Chapter Six #2
Someone raps on the office door, and before I can say anything else, the door swings open to reveal Jeremiah Harrison and a furious-looking Katia behind him.
She glances between the Harrison twins before she flicks her gaze over to me.
I nod, and she slips into position behind me, displeasure rolling off her in waves.
“I hope you haven’t started any of the fun without me.”
“Jeremiah.” I pour him a glass and slide it over. “I see you’ve already made yourself at home.”
Jeremiah reaches for the glass and chuckles. “I couldn’t resist. You’ve got some of the hottest women around working for you. Any chance you want to spare one?”
I lower my feet to the ground. “I’m sure you know that isn’t how this club works.”
Jeremiah waves away my comment and takes a long sip before he smacks his lips together. “In light of our imminent alliance, I’m sure an agreement can be reached.”
Smug little shit.
I’ve always disliked Jeremiah Harrison, and on the rare occasions our paths have crossed, I’ve had great difficulty restraining myself from slamming his head against the wall, repeatedly.
Unfortunately, the past few years have only made him more entitled.
I half-listen as he spouts off a few ideas to modernize the club and bring in clientele.
After half an hour, I’m ready to drag him to the basement, alliance be damned.
Thankfully, Jennifer leans forward to place a hand on his arm, and he trails off.
She clears her throat, and I fix my gaze on her and wait.
“We want shares in every major Payne business,” Jennifer begins, “including the club.”
“I expect nothing less.”
“Twenty-five percent.”
I nod. “Are there any other terms?”
A flicker of surprise moves across her face. “Those were the main talking points. I’ve been asked to let you know that we will agree to your terms once the paperwork is in order.”
“My lawyer will be in touch with yours,” I reply. “Anything else?”
Jennifer’s expression changes again, and she looks almost pained when she leans forward. “There’s one more thing. One of us is expected to remain behind and learn the ropes.”
“You’re welcome to—”
“Not her,” Jeremiah interrupts, with a sideways glance at his sister. “I’ll be the one learning the ropes.”
The pleasant buzzing in my veins has vanished. “Why was this not discussed beforehand?”
“It’s a last-minute thing,” Jeremiah replies a little too cheerfully. “I’m sure you don’t mind, considering how many men and weapons we’re providing.”
I choose my next words carefully, ignoring the flicker of annoyance pulsing through me. “Very well. Katia will see you out.”
I know a power move when I see one, and the Harrisons are testing the waters, trying to see how badly we need them.
Goddamn it.
I can’t give them any reaction if I’m going to get what I want.
What the empire needs.
I gesture to Katia, who steps forward and stiffly leads them out of the office. She returns a short while later and waits for me to look at her. I ignore the drink on my desk and motion to her.
“Jeremiah Harrison cannot be trusted,” Katia begins. “His face is always in the tabloids. He’s played a part in bringing down several of his family’s businesses.”
“You’ve done your homework.”
“He’s also known for his gambling addiction and has had several assault cases settled out of court.”
“I’ll keep him on a tight leash.”
Katia’s eyes flash. “That won’t be enough. Someone has to have eyes and ears on him at all times. He’s too much of a liability. Let me do it.”
“No.”
“I can handle it,” Katia continues as if she hasn’t heard me. “London barely leaves the estate now, so I can have Nadia watch her.”
“Nadia is a freelancer. She isn’t—”
“I’ll talk to her,” Katia interrupts with a wave of her hand. “I’m sure she won’t mind being brought into the fold.”
I rise to my feet and move around the desk to stand in front of her. “You know how I feel about people interrupting me.”
Katia has the sense to look chagrined as she lowers her head and clears her throat. “I didn’t mean—”
“I’m not done talking,” I snap. “When I give you an order, I expect you to follow it, not argue. You keep forgetting yourself, Katia. Perhaps my father was right about you after all.”
Katia presses her lips together.
“After how you’ve handled security with London, you should be grateful I haven’t done a lot worse. Jeremiah Harrison will be my problem to deal with.”
I level her with another meaningful look. “You are not to tell me how to run things. Your job, while you still have it, is to stay near London in case she needs protection. Don’t make me regret overlooking your previous fuckups. Am I clear?”
A muscle works in Katia’s jaw.
Finally, she nods and looks away.
“I will decide how long or short Jeremiah Harrison’s leash is. Now get out.”
Katia takes her leave, and I stare at the space she occupied. Then, I finish my drink and storm out of the office. Carlisle is waiting for me by the car when I step out into the brisk night air. I climb into the back and wait to drive off.
I spend a good hour at the warehouse on the outskirts of the city, examining the products and studying the men.
When we leave, the dull roaring in my ears has faded into the background, and I can almost ignore it.
Carlisle waits until we’re back at the estate and in the safety of my office before he pulls a file from his jacket.
I leaf through the pictures of Oliver. “So, he’s still keeping his nose clean.”
Carlisle nods.
I snap the folder shut and look at him. “Good. Continue to keep an eye on him and report back to me if there’s anything new.”
After Carlisle leaves, I spend a while longer going through the pictures and looking for a pattern. On the outside, my younger brother hasn’t done anything out of the ordinary, but I don’t want to be caught unaware again.
Not deciding on his punishment doesn’t mean I’ve let him off the hook.
In the meantime, it would be reckless to pretend he isn’t a danger to us all, and the longer Oliver is allowed to operate unchecked, the worse it’ll be for everyone.
I need to set aside my feelings and do what’s best for the empire and the family.
For the future, I can envision with London by my side, something I never thought I’d have with a woman.
And I won’t allow anyone, not even my brother, to take that away from me.
Sometime later, a cacophony of voices erupts outside my door. I shut the folder and shove it into the nearest drawer. The door bangs open; my father strolls in, his expression one of cold fury.
“I heard you paid a surprise visit to the warehouse today.”
“I did.”
Jack studies me, and his expression gives nothing away. “Visits are scheduled for a reason.”
“With everything else going on, I thought you’d appreciate a little proactiveness.”
There’s no winning where my father is concerned, but I can’t resist baiting him.
Jack stops a few feet away from the desk. “And the Harrisons? You better not have fucked that up.”
“They asked for more than the initial agreement, but nothing we can’t handle. An agreement will be signed before the end of the week.”
Jack turns to the fireplace. His harsh features are cast in the red and orange flames, making him seem larger than life. “There might be hope for you yet, provided you haven’t forgotten everything I’ve taught you.”
“I haven’t,” I reassure him. “I will not fail.”
Jack turns away from the fire, a long shadow cast across the hardwood floor. “See to it that you don’t. You know how I feel about failure.”
His eyes sweep over me, lingering on my side, where the bandage is barely visible under my shirt. “The attack hasn’t been the wake-up call I hoped it would be, but no matter.”
“What do you mean?”
Jack shrugs. “I shouldn’t need to explain. A man who is focused and disciplined would understand.”
Silence stretches between us as I turn his words over in my head.
Once he leaves, I make my way up to the room where London is sitting in a chair by the window, a book turned over in her lap.
She starts when she sees me. “I didn’t think you’d be up until later.”
“Me, too.” I kick off my shoes, and my hands move to my tie. “Katia says you’ve barely left the room.”
London stands up and sighs. “I thought it would be better if I lay low.”
“On that, we can agree.”
“Mason, I—”
“I seem to remember you pushing me to be honest and talking to me about how we need to be able to rely on each other.” I unbutton my shirt and let it fall to the floor with a flutter. “Or does it only go one way?”
London shifts from one foot to the other. “No, it goes both ways, and I will tell you, just not… right now. Not like this.”
I unbutton my pants and let them fall to the floor. “I’m going to take a shower.”
“Am I… can I join you?”
I shrug and step past her into the tile-floored bathroom.
As steam fills the room, I gingerly try to remove the bandage. London steps into the bathroom. Her fingers are quick and nimble as she peels the bandage back. Then, she wraps her arms around me, and we stand there, pressed against each other, until I’m sure the outside world has stopped existing.
For a while after, I almost believe it doesn’t.