“He’s not going to be able to protect you, you know.”
I clench my hands into fists. “You’re wrong.”
His chuckle sends another wave of unease through me. “Your loyalty to him is admirable, especially considering how muchyou’ve sacrificed. Tell me, how are your parents dealing with their darling daughter’s fall from grace?”
I dig my nails into my palms. “That’s not your concern.”
“I’m sure they’re not happy about any of it.” I can feel Mathew’s eyes on me, open and assessing. “It’s not like you can take Mason home and introduce him to them, can you?”
I frown. “Are you really that insecure about your brother?”
Mathew’s expression hardens. “Think of all the Thanksgivings, all of the holidays, all of the normalcy you’ve had to give up. On the wrong Payne man, too. If you are as smart as you seem, you’ll find someone else to throw your luck behind.”
An incredulous laugh falls from my lips. “I know you don’t mean you.”
There is a cruel calculation in Mathew’s eyes. “My offer has an expiration date, London. I’d take it if I were you.”
“You can shove your offer up your ass, Mathew.”
His expression darkens, and a muscle ticks in his jaw.
I wonder if I’ve pushed him too far.
Then, there’s a clamor of voices near the door, and we turn to it. Jack Payne’s voice wafts in, and every muscle in my body tenses. I take a few steps away from Mathew and glance around, fear snaking its way inside of me. Slowly, I move toward the shelves until Mathew’s cold voice stops me in my tracks.
“It’s only a matter of time before he decides to take care of you.”
I look at Mathew over my shoulder. “I know.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Without the right Payne by your side, this is going to get ugly fast.”
“I’m sure I’ll survive.”
Mathew’s eyes flash. “You can do more than survive. You can thrive.”
“And what do Oliver and Olivia think about this?” I ask.
Mathew doesn’t flinch. “My siblings are too short-sighted.”
“Is that why you haven’t spoken to them in years? Because you’re too short-sighted to realize that you’re in the wrong?”
Mathew sneers. “I see Mason has been filling your head with nonsense. Tread carefully, London. You might have Mason wrapped around your finger, but I can wipe that fucking smirk off your face in a second. You think being here a few months has given you some kind of insight into the Payne family? You’re even more pathetic than I thought.”
I search his face. “But I’m not wrong. It doesn’t take a genius to realize who the most powerful sibling is. I think you should be the one to reconsider your loyalties.”
I know Mason loves his brother despite their tumultuous history.
He doesn’t want to be at odds with him, but it’s obvious Mathew is too blinded by greed and selfishness to see the bigger picture.
The two of them are never going to see eye to eye, at least not from where I’m standing.
Mathew is always going to want what Mason has.
How much of this is Mason’s own desire and ambition, and how much of it is their father’s voice in his head?
I feel sorry for Mathew, but not enough to let my guard down around him.
Together, the sibling Paynes can be a force to be reckoned with.
