Page 95 of A Forbidden Arrangement

“For all of their faults, no one loves like the Everette brothers do. Once they fall, that’s it. You’re all they can see from that point on. Makes them do some not-so-legal things, but there’s something that feels good about it too.” Misty gives me a knowing look. “Knowing that they’re obsessed with you. That you’re all they’ll ever need.”

That hits a little too close to the truth, and I drain a glass of champagne to settle my nerves. The knots in my shoulders start to unwind. The champagne’s crisp on my tongue.

“By the way,” Scarlet says, lowering her voice, “one of Matthias’s guys is pretending to text near the pillar behind us. Don’t look.”

“Forget the pillar,” Scarlet says, tilting her head up. “They’re in the surveillance room.”

A prickle slides down my spine. I set my glass down. “You’re serious.”

Misty lifts her glass again. “To the illusion of freedom.”

We clink. The bubbles go to my head fast. Warmth spreads behind my ribs. I didn’t realize how much I needed to sit withwomen who tease and hand me lip gloss and tell me I can go home if I want. There’s an understanding between all three of them, and they’re extending the invitation to me.

Scarlet props her chin on her hand. “What’s he like when the world’s not watching?”

“Focused,” I say. “Patient when he wants to be. He listens.”

Anastasia sighs. “Xander’s always been more relaxed with his family than with the public, but I’m still having trouble picturing him as playful. Bash, sure. Xander? Not a chance.”

A sly smile curves her lips. “I bet he’s completely feral when he’s with you. It’s always the cold ones. Right?”

Heat climbs my neck. The server arrives with another bottle, saving me from answering.

Misty stands. “Alright. Enough talking. Before the cavalry arrives, we’re dancing.”

“I’m not a dancer.”

“You’re a person with a body,” Scarlet says, sliding out. “That’s enough.”

Anastasia smooths her dress. “Stay close.”

We push into the crowd. The music grabs my pulse and drags it along. Lights flash across the floor in purple and white. Misty finds a pocket of space, and we fall into a loose circle. I start small, hips swaying, shoulders rolling. The dress moves with me. Sweat beads at my hairline. Scarlet throws her head back and laughs.

It feels good. Alive.

Misty leans close. “Twelve minutes.”

Scarlet answers without looking up. “Ten.”

“You’re giving them too much credit. Five,” Anastasia says.

“What are we betting on?” I ask.

“When they’ll show up,” Scarlet says.

“You’re kidding.”

“You’ll see,” Misty says, eyes bright.

The song shifts, and the bass gets heavier. A man steps toward me through the lights. Tall, clean shirt, polite smile. His mouth moves, but the sound’s eaten by the beat. I shake my head, but he still takes a step closer anyway.

A hand slides around my waist, tugging me into a hard chest possessively. Expensive cologne and a natural scent that could only be his fills my nose.

Xander.

The man in front of me freezes, catches on quickly, and disappears into the crowd. Annastasia’s grin turns feral.

“Five minutes,” she says. “Pay up.”