Death wish, p.14
Death Wish, page 14
A knock at the door has me lifting my chin and tightening every muscle in my body. The door creaks open and Dad steps in, immaculate in a bespoke navy suit. His eyes rake over me, scrutinizing every detail.
“You look nice,” he murmurs, walking toward me. “Even if red is the color of whores.”
I don’t flinch at his nasty words. Instead, I stride over to him, not cowering from his cold stare.
“I’ve just fixed my makeup, Daddy. Don’t make me cry.” I deliver my response with an impassive facial expression. “Is it time to leave yet?”
His eyes narrow, flashing with irritation, but to my surprise, he nods. “They’re waiting at the restaurant. I told them we’d be a little late.”
I start past him, but his hand encircles my wrist, stopping me. “Be good, sweetheart. Don’t let that mouth get you into trouble. It won’t end well for you.”
His threat makes me internally quake and the welts on my ass throb. I refuse to let him see what it does to me. Biting hard on the inside of my cheek, I give him a curt nod. “Always on my best behavior, Daddy.”
“Good girl.”
Fuck you.
* * *
All of my carefully constructed walls come crumbling down the second I lay eyes on Ty. He’s sitting at the table with a scowling man I recognize from the news, Winston Constantine, and a beautiful, smiling brunette. There are two seats available at the round five-top table, one beside Ty and one beside Winston.
Hurrying ahead of my father, I greet Ty with extra enthusiasm. “Ty! So good to see you!”
“Landry,” he says, standing and planting a kiss on my cheek. “Sit. We need to catch up.”
He pulls out the chair beside him and I ease into my chair, whimpering slightly at the pain of it. Ty tenses and I feel Dad’s penetrating glare on me. I may be a good actress, but I can’t erase the pain—the pain he inflicted—and I’m tired of hiding it for his benefit.
“Winston, Ash,” Ty says, “this is my friend, Landry Croft, Alexander’s daughter.”
The woman, Ash, gives me a little wriggle of her fingers. “So nice to meet you.”
Dad, Winston, and Ash get pulled into conversation with the three of them, but my attention is solely on Ty.
“How are they?” I whisper, my voice quavering.
“Worried about you.” He glances down. “He hurt you. I can tell you’re hurt. Are you okay?”
I chew on my matte-red-painted bottom lip, willing the tears to stay put. “I’ve been better.”
His jaw clenches, anger flashing in his blue eyes. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s temporary,” I tell him, meeting his stare. “It has to be.”
“It will be. They’ll figure something out.”
I can feel eyes burning into me. When I glance over, Winston is watching me. Like he can see right inside me head. A shudder passes through me. Quickly, I look away, taking solace in Ty’s friendliness.
“What would happen if he knew you were helping them?” I murmur softly.
“Winston can’t know,” Ty says back. “Ever.”
We get through dinner easily enough, Ty and I stealing secret conversations when we can. To an outsider, it might seem we were two would-be lovers, on the path to a happily ever after. To me, he’s my link to the outside—to them.
Dad starts talking to Winston about his birthday party that’ll be here next weekend. It gives me an opportunity to escape his suffocating presence. He shoots me a warning look when I rise to my feet, excusing myself to the restroom, but he’s too engrossed in conversation to do more than that.
“I’ll go with you,” Ash says quickly, scrambling to her feet.
I’m not eager to make friends with this woman—since she’s married to some dude who’s friends with my horrible father—but I can’t exactly tell her no either. I force a warm smile her way.
She babbles about nothing of interest until we’re safely inside the bathroom. Her entire demeanor changes. Concern washes over her features.
“Are you okay?” she asks. “I can tell you’re in pain.”
Am I that transparent? If Dad knew she was in here checking on my wellbeing, he’d be pissed.
“I’m fine,” I lie, lifting my chin. “Thanks for asking.”
She approaches with careful hesitation. “Did they…” She trails off. “I’m so sorry.”
They?
Frowning, I shake my head. “I don’t know what you’re referring to.”
“Those men. The terror triplets.” She winces and her facial expression sours into a pucker. “Did they force themselves on you?”
She says it so knowingly.
Like she’s certain this is what happened.
Fire ignites in my chest, the need to defend them burning through me. “They didn’t force themselves on me.”
I want to scream at her that it was my father who hurt me, but I don’t trust this woman even a little bit.
“Oh?” Shock morphs her features and her lips part in surprise. “I just assumed. You were with them for an entire week. That’s what Winston told me.”
“You assumed incorrectly,” I hiss, bitterness in my tone. “I chose to be there.”
“Chose?”
“You wouldn’t understand.”
She scoffs. “Actually, I would. Better than anyone. I have my own history with those three. The things they did to me…” Her eyes well with tears. “They’re cruel, callous monsters, Landry. I’m sorry they duped you into thinking—”
“They didn’t dupe me!” I shriek, batting away her hands that are reaching toward me in an effort to comfort me. “Don’t touch me!”
Ash purses her lips, studying me intently. “I don’t mean to pry. I’m only looking out for you. You can’t trust them.”
But I can.
I’m not some conquest for them. I’m theirs. Whatever they did to her doesn’t matter to me because they’re different with me. I care about them. I need them. I miss them.
“I’m sorry I pried,” Ash says. “You seem like a smart girl. I’m sure you’ll figure it out. Just know that if you need anything, I’m here. Me and Winston both are.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I bite back. “Thank you.”
She sighs and then exits the bathroom. I close my eyes, sucking in several deep gulps of air. Minutes pass by too quickly. I’ll have to go back soon and I can barely stomach the idea.
The bathroom door opens and I brace myself for my father. He’s probably wondering what’s taking me so long.
“Laundry.”
My eyes fly open and I jerk my head toward the sound of Sparrow’s voice. He’s immaculate in a fitted black suit and gorgeous as ever. Behind him, Scout and Sully are also dressed nicely. I don’t think about my father or anything Ash just said about them. Just them. So handsome and protective.
“Oh my God,” I croak out, hobbling over to them. “You’re here. You’re really here.”
“We’re here,” Sparrow says. “We had to see you.”
Sparrow engulfs me in a bear hug, lifting me off the ground. I don’t want to cry and blink rapidly to keep the tears at bay. He kisses my neck before setting me back to my feet. His mouth captures mine for a deep, claiming kiss, and then I’m being pulled into another pair of familiar arms. Someone grips my ass and I yelp.
Sparrow’s glare is murderous. “He hit you, didn’t he?”
I keep my eyes on Sparrow’s as one of his brothers lifts the back of my dress and pulls down my panties. Sully curses and Sparrow cups my ass, touching me so softly it almost feels like a whisper of air over my bruised flesh.
“He will pay for this right the fuck now,” Scout says in a cold, awful voice that should chill me to my bones. Instead, I find comfort in his rage on my behalf.
“He will, but not yet,” I murmur. “Della’s not here. I can’t leave her. If you do something, we’ll lose her.”
The air crackles with their fury, making the hair on my arms stand on end. A storm is coming. Three tornadoes ready to rip a path of destruction through Dad’s life. And I want that. I do. But not at Della’s expense.
“We have a plan,” Sparrow tells me, swiping a tear from my cheek with his thumb. “We wanted to tell you in person. To give you hope that we’ll get you out of there.”
“Everything’s going to be okay, honey,” Sully assures me, running his palms over my back and pecking my lips. “Do you trust us?”
“I do,” I say, nodding.
He kisses me harder this time, making my toes curl with happiness. Finally, he releases me and then I’m pulled against Scout’s sturdy chest. His hand splays over my stomach and he nuzzles my hair.
“Hey, prickly princess.”
“Hey,” I say, grinning.
Scout twists me around and brings his palms to my cheeks. His mouth crushes to mine. He devours me, tasting every part of my mouth, before nipping my bottom lip and pulling away.
“We’re going to blackmail him,” Sparrow explains. “Or at least try to.”
“We’ll get you back soon.” Sully smiles. “Promise.”
“And if that doesn’t work,” Scout murmurs close to my ear, “we’ll kick his fucking teeth in.”
Sparrow curses, looking at his phone. “We have to bail. Now.”
I don’t want them to leave, but them getting caught with me could be catastrophic.
“I love you,” I blurt out, unable to keep it in. “All of you.”
They each steal one more kiss and then they’re gone, seconds before my father barges into the bathroom.
He makes a great show of checking all the stalls, as if he might find the triplets lurking. Of course, he finds nothing. Once he’s satisfied no one is here, he stalks over to me, taking in my appearance. My lips are swollen from their kisses and my hair slightly wrecked from their touching it. The air still smells of Sparrow’s expensive cologne.
“What’s taking you so long in here?” he demands, glowering. “Answer me.”
In the past, I might shrink away from his harsh words, but there’s only so much he can do to me at this restaurant. We’re not at home, secluded from prying eyes. Seeing the triplets has emboldened me.
Touching my lips with my fingers, I say in a bitchy tone, “Nothing.”
But we both know I’m lying. I know he can smell them, sense them, feel their presence still clinging to every part of me.
Smack!
His openhanded strike is more of a surface sting than a bruising one, but it still hurts. Tears spring in my eyes, but they cling to my lower lids and don’t escape. I gently rub where he smacked me and shoot him a nasty glare.
“Such a gentleman,” I mutter.
“And you’re such a whore. I thought I raised you better than that.”
“Raised me? Don’t act fatherly now.” My lip wobbles but I try to remain fierce. “You hurt me. You continue to hurt me. I have nothing in here for you.” I point to my chest. “Nothing.”
His expression cools and he storms over to the door. “Get back to the dinner table and stop making a spectacle of yourself.”
With those words, he leaves me, my heart hammering in my chest.
I can handle this—him—because my guys are working on something. They’ll figure something out. In the meantime, I’ll do what I can to survive, but I am done playing the dutiful daughter. At least if he hurts me beyond repair, I’ll have gone down with a fight.
Chapter Twenty
Landry
It’s been a full week since my dad smacked me in the restaurant bathroom and he hasn’t hit me since. He’s thrown himself into work, and planning his birthday party that happens tonight, so he’s been leaving me and Della blissfully alone. When he’s not there, I’m allowed out of my room and have been able to see Della. Under the watchful eyes of one of his men, but it’s still progress.
Dad has always been this way.
Either his obsession is on work or us. It’s not ever really a balance. Since he has us back in his hold, he’s able to focus on work now.
Fine by me.
My bruises from his belt are finally healing. Still discolored, yellow and green, but no longer sore like they once were. I feel stronger and more prepared for battle than usual.
“Miss Landry,” Noel says, peeking her head in my doorway. “Your costumes have arrived. I’ve already sent Mr. Croft his and Sandra is helping Della with hers.”
I take the garment bag from her and send her on her way. Della is going to make the cutest little wolf. Laying the bag on my bed, I unzip it carefully so I don’t snag the material. I open the flap and frown down at what’s inside.
It’s not red.
There’s no hood.
We leave in less than an hour, so there won’t be any switching it out. Not this late. Sighing, I pull out the outfit, trying to understand what it is I’ll be wearing and if it’s even my size since there clearly was a mistake.
The tag attached says, “Sexy Goldilocks,” and happens to be my size.
Great.
I pull out the blue and white polka-dot dress. It’s girlish in its design but incredibly short. The capped sleeves and white scalloped edges are cute.
Goldilocks it is.
I spend a bit curling my hair into kinky curls and pulling them into pigtails that I tie up with the matching blue ribbons included with the costume. The dress barely covers my ass. I can’t help but think how much the guys would love this outfit. I settle for a plain pair of white panties, some knee-high white socks, and my black patent leather Mary Janes.
When Dad sees this outfit, he’s going to throw a fit.
So, like the rebellious woman I’m becoming, I hide out in my room, failing to let him know about my incorrect costume until the last second.
“Ready, sweetheart?” Dad asks, entering my bedroom.
He’s dressed as a boxer, wearing nothing but a satiny red pair of shorts. Someone has slicked him down with oil—and I shudder to think who got that awful job. His face is painted to look like he has a black eye and a busted lip. I wish he really were injured.
“What is this?” he demands, holding up his boxing glove-covered hands.
“Goldilocks.” I smile sweetly at him. “The costume shop made a mistake, but luckily this one was my size. I made it work. I know how important this party is to you.”
His features darken, a storm passing over him. If we didn’t have to leave right now, I’d worry about him using those dangerous gloves on me. I wouldn’t stand a chance.
“Mr. Croft,” Sandra calls out. “Mr. Constantine is here.”
I lift my brows in surprise. “Ty?”
“He’ll be accompanying us to the venue,” Dad growls. “I have half a mind to tell everyone there you came up with a sudden illness.”
“Everyone is going to be asking about me,” I remind him, leveling him with a fierce stare. “You know seeing me will erase their curiosity.”
“Don’t embarrass me,” he warns, “and so help me if you say one word—”
“Got it, Dad.”
I rush past him and down the hallway to the sound of Ty’s voice. He’s wearing a green outfit, matching green hat with a feather, and a quiver of arrows strapped to his back.
“Robin Hood?” I guess with a grin.
He makes a showy bow. “And you are…”
“Goldilocks,” I say with a shrug. “Supposed to be Little Red Riding Hood but the shop made a mistake.”
His grin widens. “Their mistake is everyone else’s gain. Lookin’ hot, Goldilocks.”
I hug him, ignoring my dad’s heated glare behind me. “How are they?”
My whispered words are barely audible, but he hears. I’m thankful to have Ty on my side. He’s my lifeline, my only connection to my guys.
“They’re fine. You’re their primary focus.”
His assurance is all I need to feel braver and stronger.
“Ow, fuck!” Ty complains.
We break apart and Della hisses at him, baring her teeth. She’s so cute dressed as a gray wolf. Apparently she’s taking her role seriously and is biting people for sport.
What big teeth you have, I sign to her.
She hisses again, showing off her teeth, and we both laugh. Laughing feels good.
We’re going to get out of here. We absolutely will. Then, we’ll laugh all the time.
* * *
I knew Dad couldn’t keep it a small affair. He’s a narcissist. This day is all about him. Of course, he’d invite everyone. The beautifully decorated hotel lobby is teeming with people. I recognize a few famous faces. My costume gains the attention of a few men.
Dad is whisked off, much to my relief, so I take the Big Bad Wolf’s hand and let Ty lead, introducing us to some people. Several Constantines are present at the party. He has a lot of cousins. I’ve met Vivian, Keaton, Perry, Tinsley, and a whole slew of other people I can’t remember their names.
“You two make a lovely couple,” a severe woman says, her voice icy and not at all convincing.
“Thanks, Aunt Caroline,” Ty says. “I’m wearing her down. Maybe one day she’ll marry me and give me lots of babies.”
She grimaces and then walks off without another word.
“She’s pleasant,” I deadpan.
He chuckles. “That woman scares the shit out of me.”
We make our way over to a table that’s overly filled with desserts and sweet treats. Della happily snags bites here and there. She notices a couple of children, one near her age, and looks up at me in question.
You can go play with them, I sign to her. No biting.
She pouts but scampers off, making sure to scare the kids by pouncing behind them. I laugh because she’s such a mess sometimes. It’s good seeing her happy. For the past week, we’ve been wound too tight.
“Should I go keep an eye on her so she doesn’t eat my second cousins?” Ty asks, smirking at me. “Maybe you should go get a drink.”
He motions for a darkened area of the lobby, hidden by ornately decorated trees. I feel like he wants me to go get more than a drink. With a nod of understanding, I make my way over to the trees. I step behind one of the larger ones, stopping to take a breather.
“Lost, Goldilocks?”
The hairs on my arms stand on end. I try not to cry out or make a scene. Warmth closes in behind me and a furry hand settles on my hip.
