Chapter Eighteen #2
I step to the side and make an exaggerated sweeping gesture, following Noah Sr. down a carpeted hallway with paintings on the beige-colored walls.
At the end of the hallway, the mayor stops and pushes the door open to reveal an opulent room with a fireplace, a Persian rug, and shelves of books on either side.
He stops behind his mahogany desk to retrieve a bell and flashes me a smile.
I lower myself onto the nearest armchair and cross my legs.
The mayor hands me a glass of whiskey and takes a seat opposite me. “I knew we’d end up in business together. It was just a matter of time.”
“You need a better selection of whiskey if we’re going to be doing business,” I say.
Noah Sr. nods a little too eagerly. “Of course. I’ll make sure to have some of the finest imported. I have a guy for that thing, you know.”
I uncross my legs and lean forward. “I don’t have time for your posturing. You mentioned a deal.”
“You’re not fucking serious,” Noah says as he appears next to us. “You’re going into business with the man who kidnapped your sons?”
The mayor waves off his protest. “Semantics. Mr. Payne had a good reason for doing what he did, and besides, you’re both back, so no harm, no foul.”
Noah sputters. “No harm, no foul? He’s held us for weeks. You don’t even know what he’s done to us. To Ryder, especially.”
The mayor leans back in his chair and looks at his son thoughtfully. “Yes, I heard about that rather unfortunate turn of events, but you know your brother. He does need to learn to leave things well enough alone.”
Noah’s mouth falls open. “He… you… what? This isn’t happening. This can’t be fucking happening.”
The mayor sighs in annoyance. “If you’re just going to stand there and not contribute anything useful to the conversation, you might as well leave.”
“Excuse me?”
“You know how I feel about interrupted business deals,” the mayor says. “Now, I can either ask Mr. Payne to take you back and finish what he started, or you can excuse yourself.”
Noah’s expression darkens. “You wouldn’t send me back with him.”
“You’re right. Maybe I’ll just take care of you myself.”
I move to stand. “I can come back later.”
The mayor looks at me. “Nonsense. My son is just leaving to get himself cleaned up. Aren’t you, Noah?”
A heartbeat later, the mayor unties Noah and gives him a pointed look. Then, Noah crosses over to the door and throws it open.
As soon as he rounds the corner, the mayor shuts the door and returns to his earlier seat. He reaches for his drink and takes a few sips. “Don’t ever have children. Such a waste of potential and an embarrassment to the family name.”
The mayor clears his throat. “Now, then, where were we? Ah, yes. I believe you have a dock problem. I have the solution for that, but first, we should talk about terms.”
I down my drink and motion for him to continue. “Naturally.”
“I’m told you have contacts all over the world,” the mayor continues. “A man in my position could always use allies. I’m sure introductions would go a long way.”
I nod. “Of course.”
“I’m also open to a more long-term alliance should the right opportunity present itself,” the mayor adds, his eyes glittering. “I’m told your sister is beautiful and smart.”
I study the mayor intently. “She isn’t a part of the agreement.”
The mayor finishes his drink and walks over to the cart to pour himself another.
I study his back and resist the urge to reach for my gun.
I don’t want to be here anymore than Noah does.
But I don’t have the luxury of going elsewhere with my enemies closing in.
The Harrisons aren’t enough, and with their patriarch breathing down my neck for more favors, I’m not sure how much longer the alliance will hold if I have nothing else to give him.
And Jason Harrison is proving to be quite insatiable, even when compared to some of the other patriarchs I’ve dealt with.
“Everyone has a price.” The mayor turns to face me with an oily smile. “I’m sure you and I can come to an agreement.”
“My sister would chew up your sons and spit them out.”
The mayor throws his head back and laughs. “I’m not asking for them.”
My blood turns to ice. “She’s half your age.”
“It’s perfect,” he nods. “I need someone to give me more… worthy heirs, and in return, she’ll be given certain allowances.”
I bite back the retort and study him further.
I’ve underestimated the mayor.
He doesn’t just want more money and power, which I can help him expand upon.
The thought of offering up Olivia like a breeding mare makes me want to put the mayor’s face through a wall.
He’s a sick, old fuck, but I know I need to entertain the idea, at least until another one comes along.
I’m sorry, Olivia, but for the good of the empire, he needs to think it’s on the table.
The mayor claps me on the back before he sits back down. “I don’t need an answer right away. There’s still a lot more for us to discuss.”
I offer him a cold smile. “Indeed.”
“Excellent. Now then, about those assets…”
An hour later, there’s a dryness in my mouth I can’t shake as the mayor stands up and opens the door for me.
How much more of the empire will I serve up?
How much more of it will they demand?
You won’t have anything left at this rate, and when the dust settles and there’s no longer a threat, they’ll come and demand what they’re owed.
There won’t be a damn thing I can do to stop them.
I’m selling off the Payne name little by little, and I hate myself for it.
“He’s going to bleed you dry.” Noah appears a moment later. His wet hair is plastered to his face, and he’s wearing clean clothes. “You have no idea who you’re dealing with.”
“Don’t tell me you’re going soft.” I glare at him. “Your concern is misplaced and unwanted.”
“It’s not a concern,” Noah spits. “It’s a warning. I know London is the reason you kept me alive, so consider my debt repaid.”
I offer him a bored look. “The debt is far from repaid.”
Not that it matters.
Noah has nothing to offer me, nothing I want, and the fact that he’s grasping at straws would be hilarious if it weren’t so sad.
The sad little shit is so desperate to remain relevant, to hang onto the last thread tying him to London.
Noah folds his arms over his chest. “Where’s Ryder?”
“He’ll be returned when I’m done,” I reply flatly. “I wouldn’t do anything stupid if I were you.”
“If you think I’m not going to do everything I can to try and save my brother—”
I slam him against the wall before he can finish. “See, that’s what I mean by something stupid. You’re meant to be the levelheaded and cautious one.”
Noah draws his lips back and bares his teeth at me. “I am.”
I place my elbow over his throat. “I’m starting to doubt that. No wonder your father is ashamed of both of you.”
Noah tries to shove me. “You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”
“I am not in the habit of giving second chances, so you’re already on borrowed time,” I growl. “Go anywhere near Ryder, and I’ll make you regret it.”
Noah swallows.
“I could drag you out of here right now,” I add. “I doubt anyone will stop me. In fact, I’m pretty sure your dad will just throw the doors wide open and make sure no one gets in my way. I would hate to think I spared the wrong brother.”
I offer him one final look before storming out.
Before the car drives off, I see Noah standing in the doorway, rubbing his wrists. Once we round the corner, I sink back against the leather chair with a scowl.
At least Jack will be pleased that we have a mayor in our back pocket.
I console myself with the thought that I have one less problem to worry about as we drive off into the night.