Page 52 of A Devious Arrangement
I made a deal with Sebastian Everette. He’s practically the devil incarnate to save my family.
At least, that’s how I used to see him… After last night, seeing him with his nieces and nephews like that, I’m not sure I know anything about him at all. There’s a small squeeze in my chest. Maybe I understand him better now than most.
It only took an hour of sitting on the couch for my mind to spiral into a million thoughts about how I should be looking for anything that might help. Asking Bash for help is just one thing I can do.
It doesn’t matter that I have no clue where to start. If my anxiety had its way, I’d be knocking on every single door until I’m handed that freaking tiara. So to ease some of the anxiety, I’ve spent the last several hours rifling through Bash’s things.
I can’t say I’m surprised at what I’ve found since I already saw how Bash interacts with his family, but that didn’t stop the way my heart fluttered when I opened the decorated rooms he has for each of his nieces and nephews.
The more I get to know him, the more I see that the facetious person he presents to society is a mask. Underneath, he’s all stuffies and Barbie dolls.
I close the door to the laundry room behind me and make my way down the hall. I’m on the second floor, just a few doors down from where I spent last night. My cheeks heat, and I’m eternally grateful no one’s here to see it.
Bash has been burrowing his way through my defenses like a deranged squirrel on a mission. Every time I catch my breath, he’s there doing something else to throw me off-kilter.
There’s something off about the next door. It has the same trim, same size, same paints as the others, but… I rest my palm on the solid surface. It’s cold to the touch and smooth against my hand as I slide it down. It may look the same as the other doors, but instead of warm wood, this one is steel.
Finally.
I twist the knob, and a little jolt of excitement trickles down my spine when it opens inward. Wood shelves line all four walls, giving it the warmth of a welcoming library. Upon closer look, there’s more than just books on the shelves. Bash has several large framed sports memorabilia pieces. No doubt each costs more than a house.
Actually, if this entire tiara thing doesn’t work out, I can just grab a few of these and take off with my brother. Likely set us up for life, so long as Bash never catches us.
I swear the marks he left on my thighs tingle at the thought of him coming after me. Not the appropriate reaction…
In the center of the room, there’s a steel airplane wing–shaped desk. Metal rivets holding the pieces together make it look like it’s been pulled right out of a WW2 movie. I cross the floor and settle myself into the giant red leather chair. The computer screen’s black, standing silent in the middle of the desk.
I shouldn’t turn it on. It’s the absolute last thing I should do. There’s probably nothing on there, anyway… This is Bash’s computer, after all. He’s not exactly known for all the things he takes care of in the Order of Saints… If anything, he’s the irresponsible little brother. But…
The Lords of the Order of Saints have a level of access into the world that I’ve never seen before. My brother speaks about them as if they are equally the most revered and feared people on the planet.
Thoughts of the Everette family overrun by rowdy children really put the whole feared thing to the test. Except I don’t doubt they’ll do whatever they need to protect each other.
Even the thought of anything happening to those joy-filled, chubby faces has a chill running down my spine. Somehow, their parents have pulled off the impossible and sheltered those kids from the twisted society we live in. By their age, children are expected to be molded into the image of the ideal heir, whether that be willingly or not.
The children I met last night are wild, joyous creatures who have maintained the light the society wants to snuff out. A light that their parents have carefully protected.
So they can’t be that scary. Right?
I tap my fingers on the space bar. Just a quick peek.
The screen lights up. A rectangle sits in the center, prompting for a password.
I rub my hands over my face and exhale. This isn’t a surprise. No one leaves their electronics unlocked.
I just need to think like he does. What would Bash use as his password? I groan. It could be a million different things. I wouldn’t put it past him to have something ludicrous about his dick size. Humongousween101
I type it in, and I’m only slightly disappointed when it doesn’t work.
I saw a post about how CEOs of multimillion-dollar companies are reminded constantly not to use the wordpasswordin their login…
Worth a shot.
I start with Password1 and make my way all the way to Password4 before my phone vibrates on the table.
Future Husband: Are you bored, Princess, or do you always spend your days rifling through your boyfriend’s office?
My fingers fly off the keys, and my hands pause in the air as I stare down at the text preview.
