House of Payne: A Dark Mafia Romance (House of Payne Series Book 1) by Ivy Black & Raven Scott

Author:Ivy Black & Raven Scott [Black, Ivy & Scott, Raven]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ivy Black
Published: 2025-11-26T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

Mason

My eyes fly open when I hear a soft whimpering sound.

Still half-blinded by sleep, I reach for the gun under my pillow and frown when I don’t find it. Abruptly, I sit up in bed, and my eyes dart around the unfamiliar cream-colored room. Frowning, I rub my eyes and twist to look at the person next to me, struggling to sort through the thick fog that has settled over my brain.

As soon as my eyes land on London, some of the fog clears, and the previous night comes rushing back.

I don’t remember coming back to bed.

All I know is that I left London in the room to go find a drink.

One drink turned into four, and at some point during the night, I found my way back to her.

I vaguely recall her curled up on the bed, eyelids fluttering in restless sleep.

I have no idea how or why I climbed into bed with her, or how hours later, with the morning sun climbing into the sky, I’m still in bed with her.

But it’s almost comforting to study her in the soft glow of the sun.

She looks peaceful with her hair fanned out behind her, and her hands curled under her.

Like her whole world hasn’t just changed.

Fuck.

This is why I don’t spend the night in any bed other than my own. It’s also why I don’t like to fall asleep next to the women I fuck. Seeing them in a different light complicates things, and London has already caused enough trouble.

I don’t like seeing her like this. It stirs unfamiliar feelings within me.

Feelings I don’t have the first clue what to do with.

London groans softly, and I resist the urge to reach out and tuck her hair behind her ear. Still, my hand darts forward, and I pull the covers up to her chin. She sighs, and her features soften further, causing my stomach to dip.

How can she look so peaceful after the night she’s had, and after knowing that the two people she cares most about in the world have turned their backs on her?

I feel guilty for my role in this, but not guilty enough to let her out of her contract.

Now that I’ve had a taste of London, now that I know what it feels like to be inside of her, I can’t turn back.

I won’t.

No matter how messy it’s making things for me.

London will just have to get over how she feels, and I know how to help her.

You’re not even going to give her a beat to process everything? She lost her father and boyfriend in one fell swoop. You could at least show some compassion.

I scoff at the idea and inch away from her.

Inviting London to dinner was as close as she was going to get to a display of emotion. I don’t wine and dine the women I sleep with, and London won’t be the exception, no matter how vulnerable or hurt she is.

Last night was a glimpse of what things could

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