Page 45 of House of Payne

My heart pounds at the thought of Mason coming after me. I can’t imagine he would let anyone get away. I can’t imagine what he’d do to me if I tried, and I have no intention of finding out.

“I trust you’re not the type,” he says confidently. “Now that I have a video of you naked and touching yourself, I have insurance. I can’t imagine you’d want that to get out. So, play by my rules, or I won’t hesitate to release it. Do you understand?”

“I understand,” I whisper, believing every word. I know Mason is not someone to be played with.

“Good,” he snarls. “I’m glad we’re able to come to an understanding. You’ll be dropped off tonight, and I’ll have someone pick you up in the morning. They’ll make sure you’re well taken care of, as they also owe me a debt, and this is part of their way of moving on with their life.”

Well taken care of? That’s not the reassurance it should be. I suspect Mason simply means it in the way that this person owes him, so they willmake sure I come back.

It’s a threat. I hear him loud and clear, and I don’t intend to cross him. I want our debt to be repaid. I need the video to remain a secret. By submitting to him, I know it’s the only way I’ll ever be free of him.

My heart beats faster as I think of how quickly this will all be happening. I was hoping to go home, but I didn’t know it would be so soon. I quickly prepare myself for the heartbreaking goodbye.

“I want you to have a clear mind,” he insists, “which is why I’ll give you time. But you must understand that you will return to me, and you will keep this a secret.”

“I understand.”

A hollow ache settles in the pit of my stomach, and I cling to it, letting the cold certainty of what I’ve agreed to wash over me.

There’s no going back now.

As I stand there, unable to meet his gaze, he leaves me in the library. I suspect he’s left me alone for a reason. I think he does everything for a reason. He wants me to think this through. He wants me to be scared of him. And I am, but something else is there, too, that scares me even more.

A part of me enjoyed being watched by him.

***

I try not to think of the weird feelings Mason has awoken in me as I get into the black SUV. Carlisle is in the driver’s seat, so I know better than to say a word. He scares me even more than Mason does, and the last thing I want is to provoke him. I just want to go home.

Going home is only a temporary solution to a much bigger problem. I don’t want to just go home; I want to stay home. And I know I can’t.

The thought of having to leave again—and for so long—gives me a heavy heart as Carlisle pulls up to my house. I get out as quickly as possible so my father can’t see me leave. Then, I run to the front door, anxious tobe inside where I feel safe and loved.

Once I’m inside, I get a surprise as Noah rushes to me. He wraps his arms around me tightly and I feel comforted, warm, and guilty.

My mind flashes back to my last interaction with Mason. I was naked. I touched myself for him.

It wasn’t my fault. I did what I had to do to see my father and Noah again.

Those weird feelings, though, are something to be concerned about. They are something to feel guilty about. I can’t get them out of my head as Noah kisses me passionately.

“Is something wrong?” I ask as we part.

It’s not usual for him to be at my house when I’m not home. For a moment, I panic about my father. What if something happened to him while I was gone? Would Mason still make me leave?

I know that Mason won’t take pity on me no matter what happens. If something has gone wrong, I still owe him. Thankfully, Noah seems relieved by my presence.

“I was just worried about you,” Noah explains. “I went to see you earlier, but you weren’t at the diner. Which was strange, but I wasn’t panicked until your father said he hadn’t seen you. We were about to call the cops.”

“I’m so sorry I worried you so much.” I hug him again to reassure him that I’m here. “I’m safe. There’s no need to panic.”

I suspect he’d feel much different if he knew what was going on. He’d know everything isn’t okay. Something terrible is about to happen.

I search for the words to explain my impending disappearance as I step back and look at him. I can’t tell him the truth. I signed an NDA, and I know he’d leave me if he found out the truth. I can’t bear to lose him.

Noah and I have always been transparent with each other. I’ve never lied to him. So, I can’t believe I’m having to do so now. But I realize that’s what has to happen. I have to think of a good enough lie to explain mydisappearance and make sure he doesn’t worry while I’m gone.

Fear and sadness take root inside of me as I realize what I have to do.