Page 118 of House of Payne

“Would anyone care for a drink?” I offer them a meaningful smile and step back. No one says anything as I walk over to the small table and reach for the decanter. I feel their eyes on me briefly before they scan the empty room in the back of the club. Slowly, Carlisle shifts closer, and I give him a subtle nod without looking directly at him. He takes a small step back and melts into the shadows, joining Katia, who studies the room intently.

What the fuck are you doing, Payne? This is a bad idea.

I’ve been replaying Katia’s words in my head for the past few days. They’ve been on my mind as I’ve pored over some of the books and spent hours in a corner of the club, watching and waiting. Since that day at her childhood home, I’ve steered clear of London. I have every intention of enjoying her again, but first, I need to make sure the Everetts and Fitzpatricks don’t screw me over.

After pouring a generous amount of whiskey, I carry the glasses over to them. Michael’s head of security, a tall and imposing man, watches me carefully but doesn’t move. When I place a hand on Lance’s shoulder, his head of security, a woman with short-cropped hair and veins in her neck, reaches for my wrist.

I shove a knife into her hand in one quick move, and she cries out. “Don’t you ever fucking touch me in my club. Do you understand?”

I turn to face her, and my eyes move from the top of her head to the soles of her feet. “I’m disappointed in your choice of company, Lance. I thought you’d hire someone smarter.”

Lance jumps to his feet and whispers something in her ear.

A heartbeat later, she rips a piece of fabric from her shirt and gingerly touches the knife. She hisses and then removes it, and blood drips steadily onto the floor. Studiously avoiding my gaze, she wraps the fabric around her hand and moves back to her position against the wall.

Everyone else in the room has gotten the message.

I nod to Carlisle, who hands me back the knife. Slowly, I run my fingers over the blade, smiling when I realize everyone is holding theirbreath.

Good.

These idiots need to learn not to cross me.

“She was just doing her job,” Lance replies without looking at me. “I’m sure you can understand the need for caution.”

I shrug and offer him another pat on the way past. “Of course, but in the future, I’d recommend you hire someone who knows how to show restraint.”

Lance nods curtly. “Of course. I apologize.”

I sit in my chair, casting a long glance around the room before setting the knife on the table in front of me, the blood on it gleaming in the dim lighting. “Cleaning out the blood stains is going to be a bitch.”

“I’ll be happy to have someone take care of it,” Lance offers. He lifts his head, and I can see he’s frustrated. “Is there anything else you’d like me to do as a gesture of good faith?”

I like having him grovel, especially on my turf.

I can tell neither of them wants to be here, but they aren’t the only ones who know how to pull strings.

One snap of my fingers, and I can detain them and not have to answer for it.

At least not without getting a few good punches in first.

With a sigh, I reach for my drink and take a sip. “I’m sure we can come to an arrangement should we need it. In the meantime, I’ve prepared a few properties for you to look at.”

Everyone breathes a collective sigh of relief.

For the rest of the meeting, I let Lance and Michael debate the merits of each location. Rounding up a few prime properties wasn’t hard, but I know none of them hold a candle to the one I had in mind. The glances Michael throws my way let me know he’s had the same thought, but he won’t voice it.

The only thing worse than brokering a deal behind my back isquestioning me to my face.

A few hours later, we’re still not any closer to reaching an agreement, and tensions are at a boiling point. I gesture to Carlisle and whisper something in his ear. The door to the my office is thrown open, and I rise to my feet.

“Gentlemen, since it’s clear we won’t be able to come to an agreement just yet, I suggest you enjoy yourselves for the rest of the night. I have business to attend to.”

Michael is on his feet in an instant. “This is business, too.”

I hold Michael’s gaze and chuckle. “I’m well aware, but I find myself able to think better after a night of fun. Wouldn’t you agree?”

A muscle works in Michael’s jaw.