As long as I figure out a way to make sure London doesn’t get wind of any of it.
“I’m glad you’re finally coming out to play,” Elise says. “It took you long enough.”
I wink. “Be careful what you wish for.”
Being on the outskirts suits us just fine because the last thing Elise wants is to dance too close to the flames.
She throws her head back and laughs, attracting the attention of a few photographers standing behind the railing. “You underestimate me, Payne. That’s fine. I love a good challenge.”
I wrap my fingers around her wrist. “Don’t—”
A loud banging sound somewhere to my right interrupts me. A heartbeat later, there’s another loud sound, and my heart stops. Suddenly, the group of security guards nearby rushes toward us and forms a protective circle. I step in front of Elise, my hand moving to the gun at my waist.
Elise’s eyes widen when I pull out the weapon. “You can’t let anybody see that.”
“That’s the least of our problems right now.” We all move together toward the car. “Unless you want to get blood stains on that expensive dress, I’d suggest you shut the hell up and let me do what I do best.”
People race past us in either direction, panic on their faces.
I keep both hands on my gun as a cacophony of voices moves around us, and my eyes sharpen into focus.
A scream slices through the air, but I don’t turn to it.
The security team rushes into a black sedan, and I barely have a chance to glance over my shoulder at the inert form of a woman bleeding out on the ground before the door slams shut. The car screeches away a few moments later, and I reach for my phone.
Elise is sitting as far away from me as possible, the free hand at her side trembling. Her other hand is reaching for the decanter of alcohol. After pouring herself a generous amount, she opens the mini fridge, and the soft light illuminates how pale she looks.
I spend the entire ride on the phone barking out orders and fuming.
How in the hell did they find us?
And who were they targeting?
The gates to the Mason estate open as a security guard waves us through. We pull up the gravel pathway, and my father and Thatcher Thayer are waiting for us at the bottom of the stairs. I get out of the car first and hold my hand out to Elise. No one says anything as we stride into the house, and the door slams shut behind us.
Then, everyone begins to speak at once.
I release Elise’s arm and sigh. “I already have men combing the scene for the shooter.”
“We won’t let him get away,” Jack says. “I can assure you both that this is an isolated incident. I’m sure it has nothing to do with our alliance.”
Thatcher scowls. “Our family has been going to premieres and galas for decades, and there has never been an incident like this. Weeks after our alliance, my daughter almost gets shot.”
“She didn’t,” I offer. “I told you I would keep your daughter safe.”
Thatcher glares at me. “That’s only if you don’t get shot either, and I don’t know how you’ll avoid that when you came so close tonight.”
I rip off my tie and throw it on the floor. “I can handle myself.”
“Even when he was little, he was able to hold his own.”
I glance past Thatcher’s shoulder and do a double-take when I spot Olivia’s blonde hair and bright green eyes. She crosses over to me, and I remain rooted to the spot as she wraps her arms around me and pulls me in for a hug. Then she draws back to smile at me, but all I see are the circles under her eyes.
Goddamn it.
What is the hell is my sister doing here?
It takes every ounce of self-control I have not to turn on my father and wrap my fingers around his throat.
