Page 10 of The Arrangement

“This is Jason,” I say, still massaging the side of my head.

“Good afternoon. How are you today?”

We exchange pleasantries, something I find utterly ridiculous at this stage of the game. Nothing is pleasant about discussing your father’s felonies, upcoming trials, and how you will shield your family from it all.

“All right,” Towlin says, sighing into the phone. “I have a few things to go over with you.”

I take a quick, irritated glance at the clock. “Let’s do it.”

“Okay. I’ll start with the bad news first. I met with someone in the prosecutor’s office this morning, and it appears your father is waffling on the plea deal.”

I shove away from my desk. “What? What do you mean he’s waffling on the plea deal?”

“They’re still working on it, but the defense now wants less prison time and more time in home confinement.”

“The prosecutor can’t be considering this.”

“It’s a work in progress.”

I stand and pace the room. Memories of the day my father showed his true evil side flood my mind at warp speed.

Mom’s screams as I walked into her house.Her image on the security cameras, kneeling in front of a man with a gun pressed against her temple. Our father’s voice booming through the man’s phone. Bianca in the background, pleading with Dad to stop as he threatened to have Mom’s brains splattered across the living room—and threatening to do the same to my sister’s.

My stomach recoils.

Grabbing the assailant from behind.

Shots fired.

The gun sliding across the room.

Fists flying. Foxx Carmichael shouting through the phone as Bianca’s sobs grow louder.

Holding my mother in my arms.

Watching a man bleed on the floor, begging me to end his life. Choosing to make him live and suffer the consequences of his actions.

I heave a breath, steadying myself as adrenaline pounds through me.

“I understand your frustration,” Towlin says.

“Do you, though?” I stop pacing and stare at the phone. “If this thing goes to trial, my mother and sister will be called to testify. They’ll have to relive the day their husband and fathertried to murder them. The defense will try to humiliate and vilify them in the media. They don’t deserve that.”

“Let’s also remember they’ll do the same to you.”

“I could give a fuck about me.”

“Yes, I realize that, Jason. But as your attorney,Igive a fuck about you. Your family does, too. On that note, let me remind you to keep your head on straight until this is resolved.”

I glance up at a knock on my door. Tate comes through with a joke on his tongue, but he swallows it once he reads my face.

“You might warn your siblings to keep things a little tighter to the vest. Ensure your employees have strict nondisclosure agreements. Just be smart. Remember, the more they have on you, the more they can muddy the waters. And the muddier the waters, the more likely your father could walk. It’s highly unlikely, but we can’t risk it. His attorneys have pulled off wilder stunts in the past.”

My hand wraps around the back of my neck as I watch Tate close the door behind him.

“If Dad walks, I’ll kill him,” I say, my eyes glued to my brother. “I will wrap my hands around his throat and squeeze until the last breath leaves his body, and I’ll smile the whole fucking time.”

Tate’s lips press into a thin line as he nods.