My eyes sting horribly, but I won’t cry. I take the elevator to the lobby. He doesn’t come after me, chasing me like this is a movie. No, Sean is calling Black now, telling her that he wants someone else. I leave the hotel grounds, not concerned about my bracelet. Nothing can protect me from this. I obliterated what was left of my heart. I feel it dying inside my chest.
I stand at the curb for a second, too hurt to think. The limo isn’t here. I’m freezing in this tiny little dress with no coat. I know that feeling, but now instead of providing comfort, it makes me feel sick. I walk, not going anywhere in particular. I pass people on the sidewalks and wish that I was someone else. I have nothing. No one. I spilled my heart, telling Sean exactly how I felt and he returned me. My cell rings a moment later. It’s Black. I don’t answer. I walk on, going nowhere, thinking nothing.
The frigid air numbs my skin and I welcome it into my heart. The numbness over takes me, and I hope that I never feel anything ever again.
THE ARRANGEMENT SERIES
This story unfolds over the course of multiple short novels. Each one follows the continuing story of Avery Stanz and Sean Ferro.
To ensure you don’t miss the next installment, text AWESOMEBOOKS to 22828 and you will get an email reminder on release day.
MORE ROMANCE BOOKS BY H.M. WARD
SCANDALOUS
SCANDALOUS 2
SECRETS
THE SECRET LIFE OF TRYSTAN SCOTT
And more.
To see a full book list, please visit:
/books.htm
CAN’T WAIT FOR H.M WARD’S NEXT STEAMY BOOK?
Let her know by leaving stars and telling her what you liked about THE ARRANGEMENT VOL. 3 in a review!
The Arrangement
Vol. 4
H.M. Ward
Laree Bailey Press
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2013 by H.M. Ward
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in
any printed or electronic form.
Laree Bailey Press
First Edition: March 2013
The Arrangement
Vol. 4
Thank you so much to all the awesome fans who love THE ARRANGEMENT series! As requested, volume 4 is NOT the final book in this series. Hooray!
Volume 5 will be out in a few weeks and you’ll get more Sean and Avery, and have the chance to delve deeper into their lives.
Thank you so much for reading!
-Holly
CHAPTER 1
The city has that scent in the air, like it’s going to snow. I walk down the street and wrap my arms tighter around my middle. The sidewalks have an inky sheen. It’s been misting. Car horns blare as I breathe in the exhaust and try to fathom what happened, but I don’t know. I can’t grasp it. The look on Sean’s face, the way his voice sounded…
My stomach twists like I’m going to be sick. I gave him my heart and he fucking returned me—like I was broken. Like he didn’t want me. Maybe throwing all the cash at Sean was stupid, but I had to do it. I don’t turn back. I don’t look behind me. I already know Sean isn’t there. He doesn’t love me.
As I walk along the sidewalk in a daze, a car rolls up next to me. It’s late. I don’t notice at first. It isn’t until the window rolls down and I hear a voice that I turn and glance at the car. The wind whips my hair, sending the strands flying every which way. My heels are in my hand. I’m walking along wearing nothing on my feet but stockings. The cold ground burns through the silk. It’s one of the only things I can feel in the storm of pain. It’s consuming me, swallowing me whole.
This is why I had no relationships. I lied to myself and said I avoided relationships because my schedule didn’t permit it, but that wasn’t true. I dodged relationships, because my heart couldn’t take it. I’ve lost enough people to make anyone lose their freaking mind, but somehow I manage to keep going.
“Miss Stanz,” a male voice calls from the car.
I can see his face through the open window. He’s one of the guys that were with Miss Black the first time Sean set off my bracelet.
I stare at him. The wind stings my eyes, making them water, but I don’t blink. The car stops rolling and the man steps out a moment later. He’s enormous, all muscle and strength. I say nothing.
His eyes sweep over my face like he knows what made me like this. “Are you hurt?” I shake my head. He reaches forward for my shoes. I hand them over. Then, he extends his elbow like a gentleman and escorts me to the car.