Declan nods and sits up straighter. “So listen, I got some info on that scammer chick you asked me to run.”
I lean forward, eager to know more. “Tell me.” I’m aware of Ransom dropping into the chair across from the desk, but my attention stays on Declan.
“So the woman is a serial con artist. Your girl is not the first person she’s pulled this roommate scam on.”
I tense at ‘your girl,’ and I see Ransom straighten in his chair. Fuck, now I feel like I’m in trouble.
“Anyway. I managed to track her down. She runs scams with a loser guy. I think he’s her boyfriend.”
My hands clench at the news. Finally. He found her. Becca deserves to get her money back. I hate that this bitch took advantage of her, and I want payback.
“Give me her info. I’ll run her down.” With pleasure.
“No can do, man. Colt was with me when I was running it. He’s dealing with it.” I want to argue, but I know Colt is more than capable of getting the fucking money back. I just don’t want him to be the one fixing this for Becca. That’s supposed to be my job.
“Kade,” Ransom’s deep voice interrupts. I reluctantly shift my eyes to his. “Your girl?”
I clench my fists before slowly loosening them. “Yeah. My girl.”
Ransom hums. “First I’m hearing of it.” He says evenly, but I hear the question in his voice.
I exhale and rub the back of my neck. “Becca is the woman who took over the office at Knight Street.”
Ransom’s eyebrows raise. “And you’re what…dating?”
“Yeah, man, we’re dating.” I can feel explanations bubbling up, but I remind myself I’m a grown fucking man and don’t owe him anything. It doesn’t help.
“And you left her in charge of the office?” I nod. Ransom hums again. “And how did you meet her?” I twist my head, cracking my neck. I respect him too much to lie, but fuck, I want to.
“Her car broke down. She was sleeping in it in front of the garage.”
“I see.” Ransom's voice is deeper, quieter. “And did the car get fixed?”
I sigh. “Yeah, Ran, I fixed it,” I admit. I’d had it done by the weekend. Working on it after hours. I still haven’t told Becca.
“How much in parts?” he asks carefully.
“Three grand.”
Another nod.
Another hum.
I know exactly what he’s thinking, and it’s pissing me the fuck off.
“And did she pay you for it?”
Some of my anger seeps into my voice. “No, man. She doesn’t know it’s fixed.”
“I see. So she has no car. Declan mentioned the roommate scam. So I’m guessing she had nowhere to live?”
I nod, body tense.
“So she’s staying in the apartment, right?” I nod again. Declan slides his chair back, leaving a clear line of sight between Ransom and me. Ransom’s sigh peels a layer off my skin.
“It’s not like that, Ran,” I defend, unable to help myself. “She’s paying rent.”
Ransom rubs his face with his hand. His eyes look tired. “Kade, your heart is too good, man. You can’t keep letting these women take advantage of you. You gave her access to the shop? To the money? For fuck’s sake, man. Get your head out of your ass.”