Page 154 of House of Payne
I bare my teeth at him and drop my voice. “You want to take that chance?”
Mathew glances behind me, and I imagine Katia’s deadly smile. He looks back at me and stiffens. “It’s no wonder business is suffering. You need to learn how to discipline the women in your life.”
I tighten my grip on him. “You’re not in a position to be giving me advice.”
Mathew scoffs. “Advice? We’re past that.”
I bring his face closer to mine. “So, I can put your head through the wall, then? Or maybe I’ll just take out my gun.”
Mathew’s laughter stokes my anger. “All of this for a whore? What happened to her being just another woman?”
“She is,” I maintain through gritted teeth. “But I will not be made a fool of.”
“Get your fucking head on straight,” Mathew snaps. “You can’t make a move against the Everetts or the Fitzpatricks unless you’re prepared to go to war.”
“I see you still have nothing better to do than spy on me,” I retort. “Get a goddamn life.”
Mathew’s expression darkens. “I have one, and if it weren’t for your fuckup, I’d be able to get back to it.”
I release Mathew and choke back a laugh. “So, you’re here to bitch because the only thing Father trusts you with is keeping an eye on me? That sounds like your problem, not mine.”
Mathew takes a swing at me and misses. “Fuck you, asshole. The only reason Father chose you is because you manipulated him into thinking you’re the better choice. Once he hears about your latest fuckup, you’re going to wish I was the one dealing with you.”
I lunge at Mathew’s middle and tackle him. “You always had a big mouth, little brother. It’s time I taught you some respect.”
Mathew bucks and throws me off. “Like the respect the Everetts and Fitzpatricks have for you? Or the respect your little plaything has?”
Fucking weasel.
I hate that he’s there, and I hate it even more because he’s getting a front-row seat to all of this.
It’s just my luck.
I lunge at him again, but he’s prepared this time. Mathew gets me in a chokehold, and we spin in a circle, grunting and scowling. He lands a few hits.
Still, I feed off his chaos, needing it to numb my rising panic.
I know Mathew is right.
I’m the reason London was taken.
Maybe if I’d kept her on a tighter leash and made sure she knew her place in all of this.
Maybe if I hadn’t let her get under my skin.
Any move I make, any retaliation, could bring a halt to a decades-long alliance.
Makes you wonder if they planned this all along.
My father won’t care about the secret meetings or that our allies are overreaching.
I fucking loathe that Mathew isn’t wrong. I’m almost relieved to have someone to take my anger out on who won’t just stand and take it. I want Mathew to hit me back, and I want it hurt.
Somehow, we wind up on the carpet, rolling around and landing punches. My muscles are screaming by the time I force myself to my feet and shove Mathew against my desk. He growls and pushes me away. Suddenly, he throws a punch, and it hits the side of my face, making stars break out in my field of vision.
The anger bubbling inside of me grows.
I spit out a mouthful of blood and kick out my leg, forcing my brother to his knees.
