Page 62 of House of Payne

With a scowl, I drop the note as if I’ve been burned. Then I shove the package away and jump to my feet, my heart hammering steadily. I take a few deep breaths, sit down on the bed, and examine the products closely. Slowly, I carry the package to a corner of the room and leave it there, whereit taunts me.

When I crawl into bed a short while later, I draw the covers up to my chin and stare at the ceiling.

It doesn’t have the answers I want.

Nothing does. No one does.

Why would they?

Giving me gifts doesn’t mean Mason cares. It’s just another way for him to own me, and I know I can’t accept it. I won’t let him have the satisfaction of knowing he’s slithering his way in.

Mason Payne is many things, but thoughtful and considerate isn’t one of them, and the sooner I accept that, the better it’ll be.

What you’re feeling for him isn’t attraction; it’s lust. That’s it. Don’t lie to yourself and think it’s something it isn’t. It’ll just cause more problems.

Chapter Fifteen

Mason

I push my chair back and fold my arms over my chest. “That’s not the news I want to hear. I’m disappointed, Carlisle. You know I don’t deal well with disappointment.”

I pay him too much money to deliver excuses instead of results.

Yet, Carlisle stands there, his dark eyes glittering with malice, and his arms hanging limply at his side.

Some days, I’m not sure why I keep him around.

Katia has more competence in her pinky finger than he has in his entire body.

While Katia is the brain and stealth, Carlisle is the brawn, and there’s no denying the men respect him. He keeps them in line. I have little patience for his arrogance and crude method of getting things done, but I know firing him isn’t an option.

I need Carlisle to stay in line.

Caveman ways and all.

Katia is many things, but she doesn’t know how to inspire the men, and most prefer to keep their interactions with her to a bare minimum.

Carlisle clears his throat. “Boss, if you’d just let me move in on the diner. I’m sure I can persuade the old man to make something up. Maybe he can say he decided to sell after all—”

I slam my hands against the desk and stand up so fast, my chair falls back with a thud. “I already turned down that idea, didn’t I? What the fuck did I say about testing my patience?”

Carlisle is playing a dangerous game, and I’m in no mood for it today.

Knowing London is right outside my doors, in a skimpy housekeeping outfit, with one of my bracelets on her wrist, makes me uneasy.

As does the knowledge that she’s already attracted the attention of several of our clientele.

I’ve been getting offers for her since the day she started working. Several have even raised their prices since then, and her wearing my bracelet hasn’t deterred a few of them.

Fucking pricks.

Don’t they know she’s mine?

If anyone is going to corrupt London and break down her barriers to introduce her to a world of unimaginable pleasure, it’s me.

The very thought of her being out there for everyone to see me makes my fuse even shorter. I have half a mind to drag her into my office and lock the door, but I know it doesn’t work like that. London has to come to me willingly, and while I’ve seen the mistrust in her eyes soften, we’ve still got some time before I have her where I want her.

I just have to be patient a while longer.