Page 129 of A Twisted Arrangement

He doesn’t let go of my arm, instead taking a step with me.

“Alone.” I raise a curious brow at him, and he startles back as if just realizing what he’s doing.

The water’s hot enough to turn my skin red as I scrub off the evidence of what I did tonight. I’ve never killed anyone before, and it was a hell of a way to start. No matter how evil he was, he was still my father. I stay in the shower until the water turns from red to clear at my feet. I’m barely able to keep myself up by the time I climb out.

I wrap a towel around myself and step through an archway that leads to a small room with double vanities. This place is bigger than some studio apartments. There’s a pile of clothes neatly folded on an ottoman in the middle of the room. I don’t have the brainpower to even make a joke about why someone would need to sit while getting ready.

The black oversized shirt slides easily over my head, engulfing me to my thighs. The next item of clothing is a pair of boxers that I eye dubiously. I don’t really have a choice at the moment, so I pull them on, pushing any mortification I might feel until later.

Matthias is waiting for me, sitting at the foot of the bed. His hair is wet, and he’s changed into different clothes. He must have gone to one of his brothers’ rooms while I was in the shower. With each step, my pulse races faster until I’m nearly out of breath. Tears prick at my eyes as I run my finger over my crude stitches that are just above his temple.

I smile softly. “I’m surprised you didn’t tear these again.”

“I was careful just for you.” His tone is exhausted but playful. “Plus, most of the fun was already over before Damon got me out.”

My heart squeezes, and I lift my hands from touching him. I’d taken that revenge away from him, and no matter how solid the reasoning was, I’m sure he’ll always resent me a little.

Matthias wraps his arms around me, tugging me closer, then lifting me into the air as he stands.

“Stop thinking so much.” He lowers me onto the bed, pulling the plush blanket over me until it’s tucked under my chin.

He steps back, and I reach for him, my hand catching his, holding him in place.

“Stay.” My voice is weak, but there’s no mistaking the plea.

He squeezes my fingers before letting go. “Nothing could stop me. I’m just climbing in on the other side.”

I fall into him as he wraps his arms around me from behind, tucking me under his chin. The warmth of his chest soaks through the thin fabric of my shirt and into my back, relaxing my muscles as the steady rhythm of his heartbeat lulls me under.

Chapter 59

Scarlet

My entire bodyhurts as I slowly rise from my sleep, the light from the early morning landing on my face. I don’t have a phone, but the clock says it’s already past nine. Definitely late to my meeting with Damon. I go to get up, only to be pulled backward, an arm banding around my waist.

“Where are you going?” Matthias murmurs into my nape, his voice raspy with sleep.

I laugh, wiggling against his hold. “I’m going to meet with Damon.”

He lifts, but I stop him with a hand on his chest. “Stay here and keep the bed warm. I’ll be right back.”

He hums under his breath and snuggles into his pillow. He hadn’t fully woken up, making falling back to sleep easy. He looks even younger than sixteen, with his face relaxed with sleep and his hair wild around him. I brush a strand, careful not to touch where he’s bruised.

I’m not sure I have the right to touch him this way or what’s going to happen in the future. What I do know is a piece of me will always seek him out. That everything we’ve been through has tied me to him forever. There’s a bubbling sensation in mychest that I don’t dare to acknowledge. Whatever’s between us feels too big for us, being so young.

I lean down and place a kiss on his forehead, knowing it may be my only chance, then get up and go to meet Damon, grabbing a robe on the way out.

The conference room’s open, and I groan when I see Damon dressed in a perfectly tailored suit.

“Come on.” I gesture to him, then my clearly underdressed state. “That’s not fair.”

He huffs out a laugh. “You seem better this morning.”

Am I?

“I’m okay enough. What did you want to talk to me about?”

“The Everette family owes you a great debt.” He’s so formal in the way he’s speaking, taking on his role of the head of the Order of Saints with ease. He stands and comes before me, his head bowed.

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