The Arrangement Anthology 2(69)

“No, you tell me. Why’d you take me from Sean?”

“I told him to clue you in. He obviously didn’t. Ferro didn’t want you to be there when the killer shows up. They had to make sure the person saw you go into the room and know that you were there, so we couldn’t let them see you leave. That’s why we tossed you in that box, or tried to. The entire plan was probably shot to hell, because we had to carry you out when you pitched a fit.”

I glare at him. “You stuffed me into a box.”

“Touché.”

I make an annoyed sound. “Gabe, this makes no sense. So Sean is working with Black?”

Gabe laughs like that was the stupidest thing he’s ever heard. “Nah, Black is the lesser of two evils. Ferro didn’t want you in the room. He’s protective of you and the only person who could keep you safe is Black. Ferro can no longer trust his staff, so he’s fucked. He asked Black to keep an eye on you. I seriously doubt he knows what she wants from you. Black has her own agendas and some of them clash with Ferro’s.”

“So, I’m safe?” Gabe nods. His confirmation releases a slew of emotions that I’d been holding under lock and key. They bubble up and I start shaking before clutching his arm. “I thought he turned on me. I thought you guys were going to—”

Gabe doesn’t let me fall apart. “Pull yourself together. Don’t drop your guard, kid. We still don’t know who is trying to take you out or why. Ferro and Black have been discussing it, and I don’t have any theories either. The best they’ve come up with is that it’s someone trying to get even with Ferro.”

“Like Henry Thomas?”

“Exactly like Thomas. But Ferro has too many enemies. We can’t track all of them and Black is saying its Ferro’s problem, not hers. They agreed on a temporary truce so Ferro could take care of the problem and keep you safe.”

“Except the killer never showed.” Sean is standing in the door. There are bags under his eyes like he’s not slept in days. His dark hair is a mess and his jaw is covered in stubble. Sean walks in without looking at me and sits on Black’s desk before addressing Gabe, “Out.”





CHAPTER 3



After Gabe grudgingly leaves, we’re alone. I straighten in my seat. I want to kill him. After everything we’ve been through, he still doesn’t trust me enough to share his plans. While working my jaw, I glance at my nails and say, “So, you’re an asshole.”

“Possibly.” Sean’s voice is deep and firm. I hate it when he sounds like this. “My plans got botched when that box showed up early. I was going to tell you.” Sean’s hands are folded in his lap like this is a normal thing for him. He’s acting like he’s at a friggin’ business meeting.

I want to write him off and tell him to go fuck himself, but I say something else. “Uh huh, and what about the other fiancée? Did you guys pick a wedding date yet or were we supposed to have a double wedding that no one bothered to tell me about?” Lifting my gaze, I continue, “Because I’d be fine with that as long as I’m the first wife. After all, I’m only after you for your money. I have no emotional investment in our relationship at all.” My tone dips deathly low as my voice picks up a bitterness that is so jaded it alarms me, but I don’t care.

Sean reaches into his pocket and pulls out the engagement ring. When he holds it out to me he says, “Put it back on.”

“Bite me.”

“I’d love to.” The corner of his mouth twitches like he wants to smile—or win—I can’t tell what’s motivating him.

“I hate you.”

“I seriously doubt you’ve lost all affection for me. It was a calculated risk—one that I had to take. You couldn’t be there.” His eyes are cold and unapologetic. He watches me, taking in my minor movements, and the way I sit. He’s gauging me and soaking up every ounce of detail like a sponge. I wish I could be as unreadable as Sean, but it’s not my thing.

My thing is crazy, so I pull it out and let him have it. “Bullshit! What makes you think I’m safer with Black? She could have killed me before you even figured out what happened. Just because you and Black seem to have had a thing doesn’t mean you can trust her.”

Sean’s eyes dip to my bra for the first time since he walked into the room. “Her work?”

“No, I sliced my own shirt for fun. Everyone’s going to be dressing like this tomorrow.” I roll my eyes and clench my jaw tight to stop the tidal wave of words that I want to accost him with.