Death Wish (Deception Duet 2)

“Ty, Ty, Ty,” I chide. “I really wish you wouldn’t have followed me.”

“Stop being so flippant,” Ty growls. “You act like you don’t care. Like you’re untouchable. What’s your real name, man?”

“Come inside,” I instruct. “I’ll tell you everything.”

He narrows his eyes, studying me warily. “Why? So you can kidnap me too?”

“I can assure you, man, I would not kidnap you.” I smile at him. “Probably just kill you.”

His flinch is slight, but I see it. He’s still in hero mode, though, because he nods. “Take me to Landry. I need to see with my own two eyes she’s okay.”

“Are you sure you want to see her?” I ask. “She’s a little busy at the moment.”

“Take. Me. To. Her.”

I’ll give him an A for being ballsy. I’d pegged him for a bit of a pussy, but he’s showing a spine.

“Your funeral,” I tease with a taunting grin, ushering him inside.

He swallows hard before walking into the apartment. I close the door behind him and follow him into the living room. Della is still asleep, curled around Heathen who is tolerating her only because she’s not awake. The cat whips her tail back and forth, eyeing the newcomer with suspicion.

“You’re so fucked,” Ty mutters. “That’s Croft’s kid. When he finds out she’s here, he will destroy you.”

When he finds out.

Which means he hasn’t yet.

Ty’s at least a little loyal to our “friendship” that he’d confront me first before tattling on me. I can work with that.

“He won’t as long as you didn’t lead him right to us on your half-assed rescue mission. Come on.” I motion for him to follow me down the hallway. At Sparrow’s door, I don’t bother knocking. I twist the knob and push it open. “She’s here.”

Sparrow is spooning Landry from behind, both of them still asleep. She has a dark hickey on her neck. The sheet isn’t covering them, exposing all of their nakedness. Sparrow’s massive hand cups one of her breasts possessively, even in his sleep. Her face is serene, completely at peace with her bedmate.

“What the fuck?” he chokes out. “You have a twin brother? Landry is dating him?”

Dating.

Such a prissy little word.

What we’re doing is far beyond dating. We’re consuming her, owning her, making her ours. We’re a drug that’s entered her bloodstream and she’s too high from the way we feel to ever want to willingly withdraw from us.

Landry isn’t going anywhere.

Not now.

Not ever.

“If you must know the personal details, friend, we share her. Split her three ways.” I flash him a wicked grin. “She really likes getting fucked while my brother watches.”

“Who the fuck are you people?”

I shove at his chest, sending him stumbling back into the hallway. Closing the door behind me, I lead him to Sully’s room. Sully is sprawled out on his bed, tangled in his blanket.

“Triplets?”

“Mannford triplets. Look us up. We’re quite popular with the Constantines.”

His face pales. “What are you talking about?”

“Ask your cousin, Winston.” I smirk at him and then hobble my way into the kitchen to make coffee.

Ty is on my heels, hissing out a string of curse words under his breath. “I’m not asking Winston. Tell me what the hell is going on.”

After getting a pot started, I pull out a mug for myself and then hold one up for him. “Coffee?”

“Dude,” he snaps. “You’re insane. Focus for three seconds and tell me what’s going on.”

Ignoring his tantrum, I make us both a coffee. He glowers at me but accepts the coffee without argument. I lean my ass against the counter, inhaling the delicious aroma, take a scalding sip, and then sigh.

“The married woman I was after was Winston’s wife.”

“Ash?” He gapes at me. “Are you fucking serious?”

“Deadly.”

He bristles at that word choice. “Were you using me to get to Ash?”

“Oh, poor boy. I wasn’t using you for anything other than information. Which, by the way, you delivered.” I flash him a wolfish grin. “I’m sure my brother’s dick thanks you right now.”

Ty tenses, and for a second, I wonder if he’ll throw his coffee in my face. He doesn’t. Self-preservation on his part, that’s for sure.

“We were hired by our uncle to watch over your beloved Landry,” I explain. “And since we have history with your cousin, we were all happy to meddle.”

“Your uncle?”

“Bryant Morelli.”

His face blanches. “Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck.”

“Scout Mannford. Pleased to meet you.” I offer my hand but he doesn’t take it. “Your cousin took Ash away from us. And this limp? He gave it to me. Ruined our lives.”

“I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation—”

“How can you be so sure? You aren’t exactly close to your cousin, are you?”

His lips press into a firm line. “No. I don’t know what happened. I mean, I attended their wedding and have seen Ash a few times, but we don’t talk about anything except her bird.”