Page 178 of House of Payne

I shake my head. “They were just looking for an excuse. Why don’t you get dressed, and we can go downstairs and eat something?”

Having her nearby calms me, and that gives me a chance to figure out what I’m going to do next.

London offers me a soft smile. “Okay.”

“We need to get you out of the housing complex and somewhere safe. You’ll be staying in my wing from now on.”

“Why?”

I blow out a breath. “Because things are about to get a lot worse.”

London’s eyebrows draw together. “What do you—”

Before she can finish the rest of her sentence, the door to the guest room flings open. I turn, and the string of curses dies on my lips when I spot my father in the doorway. He’s dressed in his usual crisp custom-made suit, and his dark hair is slicked back. His dark eyes narrow as he steps into the room, and his expression changes as he spots London.

“I should’ve taken care of you myself.”

I step in front of him, blocking London from view. “She has nothing to do with this.”

“She’s the reason we are on shaky ground with our allies,” he replies in a dangerous tone. “She needs to be taught a lesson.”

“No.”

I see the color creeping up his neck. “What the fuck did you just say to me?”

“She has nothing to do with this,” I repeat. “Anyone who touches her will have to answer to me.”

He throws his head back abruptly and lets out a laugh that chills my blood. “I’m glad you’ve finally grown a pair, but this is not up for discussion. This mess will be dealt with. You and your little whore are done fucking around.”

I stare at him, my mind racing and whirring with possibilities. “You shouldn’t have come.”

He makes a low noise in the back of his throat, takes his gun out, and points it at me. “Are you willing to throw it all away, Mason?”

London makes a low strangled sound and tries to step in between us. “Who are you? What do you want?”

I twist to look at her. “Calm down.”

London is pale and shaking now. “I can’t.”

I glance from the gun to his face and back again. “Don’t do this.”

Slowly, my father removes the safety, and his expression hardens. “I asked you a question, boy. You’ve spent years showing me what a good heir you can be, someone worthy of the Payne name. Now, you dothis. You’ve already proven that you’re willing to go to war for her.”

Jack Payne give me a chilling smile. “So, let me ask you again, are you willing to die for her?”

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