Olivia waves dismissively. “We’ll be fine.”
I reach for my shoes and hurry after Olivia. She takes the stairs two at a time, pausing at the bottom to tilt her head. She motions to me, and we creep forward, and the pounding in my chest grows. We stop outside the library, and Olivia presses her hand to the door.
She then leads me to the armchairs by the fire.
I sink into one and look over at Katia, who is scanning the room intently. A few moments later, she shifts and disappears, and I turn to find Olivia stoking the flames, the light casting shadows across her face. She turns to me once she’s done, and a tense moment passes. Then, she takes the chair next to me and crosses her ankles.
“I thought it was time you and I met and talked.”
I square my shoulders and exhale. “Okay.”
“When I first heard about you, I thought you were made up.”
I stare at her. “Oh.”
Olivia chuckles. “When your brother is Mason Payne, and he has the preferences he does, you learn not to expect much.”
I’m not sure what she expects me to say.
She leans forward, and her expression turns serious. “I know about the contract you entered into with my brother in exchange for your father’s life being spared and his debts being paid off. I think what you did is brave.”
My throat is dry as I nod, and tears sting my eyes.
My contract has been called many things, but this is the first time I’ve heard anyone refer to it in glowing terms.
“I’m not sure I would’ve done the same,” Olivia continues, “but my father and I have a… complicated relationship.”
I swallow and link my fingers. “Why are you telling me this?”
“Because you can love a person and still want to keep your distance,” Olivia tells me. “Sometimes, love isn’t enough.”
I press my lips together and say nothing.
“I know you were aware of who my brother was before you agreed to his terms—or at least you had some idea—but it’s different to experience the reality.”
I exhale. “It is.”
Olivia leans back and tilts her head to the side to study me. “No one would think less of you for walking away, London. Not after everything that’s happened.”
I suck in a harsh breath.
She’s not here out of curiosity.
Olivia Payne is here to size me up and see if she can make the problem go away.
I’m a nuisance, and that realization hurts more than it should.
I don’t know why a part of me was hoping to find a friend within these walls.
It’s pathetic, and it makes me feel ridiculous.
Why would Olivia want to be friends with the woman who helped ruin her life?
I wouldn’t like me either if I were in her shoes.
“I’m not going to offer you money or make threats,” Olivia continues. “I’m sure you’ve already thought of all the reasons why you should go.”
“I have.”
