The Arrangement 17 (The Ferro Family) by H.M. Ward

Chapter 1
    Hearts pounding, Peter and I drive through the grounds of the formerly world famous Oak Beach Inn. Once upon a time, the elite of New York City would gather here each weekend and party until sunrise in the old mansion built right on the waterfront. It was a great spot back in the day, but over time it suffered enough neglect that it finally closed—despite the best efforts of historic preservationists. No matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t save the OBI. Shortly after closing, most of the mansion burned in a fire. Add in a hurricane that ate half the coastline, and now it has the solemn feel of a graveyard. No one dances here anymore. There’s no laughter or smiles, just cold damp fear.
    Peter’s body tenses in the driver’s seat. His hand moves to open his door and get out with me, but I reach over him and put my hand over his. Gently, I move his hand off of the door handle and back to the steering wheel.
    “You’re not supposed to be here,” I say firmly. “I have no idea what he’ll do to me or to Sean if you linger. Go.”
    “Avery, this guy is unstable. He could kill you.”
    “He won’t.” Peter looks at me like I’m mental, but it’s a feeling I’ve had deep in my gut since I saw Marty shoot Sean. The blaring music and the flashing lights nearly blinded me on stage, but I know I saw him there. “Peter, please trust me. Marty had so many chances to hurt me already. He would have killed me by now if that was his plan.”
    Peter grips the wheel hard enough to make his knuckles turn white and stares at his fingers. Inhaling deeply, he shifts his blue gaze to the side, his eyes searching mine. “I do trust you. It’s him I don’t trust—he’s off. There’s something about him that doesn’t sit right with me. Add in the shit with Sean, and I think you going in there is a bad move.” His eyes are soulful as he speaks, as if he’s pleading with me to reconsider.
    He’s right, of course, but there isn’t another way. “Peter, the thing is, my life is so messed up right now I can’t go anywhere without someone threatening to hurt me. I know you mean well, but I have to do this. I’ll get Sean back.”
    Peter looks as if he wants to argue, but begrudgingly stays seated. He mashes his lips together, swallows some words he decides not to say, and sighs deeply. His shoulders slump a little and I know he won’t fight me anymore. I’m not entirely sure how he talked me into letting him drive me out here in the first place. He’s sneaky like his brother, but he cares about me and he cares about Sean—that much I know.  
    Peter runs his hands through his hair and glances over at me from behind the steering wheel. “Mel will come for you if you’re not back in this spot in an hour. That woman scares the hell out of me. I’m sure she’ll kill Marty if he hurts you, and she’ll have fun doing it. By the way, why are all your closest friends mental?”  
    Mel is a handful and has had a hard life. She knows how to take care of herself, but I don’t think she’s killed anyone. People still think she’s responsible for the dead hooker in Sean’s hotel room, but I know it wasn’t her. Once she knows a person, and likes them, Mel drops her guard. The sad part is there are very few people she can relax around, so they only know the version of Mel that’s a little rough around the edges.
    I bump Peter with my shoulder and wave my finger at him while speaking, trying not to smile. “Come on Mr. Poet, you already know the answer to that. Friends are a reflection of oneself. You might want to reconsider that thing you’ve got going on with Mr. Turkey.”
    Peter laughs. “Better go over to the tall dark grass now before the crazy guy comes looking for you.” I squeeze his hand and hop out of his sleek black car, slamming the door behind me. Peter puts down the passenger window and leans across the seat. “Be careful.” His eyes are locked on mine, and we both jump, startled, when