Chapter Twenty-Seven #2
I advance on him and ignore the roaring in my ears. “You’ve always been jealous, you worthless piece of shit. What did you think was going to happen?”
Mathew looks up at me. “You proved my point. She’s not your plaything. You’ve let yourself get distracted, and I am not going to let you ruin old alliances for her.”
I grab Mathew by the scruff of his neck and growl. “First of all, you’re not the one in charge here. I make the decisions.”
I land punch after punch as Mathew’s unhinged laugh fills the room.
His face is a bloody pulp when Katia wraps her arms around me and hauls me away.
She releases me when we’re in another corner of the room, but I’m still seeing red. “Mason, think about this. You’re playing into his hands. He’s trying to get a rise out of you, and you’re letting him.”
I wheel on Katia and give her a cold look. “Stay out of this!”
She has no idea what she’s doing, or the kind of hellfire I can rain on her for interfering.
Maybe Mathew is right. I’ve given her too much leeway.
I don’t need another problem on my hands.
“I can’t. You’ve worked too hard to let those assholes get in your way,” Katia whispers. “Make a plan before you rush in there. That’s the Mason I know.”
She’s right.
But I can’t calm down, not when every minute without London here poses another threat to her.
That’s what you get for going after her and putting your needs above those of the business.
I have no idea why I thought I had this under control.
Everything is spiraling too fast for me to do anything but react.
“Bring the car around,” I repeat to Katia. “Make sure everything is taken care of and don’t ever put yourself between Mathew and me again.”
Katia doesn’t say anything.
When she leaves the office, I pour Mathew a drink and hand it to him. He takes it without meeting my gaze, downing it immediately.
Silence settles between us.
I’m halfway through my third drink when Carlisle returns. In the car, I clench and unclench my fists and ignore the blood crusting on the sides of my mouth and face. Mathew has a better punch than I remember, but I won’t admit that to him.
He has spent his time away gaining strength.
Is my father actually going to consider him as a replacement?
I shove the thought from my mind and stare out the window.
At the traffic light, Carlisle hits the brakes, and I take my phone out.
I scroll through my contacts, stop at a few names, and shake my head.
A short while later, Carlisle pulls up on the other side of the city, in front of a cluster of gleaming buildings.
I wait for him to come to a stop and roll my shoulders. “Let’s get this fucking over with.”
Katia is waiting on the sidewalk, her sharp eyes scanning the area. Wordlessly, she takes down a few men who step in front of us. After she clears a path for me, I stroll through the double doors of Michael’s business complex.
A few of the employees cower behind their desks, but I ignore them and move across the tile floors, catching glimpses of my reflection in the mirrors. I push the button, take out another napkin, and wipe my face.
In the elevator, I offer the camera a wave.
Several men and women have their guns drawn when I step out.
I give them a bored look. “I know your boss is expecting me, so we can do this the easy way or the hard way. If I were you, I’d run off and get him.”
Finally, a radio cackles, and a mean-looking blonde reaches for the device at her belt. Her dark eyes flick over to me and darken. Then she gestures to her colleagues, and they lower the guns. She motions to me, and I fall into step beside her. Katia and Carlisle follow close behind, guns ready.
Michael is standing behind a mahogany desk in an office with glass doors and windows.
He nods to his security detail and gives my team a pointed look. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
I unfasten a button on my jacket, revealing the gun underneath. “Let’s cut to the chase, shall we? I know you have her.”
Michael looks at me blankly. “Her who?”
I give Katia and Carlisle a quick nod. In one quick move, they shove and then tackle Michael security’s detail.
Carlisle stands over them while Katia shifts to secure the door.
As soon as she does, I see the rest of Michael’s security detail through the glass doors.
They spring into action, surrounding the office.
“How fast do you think they are?” I swing my gaze back to Michael, who has a vein bulging in his neck. “You trust them to keep you safe, but do you trust them with your life?”
Slowly, Michael sets down his glass. “I know you’re an impulsive son of a bitch, but even you are not that reckless.”
Once I’m done pushing up my sleeves, I roll my shoulders. “Unlike you, I have a plan, Michael. I would let you in on it, but what fun would that be?”
“You’ll never make it out of here alive.”
I shrug. “I have the building surrounded, and I’m not leaving until I get what I came for.”
Michael steps out from behind the desk, one hand shoved into his pocket, and the other hanging limply at his side. “I already told you I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
I raise an eyebrow. “I don’t believe you. Do you know why?”
“I’m sure you’re going to tell me.”
I unsheathe my gun and point it at him. “Because you’ve been lying to me for weeks. Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t put a bullet through your head right now.”
Michael’s expression tightens. “Because you don’t want the Everetts as your enemy.”
I remove the safety on my Glock and offer Michael a slow, cold smile. “I said one good reason.”
“The Fitzpatricks won’t let this go unanswered.”
I inch closer to Michael, and a flicker of fear moves across his face. “And here, I thought you were the brains behind the operation.”
Michael holds my gaze. “You’ll never get her back if you do this.”
I throw my head back and laugh. “I knew all you needed was the right incentive.”
Fucking prick.
Of course they’re behind this.
How long have they been spying on me?
Michael balls his hands into fists. “Lower the gun, or my security detail is going to make a call you’re not going to like.”
I stop laughing and look at Michael, who takes an involuntary step back. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you. I’m still pointing a fucking gun at you, in case you haven’t noticed.”
Michael cocks his head and studies me. “You’re not going to pull the trigger, and we both fucking know it. You haven’t gotten what you came for.”
I take another step in his direction. “Haven’t I?”
Michael shifts and reaches for his drink, and I don’t miss the tremor in his hand. “One phone call is all it takes, Payne. You asked me before if I was a betting man. I like my odds a lot better than yours.”
I cover the distance between us in one stride and take Michael by the scruff of his neck. He doesn’t look away as he lifts the glass to his lips. After taking a long sip, he rolls his shoulders and waits.
Goddamn it.
He’s right.
As much as I want to drag him out of here and back to the Payne estate, I know I can’t. Not with London’s life hanging in the balance.
You shouldn’t have let yourself get attached. This is what you get for letting your guard down.
Abruptly, I release Michael and take a step back. “You’re not worth it.”
Michael’s lips twist into a sneer. “You tell yourself that, Payne.”
I draw my hand back and punch him squarely in the jaw. “Don’t push me.”
Michael uses the back of his hand to wipe a smear of blood away. “We’re just getting started, Payne. Now, I’d suggest you get the fuck out of my office before I have you thrown out on your ass.”
My mind races to come up with a solution, but Michael knows he’s won this round.
I’ve been outmaneuvered.
Reluctantly, I click the safety back on and put away the gun. Then, I take a few steps back, my eyes never leaving his face. “This isn’t over, Everett. I’d watch my back if I were you.”
Michael eyes me over the rim of his glass. “Do your worst, Payne.”
My eyes stay on him as I walk backward out of the office, with Carlisle and Katia flanking me.
Michael’s team eyes us, but none of them moves a muscle.
Once we’re in the elevator, Carlisle barks something into the phone and tenses.
A few moments later, the doors ping open. The reception area is empty.
The black sedan is waiting for us by the curb as we walk out.
I get in first followed by Katia closely on my heels.
Carlisle scans the sidewalk for a minute longer before getting into the passenger seat.
Suddenly, we’re pulling away from the curb.
Wordlessly, Katia hands me a drink, and I grip the glass hard enough to shatter it, sending shards in every direction.
Blood drips down my hand as I stare out the window and reign in my emotions.
For the first time in a long time, I have no idea what my next move is.
***
London
“What’s the worst they can do?” I stop pacing and stare at my reflection in the mirror above the dresser. “You know they’re not going to let you walk out of here.”
Over the past few days, they’ve done everything to get me to break, from threatening bodily harm to taunting me and everything between. They’ve even suggested dragging my father back in, but none of it has worked.
I have nothing valuable to offer them, and I can sense their growing frustration.
If their reactions are anything to go by, Mason isn’t budging, and it’s only a matter of time before they abandon their plan and get rid of me.
I’m a loose end nobody wants, but I’ll be damned if I leave this place in a body bag.
With a frown, I shake my hair out and pat it. Once my fingers close around the pin, I hold it between my thumb and index finger and ignore the tremor racing through me. On the tips of my toes, I make a beeline for the door and kneel.
Finally, my heart leaps as I hear a familiar click. Slowly, I rise to my feet and close my fingers around the knob. When I twist it, I hold my breath, expecting the guards to pour in. The door creaks open, and I poke my head out and ignore the thundering in my chest.
The carpeted hallway outside is quiet and empty, save for a small patch of silver moonlight illuminating the hardwood floors.
I cast another glance down the hallway and step out of the room.
I try not to breathe loudly as I creep away, occasionally pausing to flatten myself against the wall.
Once I reach the top of the stairs, I peer down, but the place is shrouded in darkness.
I take another deep breath, place my hand on the banister, and feel my way downstairs.
At the foot of the stairs, I tilt my head and listen.
Silence.
I take a few more steps and breathe a sigh of relief when I make out the vague outline of the door. A gust of cold air bursts in when I pull it open, and I inhale a lungful. I step outside, and a dark chuckle makes the hairs on the back of my neck rise. I wheel around and throw up my arms.
There’s a flash of movement on my right, but I’m too slow.
A pair of arms wrap around me from behind, and I throw myself backward.
The person holding me grunts, but their grip doesn’t falter.
I buck and thrash and claw, earning a few grunts as I do.
I’m still panting, my chest growing tighter as I’m dragged back upstairs.
Before we round the corner, I spot a familiar head of hair, and I stop breathing altogether.
Then, they throw me into the room, and I land on the hardwood floor like a rag doll.
Someone twists my arms behind my back, sending bursts of pain through my body.
My eyes water as I lift my head. “Let me go. I’m not a part of this.”
A face materializes in front of me, dark eyes framed by bushy eyebrows, and a scar over his left eye. “Denial isn’t going to help you. I suggest you pray to whatever God you believe in. It won’t be long now.”
I press my lips together and refuse to look away. “If you kill me, you won’t get what you want.”
The man shrugs and takes a step back. “Looks like we’re not getting that anyway. You’re a liability now. I hate liabilities.”
“What if I worked here? I could clean or cook or…” I trail off when he starts laughing, and the knot in my stomach tightens. “I can make myself useful.”
He leans forward and frames my face in his hands. Then his nails dig into my cheeks, and I can smell the alcohol on his breath. “I’m sure you can. Whatever tricks you used to ensnare Mason Payne won’t work here.”
I swallow past the lump in my throat. “I didn’t use any tricks. There’s nothing between us.”
What the hell does he think I did to Mason?
Does he think I used sex to curry favor with him?
Isn’t that how it started, though? You might not want to admit it, but it doesn’t make it any less true. You just hate it’s obvious to everyone around you.
I’ve been branded, and there isn’t a thing I can do to rid myself of the mark.
I should’ve walked away when I had the chance.
Getting involved with Mason is one of the stupidest decisions I’ve ever made, and the longer I sit there under the man’s watchful gaze, the worse I feel.
Why did I think I could walk away unscathed? It’s not like I didn’t know who I was getting involved with.
Miss Deveroux told you what would happen if you let yourself get swept up in it, but you didn’t listen. You thought you were different.
As if I could’ve left Mason better off than when I found him.
Stupid, stupid girl.
The dark-haired man cracks his knuckles. “Any last requests?”
I eye him defiantly. “I hope he makes you pay for this.”
A heartbeat later, my cheeks burn with a sting, and I taste blood in my mouth. I swallow and refuse to break my gaze.
If they’re going to kill me, they won’t get the satisfaction of seeing me beg.
I’m sorry, Dad. I’m so sorry.