Triple Threat (Deception Duet 1)

He reacted horribly to Ty’s friendliness. I can only imagine what he’d do if he knew Della’s tutor just had his hand up my shirt.

Heat races over my skin, scorching a crimson path. Quickly, I hand Dad his glass and then try to change the subject to anything but the man in the other room.

I can’t believe I let him touch me. Kiss my neck. Play a dangerous game in my own house. So reckless and stupid. Ford Mann tears down my defenses so easily. It’s both exhilarating and terrifying all at once.

“What do you think you’ll be?” Dad asks, drawing my attention from thoughts of Ford to him. “Have you decided?”

“Della wants me to be Little Red Riding Hood and she wants to be the Big Bad Wolf.”

“You do look lovely in red, sweetheart. And Della can be quite feral.”

I laugh at his joke. Though it’s true and probably said as an insult, he says it almost lovingly. I’ll take that over his cruelty toward her any day.

“Are you inviting the entire city again?” I tease, earning a genuine smile from him. “Last time, I’m pretty sure you let anyone in.”

Dad chuckles. “I learned from that mistake. I didn’t get to enjoy myself because I had to make too many rounds. This time, I’ve asked my assistant to send invites to my birthday party to an exclusive, intimate list of names. All influential people, of course. Quite a few Constantines.”

Tension snaps each one of my muscles taut. I can’t help but think of the way he struck me. All because I was chatty with Ty. Will that happen again? I feel like he wants me to be two different people.

Two different people.

Kind of like Ford. I wonder how he turns it on and off because he was a completely different person this afternoon than at school.

Maybe his secrets are like mine. Painful. Hard to swallow. Frankly, humiliating.

It makes me want to sneak away with him, snuggle close, and beg for him to tell me all about what dark shadows are in his world. Then, I wouldn’t feel so alone.

There’s definitely more to Ford than meets the eye.

“Hey,” Dad murmurs, setting his glass down on the bar top. “Walk with me.”

His hand slides to the small of my back and he guides me through the living room to the sliding glass door that leads to the balcony. We step outside and the oppressive air that always suffocating me dissipates, momentarily getting carried away by the breeze. It’s fairly windy today, but at least it’s warm. I bask in the sunlight for a moment, closing my eyes and letting it wash over me to chase away the chill.

“I’m a terrible father.” His voice cracks, showing rare vulnerability. “Last night…I was drunk.”

Drunk.

I grab onto the railing to steady myself. My eyes snap open and I grit my teeth. The things he does when he’s drunk are unforgiveable.

“Landry, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hit you.” He lets out a pained sound that cuts through me like a knife. “If your mother knew what a bastard I can be when I drink too much, she’d haunt me and push me off this balcony.”

“It’s fine,” I lie.

“No. It’s not fine.” He grips my shoulders and turns me to face him. “You’re my daughter. My beautiful, brilliant, perfect daughter. It was wrong. I hurt you and I’m sick about it.”

“I didn’t mean to make you mad.”

Guilt shines in his eyes but he doesn’t look away. I’m glad he’s facing what he’s done. He inspects my cheek, the bruising covered well under layers of makeup.

“You didn’t make me mad,” he murmurs, brows furling. “It’s just…It’s hard watching my little girl grow up into a woman. Seeing you with Ty Constantine—so happy and carefree—felt like you were being taken from me. You’ve always been mine. And now…”

“I’m not going anywhere,” I tell him vehemently. I’ll never leave Della alone.

His expression softens. He kisses me on the forehead. “You will one day. Ty isn’t a bad guy. I actually like him. With his family name, bright future ahead of him, and the way he was so enamored with you, I think he’d be worthy of dating you.”

“But, Dad—”

“He’s a good man, sweetheart. You deserve someone good.”

I nod and smile at him.

“Am I forgiven?”

“Of course.” I drop my stare to the tight knot of his tie. “I was upset, but I’ll be all right.”

“That’s my good girl.”

His phone rings, thankfully saving me from anymore of this conversation. He shoots me an apologetic smile before taking the call, leaving me on the balcony alone. My thoughts quickly escape those of my father and sneak back to the man teaching my sister.

Ford.

His lips were so hot on my neck. I’d nearly melted into him when he sucked on my skin. A thrill shoots through me wondering if there will be a hickey left on my neck. Just one more bruise to hide with makeup. But this one, at least, is one I enjoyed receiving.