Page 140 of Ransom

"I can't afford?—"

"Stop being an ass." Ransom cuts her off. "Money isn't an issue."

"But—"

"No buts." He perches on the edge of her bed. "Focus on getting better. Everything else is handled."

"How's Max doing?" Maggie's voice softens, changing the subject.

"He's okay." I find my voice again. "Scared, but okay. Evie's great with him."

"Where did you stay last night?"

Heat creeps up my neck. "At Ransom's place. The penthouse."

"Of course you did." Maggie's lips twitch. "Did Max like it?"

"He and Mia—that's Colton and Evie's daughter—they hit it off right away." I smile, remembering their instant connection. "They built a blanket fort in the living room and we watched a movie."

"Good." Maggie's eyes drift closed. "That's good."

"Get some rest," Ransom says quietly. "I'll take Max and we'll go do something fun for a few hours and come back later."

"Promise you won't let them do anything crazy?" Her words slur slightly. "No expensive treatments..."

"I promise we won't do anything without talking to you first." Ransom squeezes her hand. "Sleep now."

I watch her breathing even out, tears pricking my eyes again. It's mostly anger. I am not okay with her fucking plan. I am not okay with her quitting. Ransom's arm slides around my waist, pulling me against his side and guiding me out of the room.

In the hallway, I pace back and forth, my boots squeaking on the polished floor. "I can't believe she was just going to..." My hands clench into fists.

"I get it." Ransom's voice is low, gentle. "But we caught it in time."

"She was going to just give up. Let herself die on that floor." My voice cracks. "Who does that?"

"Someone who's tired of fighting."

"Well, I'm tired of watching people I love die." The words burst out before I can stop them.

Colton and Evie round the corner, Max between them. Evie's eyes narrow at my expression.

"We need to get out of here for a while," Ransom says. "Do something fun."

"The science center's great," Evie suggests. "They have this new exhibit about space that Max might like."

"Oh man, can we go?" Colton bounces on his toes. "They've got that cool thing where you can make your own tornado."

"You want to go to the science center?" Evie raises an eyebrow at her husband.

"Hell yeah. And Mia loves that place." Colton's already pulling out his phone. "Let me text the others."

"Others?" I glance at Ransom who winces and turns to Colton.

"Don't." Colton holds up a hand. "Jonas will kill me if we don't invite him. And if Jonas comes, Janey has to come. And if Janey comes?—"

"The whole family will show up," Ransom finishes, running a hand through his hair, giving me an apologetic look.

Colton's phone buzzes repeatedly. "Yeah, they're all in. Meeting us there in an hour."