Page 65 of A Devious Arrangement

His words are a dark promise, and shivers roll through me for an entirely new reason. I should be afraid of him, but let’s be real—he’s totally hot.

I’m too relieved to worry what Bash will think about me speaking with one of the Salvatore men. Luckily, he doesn’t seem to recognize him anyway.

The man’s frozen in place, like prey in front of a predator. Bash peels his fingers off me, and the guy whimpers in his grip.

“Fucking bastard. This has nothing to do with you,” the guy hisses.

Bash’s smile is wicked, daring, like he’d enjoy nothing more than to fight. “I’d watch what you say if I were you.”

Blood is flushing into the man’s face, turning him a ruddy red. Large veins stick out in his forehead when he says, “This is between me and her. She owes me?—”

“Wrong answer.” There’s a dark flame behind Bash’s eyes, a hint of the man he hides beneath his mask of indifference.

The Salvatore man’s eyes go round as if just realizing the position he’s in. He attempts to pull away, but it’s too late. I cringe at the sound of bone cracking and push down the sour taste in the back of my throat.

He whimpers as he clutches his hand to his heaving chest. He looks small and vulnerable, but it only lasts a second before he’s whipping back to Bash, grabbing his collar.

“Now, this is fun.” Bash’s smile grows wide, sharing the glint of sharp teeth. He’s menacing, all sharp angles and wildness.

There’s a thrill skittering under my ribs and low in my stomach as his expression darkens. His confidence makes a mockery of cockiness. There isn’t a hint of fear, just the dare for the man to test him.

At the worst time ever, heat floods between my thighs, and I press them together. There’s no way I’m letting Bash know this is actually turning me on.

Still held up by his collar, the bastard winks at me. “You look like you want me, Princess.”

I scoff. “You wish.”

Bash runs his tongue along his teeth. “Of course I do.”

“Are you really flirting right now!” If possible, the man’s face grows even more tense as he grits through his teeth, shaking Bash as much as he can with one hand, “I’m going to fucking kill you.”

Bash’s brows raise in amusement, and a dimple appears on his cheek. “Promises. Promises. That’s what they all say.”

The man goes to take a swing, clearly forgetting that his hand is broken. Bash doesn’t attempt to move, looking as casual as ever.

He might be fine with being punched in the face, but I’m not okay with it. I hurdle my body to slam into the man’s, but I’m stopped at the last second.

Damon is holding me steady as Matthias grips the guy’s arm, hauling it behind his back. From the way the guy’s face contorts, it hurts like hell.

“You wouldn’t be picking on my youngest brother, would you?” Damon asks. His voice is cold, any hint of the warmth I’d seen the other night completely absent. This is the leader of the Order Of Saints.

As if sensing his situation, the man switches to apologizing, but Matthias wrenches his arm harder. “Too late.”

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. Please…I’m begging you.” The man turns pleading eyes on me, but Matthias grips his broken hand. A gurgled sound of pain rips from him.

Matthias leans in closer. “You should have thought of that earlier.”

I almost feel bad for him. Almost. Matthias nods at me as he makes his way out the door, and Damon speaks quietly to Bash. I can’t make out a word they say, but by the spark of excitementin the youngest Everette brother’s eyes, it’s not going to be a pleasant night for the man.

“Anastasia, I hate that this is how we’re seeing each other again. Bash here should have taken better care of you.” Damon’s voice is warm and welcoming. The realization that this is the person he is only in front of his family startles me.

Somehow, I’ve made it into their small circle. A sickening guilt curls in my gut. These aren’t men who trust easily, and I’ve been lying to them all. I give him a weak smile. “He’d have to stop picking fights if he wanted to do that.”

Damon raises a brow at Bash, who’s somehow made himself look innocent.

“Don’t look at me. That asshole had his hands on Anastasia.” There’s a chill in the air. “My only regret is he still has that hand.”

“I’ll see you later.” Damon nods as if saying you were going to dismember someone was completely normal.

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