Page 34 of A Devious Arrangement
“I have a wife and kids,” he pleads.
Well, shit. I let him guide me into the back seat, unsure if he’s actually in danger, but I’m not going to risk it. It’s obvious whether it’s true or not, this man believes it.
There’s a strong scent of lemons when I climb in, the guard rapidly getting behind the wheel as if he’s worried if given enough time, I’ll escape.
“I’m Carter.”
I rub my palms into my eyes, suddenly exhausted. “I’m Anastasia.”
Seeming to understand my need for silence, he’s quiet the rest of the way.
I don’t have time to be distracted; there are more important things going on in my life. And if I can’t figure it out soon, I’ll find myself married to some Russian rando or at the mercy of the Salvatores. Nikolai said we could sell the company and disappear. That we don’t need the Order to be happy. Maybe I could have done that before, but I have the distinct impression that our grandmother won’t let either of us go unless I get her the tiara.
She’s quicker than I expected, figuring out that my brother’s my weakness and can be used to control me. She’d applied just enough pressure to get me to risk my life to do what she wants.
The problem is my only lead went cold. Sure, I found the tiara, but it’s useless if I’m unable open the case. I need to figure out how to unlock it, but it’s not like it’s something I can Google. I can’t even repeat what I did before. Bash might be immature, but he’s not stupid enough to let me get him drunk and ply him with questions a second time. Not to mention, something tells me I’m the one who will lose that game.
On top of that, snooping around isn’t an option. Eventually, Iwillget caught, and that might as well be a death sentence.
I startle when my phone vibrates in my pocket. There’s a message from one of my favorite stores telling me the jacket I wanted is back in stock. I delete the text, knowing I can’t buy it, anyway. I try to ignore the irrational hint of disappointment itching at my skin, revealing that a part of me was excited thatit might be Bash. I block the unknown number he’d texted from, slicing his ability to reach me.
I refuse to be happy about his annoying persistence.
He’s shown up everywhere he shouldn’t at the absolute worst times. I thought I was done for when he pulled off my hood in the Vault, catching me red-handed, but he’d just tilted his head and stared at me with amusement. Like I’m the most interesting thing he’s ever encountered. The question remains: why didn’t he turn me in? He had all the information he needed. He caught me snooping in the hall. I don’t believe for a second he believed I was lost. He knows I’ve been to that ballroom countless times.
If he didn’t say anything then and didn’t tell his brothers when he found me in the Vault, it’s possible he has no plans of handing me over. What if I just tell him why I need the tiara? Would he help me get it? He is a Lord, after all. If anyone could, it’s him.
I shove the thoughts into the back of my brain and lock it with a click. It’s because he’s a Lord that I can’t trust him. He’s more than likely just playing with me, and when my novelty runs out, the game will be over.
Letting my guard down around him is absolutely not an option.
The glass of the car window is cool on my cheek, still warm from the hour I spent exercising. We’re blocks away from the turnoff to my street, where the homes become more and more luxurious.
I glance at the corner store with its flashing open sign.
“You can let me off here,” I tell the driver as I grab my purse.
He glances back at me through the rearview mirror, eyes wide. “I can’t do that, miss.”
“Are you kidnapping me? Am I your captive?”
He pulls the car to the curb, not before murmuring to himself. “I’m so fucking dead.”
“Tell him I threatened you.” I wink as I get out of the car. The air is cool against my skin, the breeze lifting the damp hair from the nape of my neck.
“Just be careful.” He’s practically begging.
“Don’t worry, I’ve done this countless times.”
He doesn’t look reassured as I walk away.
The bell on the door chimes when I enter the convenience store. The bright strip lights cast the space in a warm glow. It’s nice, with a good selection, something I’m lucky to have so close by. I enter my favorite aisle. It’s lined with different flavors of instant ramen. The cups are already prepared; just need to add boiling water. Something even I can handle.
It’s not that I can’t afford groceries, but if anything happens, I need money to get out of here. It’s not like I can pull out of our savings account. Nikolai and I drained every last cent to pay down our father’s debt, and it still wasn’t enough.
Most people would just make stuff at home, but it’s embarrassing to admit I have no idea how to cook. Even my scrambled eggs turned out gross. I watched a few videos before I admitted it’s useless and turned to instant food. At least this stuff tastes amazing.
Later in the week, I’ll grab some individual frozen meals. Even I can warm things up. Although they’re sometimes still frozen in the middle. You’d think with all our technology, the companies could figure that out.
