Page 31 of A Twisted Arrangement

“It’s not that. I’m positive he knows why I had to do what I did back then, but that just makes the last ten years piss me off even more.” I roll my neck and hug my wineglass to my chest. “Did you know, prior to this week, he hadn’t said a single word to me since we escaped my family’s place? Not a single one.”

She raises one brow, tilting her head to the side as she examines me. “I’ve seen him in a room with you.”

“What?” I’m starting to feel like Misty knows way more than I thought she did.

“Once I figured out his pattern, I knew that if I followed his gaze, I’d find you. I’ll admit it made you like a mystery.”

“It’s not much of a mystery. We kissed when we were teenagers, then he refused to see me. Actually, it sounds pretty run-of-the-mill teenage romance.”

She raises one brow. “Romance?”

“Whatever. You know what I mean.”

A smirk pulls at the corner of her lip. “So is there a chance you might be able to rekindle whatever’s going on between you two?”

I think through the kiss in my office, then the way he held me last night, and have to tamp down my body’s reaction. There’s still the underlying sting from when he rejected me. I haven’t spent the last decade making myself stronger just because a guy I used to like showed back up in my life.

“Am I just supposed to be grateful that he finally deigned to speak to me? Welcome him back with open arms?”

“Hell no. Making him squirm is half the fun. Plus, I’m looking forward to all the stuff he does trying to win you over.”

I take my shot before wiping my mouth on my sleeve. Not very ladylike. “He bought the company I work for.”

“Yeah, that sounds like something an Everette brother would do. Wait. Aren’t you loaded?”

Normally, that question would throw me off. More than a few people aren’t happy that I got to keep my family money, but I can’t help but be honest with her. “Yeah.”

A slow smile takes over her face. “I have an idea.”

Chapter 16

Matthias

My fingers drumon my thigh as I sit in my car in Elysium’s parking lot. I left my brothers with full intentions of going home, but my last update from Oliver has me sitting in place. Scarlet’s gone to hang out with Misty, and I can only imagine what the two of them will get up to. I’ve kept myself closed off from pretty much everyone, but Misty’s observant in a way that most people aren’t. Which means she has more than enough information to ruin everything. I’m trying to ease Scarlet into the idea of being with me, and by the way her body responded to me last night, it’s working.Fuck, her moans had my dick hard all day. I’ve never wanted Scarlet to make things easy on me.

Not that I’d mind working hard for her, but I have no doubt the two of them will be nothing but trouble together. A thrill ripples up my spine, knowing that, soon, the two of them will be family.

Damon: You should come get your girl.

Me: Oliver’s got her.

Even typing the words pisses me off.

Damon: You are not going to want her alone with him in this state.

Me: What’s that supposed to mean?

Damon: They polished off a bottle of vodka.

Fuck.

Me: I’ll be there in a minute.

Me: Take care of her Damon. I’m trusting you.

Damon: You know I will.

Damon opens their apartment door before I can knock. “You got here fast.”

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