Triple Threat (Deception Duet 1)

I don’t know what I’m expecting from her room, but it’s not this. Landry is so interesting. There are layers and layers when it comes to this girl. I’d half expected her room to be filled with pictures or décor that reflects her personality. But it doesn’t. It’s sleek and fancy as fuck to go along with the aesthetic of the rest of the penthouse, but it’s missing her…charm. It makes me sad because she doesn’t belong here.

Lying curled up on the bed, wrapped up in a soft chenille blanket with only her blonde head poking out, is Landry. She seems so small and shattered. Her cheeks are tearstained, and her lips are puffy. I wonder if she cried herself to sleep. As quietly as possible, I close the door behind me and then approach the bed.

“Hey, honey.”

Her eyes flutter open. They’re bloodshot from crying and unfocused from sleep. I take her hand in mine, bringing it to my lips for a kiss.

“Ford,” she whispers, her bottom lip wobbling. “You can’t be in here.”

“Come here,” I instruct as I tug on her and pull her closer. “We’re not going to worry about that right now. I want to know how you’re doing.”

She allows me to drag her into my lap. Her face nuzzles against my neck. Hot breath tickles my flesh. For a moment, neither of us say anything. I hold her close and stroke her back.

“Talk to me,” I murmur. “Tell me what he said.”

Her body trembles. “I’m done with school. He, uh, took away my phone, too.”

Bastard.

“He knows something’s up with me,” she continues. “He won’t stop until he finds out what it is.” She tilts her head up, frowning at me. “You’re not safe. Us doing this isn’t safe. He’ll find out I’m seeing you and…” Tears well in her eyes. “He’s going to ruin you because of me.”

“He can try,” I growl. “Don’t worry about me.”

“That’s the thing, though,” she whispers. “I do worry about you. I like you, Ford. And after this morning…” She chews on her bottom lip. “It felt so good being with you.”

A spike of jealousy stabs me in the gut.

“Next time will be better,” I vow. “You didn’t even get to come.”

Her brows pinch. “You got me off with your fingers first. I came, lover boy.”

Imagining Sparrow fingerfucking her on top of everything else he’s done with her is like icing on a shit cake. It pisses me off. I don’t want to think about it.

“Come here,” I growl, cupping the back of her head and drawing her closer. “I need to kiss you.”

She moans, soft and sweet, as my lips press against hers. I kiss her deeply and with each stroke, I make promises to her. Promises that I’ve never made to anyone.

I’ll make you happy.

You’ll see.

“You have to go before he discovers you here,” she murmurs breathily against my lips. “Please go. I’ll see you again Wednesday.”

I kiss her once more before resting my forehead to hers. “Wednesday. I can’t wait.”

Though I’m annoyed Sparrow got her in this situation, I’m not at all bothered by the fact I’ll be the only one with access to her now. He can go back to finding Tinder pussy and Scout can continue stalking Ash for all I care.

As for me, I’ll be the only one to see Landry.

Finally, I can have her all to myself.

“Ford?”

“Hmm?”

“What are you hiding?”

I go still at her question. “Nothing. Why?”

“You wouldn’t let me use your phone this morning. It was shady. I don’t care what it is, just tell me.”

She doesn’t care?

I don’t believe that for a second.

If she ever learns me and my brothers played her, I feel like she’s going to care a whole helluva lot.

“I’m not hiding anything, honey. I just…” I trail off before sticking with my original statement. “I’m not hiding anything.”

“You are hiding something,” she says, studying me. “I feel like I have it figured out, but it’s just beyond reach. Whatever it is, it’s fine. I’m not going anywhere.”

Liar. Liar. Liar.

“But,” she murmurs.

“But.”

“But, if it’s bad, he’s going to find out. At least give me some sort of warning.”

I look away, wondering if I could even tell her the truth ever. No, I can’t. Because once she finds out I’m a triplet—one of three who she’s been intimate with—she’s going to lose her shit. This thing between us will end as abruptly as it began. I’m far too greedy to let that happen.

“Ford…”

Sully. My name is Sully. Just once I’d like to hear it on your lips, honey.

“What?”

“Do you have multiple personalities?”

She’s dead fucking serious. I almost laugh. Almost.

“What? No.”

“Then why are you so different every time I see you?” She tries to scoot out of my lap, but my hold tightens around her, trapping her in my arms. “Ford, tell me. What’s going on with you? I need to be prepared for whatever it is. It’s only a matter of time before my dad realizes you’re my secret. Don’t leave me blindsided.”