Chapter Nine #2
Elise blows me a kiss over her shoulder on the way out. “Don’t be late next time.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.”
London is fast asleep when I return to the estate, peel off my clothes, and leave them in a pile on the floor.
By the pale light of the moon, I tiptoe over to her, pull back the covers, and exhale.
As I curl myself around her, London stirs and moves an arm over my head.
I wrap my arms around her waist and nuzzle her neck.
“How was your work thing?”
“Fucking long,” I murmur, my fingers splaying themselves across her stomach. “I thought of you the whole time.”
London whimpers. “I don’t like fighting with you.”
“I can think of much better ways to spend our time.”
***
By week’s end, I’m sure I’d rather sit through one of my father’s lectures than attend another event with Elise by my side.
The past few weeks have been a series of events from fashion shows to galas to movie premieres, all with the same group of people and the same inane chatter.
To her credit, Elise doesn’t falter, and I have a begrudging respect for her.
By the second week, there’s a pit in my stomach at the number of pictures floating around, and the knowledge that London is a tabloid story away from uncovering the truth. I want to come clean to her, but I know it won’t do us any good.
London won’t understand.
How could she?
She’s never had to lie to protect an empire.
How do you think she’s going to feel about you spending so much time with another woman? London is considerate, but even she has her limits.
It’s exhausting having to come up with reasons to leave the house.
I almost want it to catch up to me. At the end of the second week, I dress for another movie premiere.
As usual, my father is lurking in the background.
In the hallway, I see London in a pair of yoga pants with a thin sheen of sweat on her forehead, and I consider how much trouble I’ll be in if I skip the event.
What’s one more movie premiere?
When I catch the murderous gleam in my father’s eyes, I give London a tight smile and force myself downstairs where Elise and her father are waiting.
Elise spends the entire car ride there texting on her phone.
As we arrive, Elise puts her phone away and turns to me with the same practiced smile I’ve grown accustomed to.
“We need to be photographed at your club.”
I climb out of the car and hold out my hand for her. “No.”
Elise tucks her hand into my elbow. “You know it will be suspicious if we aren’t.”
I match her stride and ignore the clamor of voices around us. “If you knew about my club, you would know I’m doing you a favor.”
Elise pushes herself up on tiptoe and brushes her lips against my cheek. “I told you that I want to have fun.”
I lower my eyes to hers. “Fine, but we do it on my terms.”
I hate that she’s right and considering how much of her world I’ve been exposed to, it’s high time she sees mine.
As long as I figure out a way to make sure London doesn’t get wind of any of it.
“I’m glad you’re finally coming out to play,” Elise says. “It took you long enough.”
I wink. “Be careful what you wish for.”
Being on the outskirts suits us just fine because the last thing Elise wants is to dance too close to the flames.
She throws her head back and laughs, attracting the attention of a few photographers standing behind the railing. “You underestimate me, Payne. That’s fine. I love a good challenge.”
I wrap my fingers around her wrist. “Don’t—”
A loud banging sound somewhere to my right interrupts me. A heartbeat later, there’s another loud sound, and my heart stops. Suddenly, the group of security guards nearby rushes toward us and forms a protective circle. I step in front of Elise, my hand moving to the gun at my waist.
Elise’s eyes widen when I pull out the weapon. “You can’t let anybody see that.”
“That’s the least of our problems right now.” We all move together toward the car. “Unless you want to get blood stains on that expensive dress, I’d suggest you shut the hell up and let me do what I do best.”
People race past us in either direction, panic on their faces.
I keep both hands on my gun as a cacophony of voices moves around us, and my eyes sharpen into focus.
A scream slices through the air, but I don’t turn to it.
The security team rushes into a black sedan, and I barely have a chance to glance over my shoulder at the inert form of a woman bleeding out on the ground before the door slams shut. The car screeches away a few moments later, and I reach for my phone.
Elise is sitting as far away from me as possible, the free hand at her side trembling. Her other hand is reaching for the decanter of alcohol. After pouring herself a generous amount, she opens the mini fridge, and the soft light illuminates how pale she looks.
I spend the entire ride on the phone barking out orders and fuming.
How in the hell did they find us?
And who were they targeting?
The gates to the Mason estate open as a security guard waves us through.
We pull up the gravel pathway, and my father and Thatcher Thayer are waiting for us at the bottom of the stairs.
I get out of the car first and hold my hand out to Elise.
No one says anything as we stride into the house, and the door slams shut behind us.
Then, everyone begins to speak at once.
I release Elise’s arm and sigh. “I already have men combing the scene for the shooter.”
“We won’t let him get away,” Jack says. “I can assure you both that this is an isolated incident. I’m sure it has nothing to do with our alliance.”
Thatcher scowls. “Our family has been going to premieres and galas for decades, and there has never been an incident like this. Weeks after our alliance, my daughter almost gets shot.”
“She didn’t,” I offer. “I told you I would keep your daughter safe.”
Thatcher glares at me. “That’s only if you don’t get shot either, and I don’t know how you’ll avoid that when you came so close tonight.”
I rip off my tie and throw it on the floor. “I can handle myself.”
“Even when he was little, he was able to hold his own.”
I glance past Thatcher’s shoulder and do a double-take when I spot Olivia’s blonde hair and bright green eyes.
She crosses over to me, and I remain rooted to the spot as she wraps her arms around me and pulls me in for a hug.
Then she draws back to smile at me, but all I see are the circles under her eyes.
Goddamn it.
What is the hell is my sister doing here?
It takes every ounce of self-control I have not to turn on my father and wrap my fingers around his throat.
“Liv, this is Elise.” I shoot my father a pointed look that he ignores. “Elise this is my sister, Olivia. Liv is in town on business.”
Olivia holds her hand out and gives Elise a quick shake. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“How’s Paris, Liv? You showing them how a Payne gets things done?”
Olivia laughs. “You know I am.”
“Good. I hope you’re settling in okay. You can ask Mrs. Rodriguez for anything you need.”
Olivia rolls her eyes. “I remember how things work. I haven’t been gone that long.”
As far as I’m concerned, she hasn’t been gone long enough, and I have to push back against the rage bubbling up inside of me.
I’m not surprised that Jack went behind my back, but I’m terrified of what it means.
Our father has threatened to bring Oliver and Olivia into the fold for years.
I’ve lost count of how many times he’s demanded they join the family business.
With Olivia here, it’s only a matter of time before Oliver follows.
Fear and guilt settle in my stomach.
At least if they’re nearby, you can keep an eye on them. No need to waste precious resources to keep tabs on them.
Except I know having them in the thick of things won’t end well for any of us.
Being back has already taken a toll on Olivia. I can see it in the way she keeps shifting and the tense set of her shoulders.
I wonder how much our father has told her.
“Back to the matter at hand,” Jack interrupts. “I’ve just received word that someone has been apprehended. He’s being brought to the estate as we speak.”
Thatcher gives a tight nod. “I want to be present when he’s being questioned, but I’ll have to change.”
“I’ll make sure clothes are provided for both of you.” Jack’s eyes dart between Thatcher and Elise. “And anything else either of you needs.”
I spot the top of London’s head just as it disappears behind the island in the kitchen.
I press two fingers to my temples and glance over at Olivia.
She’s studying our father and clenching and unclenching her hands into fists.
I wait until the right moment, then sneak off to find London crouched behind the counter in the kitchen.
Her eyes widen when she sees me, but she says nothing.
I’d be impressed if I wasn’t so pissed. I close my fingers around her wrist and tug her behind me, toward the back stairs.
Once we’re in my room, I release her wrist and let the door click shut. “Are you trying to get yourself killed? Do you have any idea what would’ve happened if I hadn’t been the one to spot you spying in the kitchen?”
London stiffens and rubs her wrist. “I wasn’t spying, and you’re deflecting from what matters.”
I raise an eyebrow and lean against the wall. “Enlighten me.”
“I heard everything,” London hisses. “I can’t believe you would lie to me like that.”
“It is business.”
London’s expression tightens. “Bullshit. You were out with that woman, and you were at some kind of event.”
“And?”
London bristles. “Don’t stand there and make me feel like I’m crazy. She’s the reason you’ve been getting home later the past few weeks.”
“Yes.”
London sucks in a harsh breath. “I heard an alliance mentioned. She’s part of it, isn’t she?”
I move to stand directly in front of her. “Ask me what you want to know, London.”
She searches my face.
She doesn’t say anything for a long moment, and I see the gears turning in her mind as she studies me.