Page 35 of House of Payne

During the drive, I hope someone will catch him. Maybe someone saw what happened and called the police. Maybe a regular who recognized me and knew something was wrong. He can’t be allowed to get away with this, right? This kind of stuff doesn’t happen to people with boring lives like mine. He’s got to let me go.

My thoughts trip over each other as I taste bile and fear.

I’m determined not to let it get the better of me. It can’t.

The car stops, and I’m filled with hope for a moment. Maybe someone stopped him. Maybe someone is coming to rescue me.

I hear a door opening, and I’m lifted again by Carlisle’s familiar arms. He carries me as I struggle. At the very least, I don’t want to make it easy for him.

Finally, he puts me down, and I hear a ping and feel the floor moving. He removes my hood, and I realize we’re in an elevator going up. I have half a second to wonder what that means before the door opens.

The hallway that greets us oozes money and darkness. Gold décor adorns the black walls and red carpet. He leads me down the hallway and stops in front of a red door. He opens it and leads me inside.

For a moment, I’m in such awe that I almost forget I’m a hostage.The room I’ve been brought to holds the most gorgeous private library I’ve ever seen. A collection of leather-bound books sits on ornate shelves with words delicately carved into them. Expensive-looking paintings hang on the dark walls in the spaces between the shelves. Tokens of exotic places are sprinkled around, making it look like a collection brought together by a world traveler.

Whoever this person is, it’s clear they have money and probably power, too. I’m screwed. There’s no way I stand a chance against them, a fact I’m sure they’re aware of.

I’m surprised when Carlisle cuts my zip ties, but then I realize it doesn’t matter. I couldn’t outrun him. I don’t even know where to go because I don’t know where I am.

I need to be smart if I’m going to get out of here.

“He’ll be here soon,” Carlisle says mysteriously.

“Who?” I ask. “Who is in charge of all of this? Why am I here? What do you want with me?”

He doesn’t answer. He just leaves the room. And for a moment, I’m alone. I could find an escape. I could…

“Hello, London,” a voice says from behind me. “It’s wonderful to see you again.”

The voice sounds eerily familiar, which makes me frown. I turn and am surprised to see Mason walking toward me. He looks different from when I saw him last. He’s wearing a dark suit with a red tie that makes him look dangerous yet sexy, something I hate to admit. Those gray eyes are storms as they’re fixed on me. They hint at something nefarious.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, terrified of the answer. I’m no fool, and hasn't this been what I’d thought? Hadn’t I guessed he was a part of this? Still, I don’t want to believe it. He was kind to me, and kind men don’t commit crimes. At least, not ones this horrid, right?

“Don’t ask questions with obvious answers.” His deep voice goes straight to my libido, and my hands turn into fists at my side as I come tothe realization that everything bad that might happen to me will be because of the man in front of me.

I can’t believe I thought he was attractive.

He looks at me curiously. “Why don’t you take a seat?” He motions to the black desk in the middle of the room. It’s more of a command than a suggestion.

While I’m intimidated by the immense power this man seems to possess, I’m also furious. I want to rear back and punch him square in the nose, even if it means I’ll have to face the consequences.

The only reason I hold back is that I don’t doubt it would come back on my father.

“I’m fine with standing,” I say, with a lift of my chin.

“It wasn’t a suggestion, and I won’t repeat myself.”

I pause, staring at this man. At his unstyled, sandy brown hair. He can’t yet be in his forties. His skin is fair, and he’s tall and muscular.

The man of every woman’s fantasy.

I walk toward one of the gold chairs as he sits in one on the opposite side. He’s in a position of power, something he makes obvious. I’ve never felt so helpless.

“Do you like my library?” he asks. “It’s filled with a collection of books I chose myself. I rarely let people in.”

“Should I be honored?” I snap.

“You’ve got quite the attitude on you.”