Page 8 of House of Payne

“No.” His hands tighten at his sides.

“Which means you violated the rules of Mercy. We don’t allow second chances at this establishment. You’ve broken the rules, and I have no choice but to revoke your membership and ask that you leave the premises immediately.”

Keith looks shocked and shakes his head. “Wait, no, I…”

“All decisions are final. You have five minutes to leave before you’ll be escorted out.”

I turn my back to him and walk out of the room, imagining the stupid look still on his face.

Chapter Three

London

“I’m really sorry, but we’re…” I begin before Noah grabs my hand and pulls me to the back of the diner. He has wide eyes and puts his finger to his lips, gesturing me not to say anything.

I frown, sending him a confused look. “What? They’re customers.” We’ve flipped the sign, so we aren’t serving anyone, but it was nice to see new faces. At least that meant we’re getting a bit of reach.

Mom is going to flip when I tell her, and with how disappointed she is that I’m not coming to visit any time soon, it might soften the blow.

“London.” Noah draws out my name as if I’m missing something important. He’s staring straight ahead at the men while he sits us at the farthest table from them. “Don’t those guys scream ‘danger’ to you?”

I frown and crane my neck around to take a second look at the men. They’re all tall and a bit intimidating. The two men flanking the third are wearing sunglasses, but the man in the middle is not, and he meets my gaze. Then, he whispers something to his buddies before staring ahead once more.

None of them look even remotely approachable, but as long as they order something, it shouldn’t matter.

We’re desperate enough for customers, scary looking or otherwise.

The one in the middle with the dark eyes and light hair is wearing asuit, but the other two are dressed in all black and leather as if they don’t want their identity to be known. That sends shivers down my spine.

Why wouldn’t they want to be recognized?

I want to be wrong about them, but I suddenly wonder if I shouldn’t have let Noah drag me away.

Quickly, I turn and push back against the booth before pulling out my phone and typing a quick text to Dad. Knowing him, his phone is probably turned off because he’s in the kitchen.

Dad, whatever you do, don’t come out of the kitchen.

There’s a small chance he’ll see my message, and an even smaller chance he’ll do what it says.

“Have you seen them before?” Noah asks, but he knows the answer. If I had, neither of us would be this tense.

I shake my head. “No.” I bite my bottom lip and blow out a breath. “You don’t think they’re going to pull out a gun, do you?”

“No, Lo, they wouldn’t do that.” He’s trying to make me feel better and keep himself calm, but I know he’s lying. I’ve seen scenes like this in television shows and movies.

“Why are they here?” I ask more to myself than to Noah. “If they were going to rob someone, why us? We’re empty at noon on a Wednesday. Surely, there are restaurants with far more money than us.”

It doesn’t make sense.

“Hopefully, they’re here for something else.”

It doesn’t look like the men intend to rob the diner, or maybe they’re waiting for someone to get to the register first; I’m not sure. Their demeanor makes it look like they’re looking for someone or something specific.

I frown, my heart plummeting. “You don’t think they could be here for Dad, do you?”

My dad can do no wrong, and the idea that someone is out to get him doesn’t sit well with me, especially considering what these men look like. Ishudder to think he could be involved with them in any way.

I pray my dad hasn’t done something stupid that he can’t take back.