Page 106 of House of Payne

“I don’t joke about business,” Mason replies. “The way I see it, you have two options. You can either continue to stand there and make a fool of yourself before you leave, or I can have you thrown out. The clock’s ticking,Noah.”

I freeze and wonder how the mess inside the house will be explained to my father.

I picture the two of them swinging at each other, leaving bloodstains all over the worn-out carpet.

Finally, Noah unclenches his hands and mutters something. He gives me one last look and slinks off, pausing again to glance at me in the doorway. When he slams the front door, it’s hard enough to shake the walls.

My heart clenches and shrivels into a speck.

I resist the urge to run after him and round on Mason instead, bristling with fury.

“You didn’t have to talk to him like that. He hasn’t done anything wrong.”

“He’s a child.” Mason’s eyes dart around the kitchen before they land on me. “He needs to learn how to take rejection. It’ll be good for him. Helps build character.”

“How can you be so dismissive?”

“Would you rather I start ranting and raving?” Mason retorts. “I already told you that it’s not the kind of man I am.”

“I know that already, but—”

Mason turns to face me. “But what? You’re supposed to stay out of trouble. That’s part of your contract, or do I need to review the terms with you again? I should extend your time for the little stunt you just pulled.”

My mouth falls open as I step away from him. “Stunt? I didn’t pull anything. I didn’t know he was going to be here.”

“You expect me to believe your ex just happened to be here on the day I brought you to your childhood home?”

“It’s true. I didn’t know.” I fold my arms over my chest and refuse to look away. “I didn’t even know you were bringing me here, so how could I have planned this?”

I will not be intimidated by him.

Mason’s fingers close around my wrist. “I don’t believe you.”

I try to pull my hand away, but he won’t let me. “That’s not my problem. I’m tired of defending myself.”

Mason pulls me up the stairs and pauses outside my door. “I don’t give a shit what you are or aren’t tired of. What I won’t tolerate is being made a fool of. Perhaps I haven’t made myself clear.”

I finally pull my hand away and realize my skin is tingling from his touch. “You’ve made yourself very clear.”

I don’t need him burrowing further under my skin, cementing the hold he has over me.

Because of Mason, I’ve had to hurt someone I love.

I won’t forget or forgive him for that.

You mean you can’t forgive yourself. Mason didn’t make you do anything, and you know it. You’re just mad because he’s right.

Mason pushes me into my room and kicks the door shut behind us, his eyes burning with some emotion I can’t identify. “You are mine, London, and I won’t let you or anybody else ruin that. You still have months to go before you pay off your debt.”

“I don’t need you to remind me of that.”

Each morning when I wake up in an unfamiliar bed and stare at the gray ceilings, I’m reminded all over again.

Mason’s eyes sweep over me and stop at my lips. Then his eyes flick up, and he holds my gaze. “Strip.”

“Now? You can’t be serious.”

“Get out of your clothes, London,” Mason repeats, “or I’ll remove them for you. Your choice.”