The Arrangement Read online


Chapter 1

  The night air is frigid. It doesn't help that I'm stuck wearing this little black dress in my crap car. I shiver as I try to keep the engine running at a red light. My little battered car is from two decades ago and stalls if I don't rev the engine while I have my foot on the brake. I'm driving with two feet, in a car that's supposed to be an automatic. The heater doesn't work. If I try to turn it on, I'll get my face blasted with white smoke. It's awesome, in an utterly humbling kind of way. At least the car is mine. It gets me where I need to go, most of the time.

  The light flips to green and I botch it. I don't gas the car enough and it shutters and stalls. I grumble and grab for the can of ether. The cars behind me blare their horns.

  I ignore them. They can go around me. I grab the can on the seat next to me, kick open my door, and walk around to the hood. I shake the can and spray it into the engine intake. The car will start up as soon as I turn the key now, and I can drive away in shame.

  The night air is crisp and filled with exhaust. This road is always busy. It doesn't matter what time of day it is. Angry drivers move around me. Everyone is always in a hurry. It's part of the New York frame of mind. I'm treated to a catcall as a car full of guys blows past me. I flip them the bird and hear their laughter echo as they fade from sight.

  Tonight couldn't possibly get any worse. I put the cap on the can of ether. Then it happens. My night takes a one-eighty straight into suckage.

  As I drop the hood, it slams shut, and I look through the windshield. "Seriously?" I say at the guy who jumps in my seat. He's wearing a once-blue fluffy coat and hasn't shaved for weeks. He turns the key and my crappy car roars to life. He gasses it and takes off, swerving around me. I stand in the lane staring after him. What a moron. Who'd steal that piece of trash?

  Still, it's my car and I need it. After the night I had, I don't want to run after him, but I have to. I need that car. I take off at a full run. My lungs start to burn as I suck in frozen air and exhaust. I run down the shoulder, avoiding trash that's laying in the gutter. My attention is singularly focused on my car. I push my body harder and feel my muscles protest, but I don't hold back. He's getting away.

  I manage to run a block when a guy on a motorcycle slows next to me. "That guy stole your car. " He sounds shocked.

  I can't see his face through the black helmet. It has a tinted visor that covers his face. "No shit, Sherlock," I huff and keep running. My purse is in the car, my only pair of work acceptable heels, my books - awh, fuck - my books. I paid over a grand for those. They're worth more than the car. I run faster. My dress flares around my thighs as my Chucks help me sprint forward. My body doesn't want to do it. The stitch in my side feels like it's going to bust open.

  The guy on the bike is annoying. He rolls next to me and flips up his face shield. I glance at him, wondering what he's doing. Biker guy looks at me like I'm crazy. "Are you trying to catch him?"

  "Yes," pointing ahead, huffing. There are three lights on this stretch of road before the ramp to get on the parkway. If he hits a red light, the car will stall and I'll get it back. My lungs are burning and it's not like I have time to explain this. My car has already passed the first light. "If he stops, the car will stall. "

  "You want me to help?" he glances at the car and then back at me.

  I stop and nearly double over. Holy hell, I'm out of shape. I nod and throw my leg over the back of his bike, flashing the cars driving past us. I so don't care. Wrapping my arms around his waist, I hold on tight and say, "Go. "

  "I was going to call the cops, but this works, too. " He sounds amused. I hold onto his trim waist and plaster myself against his back. He's wearing a leather jacket, and I can feel his toned body through the supple material. He pulls into traffic and zips through the lanes. The wind blasts my hair and plasters my eyelashes wide open. We bob and weave, getting closer and closer to my car. My heart is racing so fast that it's going to explode.

  I see my car. It's passing the second light. Motorcycle man punches it, and the bike flies under the second intersection just as the light changes. I manage not to shriek. My skirt flies up to my hips, but I don't let go of the biker's waist to push the fabric back down.

  We're nearly there when the thief catches the third light. The car in front of him stops, forcing the carjacker to stop as well. As soon as he takes his foot off the gas, my car convulses and white smoke shoots out the tailpipe. The engine ceases. The driver's side door is kicked open and the guy runs.

  Motorcycle man pulls up next to my car. I slip off the back of the bike, my heart beating a mile a minute. I can't afford to lose this stuff. I'm barely making it as it is. I look at my car. Everything is still there. I turn back to the guy on the bike as I smooth my skirt back into place.

  Tucking my hair behind my ear, I say, "Thanks. " I must seem insane.

  He flips his face shield up and says, "No problem. Does your car always do that?" A pair of blue eyes meets mine and the floor of my stomach gives way. Damn, he's cute. No, not cute - he's hot.

  "Get jacked? No, not always. "

  He smiles. There's a dusting of stubble on his cheeks. I can barely see it because of the helmet. He raises an eyebrow at me and asks, "This has happened before, hasn't it?"

  More times than you'd think. Criminals are really stupid. "Let's just say, this isn't the first time I had to chase after the car. So far no one's made it to the parkway. That damn light takes forever and I keep stalling out in the same spot. You'd think I'd figure it out by now, but. . . " But I'm mentally challenged and prefer to chase after car thieves. I stop talking and press my lips together. His eyes run over my dress and pause on my sneakers, before returning to my face. Great, he thinks I'm mental.

  Turning to the car, I grab another can of ether from the backseat and walk around to the front. I dropped the last can somewhere behind me. I pop the hood and spray. I'm so cold that I've gone numb. As I walk back to my door, I shake my head saying, "Who steals a car that barely runs?"

  "Do you need any help?" The guy holds my gaze for a moment and my stomach twists. He seems sincere, which kills me. A strange compulsion to spill my guts tries to overtake me, but I bash it back down.

  Pressing my lips together, I shake my head, and swallow the lump in my throat. Today sucked. I'm totally alone. No one helps me, and yet this guy did. "No, I'm okay," I lie as I slip into my car and yank the door shut. "Thanks for the ride. " I turn the engine over and smile at him. The window is down. It doesn't go up.

  "Anytime. " He nods at me, like he wants to say something else. All I can see of his face is his crystal blue eyes and a beautiful mouth. He's sitting on a bike that cost more than my tuition. He's loaded and I've got nothing. A pang of remorse shots through me, but I need to go. The haves and the have-not weren't made to mingle. I already learned that lesson once. I don't need to learn it again.

  "Thanks," I say before he can ask my name. "I'll see you around. " I smile at him and drive away, holding back tears that are building behind my eyes.

  It's weird. There are so many shitty people in the world, and on the worst day of my life, I finally find a nice one and I'm driving away from him.

 

    The Proposition: The Ferro Family Read onlineThe Proposition: The Ferro FamilySecrets & Lies: The Ferro Family Read onlineSecrets & Lies: The Ferro FamilyScandalous Read onlineScandalousLife Before Damaged, Volume 5 Read onlineLife Before Damaged, Volume 5The Arrangement 13 Read onlineThe Arrangement 13Secrets & Lies 4: The Ferro Family Read onlineSecrets & Lies 4: The Ferro FamilySecrets Read onlineSecretsDemon Kissed Read onlineDemon KissedDamaged 2 Read onlineDamaged 2The Darkest Prison Read onlineThe Darkest PrisonThe Arrangement 15 Read onlineThe Arrangement 15Easy Read onlineEasyThe Arrangement 3 Read onlineThe Arrangement 3Zoes Tale Read onlineZoes TaleManwhore 3: The Ferro Family Read onlineManwhore 3: The Ferro FamilySecrets Vol 2 Ella Steele Read onlineSecrets Vol 2 Ella SteeleThe Arrangement 8 Read onlineThe Arrangement 8The Arrangement 4 Read onlineThe Arrangement 4Life Before Damaged, Volume 7 Read onlineLife Before Damaged, Volume 7The Arrangement 23 Read onlineThe Arrangement 23Backdraft Read onlineBackdraftThe Arrangement 18 Read onlineThe Arrangement 18Secrets & Lies 7: The Ferro Family Read onlineSecrets & Lies 7: The Ferro FamilySecrets Vol.  3 Read onlineSecrets Vol. 3The Arrangement 6 Read onlineThe Arrangement 6Secrets Vol.  4 Read onlineSecrets Vol. 4Scandalous 2 Read onlineScandalous 2The Arrangement 17 Read onlineThe Arrangement 17Bane Read onlineBaneStripped Read onlineStrippedThe Arrangement 24 Read onlineThe Arrangement 24Life Before Damaged, Volume 9 Read onlineLife Before Damaged, Volume 9Damaged Read onlineDamagedManwhore 1: The Ferro Family Read onlineManwhore 1: The Ferro FamilyThe Arrangement 14 Read onlineThe Arrangement 14Christmas Kisses Read onlineChristmas KissesLife Before Damaged, Volume 3 Read onlineLife Before Damaged, Volume 3Secrets & Lies 6: The Ferro Family Read onlineSecrets & Lies 6: The Ferro FamilySecrets Vol.  5 Read onlineSecrets Vol. 5The Arrangement 16 Read onlineThe Arrangement 16Cursed Read onlineCursedThe Arrangement 5 Read onlineThe Arrangement 5The Arrangement Read onlineThe ArrangementWolves of the Calla Read onlineWolves of the CallaManwhore 2: The Ferro Family Read onlineManwhore 2: The Ferro FamilyTorn Read onlineTornThe Arrangement 19 Read onlineThe Arrangement 19Stripped 2 Read onlineStripped 2Catalyst Read onlineCatalystLife Before Damaged, Volume 1 Read onlineLife Before Damaged, Volume 1The Arrangement 21 Read onlineThe Arrangement 21The Proposition 5: The Ferro Family Read onlineThe Proposition 5: The Ferro FamilyThe Arrangement 10 Read onlineThe Arrangement 10Revealed Read onlineRevealedThe Arrangement 25 (The Ferro Family) Read onlineThe Arrangement 25 (The Ferro Family)Riptide Read onlineRiptideShattered Read onlineShatteredThe Arrangement 2 Read onlineThe Arrangement 2Life Before Damaged, Volume 6 Read onlineLife Before Damaged, Volume 6Life Before Damaged, Volume 4 Read onlineLife Before Damaged, Volume 4The Proposition 3: The Ferro Family Read onlineThe Proposition 3: The Ferro FamilySecrets & Lies 5: The Ferro Family Read onlineSecrets & Lies 5: The Ferro FamilyStone Prison Read onlineStone PrisonThe Arrangement 12 Read onlineThe Arrangement 12A Damaged Wedding Read onlineA Damaged WeddingAll The Broken Pieces Vol. 3 Read onlineAll The Broken Pieces Vol. 3All The Broken Pieces Vol. 2 Read onlineAll The Broken Pieces Vol. 2Life Before Damaged, Volume 8 Read onlineLife Before Damaged, Volume 8The Arrangement 11 Read onlineThe Arrangement 11Secrets & Lies 3: The Ferro Family Read onlineSecrets & Lies 3: The Ferro FamilyThe Arrangement Vol. 26 (The Ferro Family) Read onlineThe Arrangement Vol. 26 (The Ferro Family)The Proposition 4: The Ferro Family Read onlineThe Proposition 4: The Ferro FamilyShadows of the Past Read onlineShadows of the PastManwhore 2: The Ferro Family (Manwhore #2) Read onlineManwhore 2: The Ferro Family (Manwhore #2)Shattered - the Secret Life of Trystan Scott #4 Read onlineShattered - the Secret Life of Trystan Scott #4Last Heartbreak Read onlineLast HeartbreakEASY (The Ferro Family) Read onlineEASY (The Ferro Family)Life Before Damaged, Vol. 5 Read onlineLife Before Damaged, Vol. 5Life Before Damaged Vol 8: The Ferro Family (Life Before Damaged #8) Read onlineLife Before Damaged Vol 8: The Ferro Family (Life Before Damaged #8)Life Before Damaged Vol. 3 Read onlineLife Before Damaged Vol. 3Life Before Damaged Vol 7 :The Ferro Family (Life Before Damaged #7) Read onlineLife Before Damaged Vol 7 :The Ferro Family (Life Before Damaged #7)Second Chances Read onlineSecond ChancesValefar Vol. 1 (A Demon Kissed Novella) Read onlineValefar Vol. 1 (A Demon Kissed Novella)Life Before Damaged Vol 9: The Ferro Family (Life Before Damaged #9) Read onlineLife Before Damaged Vol 9: The Ferro Family (Life Before Damaged #9)Manwhore 3 Read onlineManwhore 3Vampire Apocalypse #2 Cataylst Read onlineVampire Apocalypse #2 CataylstA DAMAGED WEDDING (Damaged 3 - Series Finale): The Ferro Family Read onlineA DAMAGED WEDDING (Damaged 3 - Series Finale): The Ferro FamilyOver You (A Mr. Darcy Valentine's Romance Novel) Read onlineOver You (A Mr. Darcy Valentine's Romance Novel)The Arrangement 20 (The Ferro Family) Read onlineThe Arrangement 20 (The Ferro Family)Secrets and Lies 7 (The Ferro Family) (Secrets & Lies) Read onlineSecrets and Lies 7 (The Ferro Family) (Secrets & Lies)The Proposition 3 Read onlineThe Proposition 3Manwhore 1 Read onlineManwhore 1The Secret Life of Trystan Scott (The Complete Collection Vol 1-5) Read onlineThe Secret Life of Trystan Scott (The Complete Collection Vol 1-5)Secrets: The Complete Collection Read onlineSecrets: The Complete CollectionThe Wedding Contract Read onlineThe Wedding ContractLife Before Damaged, Volume 6: The Ferro Family Read onlineLife Before Damaged, Volume 6: The Ferro FamilyLife Before Damaged Vol. 2 (The Ferro Family) (LIFE BEFORE DAMAGED (The Ferro Family)) Read onlineLife Before Damaged Vol. 2 (The Ferro Family) (LIFE BEFORE DAMAGED (The Ferro Family))Secrets and Lies 2 (A Ferro Family Serial) Read onlineSecrets and Lies 2 (A Ferro Family Serial)Secrets and Lies Read onlineSecrets and LiesThe Arrangement 24 (The Ferro Family) Read onlineThe Arrangement 24 (The Ferro Family)A Little Christmas Romance Read onlineA Little Christmas RomanceSatan's Stone (Demon Kissed) Read onlineSatan's Stone (Demon Kissed)The Arrangement 23 (SERIES FINALE - The Ferro Family Novel) Read onlineThe Arrangement 23 (SERIES FINALE - The Ferro Family Novel)Broken Promises (The Secret Life of Trystan Scott #6) Read onlineBroken Promises (The Secret Life of Trystan Scott #6)Life Before Damaged Vol. 4 Read onlineLife Before Damaged Vol. 4STRIPPED 2 (A Ferro Family Novel) Read onlineSTRIPPED 2 (A Ferro Family Novel)Backdraft - The Secret Life of Trystan Scott #2 Read onlineBackdraft - The Secret Life of Trystan Scott #2The Arrangement 22 (The Ferro Family) Read onlineThe Arrangement 22 (The Ferro Family)Assassin: Fall of the Golden Valefar (A Paranormal Romance—Book #6 in the Demon Kissed Series) Read onlineAssassin: Fall of the Golden Valefar (A Paranormal Romance—Book #6 in the Demon Kissed Series)The Arrangement 19 (The Ferro Family) Read onlineThe Arrangement 19 (The Ferro Family)SECRETS Vol. 4 Read onlineSECRETS Vol. 4The Arrangement 21: The Ferro Family (The Arrangement #21) Read onlineThe Arrangement 21: The Ferro Family (The Arrangement #21)Secrets and Lies 6: The Ferro Family (Secrets and Lies #6) Read onlineSecrets and Lies 6: The Ferro Family (Secrets and Lies #6)Life Before Damaged, Vol. 1 Read onlineLife Before Damaged, Vol. 1