Ready Or Not

This Isn't 'Scarface'

**Theo**

My bestie and her lady friend joined us quickly. Either Hannah lived nearby or Lydia ran them over to my place. The mental image of Lydia carrying the other woman, who was nearly as tall as she was, through the streets of New York made me smile, despite the nature of the news I was about to share.

Daniel heard them in the stairwell before I did. I was impressed.

"Lyds and Hannah are here, baby. Last chance to hide the evidence. Toss a sheet over it or something," he half joked, nodding at the silent form of Officer Blabbermouth.

"Hang on," I heard Lyds say before they opened the door. "There's somebody else in there with them."

"Wait, what?" Hannah sounded confused but didn't wait long for her answer.

Lydia flung open the door, and seeing the officer still on my couch, she spat an expletive. "The fuck, Theo?"

I waved off the question.

"Anna will be here shortly- I'm not happy you left her alone, by the way- and then I'll tell you all what's going on." I looked to Hannah then. "So these are the boss' digs. Make yourself at home."

Hannah eyed the officer on my couch but her expression was unreadable. "Don't suppose you vampires keep booze around."

I chuckled. I had a little. Leftover from when Daniel was human. "Scotch?"

She grabbed Lydia's hand. "How expensive?"

Lydia locked eyes with me, staring daggers. "Very."

Hannah pulled my best friend to the loveseat. "Perfect," she said as she sat on Lydia's lap.

It was weird, watching them be so affectionate towards one another while simultaneously being so cold towards me. Well, Lydia was being cold. Hannah seemed more to be just trying to pretend everything was normal. The alcohol was most certainly to settle her nerves, though. I could smell the anxiety rolling off her.

Daniel stood with his arms crossed, watching Lydia, chewing the inside of his cheek. "You're not really mad at Theo," he observed. "Not for Officer Beghley, anyway."

I raised one eyebrow as I poured Hannah a double.

He was right. If she was pissed it was because she hadn't had more warning about what "interesting parts" we'd be letting Hannah in on. She'd probably just anticipated me telling them I'd compelled a cop to cough up answers, and kidnapping was a surprise she was afraid would make her new friend bolt. But in the grand scheme of things, really, this was mild. At least the cop was alive.

Lydia pressed her lips into a hard line and we made eye contact as I handed Hannah her drink. Her eyes say so much. Always have. I knew Daniel and I were right. But Hannah hadn't run out the door.

"Why is she just sitting there?" Hannah asked, gesturing to our other guest with her glass.

Lydia tightened her grip on the blonde. It was almost imperceptible, but it definitely happened. She didn't want to lose her when she wasn't even sure she had her yet.

My hand scrubbed along my jaw. "Ah, yeah. That's um..."

My front door opened and Anna stepped in. "Brother, do you have a kidnapped law enforcement officer sitting in thrall in your living room or have I finally lost my mind?"

Daniel went to her. "Save me, Angel. I'm marrying a madman."

I cleared my throat. "A madman who got some fucking answers. Information you were awfully glad to have before our sisters arrived."