Chapter 53
The Tactical Nap
Eli
Nico passes me a drink. We’ve been talking for a while. Harper fell asleep on Caden’s lap. She’s so peaceful right now. Safe.
“Do we want to tell each of the guys something different?” Jack asks. He moved earlier and Caden took his spot. His knee bounces like he’s hopped up on energy drinks. Knowing Jack, he probably is.
He’s talking about the six football players we thought we could trust. Who knew about what was going down with Grant. One of them might be a mole. They’re the only ones who had all the information. Or they’re sloppy. Either way we need to narrow it down so we know who to trust.
Or we need to really look at Kenz, even if Harper doesn’t want us to.
“We say we need them to have someone watch out for Harper while we’re at the game.” Luke leans back like a king reclining on his throne. “Three different locations. Three different Harpers to protect.”
“That means we’ll narrow it down to two of the players.” I nod, easier than having to suspect all six. “But Harper will be with us, and the guys will know if she rides with Coach Turner.”
“I can block their cell phones on the bus and in the locker room.” Jack smirks. “I found this little gadget I’ve been dying to play with.”
“It won’t stop one of the cheerleaders from telling someone if they’re in on it.” I meet Luke’s gaze. “Sidney’s close with Zach.”
“It’s a risk. Unless any of the football players or Zack tell Sidney the plan, she wouldn’t have a reason to tell anyone.” Luke shrugs. “Besides, Jack’s already checking Sidney’s text messages, so we’ll know if she sends something.”
Jack nods. “So three decoys and we have the wannabes with them?”
“It would be trusting those girls.” I don’t have confidence in their motive. They’re useful, but we don’t know what game they’re playing. “This whole plan means fuck all if it’s them instead of the football players, but it’s better than nothing.”
“It’d be nice to know who we can rely on again. There’s a lot of shit we need to work through.” Luke runs a hand through his hair. “If we can’t trust anyone, it makes safeguarding her even harder.”
We all get it. Our main objective is to protect Harper.
No matter what. Three locations, three decoys.
Our previously trusted friends all given different information and asked to provide someone to make sure our girl’s safe while we’re gone.
Then we watch and see who comes after our girl and narrowing who the leak or informant is down to two players instead of six.
“There are a lot of moving parts.” I try to think of some other way to get this figured out quickly, but there aren’t a lot of options.
This will all go down tomorrow. We need places with security cameras Jack can hack.
If someone does make a play, hopefully the other team member actually sends someone to protect the decoy, which would narrow down our suspected leak to one guy.
“Once we know who we can trust, we’ll be able to control the information being passed to our enemies.” Luke sighs and his gaze falls on Harper. “We need to keep her safe.”
This is because of us. And we’re going to end it.
Harper
“Harper.” The voice is accompanied by a hand shaking my hip, and my pillow keeps moving. “She’s out.”
“No, I’m not.” I blink open my eyes and look around at the amused expressions of my boyfriends. I lift my head off Caden’s lap. “Where were we?”
A yawn takes over my entire body as I stretch. We decided going to the principal was probably wise before someone got caught with the picture.
We were talking about ways to get the mole out in the open. The misinformation campaign got complicated really quickly with too many moving parts. When Caden pulled me into his side, he was so warm. All the orgasms earlier caught up to me.
“I’ve got to go.” Nico glances at his phone. “I’ll be in trouble if I don’t get home soon.”
He comes over to me. Tipping my chin up, he captures my lips. My pulse quickens, and I reach up to grab his t-shirt for something to hold on to as he deepens the kiss.
“Fuck.” He draws away. “Why isn’t it Friday night already? I can’t wait to sleep with you again, sunshine.”
He kisses me and then steps away to grab something. I don’t see what it is, but I’m still trying to wake up.
“See you at school tomorrow.” He waves to the guys as he heads out.
Caden draws me back into his side. “Text your mom.”
“What?” I give him a quizzical look.
He cups my cheek. “Tell her you fell asleep watching a movie at my house, and it’s too late for me to take you anywhere.”
My brow furrows. “Why?”
He grins. “Because, little nympho, your bed is small and getting up and switching to the other one in the morning sucks. You can tell her I have the guest bedroom set up for you.”
Jack sits on my other side and draws my face to his. “Best not to argue. When Caden wants something, he usually gets it.”
He’s not wrong. Caden is usually the easiest for me to cave for.
Jack takes my mouth gently and draws away. “Saturday afternoon is all mine.”
Squeezing his hand, I smile. “I look forward to it.”
“I’ve got Walker in the morning. I’ll give him the message.” Jack bumps fists with the others before he heads to the door. That means he’ll be the one scoping out Brandon to see if he’s the mole. I still don’t like it. “Sleep well, sweetheart.”
“Did you guys figure out everything after I passed out?” My eyes seek out Luke. He usually gives it to me straight.
“You didn’t pass out.” He shakes his head indulgently. “You nodded off, princess.”
“That didn’t answer my question. It’s not my fault you guys lull me into a sex coma.”
Luke’s grin is wicked and heats up my insides.
Eli tips my chin his way. “Don’t pout, kitten. It’s not like we’d let you talk to the guys on the team.”
His thumb smooths over my lips before he claims them. I fall into his kiss just like with the others. They make me want to fall asleep in their arms or draw them into mine. When Eli pulls away, he arches an eyebrow.
“Still pouting?”
“I don’t like that I can’t sleep with all of you.”
Eli rubs the corner of my lips. “We’ll figure it out as the year goes on. For now, enjoy your threesome.”
My cheeks heat as he gets up and heads out, leaving me alone with Luke and Caden.
Luke sits on my other side. “Text your mom.”
Now that I’m less sleepy, this plan won’t work. “I don’t have clothes here or tampons or anything I need to get ready for school. I usually pack a bag.”
Caden stands and picks me up, throwing me over his shoulder before I can even say, “What?”
His hand slides under my skirt to cup my ass. “You’re being far too contrary, little nympho.”
“Put me down, War.” I smack his hard back. In return, I receive a sore hand and a dark chuckle.
“Come on. Let’s get this one tucked into bed.” Caden walks toward the door to the rest of the house. Luke walks behind him with a smirk on his lips. Fuck, these guys always get what they want. I’m not an exception when it comes to giving in.
“Caden, be reasonable.”
We enter the darkened house, and everything is so fucking quiet and dreary, like a museum at night. My house is far less creepy... if I didn’t have someone trying to get to me.
“I am being reasonable, little nympho. It’s late, and I want to go to sleep. Not drive you to your house.” Every step Caden climbs jars me a little on his shoulder. His hand strokes my ass cheek. “How’s your ass feel?”
Luke arches an eyebrow. His pale blue eyes light with amusement. Earlier, Luke talked about taking my ass while I sucked Caden off. My panties were already damp from the kisses and the rough handling.
Now they’re thoroughly soaked.
“My ass is fine. I just don’t want to bleed all over your expensive sheets.”
Caden chuckles as we head down the hallway to his room. “Isn’t your period about done anyway?”
“Three to seven days.”
He pushes the door open and dumps me on the bed with an incredulous look. “Seven days? Sign me up for blood sport because as much as I love that ass, I’m going to need some pussy.”
“And I’m the little nympho?” I shake my head as I lean up on my elbows. There’s a lot I can get from delivery, but it’s late. “You’re still not getting the problem.”
Caden smirks. “The great thing about Jack is he likes to build lists, including one of all your toiletries. This week is just placebo pills, so you won’t be off track there.
But just in case, Jack brought some samples of your pills from his mother’s office, so you’ll be set.
Check out the third drawer in my bathroom. ”
“Why do I feel like I’m on a game show?” I get to my feet and pass by Luke on the way to the bathroom. His hand brushes my thigh, and a jolt of longing goes through me.
“I’ve got a prize for you, princess.” The way he looks at me through his blond hair makes sparks dance along my skin even as I want to laugh at the world’s worst pickup line.
In the bathroom, I go to the drawer and pull it open. “Fuck, Caden.”
“Is that a command?”
I glance back at Caden as he leans casually in the doorway. His green eyes flash with heat but he doesn’t close the distance between us.
My gaze drops back to the magical drawer. It’s got everything from my makeup to my tampons to razors. I glance at his shower and see my soap and hair products in there. My mouth wants to fall open in shock. Tears do well in my eyes a little, but I blink them back.
“You didn’t have to—”
“That’s not all.” Caden imitates a game show host.
“This is too much.” I shake my head.
He catches my hand and pulls me into his walk-in closet.
“I remember the panty drawer, Caden.” Panties aren’t an issue. I could wash what I’m wearing, but it would feel like the walk of shame all day at school. Plus I wouldn’t be in school colors like everyone else.
He grins and steps out of the way. There’s a couple rows of girl clothes sectioned out from his. “Just some things Jack picked up for you. We like your new style and want to encourage it.”