Page 94 of A Forbidden Arrangement

She pulls out a sky-blue dress that looks simple until she shakes it out and the fabric catches the light. “You’re wearing this.”

“You planned a kidnapping?” I ask.

“Please.” She waves that off, handing over a pair of shoes. “You were begging to be kidnapped.”

Scarlet twists around from the middle row. “Change here. Don’t worry, we’ll block.”

They hold up jackets, and I squeeze out of my hoodie and leggings without flashing the whole neighborhood. The dress slides on like it was made for me. The neckline’s modest. The fit’s not. It hugs every curve and stops mid-thigh.

Misty gives a satisfied hum. “Xander’s gonna have a stroke.”

“Thanks.” The thought of how Xander would look seeing me in this dress sends goose bumps across my shoulders.

“What are sisters for?” Misty says, handing me a compact.

The word catches in my chest. Sisters. It’s such a small thing, but it hits somewhere deep. For a second, I let myself enjoy the feeling of belonging that I’ve been wishing for my entire life.

Misty doesn’t notice. She’s already digging through her purse, focused and efficient. She pulls out a thin tube and passes it over. “Lip gloss. Clear. You don’t need more.”

I smile, a quiet one, and swipe it on. “Thanks,” I say again, softer this time.

Chapter 41

Dahlia

The SUV glidesto a stop in front of a multistory club. The line outside stretches half a block. Our driver doesn’t bother parking. He pulls up to the rope. The doorman takes one look at Misty and lifts it.

Inside’s all soft light and deep bass. The sound lives under my feet. We slip past the bar to an area roped off in the back. A host greets us by name and leads us to a curved booth that wraps around a low table. From here, the crowd looks like glitter in motion.

Misty drops into the center and kicks off her heels. “Champagne, please!” she tells the server.

“Two bottles,” Scarlet adds.

“Sparkling water too,” Anastasia says. “We’ve gotta return her upright.”

I sit and smooth the dress again. The leather’s cool against the backs of my thighs. The server comes back with a cold bottle and pours four glasses.

“To the new sister,” she says.

Anastasia studies me over her rim. “How’s married life?”

I smirk. “He’s…a little overprotective.”

Misty chokes on her drink. “A little?”

Misty taps my knee. “Since we’re sisters now, we’ll be honest. Damon basically blackmailed me into marrying him. I was his PR person. It was messy. Wouldn’t change it for the world.”

Scarlet swirls her drink. “Matthias and I grew up together. He didn’t talk to me for ten years. Then he kidnapped me and put a ring on my finger.” She holds the sparkling diamond for me to see.

Anastasia adjusts her dress strap. “I tried to steal from the Order of Saints. Bash caught me. Then he emptied my house and moved me into his. I love that sneaky bastard.”

I blink. “This is supposed to make me feel better?”

“It will once the champagne hits,” Scarlet says.

“You get used to it.” Misty grins. “It’s actually kind of sweet.”

I huff out a laugh. “If you say so.”