Landry Croft is sneaky.
Sneaky in the sense that I wasn’t prepared for her.
I was fixated on Ash Constantine—a fading ghost from my past. So distracted by the stale memories of what I thought I wanted that when something fresh tickled my nose, I wasn’t ready for my every sense to be invaded.
That’s what Landry did.
She chased away those old desires, replacing them with something heart-pumping and addictive. Too easily she lured me away from what I thought I wanted.
Now, she’s all I see.
And we have her.
I didn’t just do this for me. I did it for my brothers, too. I could see how they wanted her. How they cared. Either we each tug at a piece of Landry, none of us giving an inch, or we play nice and share.
Mom would have forced us to share when we were kids.
Since Mom’s not here, I’m stepping in.
We have Landry in our home and no one knows where she is. At the end of the day, she’s ours.
Not Ty’s. Not her father’s. Ours.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, distracting me from my thoughts. I pull it out and read the text.
Ty: Dude. Shit has gone down. Can you meet up? I’m so fucked.
Me: Yeah. At your office?
Ty: God no. I need to get out of here. There’s a coffee shop on the corner.
Me: I know the one. See ya in twenty.
I tuck my phone back in my pocket, my eyes darting back to Landry. She’s sitting next to Della at the table, signing something to her. They’re carrying on an entire conversation with their hands. It’s fascinating to watch. Where Sparrow and I watch in rapt interest, Sully intently stares at them, understanding on his face. Since he doesn’t appear to be alarmed, I assume it must be benign whatever they’re discussing.
“Looks like Sparrow is on dishes,” I say, pushing back my chair. “I’m meeting a friend and I’m going to find out how much Alexander knows.”
Landry abandons her conversation with her sister to glower at me. “Ty?”
“You think he’s my only friend?”
“Your brothers don’t count,” she drawls out, face flickering in a bitchy way that gets my dick really hard. “Me and Della are your captives.”
“Spoiled captives,” I say with a grin as I stand. “I made the kid extra bacon. No one’s tied up here or gagged, though it can be arranged.” I motion at the kinky fuck in the room. “Right, Sparrow?”
Landry shoots me the bird and Sparrow huffs in exasperation. I wink at Della who’s watching me with interest.
“Don’t have too much fun while I’m gone,” I instruct. “If the captives escape, I won’t be happy if I have to hunt them back down.”
Landry’s glare is sharp enough to cut glass. If she knew how much that look turned me on, I doubt she’d use it on me so frequently.
* * *
The coffee shop is bustling with people. While I wait for Ty to arrive, I sip my mocha latte and people-watch. I’m quite relaxed. Having Landry in my possession feels like a win—a win I’ve been chasing after for five long years. Victory is as sweet as the chocolate syrup drizzled over the top of my latte.
A bell chimes, barely audible over the hum of businesspeople buzzing around, aching for their next caffeine fix, and my gaze darts to the door.
Ty fucking Constantine.
His features are twisted into an expression of pure panic. He even looks a little green, like he might puke his guts up at any second. I take another sip of my latte before waving to garner his attention. Relief causes his shoulders to bleed away some of their tension and he forces a grim smile for me.
I’m his…friend.
Friends talk to each other through problems and offer advice when they can.
“What’s up, man?” I say, grinning at him as he takes a seat.
I push the coffee I ordered him closer to him. Cream, two sugars. I’m his bestie, so naturally, I know how he takes his coffee. He flashes me a grateful smile and then sips the hot liquid before relaxing further.
I like to think I have a calming effect on people.
Though, I’m sure few people would argue that idea.
“So?” I ask, leaning toward him. “Did you do it?”
He scrubs his palm over his face. “I didn’t get the chance. We had a plan, but she must have just left, Ford.”
Ford.
Ah, yes. My name.
“Left?” I furl my eyebrows together. “Where did she go?”
“Hell if I know.” He sips his coffee again, face going stormy. “He must have done something to upset her last night. She didn’t wait for my message, which I was going to deliver today, and just left. Took Della with her.”
“How do you know all this?”
His face pales. “Alexander. I got into the office this morning and I overheard him on speakerphone with his assistant.”