Page 67 of House of Payne
Mason is domineering and arrogant. I’ve seen glimpses of the man behind the mask, but he is still my jailer. Being his favorite possession doesn’t make me any less of one.
I pray that his favor will extend even after he grows tired of waiting.
I dread the thought of having to put up with the club without his protection.
Are you sure that’s what this is about, and not about how you react around him? Every time he’s near you, you forget all about Noah.
I have a feeling Mason could make me forget my name.
But I won’t put myself in that position, not even to shave down my father’s debt.
My only chance of making it through this with some semblance of dignity intact is by steering clear of Mason, and him lurking around every corner is only making it harder.
I think he likes to keep me on my toes and guessing which version of him I’m going to get.
“…I wish you could’ve been there,” Noah finishes, the sound of cupboards opening and closing in the background. “Maybe we can video chat at some point. I’ve got a work dinner coming up, and I’ve been talking about you so much, I think they’re starting to wonder if you’re real.”
I swallow. “We can set something up, yeah, but I’m not sure about the connection.”
I also don’t want him to see my face.
Noah might buy the story I fed him for now, but one look at the bags under my eyes, and he’ll know something is up.
“We’ll make it work.” Noah’s voice is reassuring. “I miss you. I miss holding you, and I miss kissing you.”
I count backward from five before I answer. “I miss you, too. You have no idea how hard it is to be away from you.”
“Just make sure you don’t go falling in love with tall, dark, handsome strangers, okay?”
I wince and step out of the bathroom, a thin mist following me into the room. “Of course not. You know I wouldn’t do that.”
Not on purpose, anyway.
I’m sorry, Noah. I’m so sorry you wound up with such a shitty girlfriend. You deserve better.
“I was kidding, Lo. You don’t need to sound so serious about it.”
I clutch the phone tighter and perch on the edge of the bed. “You know I would never hurt you on purpose, right? I’m so grateful for you and what we have. No matter what happens, I… you have to know that.”
Noah is quiet for so long that I think he’s hung up.
I let my towel fall to the floor and turn the phone on speaker. “Are you still there?”
“Lo…” Noah’s voice sounds serious now. “Are you sure you’re okay? They’re not working you too hard, are they? I can give them a piece of my mind if you want.”
I picture Noah trying to get through to Carlisle, and the thought almost makes me smile.
Until the image shifts, and I see Carlisle putting a gun to Noah’s head.
“I’m okay,” I say. “It’s just a lot of work, and it’s pretty competitive out here.”
“I can imagine, but you’re going to do great.”
I pull a hoodie and sweatpants on and run a hand through my hair. “I’m trying. I’m glad your work is going so well, and I’m sorry I’m notthere to celebrate with you. Hopefully, I will be able to soon.”
“I can’t wait for you to get back. It feels like it’s been forever.”
“You have no idea.” I pause to gather my hair into a ponytail. “Anyway, how’s everything else? Have you had the chance to check in on my dad?”
