Page 21 of A Twisted Arrangement

Five days, Little Sparrow.

Then you’re mine.

Damon: Did one of you assholes buy a law firm?

Me: I bought Scarlet’s law firm.

Bash: Damn Matthias, you’re just like Damon.

Xander: I hope it’s not fucking contagious.

Chapter 11

Scarlet

“Stupid, stubborn men,”I grumble under my breath as I cover the deep red mark Matthias left on my neck. I can only thank God it didn’t darken until I got home from work.

No matter how many times I’ve rolled it over in my mind, I can’t for the life of me understand what’s changed.

He went from evading me since I was fifteen to kissing me breathless.

A thrill runs through my traitorous body at the memory. It responded to him so easily, completely taking over my mind, like he owned it. It’s like he consumed any semblance of sense I had.

One does not kiss boys who’ve ignored you for ten years.Not a hard concept to understand, and yet I’d succumb to his mouth willingly.

I remove the giant rollers from my hair one by one, careful to guide each curl into the perfect position. No one ever accused me of being low-maintenance. Even for events that I don’t want to go to, like tonight, I spend hours getting ready. I started with a head-to-toe body mask that makes my skin silky smooth while telling myself the entire time it’s not in case I run into a certain billionaire.

My dress is a deep burgundy, so dark it could be mistaken for black, that dips low on my back, the fabric brushing my tailbone.

I look in the mirror and smile, my lips painted a scarlet red.

Matthias showed up to my work today and played with me, and tonight, I’m going to spend my time completely ignoring him as I should have done all along.

Oliver is waiting in a black suit and tie by the door like usual, giving me a small smile. Although our relationship has always been completely professional, he’s still been a steady force in my life. One that I’m going to need tonight.

He holds out a light jacket for me. “Are you ready to go?”

I slide it on before pausing and rushing back to my room.

“I can’t believe I almost forgot this.” I tie the black mask around the back of my head, being extra careful to keep my hair perfectly styled.

I walk back out to where Oliver’s standing.

“How do I look?”

“I’d prefer not to be murdered for answering that.”

My brows scrunch together. “Why would I murder you? I’m the one who asked.”

He ignores me completely. “Let’s go. You don’t want to be late.”

Chapter 12

Scarlet

The exclusivityof this event is what draws so much attention, and I’m not surprised to see the lined-up photographers as we pull up to the Everette hotel. For four brothers who like to stay out of the spotlight, they sure put on a good party.

I lower my mask, blocking my face from view before Oliver opens my door. The black town car is one of many lined up to drop off partygoers. The immaculate designs and attire are all a cover for the darkness that lies beneath. The Order Of Saints isn’t exactly bad, but power always stirs resentment, and over the years, I’ve learned that living this life comes at a cost.

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