Page 28 of House of Payne

I slowly sit up and look down at her. My eyes pierce hers, and I know she can see my inner demons waiting to get out, needing that release she gives me. Her skin prickles with chills. Her eyes dance with the thought of the pleasure I’ll give her.

Katia will consent to anything. I raised her to be my servant. Hers was the first pure soul I ever corrupted.

And she knows just what I like.

I stand. I push her to the floor in one swift movement. Just like that, I’m on top of her.

“Is everything okay?” The shock is still plain on Katia’s face. She looks uncertain, and I’d usually delight in that. Today, it brings me no pleasure.This is just something necessary.

I can’t hold it in any longer.

I put my lips to her ear and feel her shudder beneath me. I know I’m about to break her in a way I never have. I suspect this will hurt worse than any punishment I’ve doled out.

Katia can’t know the real reason why this must end, and how, after all these years and how well she’s served me, she just doesn’t do it for me anymore.

A lesser man wouldn’t care, but Katia and I have always had an understanding. As much as I need to scratch that itch, no amount of wishing will turn Katia into London.

No matter how much I wish it would.

Fucking hell.

I haven’t even had her yet, and she’s already making my blood boil.

“You’ve done well to feed me over the past several years,” I whisper. “Katia, you have satisfied me like no other. But I’m no longer hungry for you. My attention and focus needs to be on the club, as I’m sure you understand.”

I want… no, Ineedsomeone new. My inner demons want London.

And I refuse to deny myself.

Innocent or not, I want her to be mine.

I’m going to claim her for myself, consequences be damned.

Chapter Seven

London

I have a lot on my mind as I close the restaurant. For the most part, I’ve always enjoyed working at the diner because of how quiet it is, but today, I wished there were people everywhere.

It’s too quiet, especially with my wishes of wanting to escape.

I can’t believe our fate is tied to how many people walk through the door, and for the umpteenth time, I find myself wondering if there is something else my father could’ve done.

If there is something elseIcould’ve done.

How could I not have seen the truth?

I hate knowing my father felt the need to turn to strangers for help rather than his daughter. I’m also not stupid enough to think there’s much I could’ve done.

I am, after all, a college dropout who put her life on hold to help her dad save a dying business.

What could I have done to prevent any of this?

Worries about my father cloud my mind. He woke up not feeling well and wondering about his state has followed me throughout the day. I want to do everything I can to help him save his dream.

At this point, all I can do is trust Noah will do as he says he will.

I pray it’ll be enough.