Arranged: An Array Series (Book #1)(15)

Garrett





Chapter 4





Ava hadn’t changed a bit. She was still the most spirited, self-assured woman I’d ever met. I’d stayed longer than expected after she had awakened from being attacked, having fun with a pretty, young girl who knew how to kick my ass in cards. And I was also buying time, to not have to return to the palace full of stuck-up folks.

After this whole ordeal with the assassins was taken care of, I’d be going back home. I came to keep George safe since my father couldn’t seem to succeed on his own. Three of the attacks on George were from his own men; traitors who were either bought out or placed there to take him out.

So, when my brother was attacked the fifth time, I’d come here to develop ideas and strategies of my own to keep him safe, as well as Avie.

The smell of spices filled my nostrils as we walked into the inventory space. The storage house looked bigger inside than out, and I was impressed.

Beyond impressed; it was remarkable. The space was organized and clean. Several men with paper and pens silently counted and cataloged the items coming in. The young lad we had run into earlier greeted her again, and the way he gazed at her was like she was an earthly goddess.

He led us to a middle-aged man issuing orders, and Ava waited for him to finish before she greeted, “Good morning, Mr. Torres.”

The stubby man turned around and beamed. “Ah, Ava! Good morning, my dear. I didn’t think you’d be here until later this afternoon,” he greeted. He looked behind her at George and me.

“This is Oliver”—she pointed at George—“and Luke,” she added, pointing at me. “My cousins are visiting for a few days.”

Mr. Torres held out a chubby hand for each of us to shake. “Good to meet you, gentlemen. Your cousin has made my life much easier since she has been home.” I nodded in acknowledgement, holding back a smile. Little did she know, Mr. Torres and I knew each other. I had placed him here to keep an eye on her.

“Uncle Evan has told us the same thing,” I agreed. “She has quite an eye for business.” Ava looked over her shoulder, tucking a piece of auburn hair behind her ear, and grinned.

“I bartered with the Captain to take back the sugar,” Ava advised, and Mr. Torres raised a brow.

“How?”

Ava sent him a grin. “A card game.”

“Don’t let your father know about that,” Mr. Torres cautioned. “He won’t like it.”

“Call it business dealings,” Ava proposed. “He wasn’t going to budge, so I had to play how he would solve things…in a non-violent way.”

Mr. Torres fiddled with his fingers and glanced up at me. I nodded my head with a smile.

“If you say so, my dear,” Mr. Torres said. He paused for a moment before continuing. “Prospective trade deals with Romenia. They want to start shipping their goods here.”

“No,” Ava snapped. “I won’t provide money or support a country that uses children as slaves.”

Mr. Torres smiled. “Didn’t think so, but thought you should know,” he added. “Two more ships are supposed to arrive tomorrow, Ava, but we don’t have room for them to dock.”

Ava furrowed her brow. “Aren’t one of these ships supposed to leave today?”

Torres shook his head. “The goods they are supposed to take back haven’t made it here yet. There was a storm in the south that put a delay on their arrival.”

Ava groaned, placing a petite hand on her forehead. “We need more docks,” she stated, rubbing her temples. “Do we have the funds available yet?”

“I would need to look at the numbers, but—”

“I’ll lend you the money,” I offered, the words leaving my mouth before I thought them through. All eyes shifted to me. “It would be an investment, of course.”

“Why?” Ava asked, her mossy green eyes studying me.

“Two percent interest; it would also increase the economy for Telliva and Aruna. We have a lot of trade going through here.”

“I couldn’t accept,” Ava uttered. “We might already have the funds to build.”

“Think about it, if you aren’t ready,” I told her. “Promise?” I held her gaze, a disarming smile curling my lips.

“I’ll think about it,” she agreed, looking away. Damn. She notched a little of my ego. She asked Mr. Torres to make sure no sugar was left behind and to look into their accounts about the docks before she bid her goodbyes, making her way toward the exit.

“Impressive,” George commented as we walked. “You spoke like you’ve been doing this your whole life.”

Ava turned to him, radiating appreciation and pride. “I feel like I’ve found my calling.”

“You could negotiate policies and laws,” George put in with a grin.

Ava wrinkled her cute pointed nose. “I couldn’t speak to proper society and Lords; they’re too stuck-up.”

“Understatement,” I murmured.

“I’m sure Ava could put them in their place. Shake the system up a little bit,” George told me, mischief glinting in his blue eyes. Ava chuckled, and I couldn’t help but smile.

We made our way back to the horses, the sun beating down on our backs. The loyal Frankie untied Ava’s horse and handed over the reins, blushing as she brushed his arm. She spoke to him for a few moments, then waved goodbye before we took off.