Page 10 of A Devious Arrangement
“And you will, but we both know there’s nothing exciting happening there.” He extends his hand. “Come with me.”
A thrill rolls through me, and I take it without thinking. I’m losing my senses bit by bit. I should make excuses to flee, not follow him in silent, stupid agreement.
Amusement is written clear across his face as he guides me through the door. “After you.”
A quick glance in the room has me swallowing hard.
He can’t be serious.
Chapter 4
Anastasia
As soon asI enter the smoke-filled room, my throat tightens, and my eyes water. The pungent smell of cigarette smoke assaults my lungs, and I have to fight back a cough. Ten men sit around a large poker table. They’re all silhouetted by the low light, but I can make out their familiar faces. Their stern expressions and focused gazes on their cards hint at the serious game underway. They’re all acquaintances from our social circle, but thankfully not close friends of my brother’s. He would lose his mind if he knew I showed up here. I can’t help but wonder what their respectable fathers would say if they knew what their sons were up to.
“I…I have to go,” I say, and a solid wall of muscle holds me in place as I stumble back directly into Bash. His chin brushes the top of my head as I tuck underneath him perfectly. He chuckles, steadying me with one hand.
The men do a double take as Bash presses his warm palm against the small of my back, his hand rough and warm against my skin as he pushes me further into the room.
“Are you crazy?” Eric, the newly minted Saint of the Cromwell family, says as he stands, placing both palms on thetable. His young face is pinched in disbelief. “You can’t bring someone like her in here.”
Bash tilts his head to the side, eyeing the younger man. “Can’t I? I’m pretty sure I can do whatever the hell I want. Plus, Stasia won’t tell anyone. Right?”
“Don’t call me Stasia.” My hands fist at my sides. “I won’t tell anyone. Just let me out of here.”
“I don’t think so. You see, the longer you stay, the more you’re an accomplice. Then it would be as dangerous for you as it is for us to tell anyone about this as it would us.” A devious smirk curves his lips. “Isn’t that right, boys?”
The men at the table grunt, then go back to their cards. Bash is right—there’s nothing they can do about it. If a Lord says something will happen, no one will go against him. Even if it means risking their reputation.
A wave of high-pitched laughter drifts from the plush sofa to my right, drawing my attention. I spot a man sandwiched between two women, kissing one of them passionately. My stomach clenches as it hits me I don’t recognize either girl, and by the way they’re dressed, they definitely didn’t come from the ball. Panic sets in. I’m in some kind of sleazy, secret gambling den.
“Relax, Princess. Nothing will happen to you here. Not with me, at least,” Bash whispers in my ear, sending tingles down my spine. My traitorous body likes the feel of his breath a little too much. I like sex as much as the next girl, but I’ve never felt this kind of attraction before.
It’s only when he wraps his arm around my waist and guides me deeper into the room that I snap out of my daze. I should fight against his hold, but with all eyes on me, that’s the last thing I’m going to do. I’ll just wait it out until Bash’s distracted, then get out of here. An idea sparks, and I have to cover my smile. This may work out for me. After all, he is a Lord, and whobetter to know where the tiara is? If I can just get him to trust me, this might be easier than I thought.
There aren’t any available seats at the game table, and I expect to move to the sitting area, but Bash looms over the players.
“Move.”
Two chairs clear immediately, not a hint of hesitation as they go to the sofas, quickly distracted by scantily clad women. This is a guy’s paradise if I’ve ever seen one. I shudder at the thought of how many times they’ve used this room and just what they use it for.
“I don’t think I can do this,” I say under my breath so only Bash can hear.
“Come on. Have a little fun. You’re always so rigid.”
My nose scrunches. “I am not.”
Bash rolls back on his heels. “Yes, you are. You float through events like being there is beneath you.”
He’s wrong. I’m not distant because I want to be. I just can’t let anyone get too close. Not when a closer look would reveal just how messed up my family is. I force levity I don’t feel into my voice. “Have you been watching me?”
“Why, did you want me to be?”
I laugh, unable to hold it back. “Are you always this ridiculous?”
“Only when I want to make a pretty woman laugh.”
“Oh, so I’m just a pretty girl to you?” I huff out a breath. Why would I expect anything less from a playboy like him? It’s become the norm to see the youngest Everette brother with a different girl on his arm at every event, never getting too serious with any of them. If it’s not a girl, it’s his brother Xander, and they’ve been notorious since they were young for getting into mischief. All the more reason it’s a bad idea for me to be here.
