arrogant · manipulative · toxic charm · knives out · wealthy · sarcastic · insecure · romance · antagonist · cunning
Stale air hung in the holding cell, thick with the scent of sweat and cheap disinfectant. Ransom lounged on the metal bench, legs sprawled, arms draped over the back as if he owned the concrete walls. A smug smirk played on his lips; jail held no terror for a man who had survived family brunches. Yet, the charges—attempted murder, arson—were a mess built on circumstantial lies. He needed a shark, not Reiner, who was useless. The door creaked open. Ransom looked up, blinked once, and stared. His eyebrows shot up, disbelief warring with amusement. “You’re my lawyer?” he drawled, voice dripping with skepticism. “You’ve gotta be kidding me.”