Page 11 of House of Payne
“Stop right there.” Dad pulls away from me. “This ismyproblem,London, not yours or Noah’s. I’m going to handle it, now don’t you worry about it a second more.” He doesn’t let me say anything else, pulling me in for another hug.
To him, the discussion is over.
To me, it’s only just begun.
I’m going to figure out a way to help him out of this mess.
Because the alternative is too dire to consider.
Chapter Four
Mason
“Welcome to the House of Payne,” I say to Phoenix, watching as his eyes take in the massive mansion in front of him. His eyes sweep over the main house, a renovated mansion that used to be an old hotel, and I see his eyes widen. It spans fifty thousand square feet and has lush green manicured foliage and state-of-the-art security. It also basically has its own ecosystem, and I know the grand impression it leaves on newcomers.
It’s gorgeous, a fact I often forget because of how often I see it but something I’m reminded of whenever I bring new people to view it. It doesn’t look like much on the outside beyond a location where rich people enjoy partying and drinking margaritas, but there’s so much more going on inside, a view few people get to witness because of its exclusivity.
Phoenix is a tall, dark, strong-looking man who would probably intimidate me if it weren’t for who I was. I don’t let anything frighten me. Fear is for cowards, and that’s something that was hammered into my head when I was a child.
It’s been essential to my survival.
It’s gotten me this far.
I’ve never heard of this man before tonight, but he has more money than nearly everyone in Boston combined. He values his privacy, and I can only imagine what would happen to the image he’s portrayed to the mediaif anyone discovered his association with my business.
They won’t. The House of Payne is known for its secrets, and making sure men like Phoenix can enjoy themselves away from prying eyes is one of our specialties.
“So, what exactly…?” he starts, his voice gruff before he clears his throat and straightens his back. “How would you describe a place like this, well…” the man looks embarrassed as if he’d never imagined he would find himself here.
“On the outside?” I finish for him. “A member’s club.”
At least, that’s what is written on our taxes.
“Oh.”
“Follow me. There’s more to be seen.” Business from clients like him is what makes the House of Payne thrive, and I’ll be damned if I let him slip through my fingers. I can already see revenue double.
“There are five stories,” I explain as we walk into the vast lobby. The furniture is custom-made, light and modern to hide the truth of what it’s all about. “We cater to exclusive, well-known families for the most part, some of whom can trace their wealth back centuries.”
Phoenix doesn’t blink at the first floor, with its hardwood-floor offices and meeting rooms. His ears perk at the main floor of the club on the second floor, with a steady stream of people dancing to the pulsing music. On the third floor, I pause to indicate the private rooms and more play areas for our special guests.
I know by the look on his face that I have him right where I want him.
“How much does something like this cost?”
A common question. “Five hundred thousand a year.”
The numbers don’t seem to surprise him. He nods, probably because it won’t even dent his pockets.
“We are the best in the country. We have everything you could wish for. A bar, indoor tennis, outdoor golf, a pool, a spa, a lounge, and if there’s something you feel is missing, we accommodate our members as best wecan. Most of our members come here to network, conduct business, trade, and the like.”
Phoenix smiles. “Is this a part of my membership fee?”
“All members can access this portion.”
“And the…?”
He’s eager to get down to business, and I won’t stop him. I gesture for him to follow me and move to the elevator. Phoenix looks around, eyes wide as if he’s doing something illegal. We are, but he doesn’t have to make it quite so obvious.
