“Look,” Scout says with an evil grin. “She has Sparrow going into alpha beast mode.”
I tighten my grip around her and shake my head in exasperation. “Shut the fuck up, man.”
“Isn’t this fun?” Scout asks, ignoring me altogether. “The three of us obsessing over the same woman like old times?”
“Landry—” Sparrow starts.
She cuts him off with a sharp wave of her hand. “Do not speak to me.”
Scout laughs, winking at me. “See? Fun.”
“My dad will come looking for me,” Landry threatens. “You don’t think he’s going to notice his daughter’s tutor is suddenly not showing up for work? He’ll trace Ford back to you three monsters and then here.”
“No,” Sparrow growls. “He won’t. At least, it won’t be easy for him. This apartment isn’t even in our name.”
She shudders in my arms.
“Your threats don’t work. We both know you don’t want Daddy to come save you, prickly princess.” Scout approaches us and sits down on her other side. “He’s the real villain here.”
She curls away from him, her fingers digging into my chest as if she can burrow herself inside me to escape my brother. He gives her thigh a squeeze that has her shuddering. Sparrow glowers at him like he’s going to do something, but everyone knows he won’t. He’s been unable to do anything thus far.
Which means she’s relying on me.
“She’s smart,” Scout says, as though he’s revealing some big secret to us. “She’s going to manipulate us and try to turn each of us against one another. But she has no idea the power of triplets, does she? We’ve been through a helluva lot and we’re still thick as thieves.”
I glower at him over her head, imploring him to move along with his little production. He basks in my annoyance for a beat longer before giving me a one-shouldered shrug.
“Her asshole father is going to be looking for her,” I remind him. “It won’t be long before he turns this entire city upside down.”
“Fuck,” Sparrow spits out. “He can’t get her back.”
“I’m not your problem,” Landry hisses. “Just a job, remember? Let us go. You won’t get into any trouble.”
Sparrow and I both flinch. Scout can’t keep his damn mouth shut.
“But I’ve already promised you a sleepover in my bed,” Scout reminds her.
“No,” Sparrow and I both bark out at once.
“I want to stay with Della,” Landry cries out. “Please.”
“No can do.” Scout shrugs. “And sorry, little bros, but you snooze, you lose. I called dibs first.”
For fuck’s sake. Why does he have to be such a tool?
“Please don’t make me go with him again,” Landry begs in a soft whisper only I can hear, burying her face against my chest. “Please, please, please.”
It makes me want to scoop her into my arms, carry her into my bedroom, and lock my brothers out forever. Which they won’t allow.
“It’ll be so entertaining,” Scout continues. “To see who snaps first. My bet is on Sparrow.”
Sparrow snaps all right. He starts for Scout, a murderous glint in his eyes, but is stopped by Landry’s voice.
“Della!”
The kid runs into the room, looks around confused, and then starts for me. She tugs on my shirt.
“So complicated,” Scout says in a deep voice as though he’s narrating. “The heroine wants to go with the princess, but the little princess wants the lion with the big heart to tuck her into bed.”
I grind my teeth together.
“You’re a dick,” Sparrow spits out.
“Sully,” Landry pleads.
“I’ll take care of Della,” I promise.
I can see it in her teary eyes. She knows being calm for Della is the best thing she can do right now.
“Is he going to hurt me?” Landry asks with a choked sob.
My chest tightens and my heart does a painful squeeze. “Honey—”
“He won’t hurt you,” Sparrow growls. “Will you?”
Scout shakes his head, an innocent smile on his face. “Never. I haven’t hurt her tonight and I had her pretty pussy naked and within reach. Didn’t I?”
“If she doesn’t want to be touched,” Sparrow hisses, “don’t touch her. Are we clear? And keep the door unlocked.”
Scout makes a motion of crossing his heart.
“You’re a psychopath,” she snaps. “I hate you.”
“Doesn’t change anything,” Scout says, rising to his feet. “Time for bed, Goldilocks.”
I run my palm over her back in what I hope is a reassuring manner. Based on her full-bodied shudder, I’d say she’s not at all reassured. It doesn’t matter. She’ll get there eventually.
We’ll make her get there. Because there’s no going back from this.
“I need to get Della to bed,” I murmur to her. “You’ve got this.”
I feel like an absolute dick, but what choice do we have right now? The last thing we need is a kid melting down on top of everything else.
Scout manhandles her until he has her locked in a bridal carry. She squirms and whimpers pitifully.
“If you force yourself on her,” Sparrow reminds him with a snarl. “It’ll be the last thing you do.”