Page 54 of Ruthless King (Mount Trilogy 1)
I force my limbs to break free from their paralysis and grab the second towel like nothing is amiss and wrap it turban-style around my head. “Can you lay off the clichés? It’s too early for that crap.”
I turn toward the mirror, determined to ignore his presence, but fail. Out of the corner of my eye, I swear he’s fighting off a smile.
“What? Not going to throw in it’s nothing you haven’t seen before? That I’m nothing special?” I don’t know why I’m taunting him. Probably because he’s making me absolutely crazy.
I peer into the glass, pretending to look at my pores as I reach down for the high-end skin-care products I was provided, but my hand misses the bottle because I’m too distracted by his face and the constantly changing expressions on it. They’re too swift to get a lock on, and I wish I could read his mind as easily as he seems to read mine.
“The steam was too thick to see through the glass. I wasn’t sure you were ever going to get out of the damned shower. Still feel me?”
One of the bottles goes flying as I spin around. “Go fuck yourself.”
This time, the smile that forms is harsh and forbidding. “I did that last night in my own shower, and I won’t fucking do it again, because I’ve got you here to take care of my every need.”
I can only imagine how I would have spit and clawed if he’d summoned me after our last confrontation to give him a handy in the shower.
“In your dreams.”
His smile shifts, now baring his teeth. “Hurry up. You’ve got a meeting with your banker this morning to discuss how close you are to tripping your loan covenants and being handed off to the workout department as one of the bank’s troubled assets.”
My mouth falls open. “How do you know that?”
He scoffs. “I find the fact that you think I wouldn’t even more insulting.”
“What time is it?” I glance around but it’s pointless because there’s not a single clock in this damn cell. It’s like being in a casino but without all the fun and a hell of a lot more risk.
“You have less than an hour to make it on time. So, I suggest you hurry.”
“Fuck.” I let out the curse, and yes, I know it’s not ladylike, but I was raised around men working in a distillery. “Then get the hell out so I can.”
I expect another imperious glare or smug grin followed by him telling me he doesn’t have to do a damned thing, but instead he pushes off the door frame and disappears into the master bedroom.
Shocking, actually. And more worrisome than I want to admit.
I rush through getting ready, trying to make sure my face looks as professional as possible before I hurry into the closet to find, of course, only one outfit waiting for me.
This time it’s a wrap dress made of silky fabric in stark black. The same color of Mount’s perfectly tailored suit. Not that I noticed or anything.
And, miracle of miracles, there’s a matching black thong and a black bra that plunges in the middle, perfectly suited to the neckline of the dress. The same gold chain and lock dangles on the hanger from the night before.
I ignore it. He didn’t notice I wasn’t wearing it last night, so maybe he won’t notice this morning. Not wearing it might be petty, but if it helps me retain another shred of control, I’ll take it.
I slide on an expensive pair of black pumps with gold trim around the soles and heels and stride into the bedroom, expecting to find Mount waiting on the bed. But he isn’t. I find him in the sitting room, lounging on an armless chair next to the table where the covered trays were yesterday. Those are absent today as well.
“Shit, my coat.” I turn around to dash back into the bedroom to grab it and then head straight for the door that leads out of my cage.
“Aren’t you forgetting an accessory?” Mount asks.
The damn necklace. Of course he has to make it an issue.
“Fine.”
I spin on a heel, pissed that I’m giving in to him, but telling myself it’s only because I can’t be late for this meeting. It’s not an option.
Mount was right. My loan officer is pissed that we’re only paying the minimum payment on our line of credit every month, even as we continue to borrow. Today is my chance to convince him that the check coming in from the Voodoo Kings will take a big enough chunk out of what we owe to keep Seven Sinners from being labeled “troubled.” The last place I want our loan to end up is in the hands of a workout officer, who will basically tell me I need to liquidate, pay off the debt I owe the bank, and walk away. I’ve already sold my body to the devil to save Seven Sinners, and now I might have to offer my soul to the bank to keep it running.
I grab the necklace and realize the lock isn’t just a charm; it actually holds the two ends of the chain together.
Like a freaking collar.
