The Arrangement 22 (The Ferro Family) Read Online Free PDF Page B

“I’ll boost you up. Mel first, then Avery.”
    Avery turns toward me with her eyebrows knotted together. “What about you?”
    “I’ll be fine. Just go.” My voice tells her this is not open for debate, so she doesn’t argue.
    Mel unhooks the latch and points to a spot in the shrubs. “Meet me over there, Avery. Sean, we’ll see you back at Henry’s.”
    I nod tightly and lift her with ease. Mel shimmies through the tiny window and rolls onto the grass. She rights herself and crouches as she slips into the shadows.
    I step toward Avery, heart pounding as fear tries to take hold. I shove it down and swallow hard. As I grip her thighs and lift, she looks down at me, pleading.
    “Don’t make me leave you here. Sean, I can’t—”
    “You can. I’ll be fine—especially if I don’t have to worry about you. Meet me at Henry’s. I’ll see you soon. Go.” I hold her up to the window ledge, waiting as she grabs hold and crawls out onto the lawn. She rolls on her side and looks down at me, worry filling her dark eyes.
    She reaches back through the window and touches my cheek with her fingers. It’s a soft caress, the kind I’d been afraid of before I met her. “Be careful.”
    Her eyes tell a different tale, swirling with anxiety so intense it’s impossible to hide. Her neck is rigid, with every muscle corded tight. Her hand quivers slightly, but I don’t comment. She’s stronger than she thinks she is, and, when pushed, Avery turns into a tiger. She thinks she’s some frail flower, doomed to wilt at the slightest difficulty. She couldn’t be more wrong. Her ability to explore new things with me—like the tank, for example—show she’s able to hold it together when she’s most vulnerable. People like that are rare. She doesn't know the extent of her strength, not yet. When push comes to shove, she’ll find out. The floodgates holding back that truth will strain and crack. Only then will Avery know who she is and what she’s capable of, and not a moment sooner.
    I take her hand and kiss her fingertips, mouthing, GO.
    I step away and close the window as Avery fades into the inky black landscape. Mel is skilled with her knife, so if they get spotted before they're off the property, I expect she’ll win. As long as a gun isn’t involved.
    I can’t think about it. My stomach churns uneasily, and I move to the back of the room looking for a place to bunker down. That’s when I hear the small whisper.
    “Pssst.” I glance around in the darkness, not seeing a thing, but I recognize the voice—the ridiculously feminine and formal call. It’s Henry.
    “Over here, you massive oaf.” Henry leans out from under the staircase and waves me over. I duck underneath just as the lights flick on and flood the room. Henry lowers his gaze, blinking as he adjusts to the brightness seeping under the stairs.
    The room is unfinished for the most part. The small space under the stairs has a concrete shelf to support the steep staircase above. Henry jerks his head to the side and climbs, shifting over to make room for me. I don’t fit as easily as he does. I have to shimmy myself in place, stomach down on the cold cement, with my shoulder overlapping Henry’s.
    He glances up at me, murmuring, “Next time I’m the big spoon.”
    I punch him lightly in the kidney, and he winces. “Shut up,” I hiss.
    Voices carry down from the landing above, followed by the sound of footfalls creaking on the staircase, until several men are on the basement floor. I can see their ankles as they pass.
    They’re talking to one another, and I don’t recognize any of their voices. “Why are we keeping the bitch? This is going to blow up in his face.”
    “You weren’t paid for your brain, Gragg. Grab the barrel and lift on three. One. Two. Three.”
    Huffing, Gragg groans, “Even so, moving her is risky.”
    “These aren’t for Ferro—they’re for Vic’s kid sister.”
    Ice shoots through my veins. I strain to hear more, as