Page 156 of House of Payne

Finally, a radio cackles, and a mean-looking blonde reaches for the device at her belt. Her dark eyes flick over to me and darken. Then she gestures to her colleagues, and they lower the guns. She motions to me, and I fall into step beside her. Katia and Carlisle follow close behind, guns ready.

Michael is standing behind a mahogany desk in an office with glass doors and windows.

He nods to his security detail and gives my team a pointed look. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

I unfasten a button on my jacket, revealing the gun underneath. “Let’s cut to the chase, shall we? I know you have her.”

Michael looks at me blankly. “Her who?”

I give Katia and Carlisle a quick nod. In one quick move, they shove and then tackle Michael security’s detail. Carlisle stands over them while Katia shifts to secure the door. As soon as she does, I see the rest of Michael’s security detail through the glass doors. They spring into action, surrounding the office.

“How fast do you think they are?” I swing my gaze back to Michael, who has a vein bulging in his neck. “You trust them to keep you safe, but do you trust them with your life?”

Slowly, Michael sets down his glass. “I know you’re an impulsive son of a bitch, but even you are not that reckless.”

Once I’m done pushing up my sleeves, I roll my shoulders. “Unlike you, I have a plan, Michael. I would let you in on it, but what fun would that be?”

“You’ll never make it out of here alive.”

I shrug. “I have the building surrounded, and I’m not leaving until I get what I came for.”

Michael steps out from behind the desk, one hand shoved into his pocket, and the other hanging limply at his side. “I already told you I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

I raise an eyebrow. “I don’t believe you. Do you know why?”

“I’m sure you’re going to tell me.”

I unsheathe my gun and point it at him. “Because you’ve been lying to me for weeks. Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t put a bullet through your head right now.”

Michael’s expression tightens. “Because you don’t want the Everetts as your enemy.”

I remove the safety on my Glock and offer Michael a slow, cold smile. “I said onegoodreason.”

“The Fitzpatricks won’t let this go unanswered.”

I inch closer to Michael, and a flicker of fear moves across his face. “And here, I thought you were the brains behind the operation.”

Michael holds my gaze. “You’ll never get her back if you do this.”

I throw my head back and laugh. “I knew all you needed was the right incentive.”

Fucking prick.

Of course they’re behind this.

How long have they been spying on me?

Michael balls his hands into fists. “Lower the gun, or my security detail is going to make a call you’re not going to like.”

I stop laughing and look at Michael, who takes an involuntary step back. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you. I’m still pointing a fucking gun at you, in case you haven’t noticed.”

Michael cocks his head and studies me. “You’re not going to pull the trigger, and we both fucking know it. You haven’t gotten what you came for.”

I take another step in his direction. “Haven’t I?”

Michael shifts and reaches for his drink, and I don’t miss the tremor in his hand. “One phone call is all it takes, Payne. You asked me before if I was a betting man. I like my odds a lot better than yours.”

I cover the distance between us in one stride and take Michael by the scruff of his neck. He doesn’t look away as he lifts the glass to his lips. After taking a long sip, he rolls his shoulders and waits.