Page 26 of A Twisted Arrangement

My brothers’ easygoing image is more of a facade than anything. They’re both entirely too observant, picking up on the most minute things.

A laugh busts out of Bash, a cocky smile on his face. “Since when have we ever done that?”

Xander tilts his head to the side and raises a brow. “You went from ignoring her to following her around like a puppy.”

“Please don’t tell me you’re stalking her.” Bash smirks like he already knows the answer.

“I guess it depends on what qualifies as a stalking.”

Bash huffs out a breath. “Yeah, I don’t think it’s that complicated. Probably one of those things where if you have to ask, you’re definitely doing it.”

“So tell us, big brother. How have you been keeping track of your girl, because there’s no way you haven’t been?” Xander asks.

I shrug. “Her guard, Oliver, works for me.”

“Damn…you hired him to spy on her!” Xander laughs. “That’s fucked-up.”

Bash snorts into his drink. “I can’t believe you’re actually worse than Damon.”

“I’ve had longer to practice,” I say, not feeling an ounce of shame.

“The real question is why pay attention to her now?” Bash cuts in.

“Figured I should warm her up a bit before I make it so she can’t escape.”

“Jesus,”Xander exclaims.“You and Damon are fucking creepy. You know that?”

Bash smiles at Xander. “I don’t know. Seeing this softer side of Matthias is kind of cute.”

“Fine.” Xander turns serious, a coldness wafting off him that would scare the hell out of anyone else. “Don’t forget we owe her. Hurt her and we’ll hurt you.”

“You’re not going to have to worry about that. I’m going to spend the rest of my life giving Scarlet exactly what she needs. Even if she doesn’t know what that is yet.”

“And that’s you?” he asks.

“It sure the fuck is.”

Damon walks up to us, handing me a drink. “What are you talking about?”

“That Matthias has you beat in the stalker department.”

“Ah, so you finally told them.”

Bash’s eyes go wide. “What? You knew and didn’t tell us?” He places his hand over his chest like he’s been wounded. “I thought we were close.”

“Trust me, I was as shocked as you are.” Damon glares at me. “Not to mention the hard time you gave me when it came to Misty.”

“Speaking of which. Where is your beautiful wife?” I ask, knowing the compliment would piss him off. All Everette men are territorial, but the two of them have something extra going on.

“I sent her home with Nicholas. We have this meeting tonight. It better not go long—I’ve got plans.” His lips tip up at the end.

Bash scrunches his nose. “Ew. Don’t think about our sister like that.”

“I should kill you for your mind even going there,” Damon says, his tone flat, and our two youngest brothers smartly take a step back.

Xander holds his hands up in surrender. “Let’s just get this fucking meeting over with.”

Chapter 14

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