A Twisted Arrangement (Twisted Vows, #2)

by Jessa Wilder

Scarlet doesn’t need me to intervene, never has. That won’t stop me from tracking him down and fucking with his business profits for upsetting her.

if he wanted to he would

“If you stare any harder, she’s going to burst into flames,”

On paper, he’s smart. A Harvard alumnus, but he made a crucial mistake coming after what’s mine.

I’ve asked myself countless times if it was the right decision, each time coming to the conclusion that I would give my Scarlet anything she needed, even if that meant letting her go.

“I want to kill him too, but she’s got this. Scarlet’s able to take care of herself,” he says, fingers tightening their grip. “Don’t you think I know that? That doesn’t mean she should have to,”

I let her slip through my grasp once. This time, I’m never letting her go.

“You’re insane.” A dangerous smirk curls the corner of my lips. “I’m glad you’re finally catching on.”

“Perfect.” Liam kisses my cheek, and I barely suppress my shudder. “I’ll call you.” I’d really appreciate it if you didn’t.

“Relax.” I grin at him. “It’s either drink or commit murder. You decide.” Oliver hands me another glass, taking my empty one.

Appeased, he smiles at me. “I thought you’d see it my way.” Little does he know, I’m planning his murder. After watching that video, he should’ve known better than to back me into a corner.

I’ll make sure she knows in the future, she never needs to be tough with me. It’s my fucking pleasure to take care of her. I’m happy to be the devil she can lean on.

Death by toilet is one hell of a way to go.

Hacking into Scarlet’s computer and watching her work has been one of my favorite hobbies.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” “I would never kid about you.”

Damon: Did one of you assholes buy a law firm? Me: I bought Scarlet’s law firm. Bash: Damn Matthias, you’re just like Damon. Xander: I hope it’s not fucking contagious.

“Right. I don’t want to die tonight.” “Why do people keep saying that?” It’s not like I’d kill him for touching my hand. He grins. “Because it’s likely, and I want to live. I’m too pretty to die this young.”

“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.”

“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,”

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.”

“He choked me once. Did you know that?” Of course, that happened when he thought I betrayed his brothers, and he couldn’t even go through with it. But it definitely doesn’t scream we’re meant to be together. “Like in the good way?”

“Never mind… Do you want me to tell Damon? Pretty sure I can convince him to kill him.”

“Take care of yourself, brother. Or I’m telling Xander and Bash and sitting back while they make fun of you.”

“You said you wouldn’t come.” “No. I said I heard you when you told me not to. They are two different things.”

“You’re dead.” She grabs my hand and drags me after her, heading straight for an elevator that opens just as we arrive like fate. I raise my brows. “Are we going to a more private place so you can kill me?”

“Come home with me tonight.” “That’s never going to happen.” I reach up and grip her chin, tilting her so her mouth lines up with mine. “Don’t say things you don’t mean.” Her eyes go wide, and she jumps back. “You’re crazy.” “Never denied it.”

I expect to feel warmth in my chest, but there’s nothing. Not even a bubble of excitement. Why can’t I be into guys like him? Sweet, sensible, safe guys.

“I’m cutting in.” A low command comes from behind me. “We’re not done with our dance,” Eric protests, looking between Matthias and me as if trying to decode what’s happening here. “I’m not asking,”

“She’s the one for me, Damon.” My older brother huffs out a breath and pinches the bridge of his nose. “I’m not sure drugging her was the right way to show her that.”

can’t kidnap what’s already mine.” “You are nuts.” “I’ve never said I wasn’t. Now, eat.”

“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 side and steal her away. I really don’t want to have to kill one of them.”

“You sure about this?” I knock on the door again. “Dead. I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life.” Damon laughs. “She’ll try to kill you.”

“I’m keeping her locked in that house until she realizes she loves me back.”

“I’m surprised you’d even ask me that, Xander. It’s simple—if she doesn’t love me now, I’ll wait for her. I’ll do whatever I need to do to show her I’m worth loving back. I’m not above begging.”

“What do you want me to say? That I’d get down on my knees and beg her? That I’ll bend to her every whim if it makes her happy? That I’ll uproot my life if she asks me? Because there is nothing I won’t do for my wife. She could ask me to walk off a bridge, and I’d ask her which one. Don’t fool yourselves—she’s not the one being strung along. I gave up any hope that I could live without her a long time ago. All I can do is do my best to show her I’m worth taking a risk on. That even though I’ve hurt her, I did what I did because it’s what she needed at the time. Not because I decided for her, but because it’s what she asked for.”

“What do you want from me?” “Haven’t you figured it out already?” He places a featherlight kiss to my forehead. “Everything. I want everything.” Matthias gets up and pulls me with him. “We’re meant to be together, Scarlet, and I’m going to make you believe it.”

“Because it fucking hurts to be near you and not be able to touch you.”

“You are worth the wait. I’d have given you forever if you’d asked me to.”

“You’re really going to be the death of me. You know that?” She removes her shirt and grins. “I’ve had plenty of opportunities to kill you, but you’re still here.”

“Don’t hide from me. I want to see all of you. I’ve dreamed about this day countless times over the years. Each time, waking up felt like a punishment.”

“I don’t think you have any idea how devastatingly in love with you I am. I’ve tortured myself to always be your wind and never your cage. I may have kidnapped you, but if you’d truly asked to be let out, I would’ve let you. But you never asked, Scarlet, because the truth is you never wanted to leave.”

“I’ll be back early. Be good.” “You really shouldn’t give me orders. You know it just makes me want to do the opposite.”

“I heard you finally convinced your wife to like you.” Bash slow claps. “All you had to do was drug her, kidnap her, and lock her in your house. Honestly, isn’t that a little pathetic?”

“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.”

“The first time, I threatened Matthias with a knife, and it ended with him carving my name into his neck.” I draw a line hollow of my neck and trace below my collarbone. “Okay, that’s kinda hot. I wonder if Damon will do that.”

“Open up, big brother!” Bash yells and bangs again. “You can’t keep her from us forever.”

“I’m already regretting this.” I slip from under him, peering up. “Don’t say that. I want them to like me.” “They already do like you.” He rakes his hand through his hair, messing it up. “Too much.”

“I’m jealous of anyone who gets your attention.”

“Even as a kid, I knew you were my soul. Letting you fly was the least I could do. But you’re mine now, Little Sparrow, and even though I will spend the rest of my life lifting you up so you can soar, I’m never letting you go again. I’m done waiting.”

“I’m not asking you, Matthias. This is my job. You promised to lift me up and not lock me away.” “Did I?” he huffs. “That doesn’t sound like me.”

Damon: You’ve been MIA. You need to come to the meeting. I can’t cover for you. Me: I’m busy.