“I don’t think so.”
“I know you’re being cautious,” Mathew sighs, “but you have nothing to worry about, London. I’m not going to hurt you.”
Something about the gleam in his eyes doesn’t sit well with me.
It’s eerie seeing Mathew flip the charm on and off, and I realize with a cold certainty that I can never underestimate him.
“I’m going to wait for Katia,” I tell Mathew. “I’m sure she’ll be back for me.”
I wonder if Mathew has done something to her.
She’s a trained assassin. I doubt Mathew could get the jump on her. But maybe they struck some kind of deal so she can look the other way while he takes care of you.
I ignore the lurch in my chest when Mathew steps toward me. “I don’t have time for this. We’re going right now.”
I steel myself as Mathew’s hand darts out and closes around my wrist.
“I’m doing you this courtesy because you’re a Payne. Now get your hands off her before I slice your fingers off one by one.”
Mathew drops his hand and wheels around, some of the bravado fading as Katia strolls toward us.
Relief floods my system as she stops a few feet away, and her gaze flicks over to me. “The coast is clear.”
Katia and Miss Deveroux exchange a glance, and Miss Deveroux gives my hand a squeeze on her way out of the room. Katia and Mathew are staring each other down.
Mathew blinks first, taking several steps backward. “You’re wasted on my brother, Katia. All you have to do is come to me willingly.”
Katia motions to me, and I fall into step beside her. She levels Mathew with a cold look. “We have things to do.”
I feel Mathew’s eyes on my back as we head back to the basement of the estate.
Katia hands me a water bottle, and I realize my hands are shaking. I force myself to my feet, take several deep breaths, and unscrew the lid. Then I tilt my head back and down thebottle, but it doesn’t chase away the dryness in my throat or the tightness in my chest.
“You could’ve gone with Mathew.”
I toss the water bottle into the nearest trash can and turn to her. “Was I supposed to?”
“He’s a Payne.”
“He gives me the creeps,” I reply. “Besides, I get the feeling he’s not someone you can trust.”
Katia blinks. “Did Mason tell you that?”
“He warned me about Mathew, but he didn’t tell me much else. I’m not going to push him. He’ll tell me when he’s ready.”
Katia frowns. “And you’re okay with being kept in the dark?”
“I choose to believe that Mason will open up to me when he can. If there are things he can’t share with me because they’re not his secrets to tell, that’s fine, too.”
Katia’s eyes move over me. “That way of thinking will get you killed.”
I shrug. “Maybe, maybe not.”
Katia mulls that over. “You can choose something different, you know. Some people aren’t lucky enough to have that option.”
I tilt my head to the side and study her. “I know.”
“You weren’t born into this life, and you’re not well-suited for it like other people are. You don’t even have the stomach for violence, and yet, you choose to stay.”
