“What do you have on her?”
“You should talk to London. This is between you and your daughter.”
I should have Katia bring London to the office, but I can’t tell if it’s a good idea with the way her parents are looking at me.
London’s mother levels me with a look. “We both know that’s not true, Mr. Payne. I know you don’t think much of us, but we’re still her parents. That should mean something.”
“Mrs. Callahan—”
“We’re not married,” London’s mother interrupts, pausing to shoot her ex-husband a sharp look. “I’m not a Callahan.”
“I don’t care,” I reply. “Parents or not, neither of you has the slightest idea the kind of trouble you’ve caused by coming here.”
How the hell did they know where to look for me?
“It was my idea to come,” Berrett Callahan says. “I knew that if we stirred up enough trouble, they’d bring us to you.”
“You’ve taken a very big risk coming here.” London’s mother pales slightly, but she doesn’t look away. “You don’t stand to gain anything if you hurt us.”
I let out a low, humorless laugh. “Allowing you two to get this far has already been enough trouble. Who said anything about hurting you?”
Stop dragging your feet and call Carlisle in. Have him scare them enough to make sure they don’t tell anyone about what they saw.
Before I can reach for the phone, I make the mistake of looking over at London’s mother. Something about the gleam in her eyes makes me pause.
The resemblance is striking.
Fucking hell.
Why can’t I take care of business like I normally do?
“Whatever deal London has made with you, I want you to let her out of it,” she says.
I scoff. “I run a business, not a charity. You don’t get something for free around here.”
London’s mother doesn’t budge. “I’ll take her place.”
I raise an eyebrow. “You don’t even know what kind of agreement your daughter has entered into.”
Even if London’s mothercouldtake her place, I don’t have any use for a woman of her age.
She is an attractive woman, but she’s not worth the risk.
“That woman who brought us in tried to keep us from seeing what goes on around here, but I’ve seen enough.”
I step out from behind the desk and advance on her, but she doesn’t falter. “You have no idea what you’re asking for.”
She doesn’t break our gaze. “It doesn’t matter. I’m her mother. I’ll do what I need to do to keep her safe.”
I admire her for it.
Why are you indulging them? You’re not going to let either of them anywhere near the club, and it isn’t just because London would never forgive you.
“As admirable as that is, your particular skills aren’t of any use here.”
London’s mom swallows and glances over at her ex, who shoots his ex-wife a glance before clenching his hands into fists. Then he looks back at me with determination.
“I’m willing to work off her debt as well.”
