Page 32 of The Arrangement

“Did something happen?”

“No. And I don’t want it to,” I say, chuckling.

“Me either.” He sighs. “Do you have any questions before I let you go?”

I tap my fingers against the steering wheel and take the exit toward the office. Soft classical music drifts from Ford’s office through my car speakers. His wife makes him play it to help his blood pressure—something that all his friends know, and none of us let him live down.

I’ve known Ford Landry for a decade. We served two tours together in the military before he got out and went home to Savannah. I was discharged and went to work for a private security firm, Mandla.

Ford and I kept in touch. When the government shut down Mandla after a bold rescue operation in Africa went sideways, Ford asked me to work for him. I chose to go home to Nashville and start Brewer Air instead.

Our paths crossed again when I took over the security operations for my family and our businesses. Naturally, I hired Landry Security because Ford is one of only a few people in this world I trust implicitly.

Besides Foxx, Ford may be the only one.

“No questions from me,” I say. “Let me know if Erickson is a viable candidate.”

“I will. If he doesn't pan out, I have ten or twelve interviews next week. With business booming like it is, I could hire twenty people if I could find twenty decent options.”

“Good luck with that.”

“Right?” He groans. “Okay, I gotta get busy. I have a meeting with Troy Castelli in five minutes. Talk to you later.”

“Later.”

I press a button on the steering wheel, ending the call.

My car's engine roars as I press the accelerator and overtake a minivan, passing it safely to the right. I set aside Mom’s security situation, knowing Ford has it handled. Then I click on the navigation screen before my phone connects to Brandi.

“Brewer Air, this is Brandi. How may I direct your call?” she asks.

“Hey, it’s Jason.”

“Good morning, sir.”

“Good morning. Is Chloe in the office by any chance? I’ve called her phone several times this morning, and she hasn’t answered.”

Last night was long. I couldn’t sleep for shit. I kept replaying our exchange—the strange man’s voice and Chloe’s pitch as she responded. Her grandmother telling her that she better not be talking to Thomas. The stress and exhaustion in Chloe’s voice.

It bothers me.

A lot.

I feel like I know so much about her, and I’d describe our relationship asclose.Yet after last night, I realize there’s a lot I don’t know about Chloe … and I wish that weren’t true.

I tap my fingers against the steering wheel and exhale.

“Actually,” Brandi says, “Chloe called in and said she’d be late.”

My stomach drops. “She did?”

“Yes. She said something happened at home and she’d be in by lunch. She had me pull a few reports and email them to you. I hope that’s all right.”

Fuck. “Yes. Thanks for doing that, Brandi. I’ll see you in a few hours.”

“Of course, Mr. Brewer. Goodbye.”

The call ends, and I ease up on the gas pedal.