Page 87 of A Twisted Arrangement

Her clear blue eyes are hooded, lashes fanning over her cheeks in slow blinks. My girl’s barely awake. I kiss her forehead.

“You’re not supposed to be working this hard.” I wrap one hand around her back and the other beneath her legs, lifting her with me.

She buries her face into my chest, taking in deep breaths before sighing. “It’s your fault.”

“You can’t blame me for everything. It’s not my fault you were too stubborn to move in with me of your own free will. “

She slides one eye open, glaring at me before closing it again. “Matthias, I’m tired.”

Her words gut me, knowing she means them in more ways than one. She’s been fighting for her place in this world, desperate to separate herself from her family’s wrongdoings. Even the thought pisses me off. She was more of a victim than we were, stuck in that fucking castle with her demented family.

“I know, Little Sparrow.” I pull her closer, making my way to our room. “I have you.”

Chapter 41

Scarlet

Three sharp rapson the door let me know Misty’s here. I open it to a whirlwind of colors as she enters the space. Her natural warmth makes it feel like she’s been here countless times before.

“Girl, this place is amazing.” Misty looks around my home, eyes wide as she takes in all the details. The tones and shades are muted compared to her, but it’s obvious she likes it anyway. “Did Matthias really do all this himself?”

I shrug. “I’m pretty sure he hired a designer, but yeah, the planning was all him.”

“He really nailed your style.”

I’m not quite sure what she means by that. This place doesn’t look anything like my town house. I’d styled that one myself to perfectly fit my needs.

Misty raises a brow. “You don’t believe me? It’s welcoming while being sophisticated. The clean lines are softened by the textured textiles. Modern windows mixed with old wood details. You’ve got to admit, it’s perfectly you.”

Is it really? Am I really a mix of contradictions that Matthias somehow sorted out? Whether Misty’s right or not, there’s no question that I feel at home here.

Deciding to change the subject, I grab her coat and hang it on the small metal hook. “I’m not going to lie, I didn’t think Matthias was allowing visitors.”

“Hmmm.” She sits on the sofa, tucking her feet underneath her and covering them with the wide hem of her dress. “I didn’t give Damon a choice, so I’m pretty sure he didn’t give Matthias a choice. Not to mention, I doubt that man can deny you anything.”

“You do realize he drugged me, handcuffed me, then brought me here against my will and forced me to marry him, right?”

She looks me up and down with a smile growing on her face. “You’ve got to admit, it’s sorta romantic.”

I collapse on the sofa beside her, positioning my legs to mirror hers. “Sure, in a weird Stockholm syndrome kind of way.”

“What I want to know is how he managed to convince you to marry him. Damon had sneaky ways of his own, but I don’t think Matthias had the same leverage on you.”

“Wait?” I lean back against the armrest. “So you don’t know?”

“Know what?”

I almost feel bad for Damon because I have a sinking feeling this is not going to go over well. It’s one thing for your brother-in-law to get into trouble; it’s a whole other thing when it’s your husband.

I wince but throw him to the wolves anyway. After all, he deserves it. “Your husband was there to keep me in place during the entire ceremony, so I couldn’t leave.”

A twisted smile forms on her lips that doesn’t meet her eyes. “I’ll kill him for you.”

I laugh; it’s full and loud, coming from somewhere deep in my stomach. She just looked so freaking serious, like if Damon walked in at that second, she’d have no trouble attacking him.Knowing him and how much he loves his wife, he’d probably be happy about it. I haven’t decided if that’s sweet or messed up yet.

Mind you, we’re all a little messed up.

“That feels extreme. Can’t you hold out on a night of sex or something?” I’m kidding, but she blushes anyway.

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