Page 92 of A Forbidden Arrangement

It’s quiet for a beat, but I’m pretty sure I hear him mutter “fuck” under his breath.

“If you’re going to stay out,” he says, voice tight, “I want a full sweep and a ten-person security team.”

“Wow, I really didn’t think you were going to give in there.” I grin, slipping the card into my pocket. “So who exactly is softening to who?”

He groans and rakes his fingers through his hair. He’s completely given up on trying to keep it styled. Like he fully expects me to exasperate him every day. “You are going to fit right in with the Everette women.”

“Does that mean I get to meet them?”

“I wouldn’t be able to stop them anyway. The only reason they haven’t been here already is because they’re in Boston.”

Misty’s violet hair and warm smile come to mind before unease settles in. I haven’t exactly made a lot of friends in my life.

Rough fingers cup the back of my neck. “What has you so worried?”

I wipe the look off my face and go to deny it, but he cuts me off.

“Out with it.”

“What if Idon’tfit in with them?” I stare down at his pristine black leather shoes. “I don’t exactly belong here.”

Xander laughs, actually laughs, and I snap my head up in indignation.

“I’m serious.”

“I’m sure you are.” It takes several beats before he can get his laughter under control. “You don’t have to worry about that. If anything, I have to worry that they’re going to steal you from me. They aren’t exactly fans of how I went about this.”

My head tilts to the side. “Misty seemed to imply that it’s all the Everette brothers.”

“Which just means they’re familiar with how we act, not that they’ll let me mistreat you.”

There’s a warm, tingly feeling in my chest, knowing that these women would choose my side over Xander’s.

“Wait, is that why I haven’t met them yet?”

He takes a large step back. “Smart girl.”

Ignoring the way heat twirls low in my stomach, I ask, “And you think it’s safe for me to meet them now? What if I tell them you’re some kind of possessive jerk who won’t let me leave?”

He points at the credit card in my hand. “I thought we’d just discussed you can leave whenever you want.” A sly grin curves his lips. “You can even stay out overnight.”

“You sneaky bastard!”

He nods in agreement, and I decide his face is definitely smackable.

“I’m glad we sorted this out. They’ll be here tonight.”

“Wait, liketonighttonight?”

His brows pull down in a frown as he scans my face. “You’re not actually going to use them to run away, are you?”

He looks adorably vulnerable. Seeing the boyish side of him is really not fair. The fact that he doesn’t seem to be aware of it only makes it worse.

“No promises.”

“Dahlia.”

“Xander.”