Page 100 of House of Payne
Without waiting for a response, I spin on my heel and step back behind the desk. I pour myself a drink and act like Michael isn’t in the room. He continues to admire the books, making me wonder if I’ll have to call security and have him hauled out.
Maybe you’ll get to see him flat on his ass after all.
I lift the glass to my lips and take a long sip. Eventually, Michael strolls to the door, and Katia steps in behind him.
We share a quick look before she disappears back into the shadows, and I nurse the rest of my drink.
As much as I hate people like Michael, I know he’s right.
Time is running out, and sending someone to talk to me is as much a reminder of that as it is of what’s at stake.
The Payne Empire will not falter on my watch.
I won’t let it.
Chapter Twenty-One
Mason
“I don’t understand why I’m here,” London says.
“I like to survey the properties I’ve acquired,” I reply between sips of my drink. Slowly, I unfasten the top button on my jacket, and I don’t miss the way her eyes linger on my fingers. “You made a deal to pay off your father’s debt, but it doesn’t mean the diner and house are not up for sale should I choose to make an offer.”
London’s eyes snap to attention and anger flashes across her face. “Is that why you dragged me here? To rub it in my face?”
I eye her over the rim of my glass. “When and if I rub something in your face, it won’t be this.”
A shadow settles over London’s face. “It was one time. It won’t happen again.”
I down my drink and lean forward, and her breath hitches in her throat. “We both know that isn’t true, so let’s agree not to lie to one another, shall we?”
As entertaining as our little cat-and-mouse game is, I don’t have the patience for it today.
I need to focus on finding a way out of this mess.
London’s childhood home is a start, but it’s hardly a prime location.
It’s in a nice neighborhood with manicured lawns, paved driveways,and white fences, but it’s not the diner.
A two-story Victorian in a quaint suburban neighborhood isn’t going to cut it.
I need to wait for London’s father to leave so I can take a closer look and see if I can salvage this deal.
Or you can just march up there and look around anyway. London’s father can’t stop you. Not when you practically own the place. Hell, you can have him out on his ass before he’s even had a chance to protest.
I’m tempted to do just that, but I can’t bring myself to do it.
I don’t know if it’s because London is in the car with me and the sweet smell of her is wafting up my nostrils, or if it’s that I still haven’t gotten my fill of her.
All I know is that hesitating will cost me. It will cost London, too.
I just haven’t decided on a form of payment.
For now, keeping myself on a tight leash around her will do.
“I know you might be tempted to go back after that phone call,” I add after a brief pause, “so I brought you here as a reminder of what’s at stake.”
London’s eyes flash, but she says nothing.
