Chapter Twelve
Mason
“My father has a saying: Never trust a man who can’t hold his liquor.
” I take a long sip of my drink. Then I lean forward in my seat and let my gaze sweep over the two men sitting across from me.
The city inspector swirls his drink in his glass, the top of his bald head glistening with sweat.
The man next to him with a buzzcut hasn’t touched his glass.
Adding someone new to the payroll is a risk, but with our allies growing silent, I have little choice.
If it were up to me, I’d have had the man vetted and followed for months before making a move.
Carlisle and Katia do their homework on anyone who walks through the doors of the club, but there’s something about the rigid set of his shoulders and his frown that sets off all sorts of alarm bells.
The city inspector’s inside man looks like he wants to be anywhere else.
If he’s half as good as Bernie says he is, then he knows what’s at stake here and what you do to rats.
Still, I study him until I’ve finished half my drink, and there’s a pleasant buzzing in my ears. When I set my glass down, Bernie does the same and leans forward in his chair. He smiles, showing off a few yellowed teeth.
Bernie isn’t the kind of man I deal with directly. Between his sniveling and over-eagerness to please, he’s usually the kind of contact Carlisle takes care of, but my right-hand man has more pressing tasks to take care of.
Like figuring out Oliver’s next move.
Trying to stay one step ahead of everyone else has never been this exhausting, and the Payne name no longer holds the same weight it once did.
Not with rumors swirling about our incompetence.
Fucking Everetts and Fitzpatricks.
Why haven’t I found a way to take care of them?
You don’t care about the collateral damage anyway. You have every right to retaliate. No one will hold it against you.
Unfortunately, I have a sinking feeling it’s what my enemies are waiting for.
All they need is one good excuse to breach our truce, and all hell will break loose.
I hate not knowing if what I’m doing will be enough to survive the storm, but it will have to be.
One way or another, I’ll make sure the Paynes survive this, even if I have to drag them out by the skin of their teeth.
“Neal started working for the DA’s office,” Bernie begins. “I told you I’d get you someone on the inside, didn’t I?”
“Yes.”
“Terrible business with the docks,” Bernie says. “But I’m sure you’ll get it sorted out. The Paynes always come out on top, eh?”
I offer Bernie a thin smile. “Indeed.”
Bernie clears his throat and lowers his voice. “I’ve taken care of everything at those addresses you gave me. You shouldn’t face any problems with your airstrips.”
“Good.”
“I was surprised, though,” Bernie continues. “It’s far easier to bring shipments through the docks, isn’t it?”
“I appreciate the concern, Bernard.” I push my chair back and stand up. “But we all have jobs to do, and you’ve more than taken care of things on your end.”
Sniveling little shit.
Why can’t he mind his business?
Bernie licks his lips. “About that, boss. … Usually, I bring this up with your man, Carlisle, but since I have you here, I think we should discuss the new terms.”
I raise an eyebrow. “New terms?”
Is he trying to shake me down on my turf?
The little fucker has more balls than I thought.
“There’s a lot more scrutiny now with the new mayor,” Bernie adds hastily. “It’s not for me. It’s for the other men. Some of them are a lot harder to intimidate.”
I turn to the drink cart, clenching my free hand into a fist. “I see.”
“I’m sure Carlisle can send a few men down to straighten things out, but with everything happening, I thought you’d want to be discreet.”
I pour myself more of the amber liquid and face Bernie, who is sweating profusely now.
Slowly, I lift the glass to my lips and debate my next option.
My hands itch to close around the gun tucked into the waistband of my pants, but I know I can’t afford any missteps when the new mayor remains elusive.
I’ve never met a man with his power and influence who cannot be swayed.
But I keep telling myself it’s only a matter of time before I find his Achilles heel, and when I do, I won’t hesitate to make him bleed.
I set my gun on the desk between us. Both men look like they want to bolt.
I like reminding them of who they’re dealing with.
“I’ll see to the new terms.” I sit back down and give them a smirk. “As long as you keep up your end of the bargain, we shouldn’t have a problem.”
Bernie nods a little too eagerly. “Of course, Mr. Payne. You can count on me.”
I hold a hand up, and he stops talking. “Leave us.”
Bernie jumps to his feet and pulls the door shut behind him as I reach for the gun and hold it up to the light. Neal’s eyes remain trained on the gun, but his face gives nothing away.
“I’m sure you’ve heard all sorts of things about us, Mr. Rose.”
Neal grips his glass tighter.
“We’ve had a fruitful partnership with the DA for the past decade,” I continue. “I do hope we’ll continue to work closely together.”
Neal clears his throat. “I see no reason why the partnership shouldn’t continue, Mr. Payne. I have every intention of upholding my end.”
“See that you do. It would be a shame if something happened to your brother.”
A muscle ticks in Neal’s jaw, and he sits up straighter. “Excuse me?”
“He’s receiving treatment in one of the finest hospitals on the East Coast, isn’t he? I’ve heard they have one of the best medical staff.”
“Yes.”
“One word from me, and your brother will continue to be taken care of,” I tell Neal, before rising to my feet with the gun in my hand. “It would be just as easy to take it all away. Do you understand?”
Neal nods tightly.
“I need to hear the words out loud, Mr. Rose.”
I’m lacking my usual finesse, but I can’t bring myself to care.
Neal Rose is a means to an end, and if I have to forgo my usual niceties to get the point across, I’m not above doing it.
Everyone in the city, including our allies, needs reminding of who they’re dealing with.
I will not allow one more fuckup to chip away at the empire.
Especially not something as stupid as not taking the proper precautions with a new inside man.
Neal Rose better hope to God he checks out, or I’ll take care of him myself.
“I’m aware of the risks, Mr. Payne. I am entering into this willingly,” Neal says. “I will keep up my end of the bargain.”
“Do that and you’ll be rewarded, and your brother will be given the best care money can buy. Betray me, and I’ll gut you like a fish and hang you by your balls.”
Neal’s nostrils flare.
“Finish your drink and get out.” I sit back down and watch him intently. He downs the rest of his drink in one gulp and rises without meeting my eyes. He exits the office, leaving the door slightly ajar.
I want to follow Neal to the DA’s office and make sure I’m getting my money’s worth.
I also want to storm back to the manor, find London, and bury myself in her.
Neither of those things will solve my immediate problems, so I sit there, trying to ward off a headache. Moments later, when Miss Deveroux pokes her head in, my head feels like it’s going to burst. I lean back against the chair, drop my hands, and motion to her.
She steps into the office, dark eyes tight and unfocused as she glances around the office. “You asked to see me?”
“Yes. I wanted to see how things are going with Jennifer.”
Miss Deveroux relaxes. “Miss Harrison is a quick study, and she stays out of the way. Can’t ask for anything more.”
I scratch my chin and nod. “Good. Have you noticed anything unusual?”
“I would tell you if there was.”
Despite our brief dalliance, I know Miss Deveroux is nothing if not discreet.
She’s more than proven herself over the past few years, and whatever doubts I had over her ability to overlook a broken heart have long since taken a backseat.
Over the past eight years, she’s done well managing the girls and making sure the club runs like a well-oiled machine.
I almost forget she wasn’t born into this life because of how well she’s slipped into the role.
At least it’s one less person to worry about.
Unlike most of the employees at the club, Miss Deveroux doesn’t owe any money, and she’s not here to pay off someone else’s debt.
Staying here of her accord has its perks, but I like to make sure she’s still doing it for the right reasons.
Not having a life to go back to isn’t enough to keep someone loyal.
“Keep an eye on Ms. Harrison and report to me if you notice anything unusual.”
With a wave of my hand, I dismiss her, and she leaves without a backward glance.
I’m scowling at the laptop when Katia comes to find me with Nadia in tow.
The two assassins exchange a quick look before Katia leaves the office, pulling the door shut behind her. Nadia remains standing, her dark eyes focused on a blank spot beyond her.
“I understand you wanted to discuss a proposition with me,” I begin.
“Yes, sir.”
“You could have discussed business with Katia.”
“Katarina does not have the authority to make such decisions,” Nadia responds. “I am here to make myself useful.”
“You’ve already proven your worth.”
She’s one of the few people outside my network on the payroll.
Where Katia is all skill and subtlety, Nadia is commanding and unmistakable.
It’s not difficult to see why she’s one of the best freelance contractors in the business, but refusing to ally herself with any one family doesn’t sit well with me.
Nadia is only loyal to herself, and I’m not stupid enough to assume otherwise.
As long as she gets paid, she does what needs to be done, and there’s a certain clockwork efficiency about it that I admire.
“I want to do more,” Nadia says. “I’ve kept an eye on the couple like you asked. No harm will come to them on my watch.”
“Is this about money?”
Nadia shakes her head and looks away.
I tilt my head to look at her. “You want something else, don’t you?”
“I have a… friend. She’s been taken by some powerful people,” Nadia begins. “I warned her to tread carefully, but she did not listen.”
“And you want our help to get her back.”
Nadia lets her hands fall to her sides. “I will, of course, work off the favor in whatever manner you see fit.”
I lean against the desk and study her again, taking in the lithe frame and the faint outline of a gun underneath her skin-tight outfit.
Having Nadia’s services at my disposal can be beneficial.
The offer is too tempting to pass up.
But how do I know my enemies haven’t already flipped her?
Nadia’s offer seems a little too good to be true, and I need to think before diving in.
“I am not na?ve enough to believe one woman can make a difference,” Nadia replies. “I’ve been working for your family long enough to know real power.”
“I’ll consider your offer.”
“That woman who left the office a short while ago, she’s hiding something from you,” Nadia says.
I blink and stare at her. “Excuse me?”
“She’s good friends with London.” Nadia’s eyes are tight and assessing now, and focused on me. “I can find out for you.”
“You’re offering to spy on her?”
Nadia shrugs. “I’ll do what needs to be done.”
At this point, you need her almost as much as she needs you. Having an extra pair of eyes can’t hurt, especially not someone with Nadia’s skills. Just don’t let her see how eager you are.
“You’ll do what I tell you to do,” I correct. “And the terms of your contract will be drafted according to the security threat posed during the extraction.”
“I understand,” Nadia says. “Thank you.”
“I haven’t agreed to anything.”
Nadia clears her throat. “I’m also willing to work in the club.”
I press my lips together and say nothing.
“I’ve seen clubs like this before,” Nadia says. “I know what goes on behind closed doors.”
“She must mean a great deal to you.”
Is it enough for Nadia to sign her life, and everything that entails, to me?
Nadia offers me a curt nod. “She does.”
“Very well.” I move back behind the desk and sit down. “You’ll continue with your current assignment in addition to following Miss Deveroux.”
“Understood.”
“Discretion is of the utmost importance. You’ve been in this business a long time, so I’m sure you’re aware of what happens if you’re caught.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I’ll consider your proposition.”
I gesture to the door, and she waits for a moment longer before she disappears. As soon as she’s gone, I go back to my laptop and stare at the screen without blinking. The names and numbers don’t make any sense.
One more set of eyes can’t hurt, and you have dealt with Nadia before, so it’s not like the DA guy.
Still, there are too many unknown variables, too many pawns on the chessboard for me to be comfortable with.
I need to stay focused and level-headed for what’s next.
But as I shut down my laptop, tuck it under my arm, and head back to the manor, all I can think about is London.
I’m still no closer to figuring out what she’s up to, and I’m not sure I want to.
What good will it do?
First, you let Oliver’s betrayal go unpunished, and now London’s? What the hell are you doing?
London is in the shower when I get back to the room, and even though I’m tempted to join her, I don’t. Instead, I throw the French doors open and inhale the crisp night air. Underneath the pale light of the moon, I study the estate below and ponder my next move.
When London sees me, she crosses over to me and draws me in for a hug.
I stiffen, but I don’t pull away.
We curl up on the bed a short while later, and as I stroke her hair, I wonder how much time we have left before everything blows up in our faces.
And how much of us will be left when the dust settles.