Chapter Thirty
Mason
“What the fuck do you want?” I shift to block Mathew’s view of London, who is curled up on the bed with the covers pulled over her. “Here to gloat?”
I am not in the mood to hear whatever smug tirade he’s about to go on.
I already know there’s a mess waiting for me to clean up, but I’ve spent the past few hours going over it in my head. The more I do, the less inclined I am to leave London’s room.
What are you going to do? Hide out at the estate and hope it disappears? Get a grip, Payne. You don’t hide from your problems. This should’ve already been taken care of.
Michael Everett and Lance Fitzpatrick should be made an example of.
Especially that little fucker Lance, who in spite of the multiple bullets put through him, is somehow still walking around.
I’m itching to make it happen, but since I’ve already gone out on a limb by forcing my way into the house to save London, I know I need to tread carefully.
There’s been enough damage, and I don’t want to make it worse, no matter how badly I’m tempted.
Mathew scowls and swings his gaze back to mine. “How the fuck do you plan to make things right if you’ve been in here playing house for hours? Stop being a pussy and forget your little plaything. She’s not worth—”
I throw open the door and shove Mathew against the wall. “If you like being able to speak, I’d suggest you think carefully before you finish that sentence.”
He stares at me. “She has you wrapped around her finger, doesn’t she? Holy shit. Tell me you’re not going to fucking war for her.”
“I’m not going to fucking war for her,” I reply evenly.
Mathew searches my face. “You are. Because of her. You’re supposed to be figuring out a way to kiss their asses and make things better, not worse.”
I shove Mathew aside and ignore my growing headache. “When I want your advice, I’ll ask. In the meantime, get out of my face.”
I give my brother a bored look and wait for him to round the corner. Then, I creep back into the room and let the door click shut. London is sitting up now, her blonde hair cascading around her shoulders and bathed in a halo of light.
She’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
She has no idea what she’s getting into…
I cross over to her and sit on edge of the bed. “How much of that did you hear?”
London runs a hand over her face and clears her throat. “Enough.”
I tilt her chin up so she’s looking at me. “I will take care of it, and I will take care of you.”
London swallows, and her eyes move over my face. “I’m sorry this happened because of me. I…”
I shake my head. “They were just looking for an excuse. Why don’t you get dressed, and we can go downstairs and eat something?”
Having her nearby calms me, and that gives me a chance to figure out what I’m going to do next.
London offers me a soft smile. “Okay.”
“We need to get you out of the housing complex and somewhere safe. You’ll be staying in my wing from now on.”
“Why?”
I blow out a breath. “Because things are about to get a lot worse.”
London’s eyebrows draw together. “What do you—”
Before she can finish the rest of her sentence, the door to the guest room flings open.
I turn, and the string of curses dies on my lips when I spot my father in the doorway.
He’s dressed in his usual crisp custom-made suit, and his dark hair is slicked back.
His dark eyes narrow as he steps into the room, and his expression changes as he spots London.
“I should’ve taken care of you myself.”
I step in front of him, blocking London from view. “She has nothing to do with this.”
“She’s the reason we are on shaky ground with our allies,” he replies in a dangerous tone. “She needs to be taught a lesson.”
“No.”
I see the color creeping up his neck. “What the fuck did you just say to me?”
“She has nothing to do with this,” I repeat. “Anyone who touches her will have to answer to me.”
He throws his head back abruptly and lets out a laugh that chills my blood. “I’m glad you’ve finally grown a pair, but this is not up for discussion. This mess will be dealt with. You and your little whore are done fucking around.”
I stare at him, my mind racing and whirring with possibilities. “You shouldn’t have come.”
He makes a low noise in the back of his throat, takes his gun out, and points it at me. “Are you willing to throw it all away, Mason?”
London makes a low strangled sound and tries to step in between us. “Who are you? What do you want?”
I twist to look at her. “Calm down.”
London is pale and shaking now. “I can’t.”
I glance from the gun to his face and back again. “Don’t do this.”
Slowly, my father removes the safety, and his expression hardens. “I asked you a question, boy. You’ve spent years showing me what a good heir you can be, someone worthy of the Payne name. Now, you do this. You’ve already proven that you’re willing to go to war for her.”
Jack Payne give me a chilling smile. “So, let me ask you again, are you willing to die for her?”
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