Page 112 of House of Payne

“Do as he says, Kyle,” Michael says.

Kyle eyes Michael, then looks back at me. “There’s no need for that here. I’m sure we can—”

I point the gun at his leg and fire before he can finish his sentence. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

He yelps and jumps on his other foot, a thin sheen of sweat breaking out across his forehead. “What the fuck? What was that for?”

I shrug and point at his other foot. “I don’t like having to ask for something twice.”

He scrambles away, leaving a trail of blood behind him. Once he’s out of earshot, I turn to face Michael and Lance. They’ve already got a fewmen on either side of them, all with their guns drawn. Katia and Carlisle are on either side of me, and for a few long moments, nothing happens.

“You know what I really don’t like? I don’t like being stabbed in the back. The least you can do is do it to my face.” I pause to make a sweeping hand motion with my gun. “I thought we settled this the other day, Michael.”

Michael’s jaw hardens. “We’re just looking to branch out. It has nothing to do with you, Payne. It’s just business.”

“It has everything to do with me if it affects my business,” I reply, my eyes darting between the two. “I told you I’m working on an alternate location to use as a front… unless you think I’m a fucking liar?”

Lance purses his lips. “It’s not about that, either. You shouldn’t have shot the man.”

I shrug and lower my gun. “I don’t need advice from either of you. I don’t like it when people renege on their deals, either. It’s very bad for business.”

Lance draws himself up to his full height, the setting sun behind him giving him a strange glow. “That’s not what we’re doing.”

Michael takes a step forward, and Katia shoots him a look that gives him pause. “We’re just looking out for our businesses, same as you are. You can’t blame us for that.”

“We’re all in business together,” I remind him. “Or did you forget that?”

Michael glances from Katia to me and back again. “Yes, but this isn’t how we’re used to running things. Your father did things differently.”

How many times will they bring that up?

How long will I have to live within Jack Payne’s shadow?

When will it ever be enough?

“You better fucking get used to it. I’m not my father,” I say. “If you have a problem with that, then we have another issue altogether.”

As much as I hate to admit it, I need to get on their good side. Havingthem in my corner is easier than having to worry about them.

But I’ll be damned if they think I’m going to grovel and bend over backward like my father did. While he preferred to cater to their businesses before ours, I have no intention of doing the same. I know that our decades-long understanding is beneficial, but if I want to expand the empire, they need to adapt to the wayIdo things.

I have no intention of becoming my father, professionally or otherwise.

The sooner they can wrap their heads around that, the better it’ll be for everyone involved.

“I’m not an unreasonable man,” I continue. “I can overlook your little indiscretion today, and in return, we can all go back to our lives. We all have better things to do, I’m sure.”

I hate giving them another chance when they’re flaunting their disrespect, but I also know it’s necessary.

It makes no sense to charge in guns blazing. I know what a war with them would look like, and I’m trying my best to avoid it.

Michael and Lance exchange a look.

Michael clears his throat. “What about the business you promised us?”

“If you want a half-assed location, then you can set up another meeting. Otherwise, back the hell off and let me do what I need to do to make sure everything is running smoothly.”

I won’t go back on my deal with London, even if it solves my problems.