Arranged: An Array Series (Book #1)(96)

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Hara and I went out riding, wanting to get away from being inside the castle and the chaotic days that had been holding our thoughts captive. Of course, we had four looming men behind us—half the Elite Eight. I had become so used to them that I barely noticed them around anymore.

The day was beautiful and warm; I welcomed the warm breeze that enveloped us. Flowers had already poked themselves out for the summer, a bunny hopped through the field, and the trees swayed to their own rhythm.

“When does Garrett come home?” Hara asked me, moving a lock of dark hair out of her eyes.

“Tomorrow.”

Hara was a wreck, with a lot on her mind, and I could tell she was struggling to keep a normal conversation going.

“I’m sure you’re excited to see him.”

“I am.” I looked over at her. “How are you doing?”

Hara shrugged. “I’m scared. Not for me, but for Garr. I know he’ll never give me up to King Dufour.” She looked at me. “He’ll give up his happiness for mine.”

I knew she was right. His selflessness was one thing I adored about him. It’d been on my mind since Garrett told me the news. Hara would be safe; Garr was the one at risk.

“I know.”

“I’m so sorry, Ava,” she said in a low voice. “It’s my fault.”

“No, of course it’s not!” I insisted. “Why would you say such a thing?”

“I came back. I was in Father’s sight as collateral to use for his own gain. I messed up everything.”

I brought my horse closer to Hara’s and pulled on her reins, to slow the horse down.

“Don’t talk like that,” I chided. “Edward could reach you anywhere since you are his child. None of this is your fault.”

“I can’t help but feel like it is.” She peered over the grassy field. “I’ll never forgive myself if Garrett has to marry that…witch.”

“Let’s try to think positive,” I told her, even though I didn’t feel it. This was all a mess. I might lose the best thing that had ever happened to me.

“I’ve been thinking,” Hara said quietly. “There are other ways we could go about this.”

“How?”

Hara motioned her head toward the men behind us. “The Elite Eight. They are your men. They would do anything you asked them to do.”

“I don’t think they can make this agreement go away, Hara. I have George and Reddington pulling out all the ideas they have on this.”

“No, no.” She shook her head. “They could get rid of the problem.”

My eyes widened, and I furrowed my brows. She couldn’t be thinking what I thought she was.

“Do you mean…you mean to kill her off?”

Hara grinned, which frazzled me a little. How could she smile when she was talking about murdering someone? I’d dreamt of smashing her face against a wall and ripping her hair out until she was bald, but not that.

“Have you lost your damn mind?!” I shouted. Hara looked at me, startled. She probably thought I’d jump at the chance. But I wouldn’t put the men at risk for murder, nor did I want my name tied to it. Not even George could save me from killing a powerful judge’s daughter.

“They would do it discreetly, of course.”

“Hara, no. That is insane. It’s too risky.”

“These are trained assassins,” Hara replied, matter-of-factly.

“They are mortal men that could die for this,” I countered. I placed my hand on her knee. “You are a darling. A crazy, kind-hearted darling. But no. She is too high up on the totem pole to not be missed. It’s too obvious.”

“Then I’ll tell them to—”

“Don’t you dare,” I said sternly, glaring at her. “This isn’t a game. You’ll ruin your life, and Garrett’s.”

“But he will be saved!”

“But you won’t be!” I squeezed her knee. “You aren’t thinking rationally. This won’t happen. You will not do anything. Let the men handle it. I’m serious.” I looked at the men. “Captain, you will not act on any orders that Lady Cranfield gives to you, is that understood?” He nodded his head.

“How dare you!” she gasped.

“Like you said, they are my men. They’ll do what I ask them to do.”

Hara kicked the side of her horse lightly to pick up the speed, and I didn’t follow her. She wasn’t used to this stress, and I was the leading role in it half the time. But her solution scared me. If we weren’t so close, she may have tried to do something stupid.

“Keep a close eye on her,” I said to the captain.





Garrett





Chapter 39





“It’s his real signature,” Reddington announced, as he strode across the dirt and in the middle of my conversation with a few of my men. I winced inwardly, his voice sounding like a blade against stone. I threw my head to the side, silently dismissing my soldiers, as I kept my glare on him.

The sight of him put me on edge. One, because I didn’t trust the fucker; two, I didn’t like him; and, three, he was on my training grounds—in my space.