Page 34 of House of Payne

Chapter Nine

London

Dad’s still on my mind as I close for the fifth straight night. If I didn’t know him better, I would think he felt this was all too much, that he didn’t believe in himself and the diner, and that he was giving up.

But he would never think that.Right?

Noah has been working hard to help us, but it takes time to work off the insane debt my father racked up, and it seems like time is a luxury we might not have. Plus, there’s the problem of maintaining the business even once the debt is paid off.

How can we sustain ourselves?

Sometimes, I almost understand why my father doesn’t want to come in, as the crippling weight of what awaits us if we fail looms on the horizon.

It’s cast a dark shadow over everything, and late at night when I can’t sleep, I’m forced to confront the truth.

What if we can’t pay back the money?

What if we can, but there’s nothing left to keep the place afloat?

I believed in us, but even I would be stupid to ignore the truth.

For a moment, I allow my mind to dip into dark thoughts. I remember the fear that coursed through my body when those men came into the restaurant, threatening my father. I am constantly terrified that they’ll come back, and at what will happen if they do.

The lock slips securely into place. Another uneventful day with fewer patrons than we need to make a living. I think of promotions, social media campaigns, or anything to get people interested. I know once we get our name out there more, people will love the food we serve. They have to. There must be a way to fix this.

Before I can turn, someone comes up behind me and puts a gag in my mouth.

I freeze as panic and desperation course through me. I throw my head back, but whoever gagged me is pressed against my back, holding my arms tightly, and making it impossible to move.

Tears prick the back of my eyes as my heart races.

Is it the men, back to hurt us? Are we not paying quickly enough? Is this when they kill us?

That can’t be the case. Maybe it’s Noah. He has been more into sexual things than usual lately. Maybe this is his way of adding some spice to our lovemaking.

Before I can tell him to stop, the man behind me ties the gag in place and forcefully spins me around to face him.

I should’ve known it wasn’t Noah.

Stupid, stupid. You shouldn’t be here alone. What were you thinking? You know what you’re up against.

I’m thrown to the side, and Carlisle looks back at me with nasty eyes. My heart drops. I’m terrified.

What’s he going to do to me? Has he already harmed my father? He gives me a sick smile, and it sends a cold chill up my spine.

Is anyone going to know I’ve been taken?

“Don’t scream,” he warns, as if I even could with the gag in my mouth.

He pulls a bag over my head and then grabs my wrists. I can do nothing to fight back as he zip-ties me. He’s too strong. Still, I try my best. I wiggle against the binds and try to run, but he grabs me.

Where’s my father? I need to get to him. After what they did to him last time… If it’s come to this, things will only get worse. He’s in terrible danger.

“Stop struggling, princess,” he whispers in my ear. “It’ll be over soon.”

What the hell is that supposed to mean? Is he going to kill me?

With that, my feet come off the ground as he picks me up. A moment later, there’s a thud as I’m thrown into a car that starts moving. I can already feel the bruises forming. There’s not much I can do now, so I plot my escape. I work through the zip ties on my wrists. I think of anything I’ve learned about how to defend myself. I curse myself for not knowing more.