve never been before, over what she’ll think when she sees the surprise I’ve prepared for her. I’ve never done anything like thisfor any woman before, but I want nothing more than to make her happy.
I spot Kyle seated in the café when I park my car. He waves in my direction when I start toward him, meeting me outside the shop. Kyle is something of a favorite among the MC members, and from what I’ve heard, he’s well on his way to becoming a full member.
“I owe you one, Kyle,” I say when I reach him.
