Page 42 of House of Payne

London is here to satisfy an itch, and nothing else.

“Now, for the rest of the tour,” I continue. “The family residence is on the upper floors of the house. The main floor is part of our members club. You don’t need to concern yourself with that, but we do host an underground club that you’ll be spending most of your time in.”

“An underground club?” she asks.

“Let me take you to it. It’s easier to show you.”

I lead her to the elevator and deliberately stay silent the whole ride down. I want her to wonder where we’re going. I want pictures to form in her mind of what awaits. I know she’d never be able to imagine what’s down here, so I’m eager to see the surprise on her face.

The elevator stops, and I lead her out into the entrance. I’ve seen this all before, so I watch as she gasps and takes it in. The darkness, the lights, the noises. We haven’t even gotten into the stranger rooms, and she’s already surprised.

“What is this place?” she asks as I lead her deeper into the club.

I don’t answer at first. Instead, I watch her eyes go to the security guards, searching for a sense of safety as she recognizes celebrities, politicians, and influencers mingling with seedy underworld people.

She moves closer to me as we travel deeper into the darkness. ThoughI’ve scared her, part of her thinks I’ll protect her. Part of her already relies on me, even if she doesn’t know it.

I love it.

I already have my hooks in her, and it didn’t take much.

“This is a special club,” I explain once I sense she’s really seeing all of it. “Here, you’ll see people who have been cast out of the spotlight, alongside others who are still happily within it and come here in secret so they can stay in the public’s good graces.”

“These are people who society would deem as monsters if their desires were revealed. So, this is where they can indulge themselves with the things they lust for without having to worry about the shame that would follow if anyone found out.”

I pause and make a vague hand gesture to indicate the dark area around me. “Senators with potential sex scandals come here with their mistresses or get with one of the club girls to avoid potential career disasters. CEOs and wealthy businessmen who can’t afford a scandal regarding their deviant sexual needs come here for privacy and security. Celebrities who want to avoid the paparazzi and want complete sexual freedom are among our guests as well. Think of anyone and any crazy desire, and you’ll find it here. We’ve seen it all.”

Her surprise grows as we walk through the club. I show her the various rooms with their devices and sexual toys. Her face grows paler as the truth becomes clearer.

“While you’re here, you’re to clean the rooms,” I explain. “You’ll attend to the members and do whatever is needed to make them feel comfortable. You’ll also do as I command. Everything I command. There will be no disobedience. You are mine while you are here, and you will do exactly as I say.”

She doesn’t respond. I’m not sure she’s capable of responding as we stop in front of a room with an open door. The girl who tried so hard to flee in the woods a few weeks prior is now on the bed and getting poundedby a few men. Despite her earlier protests, she’s clearly enjoying it. It seems she’s found her place after all.

I turn to London as she stares at the young woman, her gaze fixed straight to the spot. One hand clutches her wrist as her doe eyes widen against her pale face.

“Do you understand your task?” I ask.

She’s in shock, but she nods, and that small imperceptible gesture sends another thrill through me.

Let the games begin, little kitten.

Chapter Eleven

London

I’m terrified as we leave the club and return to Mason’s library. I can’t speak because I can hardly think with all this new information flooding my brain. I can’t believe I’ll be expected to stay here and clean up after this mess. I can’t believe I agreed to it.

I’m also not sure if I regret it. This isn’t something I would choose for myself, but it might be what my father needs to be happy again. It’s what we need to save our house and our business and get the fresh start we need and deserve. It’s the only way out of the mess, so I don’t have a choice.

Still, my heart hurts. As we re-enter the library, I think of Noah and my father. They mean the world to me, and now I’ll be away from them for an entire year. I can’t fathom it.

Especially because I won’t be able to tell them the truth.

“So, what do you think?” Mason turns to me once the library doors are closed behind us.

“I already agreed to stay, so what I think doesn’t matter,” I point out. “There’s no way out. But I have a request.”

“A request?” he asks. “How cute that you think you can request something from me. Very bold and brave. But I’ll entertain it. What’s your request?”