The Arrangement 22 (The Ferro Family) by H.M. Ward

Author:H.M. Ward [Ward, H.M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781630351304
Publisher: Laree Bailey Press
Published: 2016-08-30T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 11

The phone rings and Black answers, “Avery, I’m surprised to hear from you.”

I’m breathing too fast, and my voice is trembling. She’ll hear it, so I do the only thing that would make those sounds seem reasonable. I sniffle and blurt out, “I want the job. The madam job you offered before.”

“What about Mr. Ferro? I thought you were through with the matchmaking business?” Her voice is silky and smooth. I can picture her sitting at her desk with a smile on her face. The game of cat and mouse has always amused her. She’s going to toy with me for a while before making her final decision.

My throat is tight, and I’m shaking, I answer tersely, “He left me.” My voice rings hollow. “You said he’d do it. You told me—” I sniffle and gasp, “You told me he’d leave, and he did.”

“I hadn’t heard Mr. Ferro returned home. When did this occur?”

“I don’t know! He walked away earlier and said his life here is toxic. Miss Black, I really don’t want to talk about him.”

“So he left on his jet this evening?”

“I guess so.” I know so. Correction—I know his jet mapped their flight plan and took off with one passenger this evening. If she checks, she’ll be able to corroborate my story. “I need that job, Miss Black. Is it still open?”

She pauses, sighs deeply, and responds. “It is, but considering your behavior—the way you disregard every rule and refuse my oversight—Avery, this position isn’t for you. Some women were made to lead while others are better working on their backs.”

I mash my lips together and try not to scream at her. “Give me a chance. I’ll show you how valuable I can be. I’m not interested in men anymore. I’m never falling for another guy as long as I live. I have nothing else to do, no other source of income. Miss Black, please…” I beg, adding a jagged breath at the end to sound like I’m not quite done crying.

“Never beg,” she scolds. “It shows weakness.”

“Yes, Miss Black.” Silence passes between us, stretching on forever.

I start to think she’s walked away from her phone when she replies, “Be here at 11 pm. You can shadow me this evening. I’m speaking with a potential client. If he signs, he pays up front. We go in, collect his contract and preferences, pictures, and then make the match. He has a girl on his arm within twenty-four hours. That’s how it works. Are you sure you’re ready for this?”

My heart pounds like I’ve never wanted anything more. Miss Black is a master manipulator. It's no wonder she’s so good at this. If I didn’t know what I was walking into, I would have shown up with a smile on my face, grateful for her help. I sound as earnest as possible when I answer, “Yes, God, yes! Thank you, Miss Black. I won’t let you down.”

“No, you won’t.”

I hang up and turn to Mel. Henry is behind her, digging through abandoned boxes in the basement of the dorm.

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