The Arrangement Anthology 2(152)
Opposite the bed are more large iron doors with ornate twisting metal, inlaid with mirrors so I can’t see what’s beyond.
“Would you believe me if I said I’ve never done more than sleep in here?” Sean smirks and gently sets me down on his bed.
“Liar.” I try to tease, to smile, but I’m pretty sure I look like I’ve been dragged through the Pine Barrens after falling off a donkey. I’m schmexy.
Sean leans over me, allowing those dark eyes to move from cut to cut. When he gets to the ones on my hands, he lifts my wrists and looks closer. “And why would I lie about it, Miss Smith? Especially when you are laying here in obvious distress on my bed?”
A smile crosses my lips. “You sleep here?”
“When I sleep, yes. And if I owe my mother a favor, I tend to stay close by.”
“What favor do you owe her?”
His dark lashes lower and he glances to the side after dropping my wrist. “I promised her that I’d get rid of you.”
CHAPTER 3
Jerking upright, I’m ready to bolt from the room, but Sean steps in front of me. Grabbing my shoulders, he stops me. “Stop and listen before you make any decisions. Avery, trust me here.”
I laugh bitterly. “You lied to me, abused me, bought me, sold me, and trapped me. Did I leave anything out?”
“Yeah, one important thing—I saved you. I bartered for your life. I promised to get rid of you if Mother gave me the name of the person trying to gun us down. I’d assumed it was me they were after. I assumed too many things, and since I had no other options, I agreed. The problem came when I learned the gunners name was Marty. I backed him into a corner one day and that’s how we ended up working together. He wouldn’t let them hurt you—the dumb ass fell in love with his mark.” Sean smirks. His hands trail down my arms as he stares at me. “I can’t say I blame him.”
“So, you reneged on a promise to your evil Mother?” He nods. I feel sick. I was gonna come here and ask Constance for help, meanwhile she was trying to think of ways to get me chopped up and shipped away. It makes me wonder why he’d cross his mother and I can’t help it, I have to ask, “Why?”
“Why do you think?” I’m not sure, but I don’t say it. I still don’t know if he’s being friendly, or poising me so he can inflict the most damage.
When I don’t answer, Sean continues. “Masterson might have been an asshole for falling for you, but I was worse. I trusted Black to give me a girl I could handle. I thought you’d come one night, and be gone the next morning. But, things didn’t work out that way. Now, I can’t stand the thought of seeing you leave. I’m too late. I already know that. I did too much, and went too far. I don’t expect anything from you. But, if you’ll let me, I’ll get you to safety and you won’t be alone.”
My brows scrunch together. “You’re sending me away with a blind date? How nice of you.” Sarcasm drips from my voice. This is not what I want to hear.
Sean is being uncommonly kind, especially for him. “Avery, this isn’t the time to argue. Besides, you two are good for each other.”
“Ahhh,” I nod, catching his meaning, “Trystan. You think I belong with him.”
“He’s the safer choice.” Sean seems serious when he says it, like he thinks I actually have a better shot with Trystan than with him.
It makes me irate but I temper my rage, holding it just below the surface. “I don’t understand. You’d rather see me in the arms of another man?”
“No,” his voice is barely a whisper, and sounds almost like a confession. “But I messed up too many times, and I keep telling you that I can’t be the guy you want—the guy you need. Trystan can. He’s going to ask you—”
“Shut up about Trystan. He’s not the one I want. I want you.”
Sean steps away and shakes his head. “It’s too late.”
“It’s never too late. I do anything and everything, for a price. Remember, Mr. Jones?” My voice is even, confident. A pen and pad of paper catch my eye. I pace over to them and scrawl my terms onto the pad. Then I hand it back to him.
Sean glances at the paper and then looks up at me. “Are you coming on to me, Miss Smith?”
“Don’t be absurd.” I’m so sleepy that I can’t tell if I’m thinking clearly. But it seems like a good idea, so I go with it. “It’s a business contract, nothing more, nothing less. I heard you’re a business man.”
“I am, which is why there needs to be an additional clause...” Sean takes the paper and adds something.