Page 56 of A Twisted Arrangement

I clench my teeth together and form a fist, my entire body trembling. “You are such an asshole!”

“I’m happy to be your asshole for now.”

For now? What does that even mean?

I turn on the spot, tension still pulling my shoulders together, and march to the bedroom I woke up in. I need to get as far away from this man as I can.

There’s a lock on the bathroom door, and I sigh in relief. This is probably the most privacy I’m going to get. The room’s large. A white soaker tub rests in front of a window overlooking a field. The windows are tinted for privacy, but it doesn’t hinder the view. The shower’s just as luxurious. I slide my hand behind the floor-to-ceiling glass door and twist the water on. Slowly, the steam fills the space, trapped inside its cage. It feels like every single one of my muscles ache, so I slip off my borrowed shirt and step under the water, letting it seep into my skin until my body finally relaxes.

He can’t keep me here forever. Eventually, someone will notice I’m missing. Right?

I don’t have a lot of close friends, but I do have a boss. Not to mention, Misty would notice. A knot forms in my stomach because she may already know and let this happen to begin with.

If I don’t stop thinking about this, my thoughts are going to drive me insane, and the only thing I should be concentrating on is getting out of here.

The shelf is lined with bottles, and I swallow hard when I realize they are all the same as mine. Same shampoo, same conditioner. I look through the glass at the vanity and spot the same toothpaste and the style of toothbrush I like.

There must be something wrong with me because that screams red flag, but instead, my heart is pounding in my chest that this man took the time to care.

I get out of the shower, disappointed in myself, as I wipe myself down and enter the bedroom.

Matthias is there, leaning against the doorway. He’s cleaned up, wearing a black suit that wraps around his wide shoulders and narrows at his waist. His jacket’s undone, revealing where his white dress shirt skims his abs. Why does he have to look so good? I internally groan, forcing myself to look away from his chest. There’s a soft white dress in his hand.

“I’m not wearing anything you give me.”

He tosses it on the bed.

“Then you’ll be getting married naked.”

Chapter 28

Matthias

“Like hell I’ll marry you,”Scarlet screams, all worked up, her hair wild around her. She closes the distance between us and jabs her finger into my sternum. “You’ve lost your mind.”

She’s so fucking cute, all I want to do is lean down and kiss her, but that’s not going to get her to calm down any faster. “You can either do this sober or drugged. It’s up to you.”

Her mouth drops open, eyes wide. I can almost see the wheels turning in her brain.

I’m just fast enough to dodge her fist, which grazes the corner of my ear.

“Almost,” I say, chuckling, and leave the room, leaving her seething behind me.

Damon leans against the kitchen island, wearing a black dress shirt and crisp pants. He’s wearing an amused smile as I come closer. “You didn’t tell our brothers?”

I go to rake my hand through my hair but stop myself before I can mess it up. I’d taken extra care with my appearance this morning, not that Scarlet noticed, but you only get married once.

“Are you kidding me? Do you have any idea how much shit I’d take? Not to mention, I don’t trust them not to take her sideand steal her away. I really don’t want to have to kill one of them.”

The door opens, and the officiant steps in. His eyes dart around the room as he sets papers down on the table. He’s not a part of the Order, but he’s in enough debt to our family that he has no choice but to do what we say.

“Gerald, we all set?”

He jerks his head toward me and gives me a minuscule nod. If he’s already this nervous, he might faint by the time my Little Sparrow comes out.

I go to her and bang on the bedroom door. “You’ve got ten seconds until I physically force you out.”

“Screw you.” Her voice is muffled through the solid wood, but her tone’s easy to make out. A sick part of me wants her to push it a little bit further. I might enjoy having her fight in my arms as I tie her to me permanently.

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