Page 137 of House of Payne

“That’s fine.” She pries open a bottle of antiseptic and douses a piece of cotton. “I’m offering anyway. This is going to sting.”

I shiver when her fingers touch my face. “Why are you doing this?”

London dabs the wound and avoids my gaze. “Because you look like you could use it. Don’t read too much into it.”

My fingers close around her wrist, and I wait for her to look at me. “This isn’t what we do.”

London finally meets my gaze, and I’m surprised by the understanding and compassion there. “I know.”

My grip tightens as I search her face. “Do you?”

London nods and withdraws her hand. “Yes, I do.”

I drop my hand. “I can have someone else take care of this.”

London draws her bottom lip between her teeth and says nothing. Then she reaches for the ice pack and presses it to the side of my face. “Do you remember the day we met at the diner?”

“Vaguely,” I say through clenched teeth. “Why?”

“You helped me when I hurt myself.” London pauses to peruse the contents of the box. “Think of this as a way for me to return the favor.”

I remove the ice pack and narrow my eyes. “You’re not supposed to be here.”

London stops looking and meets my gaze. “In the mansion or in general?”

“In the mansion.”

“You told me to wait for you.”

I’m a fucking idiot.

I should’ve known my father would send Mathew.

It was only a matter of time, and now that he has London in his sights, my twin isn’t going to let up.

Mathew has always wanted what he can’t have, especially where I’m concerned.

London is no exception.

Do not make him think it’s a big deal. Keep your cool, Mason. If Mathew catches even a whiff of what she’s doing to you, it won’t just be your ass on the line.

I move back and shake my head. “From now on, you need to wait in your room at the housing complex.”

I’m grasping at straws to mitigate the damage, and I can tell by the look on London’s face that she knows it.

We’re too far gone, but it doesn’t mean I can’t try.

Her gaze slides away. “Alright. I’ll go.”

I growl and block her from leaving. “You need to stay the hell away from Mathew.”

London looks up at me. “I didn’t do anything.”

“You have no idea what he’s like,” I tell her. “He might seem charming and friendly, but he’s as ruthless as they come.”

London’s eyes move over my face. “You mean like you?”

“I am nothing like him.” My words sound more forceful than I intended. “I mean it, London. Stay the fuck away.”