Page 150 of House of Payne

When I snap awake sometime later, I realize I’m curled up on a corner of the bed. I also see a bright white light near the main door, and two men with identical buzz cuts are standing over me. I swallow past the lump in my throat and scoot to the edge of the bed, fear snaking its way around my chest.

“I expected more from the whore Mason took into his house.”

My mouth is bone dry. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. We’re not…”

He holds up his hand, and I trail off. “Don’t deny it; we’ve been watching for a while. We know he’s developed a… fondness for you.”

I glance between the men as they step forward and take in their bulging muscles and similar forearm tattoos. “Whatever you think you’re going to get out of him, it won’t work. He’s not going to negotiate.”

The men exchange a look and laugh.

“If I were you, I’d shut my mouth and listen if you want to get out of here alive.”

I clear my throat. “What about my dad and Noah? What did you do to them?”

The man raises an eyebrow. “That’s not your concern.”

I make myself take a step forward and ignore the tremor racing through me. “I won’t tell you anything unless you tell me.”

“Whores don’t get to make demands.”

I press my lips into a thin white line. “Maybe, but thiswhoreis the key to Mason Payne.”

The men exchange a look, and I wonder if I’ve overplayed my hand.

I’m only useful if they think I am, but once they find out I’m playing them…

Don’t budge, and don’t give anything away. If they don’t know by now, that means Mason is playing along. But saving me from over-eager patrons at the club is one thing, risking the Empire he’s built is another…

Still, even as I stand there wondering if Mason will come just to teach them a lesson, I realize I don’t want him to.

God help me, but I don’t want him anywhere near these men; men who are going to kill him as soon as they lay eyes on him.

Mason can’t get hurt because of me. I won’t let him.

Not if I can help it.

Letting them think I’m willing to cooperate is the only card I have while I wait to see if Mason will get to me in time, but I’m willing to bet I have their attention.

Please, let it be enough.

The man I’ve been talking to raises a hand, and I resist the urge to flinch. He reaches into his pocket, takes out a phone, speaks into it, and snaps it shut.

What are you going to do, London? What now?

“Your dad and boyfriend gave you up,” he tells me. “You in exchange for money. You must’ve pissed them off for them to sell you out like that.”

I shake my head. “I don’t believe you.”

No matter our issues, neither of them would do that.

Not for all the money in the world.

Not even Noah? Considering the way you left things, maybe he felt he was owed something for his troubles.

As soon as the thought crosses my mind, shame courses through me, and I shove it away.

Whatever mind game this is, they won’t get to me.