Triple Threat (Deception Duet 1)

He’ll be here soon.

I can’t face him. Not now. Not ever.

Glancing over at my father, I make sure he’s still sleeping before picking up my phone and texting Ford.

Me: I would appreciate it if you don’t speak to me ever again.

His response is immediate.

Ford: What??? Why?

Is he even for real?

He’s sick. Suffering from a mental illness. And my idiotic self got swept up in the darkness that is Ford Mann. Because I’m apparently a magnet for monsters.

Ford: Laundry, what happened?

Me: YOU. You happened, Ford. I was an idiot for trusting you.

He starts ringing my phone. Thankfully, it’s on silent. It buzzes and buzzes and buzzes. Psycho. He’s a stalker. Without a moment’s hesitation, I block his number. That will buy me some time. At least until he shows up to tutor my freaking sister.

I can’t escape him.

Not him or my father.

This life is a prison. I’m going to have to grab Della and disappear. Even if that means living a life on the run, always trying to outrun my father’s limitless resources. It’s better than waiting around for a plan. My plans keep getting derailed.

My phone buzzes again and a burst of anger flashes through me. He won’t leave me alone. I’m ready to call him every name in the book, but it’s not him.

Unknown Number: Hey, you. It’s me. Ty.

I blink at the phone, unable to form thoughts. Ty Constantine is texting me. How? Why? What the hell is going on right now?

Unknown Number: Okay, so this is probably creepy. I’m sorry. It’s just I had to leave in such a rush the other day when your dad got mad. And then I heard he got attacked. Just worried is all. Are you okay?

I change the contact to Ty Constantine before replying back.

Me: I’m fine. How did you get my number?

Ty: Let’s just say it was work to get it. How’s Alexander?

Me: Asleep. Lots of pain meds. Broken nose and cracked rib. Cheek is stitched up. Looks like he’s been in a car accident. But, he’ll be okay.

Unfortunately.

I know my father. He’ll come out of this, hunt down the man who did this to him, and ruin his life. He will ruin Ford’s life.

Ty: Ouch. Tell him I’ll hold down the fort while he’s gone. ;)

A smile tugs at my lips. I can almost imagine his handsome face in front of me, winking in a teasing manner. Ty trying to fill Dad’s shoes at his company is laughable.

“Who’s making you smile like that?” a voice rasps out.

Jerking my stare from my phone to my father, I attempt to quell the rising surge of panic. Even in his battered, sleepy state, he’s powerful and very much still the person who has his thumb on me.

“Uh…” I chew on my lip and then shrug. “Ty. I don’t know how he got my number.”

Dad blinks at me slowly, his lids heavy thanks to the drugs. “Hmm. Interesting.”

“He wants to know how you’re doing. How are you doing?”

“Been better.”

My phone buzzes again, but I don’t look down at it. I’m trapped in my dad’s penetrating stare. I squeeze my phone so hard I wonder if it’ll crack. Swallowing hard, I motion toward the end table.

“Want some water?”

“I’m fine. Aren’t you going to answer that?”

I nod and look down at my phone. It’s a picture of Ty dressed in a suit. He’s in a limo, looking quite relaxed and happy. Must be nice not to be wound up so tight all the time.

Me: What do you want?

Ty: Thanks. You look nice too.

Me: Sorry. I’m stressed. You look nice. And you have no idea what I look like right now.

I look like I was fingerfucked by a monster at school and being stared down by one as we speak. Not sexy at all.

Ty: I can’t imagine a scenario where you’d ever look less than beautiful.

Me: Thanks. Is that all? I need to go.

Ty: No. I wanted to see if I could take you out on a real date. Just the two of us.

My heart stutters in my chest. Is that why he’s dressed so nice? Is he coming here? That can’t happen. Dad won’t let me go anywhere alone with him. Hell no. And if he shows up while Ford is here… I can’t even visualize what kind of situation that would turn into.

“Well,” Dad grunts. “What does the kid want?”

Peeling my stare from my phone, I meet my dad’s hard glare. “He, uh, wants to go on a date. Just the two of us.”

Dad studies me for a long beat. Sweat dampens the back of my neck. I try to remain calm and steady. Then, he nods. Barely perceptible.

“What?” I whisper, frowning at him.

“It’s fine. You can go out on a date with Mr. Constantine.”

“Dad, I don’t understand.”

“What’s there to understand? The answer is yes.” He groans in pain when he tries to sit up. “Of course, I’ll send a security detail because I can’t rule out that what happened wasn’t a calculated attack by people who wanted to hurt me personally.”