Page 85 of House of Payne

My father’s words replay on a loop in my head, and the more I think about them, the worse I feel.

I don’t blame him or Noah.

What else are they supposed to do?

“No, you’re learning to pick your battles,” Mason replies without missing a beat. “You’re learning what real power is, and how you can’t deny it even if you want to.”

I eye him over the rim of my glass. “This isn’t power.”

Mason raises an eyebrow and calls out something in a strange language. Katia appears in front of him, her head lowered. He snaps his fingers, and she gets on her knees without hesitation and lifts her gaze to his.

“See how she obeys me without question?” Mason reaches for Katia’s braid and yanks hard. “She won’t move unless I tell her to.”

I glance at Katia and back at his face. “She works for you.”

“Working for me has nothing to do with it. Katia recognizes power, and she knows when to bend to it. It gets her what she wants.” He releases her braid and motions to her. She stands up and begins to undress.

My eyes widen as I watch the woman shimmy from her clothes to reveal the slender, tanned body underneath.

Soon, she is standing in her underwear and bra in the middle of the dining room, without an ounce of shame.

My throat is dry as Mason gestures to her again, and she kneels in front of him and begins to undo his belt buckle.

Then, he leans forward, and she stops.

They lock eyes, and a strange look passes between them.

I want to look away, but I can’t.

There’s an electric current in there, and it has nothing to do with the half-naked woman at Mason’s feet.

Something about the way Katia looks at him makes me pause.

I think she’d do what he wanted even if she didn’t work for him, and I don’t know if that surprises or horrifies me.

I do know that seeing her so willing to bend to him stirs something unfamiliar inside of me.

Am I jealous of her?

Katia slowly rises to her feet, and when Mason nods, she looks over at me and smiles. In a few quick strides, she stands in front of me, her bronze skin glistening in the flickering candlelight.

“This is just a small demonstration.” Mason’s voice is like velvet. “I know you can recognize power, London, and it’s not something Noah will ever be able to give you.”

My heart misses a beat. “And you can?”

“Being around power will change you.” Mason continues as if he hasn’t heard me. “Once you taste it, you’ll want more.”

I have the feeling that we’re not talking about the same thing, but I can’t take my eyes off him.

All through dinner, I push food around on my plate and sneak glances at Mason.

When he gestures to the couch after we’re done, I almost stumble there. My head is heavy, and my feet are light as I tuck them under me and study the flames in the fireplace. Mason is unusually quiet as he stands by the fireplace, his profile illuminated by the glow. When he turns to look at me, something in me snaps.

I know he’s the reason I’m in this mess, but he’s also the only one who can make me feel better.

He’s the only one who can take away the hurt and pain of rejection.

Suddenly, his dangerous mob ties don’t matter as I stand and walk over to him. He silently hands me a glass, but I shake my head and gesture to his. He silently hands me the glass, and I take a long sip.