Page 168 of House of Payne

London’s gaze is ice. “They arenota problem. They’re my family.”

“Noahisn’t your family.”

“He’s like family,” London insists. “We’ve known each other for years, and no matter what happened between us, I would not have left him.”

I take another step in her direction. “You should have. That stupid little shit isn’t worth your time. When will you learn? Do I have to fuck him out of you?”

London stiffens and holds my gaze. “You think threatening me is the way to go here? If I screwed up so badly, why didn’t you just leave me at their mercy? Why not just let them take care of the problem for you?”

Fucking hell.

Does she really think so little of me?

She knows the kind of man I am, but even I have a moral code.

I place my hands on either side of her, cornering her, and causing her to suck in a harsh breath.

I frown. “I take care of my fucking problems, London. You know that. We had a deal.”

London holds herself as still as a statue. “Fine, what’s your pleasure this time? Do you want me to strip in front of you again? Are you going to parade me in front of your men? What’s it going to be?”

I dig my nails into her arms, but she doesn’t flinch. “You don’t think very much of me, do you?”

London’s bright eyes roam over my face, and she blinks. “Am I supposed to? After everything I’ve been through?”

Abruptly, I release her and run a hand over my face. “No, but give me some fucking credit. I’m not like those monsters. I saved you, didn’t I?”

“Just to keep lording it over me? Extend my contract if you want, but don’t act like you did me a fucking favor.”

“Maybe I should’ve left you there. God knows you need to get some things through your thick skull.”

London reels back and snaps her mouth shut.

Then, she shakes her head. “Fuck you, Mason. I left because I knew they would hurt my dad. I went to save him. It was a trap, but I didn’t know that.”

“London…”

“I know we have a deal,” she interrupts, the words pouring out of her in a rush as her breathing grows uneven. “I know you warned me not to get attached, but I guess we both fucked up.”

I grow still. “What the hell does that mean?”

“The men who held me kept talking about how special I am. ‘The key to Mason Payne’s undoing,’” London reveals with a grand hand gesture. “I kept telling them they were wrong, that they had no idea what they were talking about, but now I know.”

“You don’t know a damn thing.”

“You’re right,” she admits, “I don’t. I don’tknow a fucking thing, and you know what? I don’t want to. This isn’t what I signed up for.”

“You’ve got a contract to fulfill.”

“I don’t need you to remind me of that,” London tells me coldly. “That damn contract will always be hanging over me, but no one forced me to sign it. You’re not going to leave my dad alone until I settle his debts.”

“I don’t make exceptions when it comes to contracts.”

London’s eyes drop to the floor, and she nods with disappointment. “I didn’t think so. You told me I would come to you willingly, and I did, but now I think it’s time to re-evaluate.”

I wait for her to look at me again. “This doesn’t change anything. You’re still mine, London.”

I want her even more than before. I know the target on her back should make me reconsider, but it doesn’t.