I stop at the foot of the stairs. “Only a minute.”
“Our enemies won’t wait for you to be ready,” Katia warns. “Do you want my help or not?”
I move toward her. “I do.”
I know I’m outmatched by years of experience and training, but I’ll be damned if I ever feel helpless again.
Katia steps to the side, revealing a tall and dark-haired woman with bright eyes and a scowl. I hold out my hand, and she tugs me forward and slams me against the mat hard enough to knock the wind from me. When my breath returns, I find them both staring down at me.
Suddenly, I’m wondering if I’ve bitten off more than I can chew.
Chapter Nine
Mason
“I’m already attending one event with her this week.” I pause to adjust my tie. In the full-length mirror, I see my father in the background, hunched over the phone, and his fingers flying over the keyboard.
“One event isn’t enough. I want anyone who’s someone to hear about our alliance with the Thayers.”
“As long as the Fitzpatricks and Everetts get wind of what’s happening, we’re good to go.”
I don’t care about anyone else, but I know my father does.
He’s always wanted to be in the spotlight, and now that his prime has passed, I’m the next best thing.
As far as he’s concerned, I’ve caused enough damage already, and aligning myself with Elise Thayer is the least I can do to atone for my sins.
I know it’s not enough to make up for the damage I’ve caused. It’s why I’ve spent the past few nights visiting every warehouse we own, and why my days are spent monitoring our operations.
It feels like he’s forcing me to attend to the mundane day-to-day operations to teach me a lesson.
You’re lucky if that’s all he does. You’ve seen the way he looks at London. The fact that he hasn’t gotten rid of her yet doesn’t mean he’s accepted it.
If anything, I know he’s waiting for me to do it myself.
My father has been unusually quiet since the disastrous meeting with the other mob families, and it’s put me on edge.
A quiet Jack Payne is never a good thing.
And I hate not being able to uncover what he’s doing in the shadows.
It’s still better than what he could be doing. Sidelining you and taking the lead isn’t the worst thing in the world, and you know it.
“It’s not enough,” Jack announces. “Not nearly good enough. Everyone needs to hear about this.”
I spin around to face him. “As long as you and I are clear that it’s not going to go further than an engagement.”
The truth about my arrangement with Elise is on the tip of my tongue, but if there’s one thing my years with my father have taught me, it’s that he doesn’t like being duped. He’ll like it even less if he knows it’s coming from me, and I can’t afford to have that kind of scrutiny.
Elise and I might be putting on a show, but I’ve given her my word.
Jack lowers the phone. “In time, Elise will be able to persuade you otherwise. The Thayer heir has a good head on her shoulders. I’m sure she’ll make a good case for herself.”
I scoff but keep my mouth shut.
He advances on me, dark eyes glittering now. “You will be the doting fiancé tonight. I want you to sell your relationship to the world.”
I don’t need reminding of what’s at stake. “I’m aware.”
