feeling I knew what was bothering Ransom, and I figured it would benefit everyone if Braelyn heard it now rather than later.
“Close the door on your way out,” I instructed Zion, who had Micah at his side.
He gave me a questioning look, and I simply shook my head to let him know it wasn’t anything he needed to bother himself with. Zion trusted me enough to know I would pull him in whenever necessary.
“This issue you were dealing with…” I prompted, looking at Ransom. “Did it have to do with Trent Ramsey?”
I could see Braelyn’s confusion as her gaze shifted back and forth between me and her brother.
“He called the resort directly. When they passed me the call, I had no idea it was him,” he said, looking uncomfortable.
I sighed.
“So he does know we’re alive,” Braelyn stated.
Ransom nodded, his eyes focused on his clasped hands. “He put two and two together after running into you at TJ’s party, apparently.”
That much was true, plus it was my fault. He’d overheard me on the phone with Tiegan, when I had mentioned I was taking them to the island.
“He won’t say anything,” I assured Ransom. “However, I do think we’ve got to deal with him.”
Two sets of brown eyes—one amber, the other many shades darker—looked at me.
“Trent was there the night Braelyn came to TJ’s,” I explained to Ransom.
“I know.”
“He’s a smart man,” I continued. “He doesn’t believe the two of you died in that fire.”
“He knows it for fact now,” Ransom stated.
“He’s got a solution,” I informed them both. “One he’d like to pursue, but he’s waiting for my approval.”
Ransom’s eyes narrowed on me. “Your approval? What do you have to do with this?”
I could hear the frustration in his tone.
“For one, you came to me for help. Not to Trent. Being that you technically work for him, he had expected more.”
Ransom continued to watch me, but I saw the understanding there.
“While he’s a man intent on getting his way, Trent understands loyalty. And I’ve informed him my priority is to keep you both safe. I have the means to do that, but it requires that no one else know the truth.”
“You said he has a solution?” Braelyn asked.
I held her gaze as I explained. “Turns out, Trent has some favors owed to him. Keep in mind, his fame garners him some very powerful friends. He’s done some digging, and he knows of someone who can deal with your parents.”
Braelyn’s eyes widened as she looked to her brother then back to me. “Deal with them? What does that mean?”
“Whatever you want it to mean,” I said simply, looking at Ransom.
“If you’re talking about taking them out, it won’t work.” He shook his head. “I know how they operate. Something happens to them, they’ve got people who won’t stop until they figure out what happened to us. They’ll start by digging into who those two people in the fire actually were.”
Which would prove that they were still alive, I knew.
I shook my head. “Won’t be necessary, from what I understand. But it will get them off your back once and for all.”
It was a rather elaborate plan, if I did say so myself. One that involved some Texas mobster who could and would put the hurt on their parents should the need arise. I wasn’t opposed to the idea, but these weren’t my parents, so ultimately, it wasn’t up to me.
“And Jimmy?” Braelyn asked, her eyes wide with fear.
“He’ll be dealt with.” Unlike their parents, that man’s demise was imminent. After what he’d done to Braelyn … he didn’t deserve to live.
Ransom sat up, planting his elbows on the table. “You’re aware of this plan?”
I nodded. “Trent’s been a pain in my ass since I brought you here. He’s determined to help you. Says he owes you.”
“Me? What the hell for? He gave me a job, not the other way around.”
“Something about you saving one of his submissives? Clarissa, I think.” I honestly didn’t know all the details other than Zeke and Ransom had played a part in taking care of things. I hadn’t bothered to ask for more information.
Ransom sighed, seeming to relax. “He owes me nothing.”
“Well, he doesn’t see it that way.”
Ransom was shaking his head. “I don’t want him involved. He does this, I’ll owe him. I owe enough people as it is.”
“You owe me,” I stated firmly.
“Trust me,” he huffed. “I’m aware of that.”
“And this is me calling in that favor.”
Ransom frowned.
“I want you to accept Trent’s offer.” I