Page 111 of A Twisted Arrangement

“At least you got to kill him,” Bash grumbles under his breath.

My chest stings, a burn burrowing between my ribs. I will always protect myself, but Oliver’s betrayal and subsequent death will always be a sore spot for me. There’s an underlying guilt that gnaws at me in quiet moments, and it doesn’t matter if he deserved it or not.

Strong arms wrap around my middle, and I’m pulled easily onto Matthias’s lap. His mouth grazes my ear, sending a shiver through me when he says, “He deserved what he got, Little Sparrow. He’s lucky it was you and not me.”

“I’m not sure he’d agree with being lucky.” The tension that had been growing between my shoulders releases with his words.

“Trust me. You did him a favor by making it quick.” Matthias kisses the soft spot behind my ear, his fingers gently tracing my stomach, filling me with warmth.

“Knock it off, you two. I just ate,” Bash chimes in again, and Xander looks at him sideways, hitting his shoulder.

“If you aren’t careful, you’ll be next,” Xander says, the gleam of mischief clear in his eyes.

Bash leans over, pretending to puke, sound effects and all. It’s moments like this I’m reminded they’re barely adults.

“Be quiet. Misty has something to say.” Damon’s voice booms through the room, and Bash’s and Xander’s mouths click shut comically fast.

When Damon’s satisfied, he gives his wife a warm smile, helping her up. He’s holding her almost tenderly, like she’s breakable.

Actually, it’s not much different than how my own husband is holding me now. Nerves have plagued me all morning, knowing what I’m going to announce. I’m not sure if the delay makes me feel more or less anxious.

Damon helps Misty bring over a large black box. She’s practically vibrating with excitement when she pulls out small blue bags. “I got you all something small.”

“Presents!” Bash is up and grabbing his, too impatient to wait. He collapses back, ready to tear into it.

“You’re going to open it at the same time,” Misty cuts in just in time, and the youngest Everette pouts.

“You’re no fun.”

Misty looks at him with an exasperated fondness as she hands out the rest of the bags. I take mine, giving her a knowing look, and pass the other one to Matthias.

No one else has caught on. Instead, they’re all turning their bags around like they have X-ray vision.

“On the count of three,” Misty says, and Damon wraps his arms around her from behind. “One. Two. Three.”

I watch Matthias as he pulls out a t-shirt and cocks his head to the side examining it.

“World’s Best Uncle?” Bash says, his voice full of confusion.

Misty’s mouth twitches as she waits for the dumbfounded brothers to clue in.

“Wait.” Xander’s word stretched so long it could be four syllables.

“I’m going to be an uncle?” Matthias cocks his head to the side and looks at me in confusion, clearly still hung up on the fact that we’re announcing today as well.

Misty and I talked about it and decided it would be fun to announce them back-to-back. That way, both Damon and Matthias get to enjoy the surprise.

I’d gone to Misty’s place to tell her the news privately earlier this week, knowing that she desperately wanted a family of her own and wanting to be as delicate with the conversation as possible. There’s no way I’d ever want to do something thatwould make her uncomfortable. So imagine my surprise when she burst out laughing.

“But I thought…” Xander cuts off his words, sensing they may be insensitive.

“We’re adopting a little boy. He’ll be born in roughly six months,” Damon replies.

“Six months! You mean I only have six months to babyproof my entire place?”

Damon raises a brow. “Is there a reason you think my baby will be at your place?”

Bash snorts. “Because I’m going to be the best uncle ever.”

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