Page 11 of Ruthless King (Mount Trilogy 1)
I blink twice and stare at my best friend until I realize she’s talking about giving me the money. “I didn’t come here for that. I couldn’t take—”
“Of course you wouldn’t come here with your hand out, because that’s not the kind of girl you are. But I would give it up for you if I could. Your ass isn’t on the line by itself, sweet thing. If you default, we all go down with you.”
Yesterday morning, I woke up feeling like I normally do—determined to take on the world of whiskey and make Seven Sinners the household name it has never been. Today, I’m worried about whether I’ll be alive in another week.
All because of Lachlan Mount. No. Because of Brett.
“I already told him I don’t have the money. He knows.”
Magnolia nods, her teeth skimming her lower lip. “Doesn’t surprise me at all. The man knows everything that happens in this town. What does surprise me is that he’s willing to take pussy for payment on a half-mil debt.”
I cringe at her crass language, but one thing I’ve always respected about Magnolia is she calls a spade a spade.
“I’ve heard of him taking property, houses, boats, racehorses, and cars, but never a woman. This isn’t his normal behavior.”
The gears in my brain turn slowly, as though rusted together from information overload. “Why deviate from the pattern?”
Magnolia tilts her head to one side and studies the wreck I surely am. “Have you looked in the mirror lately? I mean, when you weren’t puking your guts up?”
I roll my eyes.
“Ke-ke, you are shit hot. I could book you out every night of the week and twice on weekends.”
“I know you mean that as a compliment, but—”
“But nothing. You got tits, ass, and that gorgeous red hair that makes a man think he’s gonna find fire when he gets you under him. And don’t get me started with those eyes of yours. You’ve cornered the market on untouchable class. And what’s more, you’re totally and completely oblivious to it.”
“Brett clearly didn’t think so.” I don’t even know why I say it. Reminding myself my husband was cheating on me sucks more every time.
“Brett was a fucking tool and never deserved you. And right now, you need to quit worrying about him and start worrying about Mount.”
I unwrap one arm from around my chest and pinch the bridge of my nose. “I don’t even know where to start.”
Magnolia cocks a hip to the side. “I have a feeling he’ll be calling all the shots, so it won’t matter either way. Actually . . . maybe that’s what’ll save your ass. From what I’ve heard, the others were all meek and submissive—”
I jerk back into the couch cushions. “That’s definitely not me.”
She holds up a hand. “No shit. And maybe that’s it. You’re full of fire and sass to match that ass of yours. You gotta use it.”
I don’t like where she’s going with this, and my belly flips in agreement. “I seriously have no idea what you mean. At all.”
“When you’re Lachlan Mount, no one defies you. No one gives you sass. Something about you caught his eye. I feel that in my bones. You have to use it. Work it. Don’t let him walk all over you.” Magnolia’s voice quiets. “Don’t let him break you, Ke-ke. You keep ahold of your pride and never let go. He won’t know how to handle you.”
The thought of Mount handling me turns my stomach again. “There’s really no other way? No other client—” I can’t even believe I’m throwing the option out there as a possibility.
Magnolia destroys my last hope with a shake of her head. “You’ve already been marked. Lachlan Mount owns your ass, regardless of whether he’s tapped it yet. No one else will touch you because they’ll want to keep their limbs intact.”
“He gave me a week. I have to find another alternative.”
“That’s the part I’ve been trying to figure out. Normally, when a debt to Mount is due, it is due.”
“Can’t I go to the police? Won’t they do something?”
Magnolia looks toward the ceiling, as though seeking patience from a higher power. “Please tell me you’re joking. Because if you take one step in that direction, we’re all dead.”
“So you’re saying . . . I have to do this.”
She lowers her gaze to mine, and I feel the grimness of her stare. “You don’t have a choice. Not another one you can live with, anyway.”
