Deception, p.11
Deception, page 11
Because it’s Ivy Anderson all over again. In the ninth grade, we thought it’d be great for one of us to go out with Ivy and then see if she could tell us apart. We’d take turns pretending to be Sully. It wasn’t until we all had our turn with her in bed—and a pregnancy scare—that we didn’t want to pretend anymore. I didn’t want to be Sully. I wanted to be Sparrow and I wanted to take her out on real dates—dates where she’d say my name, not his.
But Ivy didn’t take too well to being duped.
Not only did she break up with Sully, but she also told her lawyer dad that we tricked her. Our teenage prank turned into restraining orders and police involvement. It took a lot of Mom’s money and a free tummy tuck for Ivy’s mom for it to finally go away. They dropped the charges after making us sweat it out for a few months and then Ivy went to live with her aunt in California.
I still think about that girl to this day.
She was one of the few people who actually had the ability to come between me and my brothers. There were a lot of fights between us once we all started sleeping with her. We’re territorial and possessive. Ivy was mine, but she was also Sully’s and Scout’s. She was our toy and not one of us likes to share.
Now, we have Landry.
A job. A fucking job.
Except, I actually like her. She’s sexy in a bitchy kind of way and a lot more interesting than the vapid chicks I hop into bed with on the regular. I didn’t realize how monotonous my life had gotten until we started injecting ourselves into Landry’s life.
“Sparrow,” Sully barks. “Did you hear me?”
I cut my eyes to him, grinding my teeth together in an attempt to hold in the anger simmering beneath my surface. “I heard you.”
Scout sits up and eases his bad leg off the couch. He stretches it out in front of him as he repositions Heathen into his lap. The cat’s purring is practically vibrating the entire damn condo. I lift my stare to Scout’s dark eyes to find him watching me.
“This is going to be easier than I thought,” Sully continues. “We just have to work on getting her alone more.”
“You guys remember Ivy Anderson?” Scout asks.
Me and Sully both flip him off.
“What?” Scout demands, grinning. “You two were obsessed. Got us into all kinds of trouble because of it too.”
“Rich coming from you,” Sully spits back. “Your obsession with our stepsister nearly got us killed.”
Scout’s playful nature bleeds away and his expression goes blank. “Careful, little brother. You’re poking a wound that’s not quite healed yet.”
“Maybe you deserve to bleed a bit for that bullshit you put us through.” Sully jerks to his feet and storms toward his room. “I’ve got shit to do.”
His bedroom door slams behind him hard enough to make the windows in the condo rattle. Heathen hisses toward the sound. Scout scratches under her chin until she snuggles against him, calming back down.
“You’re going to fuck her now, aren’t you?” Scout asks, a brow lifted in question. “Because it drives you crazy he’s kissed her. So competitive.”
“Screw off.” I flip him off again. “I’m not going to fuck her. She’s a job.”
Scout laughs and shrugs, seeing right through my words. I’m absolutely going to fuck her. Hopefully soon, too, so I can get this burning need out of my system.
I will get her out of my system.
I fucking better.
* * *
After pounding out my stress at the gym in our building, I make my way back into the condo. Scout is cooking something in the kitchen and Sully is frowning hard at his laptop at the dining room table. ASL books are spread around him like he’s the damn college student.
At first, I thought he wasn’t, but he’s really taking this shit seriously.
All the irritation I managed to beat into the punching bag swells up inside me once more. It’s so annoying how Sully always gets the girl. They always want to date him because he’s “boyfriend material.” Little do they know, he’s every bit the asshole Scout and I are. He just hides it better behind his broody persona that chicks seem to drool over.
Does Landry think he’s “boyfriend material”?
It makes me want to out his ass right now. To tell her we’re all just fucking playing her because we were told to. Because it’s our position in this new “family” we found ourselves in when Winston Constantine broke ours apart.
But, if I tattle on our whole charade, not only will Landry refuse to speak to me or see me, Bryant will lose his mind. The guy is a weasel, but he’s got fangs too. You don’t do someone like him dirty unless you want to get shredded in return. Hard pass. I’m not about to lose everything just because I’m pissed at my brother.
I need to get laid.
There are several past hookups that would jump at the possibility to blow me.
Ignoring both my brothers, I stalk into my bedroom and close the door. I take a quick shower and then wrap a towel around my waist, not bothering to get dressed. I sprawl out on my bed and pick up my phone, ready to hunt for a piece of ass to take the edge off. What’s waiting for me is a text from Bryant.
Bryant: I need a guy who can wear a suit and command a room this weekend. And that’s you. Your brother will fill in for you.
Fill in for me?
It takes two seconds for me to realize he means at school.
Me: Sully can be your suit guy.
Bryant: It has to be you. Head out Friday morning. Pack a bag and a couple of your nicest suits. I already texted Scout. He’ll take your place.
Fuck.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
Me: Scout? Seriously?
The dots move and stop a couple of times. I know I’ve pissed him off. It’s time to back off even though my mind is screaming at me to argue until I get my way.
Me: I’ll be ready.
Bryant: That’s what I thought. You’ll be rewarded for your compliance.
Prick.
I consider throwing my phone across the room but opt for swiping the lamp off my nightstand instead. It crashes to the hardwood floor, making a loud clatter. Taking a deep breath, I exhale and then reply back to him.
Me: I need Landry Croft’s number.
He immediately responds back with it. It bothers the fuck out of me that he has it and so ready to use it. Almost like he knew one of us would end up asking for it.
Once I’ve cooled off, I dial the number, not bothering to thank Bryant for the number. A sweet, feminine voice answers on the second ring.
“Dirty Laundry.”
A beat of silence. “Chevy?”
My chest tightens and for a second, I’m no longer agitated. Her familiar voice is breathier over the phone and speaks straight to my cock.
“’Sup?”
“You seriously have the audacity to ask what’s up right now? How did you get my number?”
“Not hard to find when you’re looking.”
“Did you snoop while you were here?”
“Kind of difficult to snoop when you decided to put your tongue down my throat. I was a little distracted.”
She goes silent again. “We can’t do this, Ford.”
“So it’s a this now?”
“I can’t…” She trails off and then huffs. “I have to stay focused, especially at home.”
“Because of him?”
More silence.
“Laundry. Because of your dad?”
“You don’t understand.”
“No, I don’t. Did he hit you?”
“I’m not answering that question.”
“Answer it and I’ll hang up.”
“I guess we’ll be on the phone all night then.”
A smile tugs at my lips. I can almost imagine her sitting on top of a princess bed in silk pajamas and pouting. Fucking cute.
“What are you wearing?” I ask, chuckling when she scoffs at the question.
“We’re not doing that.”
“What?”
“Phone sex! Your hand up my shirt was enough for one day.”
The humor fades and a growl rumbles from me. “I touched your tits?”
“What’s wrong with you, Ford? Why do you act like two different people? I don’t understand you.”
Fuck.
“I’m sorry. Okay? I’m just…shit is fucked up lately and you’re the only part of my day that’s not.”
“See, when you’re not being a total dick, I actually like you.” She sighs as though this frustrates her, but I can sense her walls lowering a bit. “You’re lucky my dad got called back to the office tonight. Otherwise there’d be no way I’d tell you anything. But since he’s not here, I guess you can know that I’m wearing a nightgown.”
“A nightgown? What are you? Eighty?”
“Oh my God. Dick!”
I untie the knot of my towel and stroke my cock. “You called for my dick and now he’s wide awake. Does that mean you’re going to play with him?”
“Your cock isn’t a him. Is this really what people do when they have phone sex? It’s corny.”
A laugh barks out of me. “Corny? Babe, I have never once been told I’m corny when it comes to sex.”
“Now you have. And don’t call me babe.”
“Fine, Laundry. Take your panties off and play with me.”
Her breathing picks up and I lazily rub at my cock in tandem.
“Wanna FaceTime?”
“Are you insane?” she hisses.
Maybe I’m more like my brother than I’d like to admit.
“Just a bit. I want to see your lips part when you come.”
“Because you’re a pervert.”
“Scared?”
“Of you? No.”
“Then what’s the big deal?”
“I’m not that kind of girl.”
“Yet. Not that kind of girl yet.”
She sighs heavily, seemingly annoyed. “Why are you this way?”
“Persistent?”
“I was going to say obnoxious.”
“I’m used to getting what I want.” I grin, imagining her rolling her eyes. “When I want something, I’m relentless.”
Like coming. I really want to come. With her. In her.
“You don’t say…” she mutters.
“Smartass.”
“Ford…”
“Hmm?”
She groans. “I just…I don’t do this sort of thing, okay? With anyone. It’s not you, it’s me.”
I nearly laugh at her words, but I realize she’s being serious. She’s nervous or insecure or some shit.
“You not doing this with anyone is what makes it all the more special.” I pause, letting those words sink in. “Are you a phone sex virgin, Laundry?”
Based on how standoffish she’s being, I’d say she’s more than just a phone sex virgin. My dick practically weeps at the thought of being the first man to get inside her.
“God. You have to make everything sound so dramatic.” Her irritation only serves to make my dick harder. “Maybe I just don’t want you to watch me when it happens.”
“When you come for me?”
“Ford.”
“Laundry.” I abandon my cock to reach into the nightstand drawer. After fetching a bottle of lube, I slick up my dick and then continue my stroking. “Since you don’t want me to watch, will you let me listen instead?”
She goes quiet for a moment as she mulls this over. “And then you’ll let me go to bed?”
The nerves are back in her voice, barely hidden beneath her feigned annoyance. This is special. It will be special because she’s special.
“Yeah, babe. I’ll let you go to bed after you come all over your fingers. I promise you’ll enjoy yourself. And with how wound up you always are, you could stand to let off a little steam.”
“Fine.”
“Fine?”
“Do you need a definition of the word fine?”
“Your bitchiness is hot.”
“I hate you,” she grumbles, though I don’t believe it at all.
“Nah, you love me. Time to play.”
I close my eyes, trying to imagine her atop her bed with her small hand rubbing at her pussy. It’s a tantalizing fantasy—one I’m going to make a reality soon.
“I bet your clit is throbbing,” I purr. “Pulsating because it needs to be sucked and bitten.”
She scoffs. “You would bite my clit?”
“Fuck yeah, babe. I’m a biter. Now pinch it. Right now.”
“This is weird,” she complains, breathless.
“No, it’s hot. Pinch. Now.”
She whimpers, which means she’s obeying like a good girl, and I have to strangle the base of my cock to keep from coming right then.
“It’d feel just like that. But sharper. Use your fingernails.”
“That’ll hurt.”
“In a good way, Laundry. I need to hear that sexy sound again.”
I’m rewarded with a pained moan that’s laced with pleasure. Fucking hell. Her innocence is intoxicating. I want to drown in it.
“Ford,” she whines.
What I wouldn’t give right now to have her saying my real name right now. Sparrow. All whimpers and mewls and moans making love to my name. Fuck, I want that.
“Keep going, pretty girl. I want to come all over my hand imagining it’s my fingers touching you rather than your own.”
It doesn’t take much coaxing before she’s crying out in pleasure. I follow on the heels of her orgasm, shooting hot semen all over my bare chest. Fuck, that felt good, but it was only a taste. I want more from this girl. A whole lot more.
“You okay?” I ask, my own chest heaving with ragged breaths.
“Mmhmm.”
I grin at the thought of rendering her speechless. “It would have been so much more fun watching you.”
“I think I’ve been your entertainment enough for one day.”
“And, to think, we have the rest of our lives,” I taunt. “Just me and you until the end, babe.”
“You’re lucky I feel…” She sighs. “Sleepy.”
“Sleepy? Laundry, you wound me. I took your phone sex virginity and you’re sleepy? My ego can’t take any more bruises.”
“Your ego is needy.”
“It likes stroking—”
“Time to hang up now, Chevy,” she mutters, unable to hold back a laugh which makes me crack up in response.
Our laughter fades away to silence, aside from her soft breathing. For once, I keep my mouth shut and just listen.
“And, yes,” she whispers, so softly I almost don’t hear, “it was my dad who hit me. I have my reasons for staying, but if I can allow you to walk me through an orgasm, I think I can trust you with the truth. Can I trust you?”
“You can.” My words are icy and all a lie. “See you Friday.”
I end the call before I do or say something stupid. All I can think about is some grown-ass man backhanding Landry. Sure, she’s a frosty bitch a lot of the time, but she’s also delicate and sweet. For her own father to hit her…it’s inexcusable.
I swipe the come off me with my towel and then quickly dress in some black jeans and matching hoodie. Flinging open my bedroom door, I find Scout standing on the other side, his hands gripping the doorframe above his head. Evil glints in his dark gaze as he studies me. The sick fucker was listening in on…hell, probably all of it.
“Smells like sex and revenge,” Scout says, flashing me a wild grin. “Who do we get to hurt?”
“You fucking know. Grab Sully. We’re leaving in five.”
It’s time to pay a certain rich piece of shit a visit.
Chapter Fifteen
Scout
Someone should take Sparrow’s license away.
“Jesus, Sparrow,” Sully barks from the backseat. “I’d like to arrive in one piece.”
Sparrow ignores him, choosing to crank up the volume, blasting us with “Kamikazee” by Missio. He’s in a mood. Ever since Sully came home bragging about sucking face with this girl.
My phone buzzes with a text.
Ty: I have some bougie event I gotta attend this weekend. Kill me now.
No can do, Constantine. Big Morelli won’t let me.
Me: You’re a Constantine. Don’t you come out of the womb with a cigar in one hand and a cognac in the other, bougie boy?
He sends me a bunch of middle finger emojis to which I reply back with crying laughing emojis. Sully didn’t think I could do this shit, but it’s easy. The guy is so damn needy to have a friend that he eats up every morsel I toss at him.
Me: Have you seen that girl anymore? What was her name again? Lori?
Ty: Landry. And no. I didn’t get her number and I haven’t had the balls to ask her dad for it.
Me: I could probably find it for you.
Ty: You know people?
Me: Dude. I’m not the mafia. But I did fuck one of Croft’s assistants. I could get it for you.
I really hope Croft’s assistants are females, otherwise this lie will get awkward kind of fast.
Ty: The hot redhead or the older lady? You totally nailed the cougar, didn’t you?
Me: A gentleman never kisses and tells.
Ty: You’re not a gentleman. You’re a dick.
I’m distracted from my phone when we pass by the building Bryant tasked me with torching. It took some effort, but the end result was a fuck-ton of firetrucks and a total loss. They still can’t tell it was arson, according to Bryant’s intel, and they sure as hell haven’t linked me or him to it. Arson isn’t usually my gig, but he did get me information I needed.
Ash.
Winston keeps her safely at the Constantine Compound most of the time. They attend events that Morellis aren’t invited to. Me and my brothers aren’t invited to anything where Ash might show.
My phone buzzes again.
Ty: You’re such a prick for making me beg. Please get me Landry’s number.
I glance over at Sparrow who’s pissed as hell over the fact Sully kissed her. And I could bet money that Sully would be more than pissed if he knew Sparrow got her off over the phone. I wonder how angry they’ll be when they find out I’ve given Ty her number just to fuck with them.
They’re obsessed with this girl just like they both were with Ivy Anderson. I didn’t like Ivy all that much, but when you’re fourteen, you don’t turn down the chance to get laid by a cheerleader. I sure as hell didn’t.
