Blood Moon

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ꜱɪx: ʟᴜʀᴋɪɴɢ

The only sound that can be heard in the car is the car itself. You and Ransom are quiet but it's peaceful and somewhat necessary after spending a night with so many people yelling at each other. The buzzing in your ears is gone and you can finally hear yourself think.

When Ransom had asked you to go with him, you had prepared yourself mentally for the night. At least as best as you possibly could with the little you knew about his family, but no amount of mental preparation would have been enough for tonight.

You now believe the gossip that you had tried so hard not to listen to. The ladies spreading the rumors were right: this family is a freaking nightmare.

It's a miracle that Ransom came out of it the way he did. People can call him an asshole all they want, he's nothing compared to the people who raised him. You don't blame him for pushing people away by being closed off, you would do the same thing if your family was anything like the Thrombey-Drysdale clan.

When you first met Ransom, you couldn't help but wonder what kind of life he was running away from when he decided to join the mob. It's not something that he was born into, he had to work hard to get to where he is now. You wondered how bad his home life could have been for him to prefer being in the mob instead of being associated with the Thrombeys; now you get it.

If only someone had swept in and helped him before he joined the mob. Everything would be so different for him, possibly in a positive way. It would also mean that maybe you wouldn't have even met.

A very selfish, but very small, part of you is relieved that he is where he is today because you did meet and the bond that is forming between the both of you is so special that you wouldn't change anything of how your lives are.

Ransom's voice pulls you out of your thoughts.

''Do you regret coming tonight?'' He asks, glancing at you then looking back at the road.

''Absolutely not.''

''Really?'' He's surprised by your answer, you can hear it in his voice.

''Really. You got to spend time with Harlan and you weren't alone when everyone started attacking you, I'm glad I went with you.''

Ransom can't stop the smile that tugs at his lips and threatens to take over half of his face if he doesn't fight it back.

''My angel.'' He grins, no longer able to control it. He isn't sure he wants to, anyway. ''Usually right now I'd be drunk out of my mind and picking fights with anybody that breathes close to me. I think it's the first time that I left a family dinner with a smile on my face.''

He glances down at you, looking for your hand. He looks back up and reaches over to you, taking your hand in his.

''Thank you.'' He brings your hand to his lips and kisses the back of it.

''You're welcome.'' You turn your head in his direction and watch him kiss your hand, the sweet gesture making your heart melt. ''Thank you for choosing me to go with you.''

He intertwines your fingers and rests your hands on the middle console. ''I asked a bunch of other girls before you, but they were all busy so...''

You laugh. ''Oh really? I'm back-up plan number what?''

He pretends to think. ''Like 15?''

''I'm still in the top 20. Not bad.''

''Top 15 even.'' Ransom points out.

''That's right. Even better.''

''Good news is that after tonight, you've been bumped to number one for next year's party.''