Triple Threat (Deception Duet 1)

Mom’s not coming this time.

We wait for over two hours for this workaholic prick to emerge from his office. I don’t know what Sparrow and Sully do to pass the time, but I text back and forth with Ty because the guy just will not stop.

“Psst,” one of my brothers hisses.

I shove my phone into my pocket and ready myself, waiting for this guy to approach his vehicle. I’m about to creep from the shadows to attack him, but Sparrow bursts forward all fiery rage and a guttural roar of fury. Sully pounces too, however, with a lot less noisemaking. I prowl after them, amused by how furious my brothers are.

This is personal.

That much is evident when Sparrow puts his hands on his throat and starts squeezing.

This just got more interesting.

Alexander is choking out startled cries and what sounds like pleas for us to just take his money. He has lots of it, apparently.

Sully kicks Alexander hard on the side. The man squirms, trying to fight the both of them off, but my brothers are too strong.

I’d assumed we’d just rough the dickhead up a little, but Sparrow is seconds from crushing this dude’s windpipe. Sully must realize it at the same time I do because he shoves our brother off Alexander. Sparrow stumbles away, cursing under his breath. Sully swings his leg, nailing Alexander in the side again. If he didn’t break any ribs, I’ll be shocked. Patiently, I wait for my turn. Sparrow grunts and snarls like a goddamn bull, but lets Sully get his fill. Alexander is barely moving by the time he finishes with him.

“Let’s go,” Sully snaps, starting back toward the stairwell.

I start for Alexander, walking slowly because my knees are hurting from being crouched for so long. I shove my hand into my pocket and push my fingers through the holes of my brass knuckles. He grunts when I reach him and straddle his chest. His throat is purple and blue, but other than that, he looks fine.

I slam my fist across his cheek.

Pop!

A laugh bursts out of me when blood rushes down over his cheek. Doesn’t feel so good to get hit in the face does it, old fucker?

This time I slam my brass knuckles into his nose. The sickening crack and subsequent flood of blood is satisfying. I don’t even personally know this Landry bitch, but if she’s got my brothers all agitated enough to want to kick this guy’s ass, then I’m there for moral support.

We’re a triple threat. Always.

I go for his fucking teeth this time. Someone grabs me in a headlock, dragging me away before I can make impact. Snarling, I attempt to fight them off. I realize it’s Sparrow, so I know I won’t win. Going limp, I let him haul my ass away. Once he’s certain I won’t go finish what we started and land a death blow, he takes off toward the stairwell since we parked his car on a different level. It’s not until we’re inside the vehicle and peeling out of the parking garage do we even speak.

Naturally, it’s me to break the silence.

“That was fun.” I grin at Sparrow. “Too bad we left at the good part.”

“Jesus, Scout? You always take things too far.” Sparrow shoots me a nasty glare. “Don’t fuck everything up on Friday.”

“Friday?” Sully asks.

“Bryant needs me at some meeting or something,” Sparrow bites out. “He wants Psycho over there to fill in for me. Seriously, Scout, don’t fuck this up. She’s already suspicious. You have to play it cool.”

She? Ahhh. Her. Landry. I apparently have a date with his little girlfriend on Friday.

“I’ll behave,” I promise, my voice angelic and quite convincing, though everyone in this car knows it’s a lie. I don’t behave. Ever.

“Fuck,” Sparrow spits out. “Whatever. Just don’t turn this into another Ash situation.”

This piques my interest. This Landry must be pretty fucking intriguing if they think I’ll get my panties in wad over her like the both of them apparently have.

I can’t wait to see what the big fuss is all about.

Chapter Sixteen

Landry

Dad was jumped after work on Wednesday night. Not mugged or robbed or whatever. No, several guys came up to him and beat the crap out of him. He took a trip to the ER via an ambulance when he finally came to and called 911. I didn’t even know what happened to him until he came into my room early yesterday morning after being released from the ER looking like a train hit him.

Though I was secretly happy to see him on the receiving end of someone’s fists, I couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that it had something to do with me. The timing was too perfect.

This morning, my driver was escorted to campus by two police cars. Dad thinks he was targeted on purpose and he’s not taking any chances with my safety, so naturally he has his cop buddies to follow me.