Tiegan smiled. “Good. The private jet will be waiting for you at four o’clock tomorrow afternoon.”
I was pretty sure my breath lodged somewhere in my sternum but I managed to squeak out, “Private jet?”
Tiegan’s smile flashed brilliantly. “Trust me, if you’re impressed by that, Miss Bishop, you’re in for a serious treat.”
FOUR
Braelyn
Evening rolled around, and while everyone was getting ready to ring in the new year with friends and family, I was at home. Alone.
Not that I minded much. Dressed in my most comfy attire—baggy sweats, an oversized, long-sleeve T-shirt, and thick wool socks—I was in the one place I felt I could relax, breathe, and not worry someone might be watching me.
I was standing in my kitchen, my laptop open on the counter, a recently made ham and cheese on rye sitting on a paper plate beside it. It was my attempt at dinner, although I wasn’t really hungry, my attention torn between my body’s need for sustenance and my overwhelming desire to find out more about Owned, Incorporated.
I had to admit, I had much better luck satisfying the former than the latter.
Just when I paused my internet search in favor of getting a Sprite from the refrigerator, my phone rang. After snagging a can from the top shelf and tapping the door shut with my foot, I grabbed my cell and hit the button to take my brother’s call, smiling as I did.
“Hey. I thought you were coming over,” I said, glancing at the clock. “Like two hours ago.”
“I’m sorry, Brae. I’ve got a couple of things to take care of.”
He sounded strange, and that was saying something, because for the past year, my brother hadn’t been himself. And his paranoia seemed to be intensifying lately. He was far too preoccupied and likely believing he was covering it well. For the record, he was not.
Pretending not to notice, I went for casual. “Should I remind you that you had things to take care of the last time you promised to stop by?”
“I know. I’m the world’s worst brother. The award’s sitting on my mantel, a glaring reminder.”
The thought made me laugh. “Careful or you’ll be getting a real one.”
“No doubt I deserve it.”
He certainly did not, but there was no telling my brother that. He was the only person in the world who had never let me down.
Although I was disappointed I wouldn’t get to spend time with Ransom that didn’t involve a tense car ride to and from or a very uncomfortable Christmas dinner—just the two of us sitting in his cold, lonely house—I was glad to hear amusement in his voice, even if it did sound a bit strained.
I popped the top on my Sprite, poured it into the glass of ice I’d prepared. “All right. So what’re your big plans for New Year’s?”
“Well, for one, I’ve got to pick up my costume for the party, then go to said party.”
“TJ’s party,” I said giddily, propping my hip on the counter in my small kitchen.
“Yep,” he said easily. “One of his many shindigs.”
My brother knew I was a huge fan of TJ Arlington. I had devoured every single one of his books and usually waited with bated breath for the next. Because my brother had an in with the famous author, I happened to have a signed copy of every single one.
“Is there a theme to this one?” I inquired.
“Black and White Ball.”
“Ooh. That sounds fun. By costume, I assume you’re referring to a tux?”
“I am.”
“What about a date?”
“Not this year.” There was some rustling on his end of the line. “You should come with me.”
With my glass halfway to my mouth, I paused, frowned. Ransom had never—not one single time—invited me to anything that would involve the people he associated with. Why would he start now?
“I’m kidding,” Ransom said quickly, chuckling.
Setting my glass down, I exhaled my relief. “Thank God. I have absolutely no desire to dress up, even if it’s glam, for some fetish party.”
“You don’t have to dress up,” he said, his tone amused. “Submissives don’t get to wear clothes.”
I nearly choked as I swallowed. “Very disturbing, Ransom. And you and I both know, a submissive I am not.”
“Considering you never gave it half a chance…” He chuckled, quickly tacking on, “Not that you’ll hear me complaining. Last thing I want’s my baby sister to be some Dominant’s play toy.”
He always said that, and while I suspected there was truth to that statement, Ransom had always encouraged me to do what made me happy. It wasn’t that we’d talked at length about Domination and submission or my curiosity regarding it; however, he had always been there to answer my questions, insisting that if I opted to pursue that sort of lifestyle, it was imperative I understood it. For Ransom, sex was a biological necessity, and he was not embarrassed discussing it the way that I was.
“Trust me. I tried and failed. I’m beginning to believe there’s not a man alive who can give me what I need, so what’s the point?”
“Well, if you change your mind…” He laughed again, but this time it was mirthless.
“I won’t,” I assured him.
“I’ll send you the address anyway. In case you get bored. Or, you know, in case you can’t reach me and need to.”
I didn’t bother reminding him I already had the address. I’d finagled it out of him as a joke, and that was how I’d wound up there two Halloweens ago when I’d had an unexpected panic attack when I hadn’t been able to locate him.
Something I’d purposely never told my brother and apparently no one else had, either.
“I’ve got plenty to keep me busy,” I told him.
Such as trying to figure out just what in the world Owned, Incorporated was. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t come up with anything about that company.
I nearly blurted out the news that I’d been canned from my job, but opted to hold off. No reason to ruin Ransom’s night. Rarely did he go out and enjoy himself, and I knew if I told him, he’d want to come over and console me. In turn, I’d have to tell him about Tiegan Shaw, which would then have him reading me the riot act for not being more careful.
Neither of us needed that right now.
“Well, I better get going,” Ransom said, his words coming faster now. “I’ve got some errands to run before I head over there.”
“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” I teased.
“Likewise,” he said, his voice softer than before. “I love you, Brae.”
A strange feeling washed over me. “I love you, too. Hey, are you—”
I didn’t get to ask if he was all right because the call disconnected. I set my phone on the counter, stared at it. A minute later, a text with TJ’s address came from Ransom, followed by: in case you need me. Another chill snaked down my spine. Something was wrong and he wasn’t telling me what, which was new. Ransom had always been open and honest with me.
Maybe he just needed a night out to indulge. He hadn’t been doing much of it lately.