The Arrangement 22 (The Ferro Family) by H.M. Ward Read Free Book Online Page B

induced decline, am I right, love?”
    After Sean pulls me over the top, I push up with my knees and stand, wiping the sand from my limbs. He looks down at me tenderly, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “Thank God you never do as you’re told.” He kisses my forehead and seems to breathe easier.
    The moment I’m off the rope, Mel grabs it and scales the side of the pit, hurling her body over the rim before jumping up and rushing Henry. He stands perfectly still, his hands in his pockets and an indifferent expression on his face. His serene façade cracks just as she’s about to plow into him. He lets out a shriek and runs, arms flailing, into the woods. Mel races after him, swearing up a storm.
    Sean glances down at me. “Do I need to stop her?”
    “Nah, she likes him.”
    Sean’s eyes widen. “I’d hate to see what it looks like if she hates him.”
    “I know, right?” I sigh and lean into Sean.
    He wraps his arms around me and kisses the top of my head as he tells me what he heard in the basement at Black's. “They know you’re at Henry’s. We can’t go back there.”
    I cringe at the thought of the barrel. No, it’s more than that. It terrifies me, shooting shards of ice through my veins, cutting all the way to my heart. I swear it stops beating for a moment. I pull away and turn toward Sean. “Then we can’t wait. We need to head directly to Vic Jr.’s and finish this.”
    “There’s a step in the middle first. You need to call Black and accept the job.”
    The lump in my throat grows to a gargantuan size, strangling me from within. There’s so much pressure on me it feels like one wrong move will mash my body to the pavement. One false step and I'm dead. No, it’s worse than that—my sick brother has a barrel with my name on it.
    I nod and whisper, “If he catches me… If this doesn’t go right—”
    Sean pulls me into his chest, wrapping his strong arms around me. “I won’t let him hurt you. Not now, not ever. After tonight, Vic Jr. will be sorry he ever fucked with a Ferro.”

CHAPTER 11
    T he phone rings and Black answers, “Avery, I’m surprised to hear from you.”
    I’m breathing too fast, and my voice is trembling. She’ll hear it, so I do the only thing that would make those sounds seem reasonable. I sniffle and blurt out, “I want the job. The madam job you offered before.”
    “What about Mr. Ferro? I thought you were through with the matchmaking business?” Her voice is silky and smooth. I can picture her sitting at her desk with a smile on her face. The game of cat and mouse has always amused her. She’s going to toy with me for a while before making her final decision.
    My throat is tight, and I’m shaking, I answer tersely, “He left me.” My voice rings hollow. “You said he’d do it. You told me—” I sniffle and gasp, “You told me he’d leave, and he did.”
    “I hadn’t heard Mr. Ferro returned home. When did this occur?”
    “I don’t know! He walked away earlier and said his life here is toxic. Miss Black, I really don’t want to talk about him.”
    “So he left on his jet this evening?”
    “I guess so.” I know so. Correction—I know his jet mapped their flight plan and took off with one passenger this evening. If she checks, she’ll be able to corroborate my story. “I need that job, Miss Black. Is it still open?”
    She pauses, sighs deeply, and responds. “It is, but considering your behavior—the way you disregard every rule and refuse my oversight—Avery, this position isn’t for you. Some women were made to lead while others are better working on their backs.”
    I mash my lips together and try not to scream at her. “Give me a chance. I’ll show you how valuable I can be. I’m not interested in men anymore. I’m never falling for another guy as long as I live. I have nothing else to do, no other source of income. Miss Black, please…” I beg, adding a jagged breath at the end to sound like I’m not quite done