The Arrangement Vol. 26 (The Ferro Family) Read online

  The Arrangement, Vol. 26

  The Ferro Family

  H. M. Ward

  Laree Bailey Press

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2019 by H.M. Ward

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form.

  LAREE BAILEY PRESS

  First Edition: September 2019

  ISBN: 978-1-63035-238-7 (Paperback)

  ISBN: 978-1-63035-237-0

  Contents

  Acknowledgments

  Ferro Family Tree

  Maps of New York

  Terms & Slang Used in The Arrangement Series

  Character List

  Ferro Elite Team

  MORE FERRO FAMILY BOOKS

  Suggested Ferro Reading Order

  The Arrangement

  Author’s Note on The Arrangement Series

  1. Chapter 1

  2. Chapter 2

  3. Chapter 3

  4. Chapter 4

  5. Chapter 5

  6. Chapter 6

  7. Chapter 7

  8. Chapter 8

  9. Chapter 9

  10. Chapter 10

  11. Chapter 11

  12. Chapter 12

  COMING SOON:

  All The Broken Pieces

  COMPLETED SERIES BY H.M. WARD

  MORE FERRO FAMILY BOOKS

  SUGGESTED FERRO SERIES READING ORDER

  MORE ROMANCE BY H.M. WARD

  CAN'T WAIT FOR H.M. WARD'S NEXT STEAMY BOOK?

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Acknowledgments

  There are so many people to thank for encouraging the creation and publication of THE ARRANGEMENT series. I want to be sure to include them all and tell you how this story came to be.

  When I first floated the idea on a lazy Sunday afternoon, I was pushing my new baby in a stroller while watching my older kids zoom away on their scooters. As I walked along with my husband, I remember the Texas sun and the wind tugging my curls. Everything from that afternoon, the emotion of it, still bubbles up when I think about it.

  You may not know this, but I’m shy. My ideas come from a place somewhere between my heart and my mind, with a bit of my soul thrown in for hope. Because if I write a book that doesn’t make someone feel hope, what’s the point?

  Shyness swallowed me whole when I mentioned to my husband that I had a new book idea. I kept it to myself for nearly ninety days. No mention that it was even brewing in my mind.

  I wanted to write a story with strong, damaged women who refused to be crushed by life. I wanted to showcase the vastness of the human spirit, the desire to persevere regardless of what hand one is dealt in life. I wanted to showcase a good woman falling down the slippery slope of morality and how that decline led to the redemption of an evil man. I wanted to give people living in a state of sorrow hope.

  All that sounds fun and fine. Interesting even. So how did I present this complex idea?

  My husband, Mike, (who programed my phone to say Mike, the most awesome hubby ever, whenever I typed his name), was pushing the stroller now and I confessed, “I want to write a story about a call girl.”

  Blank stare. Blink. The corners of his mouth tightened and I imagined the urge to not say something stupid flooded him. I wrung my hands and tried to keep my lower lip from trembling while I waited for his response.

  One thing about creative people that most folks don’t understand is the need to have fellowship with a person who is willing to set them free. Burn all the bindings. Let their imagination soar. Sometimes I’m afraid of myself. That my ideas are too out there. My paintings are too weird. My stories are too strange. Having someone you utterly trust who can cut the ties of conformity (because we all want to fit in on some level), is important for creative people.

  My husband and children need a strong anchor to this life. A rock in an unstable world. It’s the exact opposite of what I need to be happy and excel.

  Mike, the most awesome hubby ever, has always cut the strings. The smart guy also knew from my debut book that there is a fine line when talking about my stories with me. It’s an emotional minefield.

  I have a file of untold stories, ideas that were fleshed out, but the story was never written for whatever reason. I didn’t want this story in that pile.

  I could see the path of this tale, but wasn’t sure of the subject matter on a social level. Would people hate the heroine? Or would they forgive her transgressions as the book examines what a woman is willing to do to survive? Plus, it was much darker than my previous works.

  Mike kindly said he wasn’t sure on this one. Making the main character likable would be difficult because it sounded like it would be hard to relate to Avery. My editor at the time, usually encouraged me, but her brow slid up her face and she echoed his concerns.

  It was a story I felt deeply, so I wrote the book anyway. When I presented volume one, my husband said it was the best thing I’d written to that point. The characters were vivid and alluring.

  The reaction of readers was instant. They loved it. They loved Avery and they needed to know more about Sean.

  This led to the birth of my only fan-driven series. Social media allowed me to actually ask fans what should happen next. I presented options and they voted. The story took the paths the fans chose. I originally intended this to be a five book series, but when I asked the fans, they said keep going.

  No one can get enough of Sean Ferro. So more books were created. Many more than I ever dreamed.

  Therefore, I would like to thank every reader who picked up volume 1 of THE ARRANGEMENT.

  Thank you to every person who voted on the path of the books and asked for more.

  Thank you to the shy readers who silently supported this series through your purchases.

  Thank you to the people who begged your library to stock these books so they were easily accessible to everyone.

  Thank you to the amazing narrator, Kitty Bang, who brought these stories to life via audiobook. You sound exactly like the Avery in my mind. It’s amazing!

  Thank you to my editors and proofreaders. Thank you for taking my books at midnight and getting them back to me before dawn. Thank you for your late nights and dedication to the quick production rate this series required. Without you, I’d be lost.

  I’ve saved the big thanks for last.

  Thank you Dad for making me realize that I should be proud of what I can do, even when broaching taboo topics. The confidence I learned to have in my work and in my business came from you. The best parts of my business brain and desire to learn more came from you, from watching your hard work—come hell or high water—no matter what came your way.

  If I hadn’t seen you power through pain and continue to work, I have no idea what I would have done these past years. Writing became a way to put food on the table when I could not stand.

  Thank you for working so hard so I could have so much. Thank you for always bringing home the bacon for me and my brothers. Thank you for the unicorns and girly stuff you brought me when I was sick. Thank you for thinking I could achieve the impossible. Thank you for sharing your stories, the good and the bad. You taught me so much. Saying thank you falls short of the gratitude I’d like to express. I love you.

  Thank you to the woman in my life who taught me faith, resilience, and meekness—my mother. Thank you Mom for putting up with me and my incessant story writing when I was a teenager,
forever writing and dreaming. Thank you for every Girl Scout trip, every sewing lesson, every Sunday School class, and singing on the pew next to me. Thank you for pigtails and ruffles. Thank you for not believing that I didn’t like sparkles when I wore solid black for nearly a decade. It’s good to have someone who remembers who I am even if I forget. Thank you for being the mother I needed. You had your hands full with me.

  Thank you to my children who know Mom can do anything. Thank you for encouraging me to seek out happiness despite what life threw at me. Thank you for our trips, the jets, the long car rides, the crazy stories, and figuring out life alongside me.

  Thank you, Belle, for reading my dark books and helping me see the need for balancing dark and light. You’re the person who made that need clear. For that I can’t thank you enough. Even in times of darkness there is light, and you reminded me.

  Thank you, Michael, for your steadfast silence, your unfailing support, and the look of awe on your face when I say I’ve not done much with my life. Thank you for reminding me who I am when I get too overwhelmed to remember. You’re an inspiration to me and always have been. We’re so alike in some ways and so different in others. I’m blessed, lucky, with tons of good juju to have a young man like you as my son.

  Thank you to my baby—baby surprise. The child I didn’t think I could have. You are the blessing that snuck into my life after I gave up hope…and gifted away the last of the baby items. Thank you for always laying next to me when I wrote my first books. Thank you for your tiny fingers and big eyes filled with hope. Thank you for being supportive in every way possible. Thank you for ideas and your laughter. Your smiles and your strength. Thank you for roaming this world with me and trying new things. Thank you for writing your books. You give me confidence and joy. You came into my life right when my career took off and my health failed. I’m so happy to have you on this adventure with me!

  I never wanted to write an acknowledgement because it would make me cry. I’m giving a live presentation to a group of new authors in less than an hour, and my face is streaked with tears. The gratitude I feel is immense, and there are so many people to thank. People who encouraged me along the way. If I didn’t mention you by name, I know who you are and I thank you. I know my first fan. The first person to love my first book and follow me on social media. I know your name. I remember your face and I’m grateful you took a chance on me, and then shared my book with your friend. I remember her name too.

  Thank you all, so very much.

  Ferro Family Tree

  This is the Ferro Family Tree. More of the tree will be revealed in 2019 with new releases!

  Maps of New York

  See areas where the story takes place

  People around the world love this series and for those who have not had the awesome adventure of traveling to New York and Long Island, I’ve provided maps of the areas mentioned in the books for reference.

  Some places you may have heard of before, such as the L.I.E. also known as The Long Island Expressway, also known as Interstate 495. There’s a television episode of two people arguing leaving John F. Kennedy airport over whether to take the “Expressway” or the “Van Wyke.”

  For people not familiar with the area, things like that can be seen really easily with maps. I’ve circled areas that the characters frequent throughout the series.

  This also makes an excellent resource for a self-guided Ferro tour of New York City and Long Island. Enjoy!

  The story moves between the lower bottom right (Long Island) and Manhattan (the land mass in the center). It’s helpful to see all the roads and bridges to get an idea of the amount of congestion in this area of New York.

  Terms & Slang Used in The Arrangement Series

  Ever wonder what the heck an idiom means? Never heard a slang term before?

  Below is a list of the most commonly used verbiage in this series and the meaning in plain English.

  Asshat (v): Demeanor and actions that are unattractively dickish.

  Awesomesauce (adj.): A way to describe something that is beyond awesome with a dash of excitement. Typically said by women.

  Averyism (n): Typically two common turns-of-phrase that were mashed together to create a new, more pungent meaning.

  Babylon (n): A township on Long Island where Avery grew up. There are million dollar homes in on the waterfront to tiny Cape Cod houses.

  Cleavagefest (adv): When a woman’s breasts are thrust up and smashed together so tightly that it infers a sexy party may be imminent.

  Cray Cray (adj): Super, over-the-top crazy.

  Deer Park Avenue (n): A heavily congested road that runs through several towns on Long Island.

  Guido (n): An Italian young man.

  Guidette (n): An Italian young woman.

  L.I.E. (n): The Long Island Expressway, or Interstate 495, is a six lane road the runs East/ West on Long Island that ends in Manhattan.

  Skankzilla (adj): A woman who is part godzilla and part skank.

  Slutified (v): When the amount of skin a piece of clothing covers is severely decreased to reveal more skin.

  Squee (v): A squeal of glee. Try it. You’ll like it.

  Tramperella (adj): A promiscuous woman who has access to Cinderella’s royal closet and slutified the garments.

  Character List

  PRIMARY CHARACTERS

  Avery Stanz

  Sean Ferro

  Melanie (Mel)

  Marty Masterson

  Miss Black

  The Ferro Family (Matriarchy: The name and money follow the women in this family)

  Sean Ferro: The eldest son of Constance. Character appears across all Ferro series in 56+ books.

  Peter Ferro Granz: The middle child of Constance. Series: DAMAGED 1-3

  Jonathan Ferro: The youngest son and heir of Constance Ferro’s fortune. Series: STRIPPED

  Constance Ferro: The Matriarch.

  Father Ferro (intentionally has no name)

  Luke Ferro (Uncle Luke): Resides in Mississippi, Banished by Constance. Appears in STRIPPED.

  Bryan Ferro: Cousin, Son of Elizabeth Ferro, Constance’s sister. Series: THE PROPOSITION

  Logan Ferro: Cousin. Appears in Trystan Scott books

  Elizabeth (Crazy Aunt Lizzie) Ferro

  Reoccurring Series Characters

  Amber: Avery’s college roommate.

  Naked Guy (aka Don): Amber’s plaything who is always in their dorm room and seldom wearing clothes.

  Trystan Scott: Jon & Bryan Ferro’s best friend, rockstar. Series THE SECRET LIFE OF TRYSTAN SCOTT & BROKEN PROMISES

  Bob (Trystan’s Bodyguard)

  Dr. Mari Jennings (Childhood friend of Trystan Scott’s) Ferro friend by association. Appears in THE PROPOSITION, THE SECRET LIFE OF TRYSTAN SCOTT, THE ARRANGEMENT, and BROKEN PROMISES

  Gina (Peter Ferro Granz’s former fiancee) Series: LIFE BEFORE DAMAGED

  Ferro Elite Team

  Hey Ferro fans! I’m looking for a few die-hard Ferro fans to be on my ELITE STREET TEAM.

  Qualifications: You need to:

  1.