The Arrangement Anthology 2(68)

I turn in my seat, holding my wadded, torn shirt in my hand. I’m so tired that I can’t think straight. For once, I just want to lay down and be left alone. Black’s words sound like noise in my ears. “What are you talking about?” I shouldn’t ask. I know I shouldn’t, but I’m screwed. I’m screwed and I know it. Graduation will come and go and I’ll get kicked out on my ass. I’ll be homeless.

Unless, I go beg Marty for a bed, and god knows how awkward that would be since he has a mad crush on me. I could share his bed and camp out over there when I thought he was gay, but not anymore. Too many things have happened, but I still yearn for his friendship. What the hell does that mean? I seem to only attract guys that suck. They lie to my face over and over again, and yet I can’t let them go. I’m too afraid to let anyone go. It feels like my life has shattered, the shards have been crushed to dust and are blowing away. I can’t stand it anymore.

“It’s not a complicated notion, Avery. As much as I detest you, there is something about you. Add in that desperation to survive and the job is perfect for you.”

“Again, what are you talking about?”

She smiles kindly and the floor of my stomach goes into a freefall. I shouldn’t have asked. The back of my neck prickles, as if whatever she’s going to say will change my life. “I was like you once—alone and desperate—forced to do things that I didn’t want to do.” She leans back in her chair and steeples her fingers. “Then I became a madam and my entire world changed. My employer made me the offer once, just as I’m doing for you. Do you understand what I’m offering?”

I stare at her. This is unreal. It can’t be happening. All I can manage is, “What?”

Black stares back, her dark eyes utterly unsympathetic. “You heard me.”

I have no idea what to say. After a few moments, I lick my lips and say, “Let me get this right. You kidnapped me and brought me here to ask me to take your place?” My voice has a have-you-lost-your-mind tone.

Black laughs lightly and it sends a chill down my spine. “No one can take my place, but I’ve realized I’m not utilizing your skill set in the best way possible. You’d be a madam in the location where I install you. You still answer to me, but you no longer earn your living laying on your back. Other women will do that and you’ll be in charge of them.”

I laugh, because I think she’s joking. “Yeah, right. Very funny. When are you going to shoot me and dump my body at Captree? This is getting old.” I’m tempting her to shoot me. Maybe it’s not my brightest move, but I’m too exhausted to think.

Miss Black pinches the bridge of her nose and sighs, before pressing a button under her desk. A moment later, Gabe opens the door. “Yes?”

“Miss Stanz requested that her body be dumped at Captree after her disposal.”

Gabe’s wrinkled face turns white, but his old eyes remain lifeless. He nods, saying, “Yes ma’am.”

She asks Gabe, “Or would you rather have the previous job I mentioned?”

Gabe’s expression is stern. “The previous job, Miss Black.”

“So convince you’re annoying friend to take it and thank me.” Miss Black gets up and leaves the room, as if she can’t stand the sight of me.

Gabe lets out a rush of air after the door closes behind her. His shoulders lose a little bit of tension as he lowers his huge body into the chair next to mine. “You told her no?”

“Gabe, she wasn’t serious. She hates my guts. Why would she offer me something like that?”

“Because that’s what she does. Black’s business touches this country from coast to coast. Periodically a girl comes along that has that added appeal—like you—where guys can’t get enough of them. Then, BINGO, she’s found her needle in the haystack. The other women jumped at the chance, and you…” he shakes his head before lowering it in his hands.

I can’t take it. Turning toward him, I grab his arm and tug his hands off his face. He looks up at me with those silvery eyes. “Gabe, tell me what the hell is going on. I can’t stand this. Someone is trying to kill me and Black is talking jobs? Has she lost her goddamn mind?” I’m practically screaming by the time I finish speaking.

“Shh,” he snaps and tugs my arm, so my ear is closer to him. “Don’t think you’re not expendable to her, because you are—job offer or not. All this shit isn’t what you think and I’m not the person that should tell you. Ask Ferro. Ask Black, but not me.”