Page 119 of House of Payne
We look over at Lance, who is standing in the hallway with a scantily clad woman on either side. For a long moment, I wonder if Michael is going to push it when he knows he won’t get anywhere without Lance’s support. Reluctantly, Michael trudges outside. A few more women materialize out of nowhere and surround him.
I smile.
I let the door to my office click shut, and my smile drops. “Goddamn arrogant morons. Why the fuck can’t they just agree on something?”
This should’ve been taken care of by now, and I have half a mind to make the decision for them.
Don’t push it, Payne. You’ve already stepped on too many toes, and there’s only so much leeway your father will allow before he starts looking over your shoulder again.
A knock on the door has me slamming both hands against the desk. “What now?”
Katia pokes her head in, unfazed by the murderous gleam in my eyes. “I might have a lead on the mayor’s security detail.”
My eyes narrow. “Since when do you tell me about hypotheticals? I want results. We need a way to get through to the man in case he doesn’t see reason.”
Katia takes another step into the office and pauses. “I know.”
I pour a drink. “Fucking get me results, then. In the meantime, I want you to follow London’s father and see if there’s anything we can use to nullify the contract.”
A flash of surprise moves across her face. “Got it.”
I take a long drink, and it burns my throat. “I don’t appreciate the look on your face. Wipe it off before I do.”
Katia shifts from one foot to the other. “What look?”
“You know damn well what look I’m talking about. Playing dumb doesn’t suit you, Katia.”
Katia purses her lips. “You’ve never tried to find a loophole for a contract. In fact, I’ve often heard you brag about what the Payne word is worth.”
I clutch my glass and shoot her an angry look. “I hope you have a fucking point. I hate it when people waste my time.”
“You know the point I’m trying to make,” Katia replies calmly. “People are starting to talk, the cracks in the armor—”
I bang my glass down on the table, interrupting her. “I’d think very carefully before I finished that sentence.”
Katia lifts her chin. “My job is to protect you, even from yourself, and I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t tell you that you’re exposing yourself. It’s one thing to look for other locations. I can understand not wanting to nullify a contract. It’s bad for business, but that meeting…”
Her words hang between us, and my fingers itch to hit something.
I want to punch a wall.
Or Michael Everett’s face
Maybe I’ll knock his face and Noah’s together and throw Lance in for good measure.
All three need to be taught a lesson.
“…was only the beginning,” I inform her. “That’s why you need to follow London’s father. I need something on him that’ll allow me to take asecond look at the contract without arousing suspicion.”
“You mean without pissing off London?”
I curl my hands into fists and level Katia with a stony look. “That’s none of your concern. What I do or don’t do, and who I do it with, is my business. Don’t make me give you another fucking reminder.”
I’m itching to take my anger out on someone.
Katia isn’t the person I’m mad at, but with the way I’m feeling, she’ll do.
She is looking out for me, but she’s also asking questions she shouldn’t.
