Page 21 of A Devious Arrangement

“Not sure yet, but you sure are fun to play with.”

The server from before gives me a little wave. I groan internally as I’ve wasted way too much time with Bash.

I’m supposed to be stealthy. The last thing I need is to grab the attention of one of the Lords.

“I…I have to find my brother,” I rush out, and his smile grows.

“Your brother.”

Why am I like this with him? “Yes.”

“Your brother, who isdefinitelyhere.”

“Yes.”

“Uh-huh.” Bash steps out of my way. “I’m not sure what you’re planning, but I’d like to find out.”

Shit. Why does it have to be him? “I’m not doing anything.”

“Whatever you say, Princess.”

“Don’t call me that.”

“Alright, Stasia.”

“It’s Anastasia.”

“I know. Miss Anastasia Katrina Volkov. I’m aware of who you are.”

Yeah…that’s the problem. You aretooaware.I straighten my shoulders. “Alright then. Please address me as Miss Anastasia.”

His smirk turns devious. “Is that an order?”

I catch the server’s gaze. He’s looking at me frantically. He can’t stay there much longer without someone noticing. The waitstaff’s trained to move throughout the room.

“If that’s how you want to take it. I have to go.”

Bash steps aside and bows. Freaking bows!

“I look forward to seeing you later. Stasia.”

Not if I can help it. I give him a tight-lipped smile and shuffle around him, making my way over to the poor teenager.

I wait until Bash is out of eyesight before handing the server the money and slipping behind him. Within moments, his full tray tips, soaking a woman’s dress. Her shrieks follow me out of the room.

The plan worked so perfectly I’ll have to find a way to slip him a tip.

Chapter 8

Bash

“How dare you ruin my dress!”Mrs. Winston’s voice hits an all-time high. Her face is as red as the wine that’s stained the pale blue fabric, turning it into an ugly, bruised color.

“I’m sorry. I’ll pay for it.” The server’s head is bowed low as the woman berates him.

She scoffs. “Do you have any idea how much this costs? More than anything you will own in your entire pathetic life.”

I glance to where Stasia’s disappeared into the hallway, scarlet hair flickering out of sight just as this woman screamed like she’d been stabbed instead of slightly inconvenienced.

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