Death Wish (Deception Duet 2)

Sparrow crosses his arms over his chest and glares at our brother like he’s seconds away from pulling Landry from his arms. I’d like to see him try. Scout won’t take lightly to that shit.

“Did you fuck her?” Sparrow demands, voice sharp like a blade.

“It sure looks that way,” Scout taunts. “Doesn’t it?”

Landry stirs at the sound of our voices. When she realizes we’re staring at them, she grabs the sheet, drawing it over the two of them.

“I told you—” Sparrow bellows.

Scout cuts him off. “No, I didn’t fuck her, little brother. Not that it’s any of your business.”

Landry bristles.

“You called us in here for a reason,” I blurt out, steering my brothers back on track. “What’s up?”

Scout reaches over to grab his phone and then tosses it to the end of the bed. Sparrow eyes it like it’s a bomb about to explode. With a huff, I pick it up to read whatever it is he’s showing us.

Holy shit.

It’s all over the news.

“Tech mogul Alexander Croft’s two daughters, Landry and Della Croft, were kidnapped,” I read aloud. “Though the suspect or suspects haven’t been apprehended at this time, police say they’re following up on several leads and assure Mr. Croft they’ll locate and safely bring home his daughters.”

I skim through the rest of the news article and find several more on other sites. It’s all over the news. There aren’t any details about the suspects, but it doesn’t comfort me any.

“Turn on the TV,” Landry says, her palm skimming over Scout’s pectoral muscle. “I need to see what’s happening.”

Sparrow remains frozen, watching the two of them lying in bed together. I can’t help the twinge of disgust I feel at seeing her touch him so…fondly. Like they’re lovers, or hell, even friends.

If she can trust Scout of all people, though, then surely she can get there with me and Sparrow. This is progress and I’m pretty fucking elated to think about having her in my bed soon. Bared to me in all the ways, safe and cared for in my protective embrace.

Scout obeys her and turns on the television. Soon, he locates a new station where Alexander is speaking. He pleads to the audience to please help him bring his daughters back home. A policeman takes over speaking when Alexander breaks down in tears. The officer takes some questions from reporters.

“How are you certain it was a kidnapping? Was there a ransom note?”

The officer’s expression gives nothing away. “There are many layers of this case, all of which we are using every resource possible to look into. I can assure you as soon as we have more to go on, we’ll let the public know.”

Many more questions get thrown at him, but he evades most of them, stating they’re unable to disclose certain facts since it’s an ongoing investigation. Finally, just when I think the press conference might be ending, another man steps up to the podium.

I’d recognize those sharp, calculating blue eyes anywhere.

Winston Constantine.

He emanates power, practically pulsating through the television screen, reminding everyone in this city of who is at its helm.

Him.

His family.

I fucking hate that guy.

“If Winston is getting involved,” I grind out, “we’re fucked. We’re so fucked.”

“What? Why?” Landry demands.

Glancing over at her, I note that she’s pressed herself closer to Scout. The man who started this shit storm OR SOMETHING A LITTLE SOFTER…

“He has contacts and connections. It’s only a matter of time before he’s back in our lives fucking it all up again,” Sparrow barks. “You did this, Scout. When he comes to take out more than a few kneecaps, remember that.”

“That’s the guy who hurt you?” Landry asks. “But he’s…he’s just a Wall Street guy. And you guys are so…”

All three of us turn to look at her, waiting on that answer.

“You could handle yourselves in a brawl,” she says finally. “That guy doesn’t look like he could take one of you, much less three.”

“He has more money than God,” I explain with a frustrated huff, “which means he pays people to do his dirty work.”

We all return our attention to the screen, catching the tail end of Winston’s statement.

“…but don’t worry. We’ll drown out the rats who did this and they’ll float to the surface. The girls will be reunited with their father soon.” Winston bores his knowing stare into the camera and it feels like he’s looking right at us. “I’m absolutely certain of it.”

Scout snaps off the television.

“How can he be so certain?” Landry asks, her voice cracking. “Does Dad know I’m here? What happens when he finds me?”

Her questions go unanswered because Scout’s phone I’m still holding in my hand buzzes with a text.

Bryant: Tell me you and your brothers didn’t have anything to do with this…

He sends a link to one of the news articles about the missing Croft girls.