The Arrangement Anthology 2(50)

Apparently, so is Sean because after he sits down and looks up, he angrily blurts out, “What the fuck are you doing here?”





CHAPTER 5




Bryan Ferro is slouched back against the opposite seat with one arm draped over the back. His dark hair obscures his green eyes. A brown leather jacket over a white shirt makes them look like gemstones in the darkness. There’s a smirk on his lips, as if he knows how pissed off his presence will make Sean.

When I got into the car, I didn’t see Bryan and nearly sat on him. When I try to move to the opposite seat, I can’t. I’m too weak. I reach for the opposite bench—for the spot next to Sean—but my arm won’t support me, so I fall forward.

Bryan jerks upright and reaches for me before I do a face plant into the other seat. “Whoa. What the hell happened?”

Sean leans forward and takes me from his cousin before pulling me into his arms. “None of your fucking business. Where’s Logan? He said he’d be here.”

Bryan’s smirk is gone and doesn’t return. His gaze shifts to the window. “Logan can’t take her in through the hospital without everyone knowing. He sent me instead.”

“And what the fuck are you supposed to do?” I lean into Sean’s body and don’t realize that I’m clutching my arm until I feel the sticky warm blood on my fingers. It’s soaked through the bandage.

“I have connections.” Bryan and Sean stare each other down, and a lifetime of unspoken words pass between them.

I’m too out of it to be polite. “Who’s Logan?”

“My brother,” Bryan replies. His tone softens when he speaks to me. His gaze shifts between Sean and me, finally settling on my face as if he’s decided I’m the one to talk to. “Logan is working in the emergency room tonight. If you go in there, everyone will see you two. He’s been practicing longer, but if it’s just a few stitches, I know someone who will keep her mouth shut and fix you both up.”

“I don’t need anything,” Sean snarls, “and I’m going to rip Logan’s fucking head off the next time I see him.”

Bryan smirks. “Yeah, we know. They talked about sending Joslyn so you’d be nice, but I volunteered because I knew you’d be a dumb fuck and not realize that you needed to be looked at too.”

“Asshole.”

Bryan’s smirk doesn’t fade. “Your head is bleeding, and as much as I love your company, I think your hooker friend could use some pain killers and a bed—assuming you won’t tie her to it.”

The muscles in Sean’s arms feel like they’re ready to pop. I understand what Bryan’s saying. If I see Logan, what happened tonight can’t remain hidden. The press will see us, and I know enough to realize what that will lead to—the dead body. I touch Sean’s arm lightly and meet Bryan’s green gaze. “Take me to the other doctor. I don’t want anyone to know.”

Bryan nods and knocks on the window, indicating that the driver can go before slipping back into his seat and tucking his hands behind his head. He watches as I slump against Sean’s side and hold onto my arm as tightly as I can. “Try not to do that. If you have glass in there, you’ll make it worse.”

I nod slightly. “Who’s Joslyn?”

“His sister.” Sean responds for him, his voice terse.

Bryan’s eyes catch my ring and his grin broadens, but he says nothing. I wonder what his story is, and how he can be so perpetually happy. Every time I’ve seen the guy, he’s had a smile on his face. It’s like it was painted there and nearly nothing takes it away. “Twin sister, actually.”

“Is that who we’re going to see?” He’d said it was a woman, so I took a guess.

“Nah, someone else I know. She’s doing her residency and we’re actually crashing at her house. It’s someone good, I promise. But we don’t mention this to Jonathan—like ever. Okay? I had this number in case of apocalyptical disasters and shit like that. I’m pretty sure that this doesn’t qualify, especially since it was given to Jon and I sort of took it.”

Sean’s eyes narrow. “What?” He’s so annoyed that if he didn’t have his arms wrapped around my shoulders, I’m pretty sure he would have strangled Bryan by now.

The ever-present grin lights up as Bryan’s hands move, shooing us like it’s no big deal. “Logan said Avery needed medical care and not to draw attention. This was the best way to do it. Why would you care if it pisses off Jon?”

Sean’s jaw locks and I can tell he’s biting back words. The world may think Sean is devoid of emotion, but I know otherwise. “Jon may not like me anymore, but I wouldn’t intentionally betray his trust. Who is this person? What’s the connection to Jonny?”