Chapter Thirteen
London
My eyes burn with unshed tears.
Frowning, I peer at my reflection in the mirror and dab a little more concealer under my eyes. Then, I spin around and eye the uniform draped over the edge of the bed. I hold it up to the full-length mirror, twisting to and fro to picture myself wearing it.
It’s a dress that falls just above my knees and cinches around the waist and bust. The material is softer than anything I’ve felt, but it still doesn’t change all the strings that come with it. As I peel off my sweatpants and sweater, I marvel at how quickly my life has changed.
A few hours ago, I was in bed with Noah’s arms wrapped around me and a lump in my throat.
While he slept soundly next to me, I laid there, staring at the ceiling and wishing the walls didn’t feel like they were closing in.
After hours of tossing and turning, I’d flipped onto my side to watch him sleep.
Poor, sweet, innocent Noah.
He has no idea what kind of deal I made to save my dad.
I’m not sure he’ll ever understand.
As far as he’s concerned, there was always another way, and as the first patches of light crept across the horizon, I knew we were never going to go back.
Forcing myself to walk away was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.
Seeing my dad sound asleep in his king-sized bed had steeled my resolve.
You can do this. You have to. Otherwise, they’ll go after him, and you can’t let them do that. Just keep your head down, and it’ll be over before you know it.
Mason’s driver was waiting outside as promised, and I’d spent the entire ride with my head in my hands and my shoulders silently heaving. When he drove up to a cluster of buildings on the outskirts of the Payne estate, the sinking feeling in my stomach only grew.
A short while later, I’d been shown to my room, the place I’d call home for the next year.
I hated it.
There was a single bed in one corner, a small wooden closet pressed against the wall, and a small tile-floored bathroom with bars on the window over the toilet.
I spent the first hour pacing and stealing glances out the window that overlooked the lush, green estate.
I’m relieved to have a safe haven, but I know it’s just one more way for Mason to control me.
I knew it when I signed the contract, but it wasn’t until I walked in that I realized how much of my freedom I’d signed away.
Slipping on the uniform and sliding on the bracelet felt like the final pieces of the puzzle.
I pull my hair into a high ponytail and ignore the twinge in my stomach.
It’s just housekeeping. You should be thankful it isn’t anything else.
The early-morning sun is hot on the back of my neck as I step outside and exhale a lungful of air.
A few guards are already posted outside the mansion, and one of them throws out a hand to stop me.
After casting a glance at the bracelet on my wrist and the ID dangling from my neck, he lets me through.
My heart pounds as I cross the half-empty floor, ignoring the curious glances thrown my way.
Once I reach the desk in the back, my hands dart behind my back, and I pray they can’t see the tremors racing through me.
The blonde woman standing behind the desk is wearing a tight white button-down shirt paired with a black pencil skirt and blood-red lips.
She flips through a book and doesn’t pay me any attention.
I clear my throat a few times, and when she looks up, I almost wish I hadn’t.
She places one hand on her hip. “Can I help you?”
I lick my dry lips. “Mr. Payne hired me.”
She raises an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”
I make a vague hand gesture and point to the bracelet. “He hired me for the housekeeping job, but I’m not sure who to report to.”
She stands up straighter and frowns. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. We don’t have any housekeeping vacancies. I don’t know what game you’re playing, but you need to leave before I call security.”
My heart misses a beat. “There must be some mistake. Mr. Payne hired me. I’m supposed to pay off—”
A hand closes around my wrist, cutting off the rest of my sentence, the voice like hard steel. “I can take it from here, Tiffany. She’s working for me.”
Tiffany’s eyes dart between us. “Of course, Mr. Payne.”
I snap my mouth shut as Mason’s hand moves from my wrist to my waist, and he tugs me away.
In silence, he presses the button for the elevator, a muscle ticking in his jaw.
As soon as the doors ping open, he pushes me in, and I stumble.
He gets in and waits until the doors snap shut before wheeling to face me.
“I know you’re not stupid.”
I draw myself up to my full height. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Mason advances on me, every inch of him oozing power and masculinity. “I know you’re new to this world, so I’m willing to overlook your error in judgment, but if I ever see you outing the business again, I won’t be so generous.”
“Outing the business? I wasn’t…” I trail off, and it feels like a bucket of ice-cold water has been thrown over me. “They have no idea, do they? The people who work in the mansion, I mean.”
Mason’s eyes sweep over me. “I knew there was a brain in there somewhere. In the future, you’d well remember to keep your mouth shut, or I’ll fuck your throat.”
His words send an unexpected bolt of desire through me.
“I… you…” I stutter, thinking past the roaring in my ears. “I didn’t.”
Mason covers the distance between us and places his hands on my shoulders. Then his fingers are around my throat, and for a moment, I forget how to breathe. The smell of his cologne, something earthy and spicy, washes over me, and excitement courses through me.
What is wrong with me?
I shouldn’t be responding to him like this.
But there’s something about being near Mason that makes me ache in places I shouldn’t.
It almost makes me wish I was someone else.
The kind who would hike up her skirt and let him take her against the elevator walls.
Mason grins, and I stiffen. “When I do fuck you, London—and I will—you will be begging for it.”
I tilt my head back to look up at him. “Never.”
The look in Mason’s eyes is molten. “You have no idea what you’ve gotten yourself into. It’s only a matter of time.”
His fingers press deeper into my skin, and I swallow hard.
Mason brushes his fingers against my throat before drawing back. “You will beg me, and you’re going to enjoy every second.”
I open my mouth to protest, but nothing comes out.
I want to tell him off.
I also want to race out of the elevator and into the safety and familiarity of Noah’s arms.
I square my shoulders and clasp my fingers behind my back. “I’m just here to pay off my father’s debt.”
Mason reaches into his pocket and pulls out a card. “You’ll need this for the elevator.”
I take it from him, careful not to let our fingers touch. “Thank you.”
Mason gives me one more heated look before he steps away. “Miss Deveroux is the head of housekeeping. She’ll show you the ropes and make sure you have whatever you need.”
The doors slide open, and Mason steps out without a backward glance.
After a brief hesitation, I hurry after him, but I lose him in the crowd of people.
The smells of sex, sweat, and alcohol linger as I weave through the crowd, scanning it for a familiar face.
When I emerge on the other side of the room, my eyes land on a woman with streaks of silver in her hair, a red button-down blouse tucked into a dark skirt, and three-inch heels.
She makes a beeline for me, and I freeze. “You must be London.”
“Miss Deveroux?”
She gestures to me, and I fall into step beside her as she pushes through the crowd. “Don’t dawdle. It draws too much attention.”
I nearly lose my footing and catch myself at the last second. “I’m sorry. Ma… Mr. Payne didn’t tell me what you looked like or where to find you.”
“Mr. Payne expects discretion and initiative from his employees,” Miss Deveroux replies without looking at me. Using her ID, she pries a door open that leads into a back room with lockers on either side and two bathroom stalls.
“You can change here in the future,” Miss Deveroux says, pausing to throw her arms out to either side. “Don’t walk around with that uniform. Draws too much attention.”
I cross my arms over my chest and swallow. “I didn’t know.”
“Now you do.” She finally looks at me, her yellow catlike eyes studying me openly. “I know you’re here to pay off a debt, but you’re still expected to do it well.”
I nod.
“In the mornings, you should show up dressed in casual attire and use your ID to access the downstairs floor. Once you’re here, you should change into your uniform and come find me for a list of your tasks for the day.”
I glance around the empty locker room. “Okay.”
Miss Deveroux’s expression softens. “I’ll give you a minute. Come and find me when you’re ready.”
Without waiting for a response, she spins on her heel, her shoes clicking steadily against the floors.
As soon as the door shuts behind her, I lean against the nearest wall and inhale.
Tears prick my eyes as I place a hand over my chest and feel my heart thump.
After splashing cold water on my face, I step back outside and find Miss Deveroux standing in a quiet corner, her bright eyes wide and assessing.
“You’ve never done anything like this,” she comments before turning to face me. “You should learn to hide your nervousness. You don’t want anyone here to use it against you.”
I clench my hands into fists. “How would they? I’m just here to clean.”
Miss Deveroux gives me a cryptic smile. “I know what you must be thinking, but this is nothing like those Epstein or Weinstein sex rings. That’s not how things are done here. The media frenzy was a shitstorm, and it nearly scared away some of our more prominent clients.”