The Arrangement Anthology 1(183)

“Depends on what you’re asking about.”

“Well, aren’t you all evasive today? Okay, girlfriend, if you want to play that way I’m just gonna come out and say it—Gabe beat the shit out of your client the other night. I heard Black talking to him about it when I checked in earlier. She said you smashed the bead. What the hell happened? I thought that guy was sweetness in a pasty Brittish wrapper.”

“So did I, until he went nuts. Apparently, he and Sean go way back. Let’s just say that Henry has some serious anger issues. I don’t want to talk about it.” I finish applying my make-up and sweep a light dusting of blush over my cheeks. I look better, but I still feel like crap.

“I get it, but you should tell me this shit. I want to know if Black is accepting guys that she shouldn’t. I haven’t had to use that ugly little bracelet. Good to know it works, right?”

“Yeah,” I say, and lean back on my dresser. “I can’t imagine what would happen if the bead broke by accident. Gabe would pound the guy and ask questions later.”

“Probably so, but hey, that’s not my problem as long as he doesn’t try to beat the shit out of me.”

I’m watching her and too many questions rush through my mind. How is she okay living like this? How many times has she booked a client and had it go poorly? Maybe I’m just the worst hooker ever. I don’t know, but I want to talk to her. At the same time, I’m guessing she’ll flip out when I tell her where I’m going. Screw it. It’s worth her freak out to have her along. “Come with me.”

“Where are we going?”

“To the Crystal Lounge in the city.”

“Isn’t that where—”

“Yeah, it is.” I cut her off before she can say more. “I’m heading to the bar for a while and I’d like company if you want to come.”

She gives me a sad smile, like I’m pathetic. “He won’t be there, Avery.”

“I know Sean won’t be there. That isn’t why I’m going. It’s hard to explain, but it’s easier for me to move forward when I go back to the last place where I was happy and it was there. I was laughing the other night. Maybe it’s stupid, but I’m all for whatever works and I need a mood shift. So, are you coming or not?”

“Psh, and pass up and invite to a swank bar? I don’t think so. Give me a couple of minutes to get ready.”

Mel is dressed and back in my room quickly. She’s wearing a skin tight, ruched red dress that shows off every ample curve. Mel tosses her shoes on my bed as she fastens on a pair of huge gold earrings.

“How are you going to walk from the station to the hotel in those?”

“Who says we’re walking anywhere?”

“I didn’t want to take a cab.”

“Nope, no cab. We’re riding in style. Limo, baby.” I raise an eyebrow at her. Although Mel has money, she rarely spends it. Wasting a bunch of hard-earned cash on a ride isn’t like her. She waves me off. “I got connections—well, actually a guy owes me a favor, so I called it in. He’ll be here in ten. Then, I can wear these babies and look every inch of luscious I want.”

I smirk at her. After she straps her heels on her feet, we walk down the stairwell and wait for the limo. Mel points to the car when the headlight are in view and pushes through the door. Neither of us bothers with a wrap. Wraps are for losers. We duck into the car and when I look up, I’m shocked to see a familiar face.

“Gabe?” I ask, as I look between him and Mel.

“I’m sorry, but you must have me confused with someone else. My name is Gabriel and I don’t work for Black and take her limos out when no one is looking.” He looks up in the rear view mirror and smirks.

“She’s going to kill you!”

Mel shakes her head. “Avery, stop fussing. He’s just messing with you. Black gave him the car to get it cleaned up for some hotshot client this weekend. He’s going to drop us off and then take the car in. Black won’t even know we were in it.”

“I thought you said a guy owed you a favor?” I ask, narrowing my gaze at her with a light smile on my lips. Mel has a way of making everything work to her advantage. I wish I knew how to do that.

“He does. I took his nephew to a wedding a couple of weeks ago and kept the dumb kid from knocking up his ex.” Mel leans forward in the seat and says to Gabe, “By the way, that chick was insane.”

“He bought you for his nephew?” I’m blinking at her, wondering what the hell she did.

Gabe answers for her. “You think I got no class? I don’t buy my nephews hookers, damn, Avery. And like I’d mix business and pleasure that way. Nah, Mel watched out for him—he just didn’t know it. He thinks he picked her up in a bar on the way there. I provided the ride—”