Page 153 of House of Payne

Katia takes a step in my direction. “It means I don’t know which one of them did it yet.”

As if being in bed with each other isn’t bad enough.

I picture myself dragging them into a dark basement and getting what I need from them.

All I’d need is a few minutes.

If London hadn’t disappeared, I’d be out doing just that. But until I have evidence of where they’re keeping her, I can’t risk letting them knowI’m on the prowl.

They probably already know you are. Katia is discreet, but they know you aren’t stupid. Even if you won’t give them what they want, you still want to make them pay.

Everyone is expecting it.

I need to retaliate. The longer I go without a reaction, the worse it’ll be.

“Tell the driver to bring the car around.”

Katia looks surprised.

“Now,” I bark. “They need to remember who they’re dealing with.”

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” Mathew pokes his head into my office and pushes the door open all the way. He sees Katia, and his expression turns deadly. “Why don’t you make yourselves useful? My brother and I have business to discuss.”

Katia looks at me and waits.

I give her a small nod.

Mathew’s hand darts out to touch Katia, and she grabs his wrist so fast, he barely has time to react. A heartbeat later, she twists his arm behind his back and presses a knife against his throat.

“Unless you want that pretty head of yours to be banged up, you’d better let go,” Mathew says. “Don’t forget who you’re dealing with, Katia.”

Katia presses a mouth to his ear. “You’re the one who shouldn’t forget. I don’t owe you anything.”

Mathew tries to turn and face her, but she tightens her grip. “You owe the Payneseverything. I see my brother has failed to teach you your place.”

I growl. “What the fuck do you want, Mathew? I don’t have time for this.”

Katia twists his arm further, and he yelps. “I’d be happy to escort him out.”

Being the second oldest Payne brother gives him perks, but Mathew isn’t above reproach. One word from me, and Katia can drag him into a backroom and show him exactly why she’s the underworld’s mostnotorious assassin.

She’s already salivating at the thought of punishing him.

I’m tempted to give her a little freedom when it comes to my twin.

He has been a pain since his arrival.

Maybe he’s the one who pointed our allies in London’s direction.

It’s just the kind of thing he would do to discredit me.

“Call her off, or you’ll have bigger problems to worry about than your whore being taken,” Mathew says through gritted teeth.

Katia releases him, and Mathew barely has a chance to dust himself off before I pin him against the nearest wall.

“Today isn’t the day, brother,” I warn. “Talk quickly, or what Katia will do to you will be nothing compared to what I have in mind.”

Mathew scowls angrily. “You’re not going to sic your rabid dog on me.”