Page 98 of House of Payne

Jack Payne is many things, but patient isn’t one of them, not where his businesses are concerned. It’s why he’s handing the reins to me. He knows I can continue to expand the empire beyond even his wildest dreams. I’ve already done more than he imagined, setting the bar higher and higher with each business deal.

We both know that my drive and ambition will take us far.

It’s why he tolerates any perceived slipups, which are few and far between, even from his perspective.

“This has nothing to do with patience.” My father’s voice is like steel. “It’s business. Since when are you hung up on logistics, anyway? This deal should’ve been done. Didn’t you have your eye on a specific business?”

“It didn’t pan out,” I reply through gritted teeth. “These things happen.”

“Not in our world they don’t.” Jack’s voice is growing tighter and tighter. “I chose you because I thought you could handle the task, but ifit’s too much…”

He doesn’t need to finish.

We both know what happens if I don’t deliver.

I might not have wanted to step into his shoes, but I made the deal, and if I fail, he’s got other options.

My twin brother isn’t his first choice, with his impulsive nature and reckless choices, and he also isn’t the only option.

Keeping my little brother out of this was part of the deal, but it was contingent on my success. Oliver is still young, but he’s a part of the Payne lineage, and he’s someone I’d like to keep far away from this part of the family.

My little brother deserves better than the hand he’s been dealt, and I will make sure he has every chance to get away.

I’m going to keep my promise, Mom. I just need to find a way to get Father off my back. Don’t worry. Oliver will be fine.

“…find a way to deal with the mayor,” Jack finishes, pausing to mumble something into the background. “Have you found a way to take care of that problem?”

“Working on it,” I respond after a lengthy pause. “I’m coming up with a plan that doesn’t end with all our asses in jail or worse.”

Katia pokes her head into the office, and the look on her face has me sitting up straighter. A heartbeat later, Michael Everett pushes past her and strolls into the office, wearing a cheap suit and pungent cologne. His dark hair is slicked back, and his eyes are tight.

He gives Katia a once-over that has her curling her hands into fists.

I can see that she wants to reach for the knife hidden in her boots, but after a few seconds, she unclenches her fists and looks over at me.

I nod, and she exits, pulling the door shut behind her.

Maybe you should’ve let her take the knife out and scare him a little. God knows he and that conniving little weasel of his deserve worse. All you’d have to do is let Katia out to play, and all your problems would be one step closer to being solved.

Or they’ll snowball into something much worse.

Still, imagining Katia with her knife pressed against Michael’s throat makes me feel better.

It almost makes me forget about my pounding headache.

I shoot Michael a bored look as he unfastens a button on his jacket and folds his arms over his chest expectantly.

As if he has the right to be standing there.

Arrogant little shit.

“I have business to take care of,” I interrupt my father, pausing to roll my shoulders. “Consider all of this handled.”

Without waiting for a response, I hang up and turn my attention to Michael. “I wasn’t aware we were meeting today.”

“I figured this should be handled in person.” Michael glances around the office with the shelves on either side of the walls, the mantle above the roaring fireplace, and the curtains pinned up on either side of a dark window. His eyes flick to the bookcase, and something unfamiliar springs to his eyes.

“Our families go back decades, you know, and I would hate for this little…hiccupnot to be dealt with properly.”