Chapter Twenty #2
I can’t question the only friend I have in this place, not even if it helps me understand her and prepare myself.
You should be thankful she told you rather than let you throw yourself headfirst into all this. She’s right: Sex is all you can have with Mason Payne.
I’d have to be out of my mind to get involved with him, and although I’m still questioning whether or not last night was a mistake, I know I haven’t lost all sense of reason just yet.
I know I can’t be involved with Mason, but I’ll be damned if I can’t let myself let loose a little.
Involved or not, sex with Mason Payne is the most erotic thing I’ve ever experienced, and considering how much I’ve had to give up to bail my father out, I want to have some fun.
Even if I still have no idea what to do about Noah.
For the first time in a long time, my future with him isn’t as certain as I would like it to be.
He doesn’t mean what he said. He just needs some time to cool off, and after last night, maybe a break is what you both need, at least until you figure out what’s happening.
After one night with Mason, I can’t help but wonder if Noah and I even have a future.
When it’s all over, will I be able to leave the woman in me Mason has awakened behind?
I’m stunned to realize a part of me doesn’t want to.
As I mull things over, the bar comes alive for the day. With a sigh, I down the rest of my shot and stand up. My head is swimming as I run a hand over my face and exhale. Once I feel I’ve got enough air in my lungs, I force one foot in front of the other and make it to the locker room.
I throw my locker door open and breathe a sigh of relief when I see my uniform in there, pressed, cleaned, and gleaming underneath fluorescent lighting.
I frown and run my fingers over the smooth material. Then I reach for the hanger and tuck the clothes close to my chest as I walk over to one of the stalls. I slide my dress off, shudder, and squeeze my eyes shut. A few moments later, I step out and examine my appearance in the full-length mirror.
I don’t look any different on the outside, but something about the flush in my cheeks and the gleam in my eyes makes me feel cold all over.
I don’t think I like who I’m becoming.
***
Mason
“I’m handling it,” I repeat in a tighter voice. “You left me in charge, remember? So why don’t you let me do my job?”
“I would,” Jack replies after a brief pause, “but when I’m getting phone calls from our allies—”
“Fucking hell,” I interrupt. “They don’t have any kind of patience, do they?”
I know they have the right to be restless.
Without unsupervised access to the docks, all our businesses will be affected, and while I want to blame the added scrutiny and heat on our new mayor, I know that isn’t the whole truth.
I need to find a loophole for the deal I made with London or come up with another front for this part of the business. Otherwise, there’s no telling what our allies will do next.
I have half a mind to pay them a visit and let them know what I think of them going over my head.
And what will that accomplish, other than having your father breathing further down your neck?
Jack Payne is many things, but patient isn’t one of them, not where his businesses are concerned.
It’s why he’s handing the reins to me. He knows I can continue to expand the empire beyond even his wildest dreams. I’ve already done more than he imagined, setting the bar higher and higher with each business deal.
We both know that my drive and ambition will take us far.
It’s why he tolerates any perceived slipups, which are few and far between, even from his perspective.
“This has nothing to do with patience.” My father’s voice is like steel. “It’s business. Since when are you hung up on logistics, anyway? This deal should’ve been done. Didn’t you have your eye on a specific business?”
“It didn’t pan out,” I reply through gritted teeth. “These things happen.”
“Not in our world they don’t.” Jack’s voice is growing tighter and tighter. “I chose you because I thought you could handle the task, but if it’s too much…”
He doesn’t need to finish.
We both know what happens if I don’t deliver.
I might not have wanted to step into his shoes, but I made the deal, and if I fail, he’s got other options.
My twin brother isn’t his first choice, with his impulsive nature and reckless choices, and he also isn’t the only option.
Keeping my little brother out of this was part of the deal, but it was contingent on my success. Oliver is still young, but he’s a part of the Payne lineage, and he’s someone I’d like to keep far away from this part of the family.
My little brother deserves better than the hand he’s been dealt, and I will make sure he has every chance to get away.
I’m going to keep my promise, Mom. I just need to find a way to get Father off my back. Don’t worry. Oliver will be fine.
“…find a way to deal with the mayor,” Jack finishes, pausing to mumble something into the background. “Have you found a way to take care of that problem?”
“Working on it,” I respond after a lengthy pause. “I’m coming up with a plan that doesn’t end with all our asses in jail or worse.”
Katia pokes her head into the office, and the look on her face has me sitting up straighter. A heartbeat later, Michael Everett pushes past her and strolls into the office, wearing a cheap suit and pungent cologne. His dark hair is slicked back, and his eyes are tight.
He gives Katia a once-over that has her curling her hands into fists.
I can see that she wants to reach for the knife hidden in her boots, but after a few seconds, she unclenches her fists and looks over at me.
I nod, and she exits, pulling the door shut behind her.
Maybe you should’ve let her take the knife out and scare him a little. God knows he and that conniving little weasel of his deserve worse. All you’d have to do is let Katia out to play, and all your problems would be one step closer to being solved.
Or they’ll snowball into something much worse.
Still, imagining Katia with her knife pressed against Michael’s throat makes me feel better.
It almost makes me forget about my pounding headache.
I shoot Michael a bored look as he unfastens a button on his jacket and folds his arms over his chest expectantly.
As if he has the right to be standing there.
Arrogant little shit.
“I have business to take care of,” I interrupt my father, pausing to roll my shoulders. “Consider all of this handled.”
Without waiting for a response, I hang up and turn my attention to Michael. “I wasn’t aware we were meeting today.”
“I figured this should be handled in person.” Michael glances around the office with the shelves on either side of the walls, the mantle above the roaring fireplace, and the curtains pinned up on either side of a dark window.
His eyes flick to the bookcase, and something unfamiliar springs to his eyes.
“Our families go back decades, you know, and I would hate for this little… hiccup not to be dealt with properly.”
I narrow my eyes. “Is that why you went to my father?”
He knows damn well that a move like that requires retaliation.
But since he’s here, I need to think very carefully before I make that move.
Being seen as incompetent is bad.
Starting a war with the Everetts would be worse.
And he knows that.
Michael Everett isn’t here to smooth things over or ensure that our decades-long alliance remains intact. He came to my office to make sure I know what’s at stake if I don’t deliver. It’s the kind of power move I would’ve seen coming if I hadn’t been so distracted.
Goddamn it, Mason. Get ahead of this before all of your asses are on the line. Fuck London as many times as you need to get her out of your system, or there’s no telling what will happen.
Ignoring her father’s diner as a potential front for the business is one thing. Letting London work her way into my head is another, and I’ll be damned if I let a woman, even her, take my eyes off the bigger picture.
She’s just a fantasy to play out, an itch that needs scratching, and nothing more.
Once I’ve had my fill of her, we can all go back to the way things were.
“Going to your father wasn’t my idea.” Michael pauses to walk over to the shelves and pretends to scan the books. “That being said, there’s no denying your father has a way of handling things that comes with years of experience.”
“I’ve doubled everyone’s revenue,” I shoot back. “Business is thriving because of me.”
I didn’t build the foundation, but I’m pulling my weight, and I don’t appreciate Michael Everett insinuating otherwise.
The little prick.
I should take out my gun and put a bullet between his eyes.
I picture Carlisle helping me clean up the mess after.
Would letting Michael bleed out on the steps of his own business be so bad?
It would certainly send the kind of message I’m hoping for.
Michael strokes the spine of a hardcover, and I push away the image. “Of course, and no one is denying everything you’ve done. As I said, our families have been in business together for decades, and we all want to continue honoring our alliance. Look at how well it’s worked out for everyone.”
I press my lips together and don’t respond.
I’m not sure what point he’s making, but my headache is getting worse.
“The Fitzpatricks asked me to talk to you as a gesture of good faith,” Michael adds, a knowing glint in his eyes. “I have every intention of going back to them with good news. Do I have a reason not to?”
I dig my nails deep into my palms. “You know damn well you don’t.”
Michael raises an eyebrow. “There’s no need for that tone.”
I cross over to him in two strides and tower over him, smiling when his shoulders sag a bit in response.
“There’s every need. I’m a man of my word, and I don’t intend to dishonor our alliance, but the next time you or anyone else goes over my head, we’re going to have a very different conversation. ”
Michael takes a small step back and nods curtly. “Understood.”
At least he’s smart enough to know not to push me, at least not in my office.
Michael Everett isn’t as stupid as he looks, and I don’t know whether to be relieved or frustrated.
I give him another meaningful look and uncurl my hands. “Good. Then we’re in agreement. You can see yourself out.”
Without waiting for a response, I spin on my heel and step back behind the desk. I pour myself a drink and act like Michael isn’t in the room. He continues to admire the books, making me wonder if I’ll have to call security and have him hauled out.
Maybe you’ll get to see him flat on his ass after all.
I lift the glass to my lips and take a long sip. Eventually, Michael strolls to the door, and Katia steps in behind him.
We share a quick look before she disappears back into the shadows, and I nurse the rest of my drink.
As much as I hate people like Michael, I know he’s right.
Time is running out, and sending someone to talk to me is as much a reminder of that as it is of what’s at stake.
The Payne Empire will not falter on my watch.
I won’t let it.