One Big Mistake - Jennifer Youngblood Page 0,2

said no police!” She leaned over to the table and extinguished her cigarette in the ashtray. Ramsey’s attention was briefly drawn to the bright pink polish on Bitsie’s long fingernails. Now that she’d had a smoke, she seemed slightly more in control and less jumpy. Still, the poor woman was a wreck.

“It can’t hurt to have investigators working on this,” Ramsey continued. “With any luck, they may be able to figure out who the kidnappers are before you even have to turn over the money. I’m sure I don’t have to tell any of you that the first few hours of a kidnapping are critical.”

“Good point.” Jefferson paused. “Why couldn’t Allison have fallen for someone sensible like you, instead of a measly gold digger?” He shot Edison a look of open disgust.

Ramsey bristled, feeling protective of his best friend and roommate. Sure, Edison had been a bit of a player before meeting Allie. In many ways, Edison, with his smooth-talking charm, reminded Ramsey of his older brother Jaxson. However, unlike Jaxson, who was in no way ready to settle down, Edison had fallen hard for Allie. He was totally and completely in love with her.

“That’s enough, Jeff,” Bitsie said, an unmistakable warning in her voice. She gave Edison an apologetic look. “We’re all just tense right now.”

Edison acknowledged her apology with a thin smile. “What can I do to help?”

Jefferson raised an eyebrow. “You can get out of my house,” he said bluntly. “And take your friend with you. I need to call the police and then try and round up the ransom money,” he said, mostly to himself.

Good gravy, Jefferson was tough—a blunt instrument. He would definitely need an image consultant if he had a prayer of ever becoming a senator.

“We’ll keep you updated,” Bitsie said to Edison with a brief smile.

Edison rose to his feet. To his credit, he straightened his shoulders, his jaw granite hard. With his blond hair, fierce demeanor, and ice blue eyes, he reminded Ramsey of a lone Scandinavian Warrior, facing down a legion of bloodthirsty adversaries. “I know you don’t like me, Mr. Post. I’m okay with that.” His voice rang with conviction as a single tear slipped from the corner of his eye. “Just please do everything in your power to bring Allie home.”

When they got out of the house, Edison spun around, eyes blazing. “Why did you tell that moron to call the police?”

Edison’s anger took Ramsey off guard. “I was only trying to help.” He met Edison’s glare full on. “You did ask me to come with you.”

They stared one another down. “I know,” Edison finally sighed. He rubbed a hand over his forehead. “I’m sorry,” he said contritely. He swore under his breath. “If anything happens to Allie …” His words hung like a dense murky fog in the air.

The distress in Edison’s eyes cut Ramsey to the quick. “It’s alright, man. For what it’s worth, I think calling the police is the right move. That way, all the bases will be covered.”

“I suppose you’re right.” Edison gritted his teeth. “I despise that man,” he seethed.

“Jefferson?” Ramsey asked automatically, even though he knew that’s who Edison was talking about.

Edison responded with a curt nod.

“I can see why. Has he always been so hostile towards you?”

Edison barked out a laugh. “Yeah, he’s had it in for me since day one.”

They got into the car as Edison started the engine and pulled away from the mansion.

“I didn’t realize that Allie’s dad disowned her,” Ramsey began. “You and Allie never mentioned anything about it.”

Edison dipped his head in surprise. “We didn’t?”

“No.”

“Sorry, I guess it slipped my mind.”

“Was Allie disowned because of you?”

He tightened his hold on the steering wheel. “Yeah. Allie’s old man gave her an ultimatum. Break up with me or he’d cut her off.”

Ramsey rubbed a hand over his jaw. “Man, that’s rough. I’m sorry. Why does Jefferson hate you so much?”

Edison scoffed. “The jerk wants to keep his thumb on Allie … control her every move. Loving me was the first and only time Allie has dared to defy him,” he said bitterly.

A glum silence settled between them. Ramsey wished he could tell Edison that everything would work out, but the knot in his gut said otherwise.

The day passed painfully slow, with Edison pacing the floor of the dorm room and calling Bitsie every couple of hours to get updates. So far, the police hadn’t come up with any leads. The only thing they knew thus far was that