Ransom

•• Chapter 31 ••

Once out of Edgar's hold, I'm able to arrive back at Symphony Tower before the Ransoms arrive. I'm honestly a little surprised Emmett and Slade haven't made it back from the underground Italian club yet, so I end up showering, getting dressed into one of Emmett's loose white shirts and then I sit below the flowing water fall off the stair case.

My hand is in the thin veil of water, and it's making a bit of a mess as it splashes onto the polished concrete but I don't care. I'm just whacking through it it anxiously as I think about what I'm going to say to Slade and Emmett when they return.

I assumed they might burst in as angry as all hell while mocking me in their attempt to find out what went down between Edgar and I. I did escape them. And I came back though, so they had to have some respect for my decision to return.

So... technically... they should leave me alone and not punish me.

...despite the fact Edgar's tongue had slid it's way through my pussy petals and made me feel all kinds of crazy... I could keep that little fact to myself...

I hear a distant grind from the lift, as it starts to move... they're coming up.

I have less than a minute to prepare my appearance.

I suddenly change tactic at the last second. I was always sulky, bratty and cheeky. Now - I needed to show them... hmm... something else.

I stand up in a rush and I face the waterfall, quickly running my fingers through my new straight black hair, then I cross my arms over my chest, straighten my back and stand with my legs firmly apart, holding up my chin.

I wait for the ding.

The lift doors audibly slide apart.

Two pairs of boots tap, once, twice, three times as they enter the lit penthouse, "I thought you would have turned the lights off," Emmett murmurs to Slade - but then there is a dramatic pause.

They've both seen me as they've rounded the kitchen bend.

Silence.

Perfect for me. I have the advantage now.

I take their shocked moment to speak and I use a firm, business like tone, "I'm going to set the rules, boys," I slowly spin around, and my eyes swing immediately to the fact Emmett has already unbuckled the metal and jerked out his leather belt from the loops already.

Ignore it, Cheryl.

Shit.

I glance at Slade and he's slowly raising a cocky brow at me.

Emmett... oh, no... his face is screwed up, the rage from losing control is simmering underneath. They didn't expect me back. With the surprise, Ransom isn't happy.

I had to keep my cool and not giggle in awkward random excitement.

Ok, so, I try to mimic him.

"Put that belt down you fool!" I hiss, gritting my teeth, "I am to be respected as a - a beloved sister in this family! Now the rules have changed since a woman is in the penthouse! Emmett, Slade and Cheryl Ransom! One! Big! Respectful! Family! 100% biologically related. HA-" I almost start to laugh for no reason but I try to play it off as a choked cough, before I continue, "Soooo, I'll be setting the guest room as my space for privacy."

"Chair... you came back here?" Slade interrupts, quietly and honestly confused.

"Edgar was lovely, he returned me to Symphony Towers," I shrug.

"So it wasn't some grand escape plan, oh really -" Emmett starts to scowl, and although it's impossibly handsome to look that good when angry, I simply smile.