The Arrangement Anthology 2(124)

Lucky for me, no one knows where I am, squatting in my parents old house. I managed to get the closing date from the realty company. I keep the lights off and make sure no one sees me come or go. I’ve replaced the broken glass on the back window. It’s not technically correct, but it’s enough so that if someone comes by they won’t see broken glass. The pane is sloppily glued in place with Liquid Nails. If someone gets close, they can tell, but no one has been looking. The realtor doesn’t come by because the house has already sold. Her commission is within reach. I just have to be out before the final walkthrough. By then, I should have a better idea of what to do next.

Sean begged me not to work for Black and I know that would be the height of stupidity, but the thought jumps around in my mind like a drunken rabbit. What if I had all the money I needed? What if I had the power to make men fall at my feet and beg? I don’t like these thoughts, but they keep popping up. I wonder if I’m losing myself, if life has gotten so difficult that the true Avery has sunk beneath the waves forever.

Mari’s phone buzzes. I’m lying on my back in the empty living room, staring at the ceiling. It’s a text message from Peter.

Have you seen Sean?

That’s a weird question. I type back.

Not since the other night. He wanted some time to do man things, alone.

What time was that?

I think for a moment and answer

Around 9pm a couple days ago. Sean’s done this before. He’s fine.

But as I type the words, a chill shoots up my spine, making me think something’s wrong. He shouldn’t have gone anywhere in his condition, but he said he had business that had to be done. I promised to hide out with Trystan, but I came here instead. I can’t imagine Sean falling off the map unless he wanted to.

I’m with Mom and Aunt Lizzie pretending not to notice. They know something’s up, but neither of them will say anything. Sean is in trouble. Meet me at IHOP in 20 minutes.

That explains why Sean didn’t call, but I wasn’t going to let myself get worked up about it. I figured he fell asleep or something. I text back a quick confirmation. Peter must know something I don’t.

Pushing up, I get to my feet, careful not to stand in front of the window. Normally I wouldn’t leave at this time of day. There are too many people coming and going, someone might see me. But I’m worried about Sean.

I tap his number into this old phone and wait. It rings forever. No voicemail. No nothing. Weird. I text him and don’t receive a reply.

“Where are you, Sean?” The pit of my stomach sinks and for half a second I think I know where he is, but dismiss the thought. There’s no way he’d be there.





Chapter 10

When I see Peter, he’s in a booth with a cup of coffee in his hand. “Have you eaten?”

I shake my head. “I don’t feel like it.”

“Too bad, I ordered for you.” He grins. “It’ll be out in a second.”

“So asking was meant to do what?”

His smile turns bashful and he sighs. “You’re hard to read, so I tossed out a direct question, which you answered, which is what I figured you’d say. If Sean hasn’t seen you in a couple of days, I seriously doubt you ate, especially with everything that’s been going on. Here it is now.” Peter leans back as several waitresses trail after each other, single file, placing dish after dish on the table.

“You ordered everything on the menu?” I salivate as I stare at a stack of pancakes. The scent of bacon hits me and my stomach grumbles.

“I didn’t know what you liked.” Peter says it seriously, which makes me laugh.

“There’s everything, except coffee.”

“Yeah, I only share coffee with Sidney.” He blushes and dips his head, grabbing a plate of eggs.

“Did you just make a dirty joke?” I can’t help it, I smile and it feels good. The muscles feel stiff and unused.

“Perhaps. Eat and let’s talk about Sean.” He points a fork at me and we start to backtrack through his days, trying to figure out what he was doing or where he went.

I finally blurt it out, because he’s got to be thinking it, too. “What if Sean went after Marty?”

Peter glances up. “Sean wouldn’t, not in his condition and not without me.”

“He tried to take on Campone alone.”

“He had Bryan.” Peter’s voice becomes stiff. He drops his fork and looks at me. “What do you think is happening?”

“I think Marty has him holed up somewhere. Maybe Sean went after Marty. Maybe Sean found him. We both know Sean isn’t at the top of his game right now. It gave Marty the upper hand. So if Sean’s plan didn’t work out, Marty could be holding him somewhere—waiting for me. He’s been trying to get at me all this time. It’s the perfect bait. He knows I won’t leave Sean. He even told me to work for…” I trail off before I say Miss Black’s name. Something pings in the back of my brain, but I can’t put the pieces together.