Page 61 of A Twisted Arrangement

Matthias: Stop being stubborn, and put the knife back.

I laugh. Of course it wouldn’t be that easy. I slam the knife into the drawer.

Me: Happy?

Matthias: With you? Always

A knock on the front door has me spinning on my heels. Matthias wouldn’t knock, and I can’t for the life of me think who it’d be.

I don’t have time to open the door before Oliver’s standing in the doorway. His undereyes are dark, like he hasn’t slept for days.

I’m still pissed at him, but he may be my only shot out of here. He’d definitely be the only one willing to go against my husband.

“Thank you for what you did earlier. You aren’t in too much trouble, are you?” I ask, nervous that he’ll pay a price for being on my side.

“I’m fine. Yourhusbandseems to have a soft spot for you. Please don’t complain about me, or I won’t survive.”

“I’m sure he wouldn’t actually kill you.”

“He absolutely would.” He huffs out a laugh, then steps to the side, letting a man through beside him. I recognize him as Dr. Clark, the same one who set me up with an IV a few days ago. Apparently, he’s on retainer for whatever the Everette family wants.

Oliver pushes the doctor forward until he’s standing fully in the entry. “You have a visitor. Try to go easy on him.”

He’s dressed in business-casual clothes, like he’d rather be on his yacht. “How are you feeling today?”

“Like I was drugged and kidnapped. How about you?”

He looks at the ground but doesn’t try to do anything to help me. “I’m Dr. Clark. Matthias asked me to do a workup on you.”

“You aren’t coming anywhere near me.” I stumble back, catching myself on the chair.

“It’s just a simple checkup. Please let me do my job.”

The doctor’s voice shakes, and I sigh, taking pity on him. “Fine.”

“Please sit.” He gestures to the chair, and I take a seat.

He approaches warily, keeping his movements slow. He holds up a black cuff. “I’m just going to check your pulse.”

I hold out my arm and watch out the window. The entire thing feels intrusive. It’s one thing to go to a doctor when something is actually wrong; it’s a total other thing to have myhusbandrandomly send one. I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to calling him that. After all, it’s not too late for an annulment.

The doctor runs through a few standard tests, his fingers trembling when he places the stethoscope to my chest. I’m not sure what he thinks will happen to him, but I’m not going to jump up and attack him. It’s not his fault he was dragged into this mess.

“You are in perfect health.” He starts loading up his bag faster than should be possible.

“What’s all of this about anyway?” I ask.

He tilts his head. “Standard check when you’re trying to conceive.”

“I’m going to kill him.”

Chapter 30

Matthias

The club’squiet during the day, only a few workers stocking the bar for later. One of the men nods at Damon. They don’t dare look at me; I’ve spent most of my life making sure no one will attempt to get close. I’ve fanned more than one rumor that I’m nothing but a psychotic killer. That works for me. Unfortunately, with the added mystery around me comes eyes whenever I turn my back.

I take the stairs to the family’s private level two at a time and swipe my room’s key pass. The door opens with a beep, and I’m immediately met with my younger brothers. They’re both grinning like assholes.

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