Manda frowns in disapproval at me. Dad puffs out his chest and squeezes Sully’s shoulder hard enough to make him wince.
“Want me to hold him so you can get your revenge?” Dad asks, his smile a little on the evil side.
Manda gasps, and I crack up laughing at the sight of Sully’s wide eyes. I pretend to think about it for a second and then shake my head.
“Maybe later. After dessert,” I say before turning back to the salad.
Manda and Sully chat about what new cars they’re going to get next since theirs were destroyed last weekend. I personally think they should have to Uber everywhere, but no one asks for my opinion. Sparrow joins us, and like Sully, pretends he’s a stellar stepbrother. They both take turns ribbing Dad about his favorite football team, the Patriots, and how they’ll never make it to the Super Bowl. I help Dad by setting the table, and Manda assists him by bringing the food over. She then pours wine for all of us. Scout’s empty seat has me relaxing even more.
Through dinner, Sully and Sparrow turn on the charm. A few times, they almost have me convinced that they’re done being assholes. Almost. I’ll never fully let down my guard with those three, especially Scout. Luckily, according to the guys, he was meeting up with a friend so he couldn’t be at dinner. It’s almost pleasant when I tune out Manda and her boys, enjoying my time with Dad. I’m just helping Dad clean up the kitchen when Manda gets a call.
“What?” She holds a hand to her chest, blinking hard in shock. “Did they take anything?” A pause. “Oh no.” Another pause. “We’ll be right there.”
“What is it?” Dad demands.
“The Baldridge building,” Manda says with a frown. “Several offices were broken into, including mine. Files have been rifled through. I need to get up there and talk to the police.”
My heart stutters at the mention of the Baldridge building. Of all the times I’ve heard Manda speak about her office, not once do I remember her ever stating the name of the building. It makes me wonder if Winston knows she has her office there. It certainly makes sense as to how she would know Meredith, though, since it’s her husband’s name on the building.
“Go,” I mutter to Dad. “She needs you. I’ll finish up cleaning and then head out myself.”
Dad glowers at Sully and Sparrow. “I can trust you two to behave?”
Both of them nod before hugging Manda.
“Need help cleaning?” Sully asks.
I shrug and then hug Dad. “Text me later and let me know how it went.”
He kisses my forehead, and then they’re gone. Sully and Sparrow don’t pounce on me like I expect. I’m thankful I decided to leave my phone and purse at Winston’s. There was no way in hell I was taking another chance with them stealing my things again. I brought enough cash with me in case of an emergency, but it’s stowed safely in the glovebox of the Escalade along with my driver’s license. My keys are also inside the truck, because I can access the vehicle through a touchpad on the door. I was prepared this time. With the Terror Triplets, you always have to be one step ahead.
Sparrow leaves the kitchen, and Sully continues to help me clean up. We don’t speak or look at each other. I’m just wiping off the stove when the front door closes. My head snaps over to look at Sully who’s smirking.
And that’s my cue to leave.
I drop the dishrag onto the counter and walk out of the kitchen without so much as a goodbye. Luckily, I don’t encounter anyone along the way. I open the front door but a strong hand slaps on it, slamming it shut.
Whirling around with my heart in my throat, I meet the pissed-off glare of Scout.
Fuck.
Lifting my chin, I meet his dark stare. “Leave me alone.”
“No can do, sis,” he growls. “I went to too much trouble to get you right here by yourself.”
I narrow my eyes. “You stole from your own mother?”
His chuckle is low and without humor. “I messed her office up a bit, but I didn’t steal anything. I’m not a monster.” He lifts his hand to toy with a strand of my hair.
I smack it away. “Don’t touch me.”
“Aww,” Scout mocks, “it’s cute how you think you have a say.”
Before I can try and escape, he pounces on me. All too easily, Scout uses his strength against me, overpowering me before I take my next breath. I let out a shriek from beneath his palm as he carries me up the stairs. My heart is racing inside my chest as I wonder how in the hell I’ll get out of here.
I kick out, trying to find purchase on anything, but end up swiping empty air. Scout bypasses my room and takes me straight for his. A terrified mewl crawls up my throat to find Sully and Sparrow inside waiting.