ADDY

"Addy." I looked up from the suitcase I was packing my stuff in and found Nika staring at me blankly. I raised my eyebrows at her questioningly, why wasn't she packing? Did she not know Ryder would be here soon with our cab?

"Nika, you're wasting both of our time. If you wanna talk shit with me then let me tell you, don't." I said to her before concentrating on my neatly packed suitcase. I still had to pack some other stuff but I don't think they'll fit into this box. But maybe if I just moved the shirts a little to the right then I'll have some space for the rest of my stuff. Pfft, I didn't call myself a genius for nothing.

"I'm not wasting our time Addy, you are. Just fucking grab your stuff and throw them in your suitcase, as simple as that. Who the fuck asked you to be so organized?!" Nika erupted and I sighed heavily. Oh yeah, the fierce tigress was out but that didn't mean I was gonna keep mum.

"You do know that one of us has to be the organized one, don't you? Or else we'll have to face Ryder." I said, raising my voice a little. Hell, we clearly knew what Ryder's anger was like and both Nika and I tried our best all the time to keep him in a good mood and satisfied with our work. If a single thing ever went wrong, we both knew what the consequences would be.

Ryder and work reminds me, both Nika and I have come across a lot of people who wanted to know what we did for a living because lets be frank, we definitely had the good looks and brains which made others think we came from some blue blooded family or shit like that. But that wasn't true, of course.

Nika and I have been living alone ever since we were young. Now I don't actually remember what happened to our parents, yes we had parents like every other person or else how do you expect us to be walking on this planet? But what I do remember is, we didn't have a family, a job or a place to live.

Then one day, about four years ago we met this guy called Ryder Black. He was like the light at the end of the tunnel for us. Sounds cheesy, eh? But what could we do, after all that was the fucking truth. He gave us a place to stay and a chance to lead a fairly luxurious life. And well, we didn't really question him because we thought he actually wanted to help us out. How stupid of us, we never really asked him why he was being so caring and nice to us despite being a total stranger.

But that question never arrived until one day he showed us his true colors. It was a couple of months after we started living with him. Ryder and us twins were at having dinner.

"Ladies." Ryder said, clearing his throat and wiping the corner of his mouth with a napkin. "I need your attention." He continued and I looked at him, stopping all my actions. Nika, on the other hand, kept munching on her food, giving Ryder the least bit of attention. But I'm sure Ryder didn't mind, he knew how Nika was like.

"Stop that." He said in a firm tone. "Ryder, you know I hate being interrupted while I'm eating." Nika said scrunching her face a little at him before concentrating on her food. "Nika." I said in a hushed tone. I'm sure Ryder had something important to say.

"When I tell you to stop, you fucking stop." Ryder's icy voice, a tone that he never used, reached my ears and I looked at him. Only to find him with a clenched jaw and gripping the edge of the table as hard as he could. His eyes which once looked caring and full of affection had now turned dark and glared at my sister.

Nika seemed to have noticed the change in Ryder too because now along with me, she also had a look of fear in her eyes. To make the situation as before, I let out a nervous chuckle before saying, "You know Ryder, we have been-"

"Adelaide." He cut me off using the same icy tone. This time not only his tone scared me, but the fact that he had used my full name made me squirm in my seat. For some reason, my stomach twisted in knots and I felt sick. Was it Ryder's unusual behavior or was I just not feeling well today?

"I thought she made it clear to you the day we started living together that she likes being called Addy and not by her full name." Nika said and I could feel the venom in her words. Fuck, I didn't like where this conversation was heading. "Can we have dinner in silence?" I said, hoping to cut down the tension in the room. "Don't talk to me like that, you don't even have that right. Remember I was the one who helped you two when you were wandering in the fucking streets." Ryder shot back and I couldn't believe he actually said that.

"Ryder!" I said utterly shocked. "What is wrong with you?" Nika asked him in confusion. "Don't act like you did us a favor by allowing us to live with you," she said with a frown. "You really wanna know what's wrong with me?" Ryder said in a dangerously low tone and for a split second, I thought of running away from there with Nika. His tone of speaking and his looks was scaring the shit out of me now.

He got up and took big steps towards Nika who was sitting in front of me. I stood up quickly too and stepped up beside her. If he was gonna hurt her, he'd have to deal with me first. Nika shot Ryder a deadly look and clenched her fists tightly. "Nika," I whispered and tugged at her arm but she was too busy fuming with rage. "Let go of her." Ryder said to me and I shuddered slightly.

Shivers ran down my spine when I noticed the look he was giving me; a look full of anger. "What do you think huh, you can threaten us because you gave us a new life? Well too bad, you're fucking wrong." Nika spat and I shut my eyes at her smart mouth. I suddenly felt Ryder snatch her away from my grip and held her tightly against him. I gasped loudly and stared at him in shock. "Here I decide what happens and what not." He said in Nika's ear before looking at me with anger.

Nika tried to hit him with her hands but Ryder held both her arms and twisted them, making her wince in pain. "Ryder stop." I said firmly, trying to pull my sister away from his hold. He wasn't gonna hurt her as long as I was there, I just wasn't gonna let that happen! "Addy, step away or I'll hurt your sister." Ryder said and my eyes widened at his words. "Addy, don't listen to this bastard!" Nika spat and winced again as Ryder pulled harder on her arm.

"D-don't hurt her," I stuttered and took a step back. "Addy, what the fuck are you doing? Hit him!" Nika screamed, still trying to hit him with the back of her shoulder and Ryder gave me a look of warning. "Do you want me to hurt her that badly so that you won't have anyone in this world to call as family?" He spat and I froze in my shoes. Right then and there, I realized to what extent this man could go to.

"Don't listen to him Addy!" Nika protested, squirming in Ryder's arms. "Shut up Nika. Didn't you hear what he just said!" I said in panic. If Nika didn't shut up then god knows what Ryder would do to her. "That's right, listen to your sister, lady." Ryder spoke in Nika's ear, making her scrunch her face in disgust. "Please let go of her, Ryder." I begged, feeling tears stinging my eyes. "Sorry babe, can't do that." He said to me before dragging Nika out of the room with me hot on his heels.

"Where are you taking her? Let go of her!" I cried, tugging at his arm. "Let me go!" Nika protested, still trying to fight herself out of his grip but failed miserably. And before we knew it, Ryder had shoved my sister into his room and locked the door from outside before turning to me. "Why're you putting her there? Let her out!" I cried as I heard Nika banging on the door from the other side.

"Ssh Addy, it's not a great sight to see someone as hot as you shed tears." Ryder said and my heart fell into my stomach. He slowly made his way towards me, making me step back out of fear. The way his eyes scanned my body made me highly uncomfortable and scared. With every step I took back, Ryder walked closer to me. And the ball of fear inside me almost erupted when my legs hit the couch and I fell onto it on my back, shrieking in the process.

"I'm not gonna hurt you Addy, unless you force me to." I heard Ryder say as I kept my eyes shut tightly. Tears were flowing down my cheeks incessantly and my body was quivering out of fear. "Sit up straight." He ordered and I didn't have to think twice to do as told. I hugged my knees close to my chest and Ryder kneeled down in front of me.

How could someone who looked this innocent have a hideous monster hiding inside him? His eyes looked warm and blue as ever but that didn't lessen my fear. "I know you're much more sensible than your sister, that's why I'm telling this to you." He said and put a hand on my kneecap, taking my fear to another level. I let out a whimper when he started making circles on my skin and he spoke, "I'm sure you don't want your sister to go through any kind of pain Addy, do you?"

He ran his cold, long fingers down my cheek making me flinch. "D-don't hurt her, please." I choked out as hot tears flowed down my cheeks. "Oh you silly, I won't. Only if you two listen to me." He said and I nodded in fear.

"You know Addy, life isn't fair to everyone. You don't always get what you want," Ryder paused as Nika's constant banging on the door hit our ears. "Take Nika's example. She wants to get out of that room but fate has other plans for her." He chuckled and I cried harder at his obnoxious behavior. "It hurts when you end up failing in something that you wanted more than anything else. I know how it feels and I know what you sisters have gone through. Don't you wanna live a life you always dreamed of? A life without worries and only relaxation, tell me Addy." He demanded and I thought about his words.

He was right though. Life was tough and not in everyone's favor. But how did that theory relate to this man's current behavior? Why was he doing this to us?! After all what did we ever do to him or anyone else that Nika and I have to go through this? "Addy, you two owe me. Don't forget I made your life much easier and better the day I brought you here with me in return for nothing. You owe me, Adelaide Jones." Ryder said in a not so cold tone this time.

Fear rushed through my body and I wanted to get out of here. I wanted to get Ryder's words out of my head. We owed him? Hell, if we knew that I swear Nika and I would have never held his hand for support. But how the fuck could we repay him? We were broke, everything that we owned now has been given to us by Ryder. "What do you want?" I asked, getting to the point. Ryder's lips curled into a smirk and he chuckled. "I just knew you were smarter than your sister." He said and sat down beside me. I tried to jerk away but he held me firmly.

"I'm sure you know you and your sister are two very attractive women," he said and I looked at him terrified. "And I'm sure guys must be drooling all over you two." He continued, making me uncomfortable in my seat. "Don't be ashamed, Addy. I'm only stating the truth," he said stroking my cheek and I shut my eyes in fear and disgust. "What I'm saying is, use your pretty little heads and learn to take advantage of the guys who're head over heels for you two. Understood?" He said and I opened my mouth to protest but nothing came out.

"Let me get to the point straightaway. You and Nika basically have to fool guys and make them fall in your trap. Men whose pockets are loaded with benjamins only," he said and I found him smirking at his own plan. "And once they fall for you badly and trust you blindly, just swindle them and be gone from their lives forever. As simple as that." He said as if it was the easiest fucking thing to do.

Was he out of his mind? He wanted us to whore around and take advantage of innocent men and make them bankrupt so that he could lead a luxurious life? What the fuck was he made of?!

"N-No, it's wrong." I stuttered and swallowed hard. "And won't it be wrong if you and Nika don't repay me for what I've done for you two so far? Wouldn't it be wrong if I don't let you see you see your sister again, ever?" He sneered, wrapping his arm around my shoulders and squeezing tightly. I winced and looked at him, the one who played us wrong. "And you wouldn't hurt us if we listen to you?" I asked hesitantly.

I couldn't bear any more mental torture and I couldn't see my sister going through something she didn't even deserve. "It depends, babe. If you do your work rightfully, I won't harm a single hair on your body. But-" he paused and grabbed my chin, forcing me gently to look at him. "...if any of you try to mess with me or try to escape, you won't be able to imagine what kind of shit I'll put you through. The last couple of girls that I had working for me tried to run away. But I caught those traitors, and do you wanna know what I did to them?" He said coldly and I stiffened.

"Let's keep that story saved for some other time, eh?" he said and I cried silently, feeling his breath on my face. I opened my eyes that instant and found him just inches away from my face. "Did I make myself clear, Adelaide Jones?" he whispered on my face and all I could do was nod while crying silently. "That's my girl. Now go explain everything to your sister and make sure she doesn't throw a fit. Or the consequences will be bad, babe. And do wipe away your tears," he said and loosened his arm around me.

Ryder unlocked the door and I walked inside where Nika was before I heard the door shut behind me. "Addy! Did he hurt you?!" Nika asked, studying my face and body. Tears flowed down my face as I enlightened my sister about what Ryder wanted us to do.

"Are you fucking with me?! You're seriously gonna listen to that fucktard?!" Nika bellowed and I begged her to keep it low. "Nika, it's the only way-"

"Shut up Addy! It's not the only way, he can't do shit to us," Nika raged and I sobbed harder. "Don't cry, Addy." She said and hugged me. "Just listen to him," I cried onto her shoulder, hugging her back tightly. I couldn't afford to lose her. "You're fucking nuts, don't let him control you!" She protested. "Do it for me." I said, wiping the tears away from my face.

"No...no, Addy. Don't," she warned. "For me, please." I pleaded as tears streaked down my cheeks. "Why can't we escape?!" She said angrily. "He'll catch us! He's had other women working for him before and god knows what he did to them." I sobbed, thinking about those innocent women Ryder had mentioned. Minutes later, Nika spoke up.

"If saying yes to that monster means that I'll have you safe and sound with me in one piece, then yes I'm in."

"You two ready?" Ryder's voice made me snap out of my thoughts and shiver while Nika rolled her eyes. "I'm done." I said, taking my suitcase of the bed. "Nika?" He said giving her a questioning look. "I'm packed." She replied and I was glad that she had everything ready. "So as usual your passports and boarding passes are gonna be with me. Oh and we're going to Cali, Huntington Beach to be precise." Ryder explained, looking straight into my eyes.

He always did that, he knew it made me uncomfortable. "And who're we hunting down over there?" Nika asked, thrusting her hands in her pockets. Ryder raised an eyebrow before speaking, "I got you girls tickets to this gala night that's taking place in a few days. People starting from famous industrialists to even musicians are gonna attend it. And that's where you two are gonna find your brand new targets."

We both nodded and Ryder thought it was high time for us to leave for the airport. So this has been our lives for the past couple of years. My sister Danika Marie Jones and I, Adelaide Louise Jones have become professional con girls. Aren't we fucking lucky? But being con artists didn't mean we could do whatever we wanted, especially with Ryder around. Every job had some rules, even conning people had rules.

Rule one, do not get attached to your targets no matter how inviting they looked. Nika and I never had trouble following this rule ever, thankfully.

Rule two, do not give out your real information, not even the last names to the targets. Seriously, we weren't that dumb that we'd go around telling strangers what our likes and dislikes were.

Last but not the least, rule number three, do not fall in love with the targets. Well, I don't think that will be a problem because when we work, we don't love. We simply trick people and swindle them. So Huntington Beach surfers, here we come.

Notes

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