Page 130 of A Twisted Arrangement

I take a step back. There’s no way the Lord is bowing to me.

“It’s my family’s fault to begin with.”

He sighs. “Matthias told me you’d be stubborn. Just listen.”

I clamp my mouth shut.

“I will use my position as Lord to protect you and will guarantee the Laurents’ place will remain open in the Order.”

I shake my head. I never expected any of this. “There’s no need to do that.”

“Scarlet, it’s the only way your family’s funds can be transferred to you. Even as it is, it won’t move over until you’re eighteen.”

“So I’ll be the new Order member?” I tilt my head to the side, scanning him.

He looks away for a moment before answering, “Sorry…even I can’t change tradition. The title will pass to your husband when you marry.”

I cross my arms over my chest, hiding the way my hands shake. “You’re not going to marry me off, are you?”

He steps backward, revulsion clear in his face. “You saved my family. I’ll give you whatever you want.”

I swallow hard as a lightness fills me. With his words, the ever-present weight lifts off my shoulders. In my entire life, I’ve never been given a choice, and to have it now has me almost drunk on giddiness.

Smiling, I look him dead in the eyes, letting him know I’m serious. “Don’t marry me off to anyone. I don’t care how good the match is. I want to go to college, get a degree and a freaking job. I want a life of my own creation with no one telling me what to do.”

There’s a bubbly, tingling sensation climbing up my chest, threatening to break through in a laugh. I’m hopping from foot to foot, unable to completely contain the feeling.

Damon glances over my shoulder, then back to me. “What do you want me to do if someone asks me to set you up with them?”

My answer’s quick on my lips, no hesitation. “Don’t tell me. If someone’s interested, I don’t want to hear about it until I’m at least twenty-five. If they are really serious about me and not just the title, they’ll be willing to wait.”

A muscle ticks in his jaw as he glances behind me again. I nearly turn with the curiosity to see what he’s looking at. “Are you sure that’s what you want?”

My smile’s so wide I’m practically beaming. “Positive.”

“You’ve got yourself a deal.” He holds his hand out in front of him, and I stare at it for a second before shaking it. “If you ever need anything, just let me know. The Everette family will always be there for you.”

“There you go again, being all stiff,” I scoff.

Damon softens for a second. “I can see what he sees in you.”

“Who?”

Damon gestures with his head to where Matthias is leaning against the doorway. He’s wearing different clothes, and his bandages have all been replaced.

I walk up to him and smirk. “What, you didn’t like stitches? Had to go to anactualdoctor?”

“They were crooked.” His tone is missing the teasing I’ve come to expect. The gold in his eyes somehow dims when he straightens.

“How long have you been listening?” I smile at him.

His eyes dart away from mine. “Long enough.”

What is wrong with him? Whatever it is, I’ll help him figure it out. “Want to get breakfast?

He raises a brow, and it’s like a cold wall shutters his expression, making it impossible to read. “Don’t tell me you got the wrong idea?”

“What?” I breathe, a pit forming in my stomach.

---