Page 136 of House of Payne

Given the day you’ve had, you shouldn’t be surprised. Finding the person who is reporting to your father will give you something to do, and it’ll keep your mind off what happened and whether you need to be in the market for new allies.

Fucking hell.

Why couldn’t Michael and Lance just stick to what they knew and keep the machine running?

How far up does the whole thing go?

I’m rubbing my fingers against my temples and ignoring my pounding headache as I turn my father’s words over in my head.

As much as I hate to admit it, he’s right.

London doesn’t belong in the mansion, and knowing she’s nearby has only made me feel off-kilter.

You know you can’t stand the thought of her being too far.

I hate feeling like everything is spinning out of control.

When Carlisle pulls up outside the compound, the wrought-iron gates creak open, revealing the guards posted outside and the mansion in the distance, bathed in the light of the afternoon sun. I’m still wiping blood off my face when I spot a green sports car near the side of the house. My heart stutters as I recognize it and go cold all over. Before Carlisle has come to a stop, I wrench open the door and throw myself out. I race up the stairs two at a time. I can’t hear anything past the thundering in my ears, and I’m dimly aware of Katia and Carlisle shouting behind me.

I’ll kill him.

If he’s laid one finger on her, I’ll make sure there’s nothing left of him to find.

I storm past my household staff, some of whom pause to gape at me.

When I burst into the living area and see Mathew towering overLondon, I forget how to breathe.

Then she glances over her shoulders, and our eyes meet, and my heart starts back up again, relief flooding my senses.

My eyes move over her quickly, making sure there isn’t a single hair out of place.

Finally, slowly, I wrench my gaze away and wait for him to look up at me.

Mathew lifts his gaze to mine and gives me a knowing smile. “There he is. I told you I could make him rush home.”

London takes in the cut over my eye, and her eyebrows pinch together. “What happened? Are you okay?”

“It’s nothing you need to concern yourself with,” I reply coolly. “What are you doing here, Matt?”

And why is he standing so close to London?

Did my father send him as a warning to keep me in line?

Mathew steps away from London. “We haven’t seen each other in ages. Is that any way to talk to your brother?”

London glances between us and says nothing.

“I’ve got some things to take care of,” Mathew says loudly. “Why don’t I leave you two to catch up?”

Without waiting for a response, he strides past me, and I don’t miss the gleam in his eyes. It takes every ounce of strength I have not to reach out and slam him into the nearest wall. I wait a while longer to be sure he’s out of earshot before I turn to London, who is on her feet and walking toward me.

London stops in front of me and looks at my eye with concern. “You should get that looked at.”

“I’m fine,” I reply. “You shouldn’t be here.”

London brushes past me and steps into the kitchen. In silence, she rummages through the cupboards. Then, she sets a box down on the counter. She swings open the freezer door and rustles around beforepulling out a pack of frozen peas. She brings the box and the pack and motions to the couch.

“I don’t need your help,” I say stiffly.