Page 122 of A Twisted Arrangement

I don’t even dodge his kick, knowing his pride wouldn’t let me get away with that level of snark.

The thing he doesn’t understand is I’m already fucking crazy. There’s nothing he can do to me here that I wouldn’t willingly take on for my family.

“They’ll never follow you,” I bark after him, enjoying the way he stiffens mid-stride. “You have to be smart to be a Lord of the Order of Saints, and you’re a fucking idiot.”

His booted foot lands firmly into my gut, causing me to gag on air. “Big words from someone who’s chained to my wall.”

I struggle to breathe, and my eyes fill with water, but I don’t miss the glint of metal on the guard’s hip.

Please tell me he’s stupid enough to bring my key into the room.

Christopher steps closer and spits on me but has to jump back to avoid my kick.

“Better be careful, Chrissy.” I give him my wildest smile, letting my demon shine through. I may be the one chained, but he has no idea what he’s gotten himself into.

He seems to sense the shift in the air because there’s a slight stutter to his voice as he hisses, “Fuck you,” and lets the door slam behind him.

The sharp clack of the lock snapping in place fills the space.

Sighing, I collapse back, eyes drifting to the bookshelf. I can only hope that was enough to keep her safe.

Chapter 56

Matthias

“Let me see your stitches,”Scarlet says the second she comes through the hidden door in the bookcase. Her hands are full with the same medical aid case she’s brought with her the last three days and a small brown bag.

Each day has been nearly identical. Get the shit kicked out of me the night before and wake up to her complaining about me tearing my stitches the next morning.

I take the bag she holds out for me and search through it to see a sandwich and a crisp green apple.

My stomach growls, and her lips twitch.

I raise the sandwich to my mouth, pausing right before my first bite. “You’re not going to poison me, are you?”

“I’m not sure you’re aware of this, but I don’t need to poison you in this situation.” Her gaze roams over my chains, then my cut.

“Fair.” I take a bite, ignoring the pain in my gums, and hum in the back of my throat. If this is how she’s going to kill me, I’m down.

I finish in a few short bites and tuck the apple near the wall for later. I’m not sure what she risks by coming here, but I’m positive neither of us wants to find out.

She holds up a thin antibacterial cloth. “Ready?”

I flinch back. “No fucking way. That shit hurts.”

“And you calledmethe prissy one. It’s not that bad.” She chuckles, and it’s a light, cheerful sound, one that doesn’t belong anywhere near here. The fact that she’s able to make it tells me there’s nothing about this that shocks her. I hate the thought of her being the one on the receiving end of her family’s pitifulness. She’s strong, maybe even stronger than me.

The entire situation pulls on my pride, and I force myself to stay perfectly still as she pokes at her stitches for several seconds.

Her neck is inches from my nose, and the sweet smell of citrus and vanilla fills my senses, momentarily stealing all of the blood from my brain.

Scarlet pulls back, completely unaware of the state I’m in, and smiles. “See? Not too bad. It’s ugly, like I figured, but at least you aren’t bleeding everywhere.”

She grabs a regular face cloth from her bag and soaks it with a bottle of water before rubbing it harshly against my neck.

“Hey.” I inhale sharply. “That hurts.”

Little nails dig into my skin as she holds me still. “Relax. You’re covered in blood. If we get out of here, you’ll have to pay me to keep all your whining a secret.”

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