Page 32 of A Devious Arrangement

I want to argue, to tell them that they’re wrong and I haven’t been caught in a web, but even I can’t lie that well.

“It’s her. Happy?” I groan, giving up.

“We’ll see. I’ve always wanted another sister.” The grin that takes over Matthias’s face eases something in me. He’d spent years with no sign of happiness. It was his wife, Scarlet, who brought it back. “I knew you’d eventually cave.”

I drop my head back, looking at the sky, and sigh. “Just leave me alone.”

“For now, but we want to formally meet her,” Damon commands, leaving no room for argument.

Luckily, Tucker comes running up to us screaming about his older cousin, Finley, destroying his dirt castle, saving me from any more questions.

Damon groans, and Matthias grips his shoulder. “Come on, let’s take care of it before they murder each other.”

“This isn’t over.” Damon points his finger, digging into my sternum, before following Matthias to where the kids are yelling.

Warmth fills my chest at the sound of the arguing children. Never in a million years did I think we’d get this, and I’ll be grateful for the rest of my life.

I grab another beer and find a spot in the shade. I only last a few minutes before I’m grabbing my phone and pulling up the camera feed I have on Stasia.

She’s fresh from her shower, white towel wrapped around her waist, and my dick’s hard just looking at her.

I need to figure this out before Damon and Matthias step in, and I need her cooperation to do that. I lean back against thechair, running through ideas until an inkling forms. It’s reckless, and she’ll hate it, but it’ll give me everything I want.

To get my brothers off my back.

To protect her.

And the chance to finally figure out what she’s up to.

She needs that tiara, and I’m going to use her desperation to force her into a deal. One where she has to pretend to be my girlfriend, and in return, I’ll help her.

She won’t know until it’s too late that she’ll have walked right into my trap. It’s a little fucked-up, but hey, I never claimed to be a good person.

My brothers would be proud as I follow in their footsteps. She’s ignited my interest, and I’m willing to do anything to make her mine.

Chapter 16

Anastasia

My eyes are closedas I move through the positions that are ingrained into my muscles. Gentle hands, raised arms, straight back. Over and over again, I let the classical music move me as I run through the familiar dance. Sweat builds at my temples and on the nape of my neck, causing it to itch, but I don’t dare to break the spell that’s cast over me.

Ballet has always been my salvation. It’s the only thing that’s given back exactly what I’ve put in.

No matter how much I loved my mother, she still died. No matter how much I begged my father, he never returned to his old self. No matter how much I wanted to help my older brother, he never let me in.

I understand why. He wanted me to feel the happiness the world tried to take from me. He just never understood that I wanted to give that back. To put in just as much effort into his happiness as he does mine.

That’s why finding the tiara is so important. That’s why I insisted on being the one to do this, even though he doesn’t understand.

He’d have given up everything for me, and I can’t accept that. Not this time.

My shoulders burn as I twist, keeping my arms above my head, and my thighs tremble as I maintain the perfect pose and spin until I’m dizzy, letting my mind sink into the moment and my worries fade.

My phone buzzes on by the front desk, and I ignore it, focusing on the pattern of the dance, picturing the heat of the lights and the crowd in front of me until the vibration stops. I move into another sequence, only to have the buzz start again and again. Frustration replaces my peace, and I drop my heels down and stomp my way to the counter. Each step is louder than the next. My ballet instructor would have made me work for hours if she caught me like this.

I flip the phone over, ready to turn it off, when I spot the message.

Future Husband: Whatcha doing?

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