Page 38 of Ruthless King (Mount Trilogy 1)
I have no idea how I manage to speak, but my voice rises to a higher octave, and I pretend it’s from the excitement of the food. “Oh, perfect! Thank you, ladies!”
Temperance looks at me strangely, no doubt noticing that I have one hand fisted on my skirt as I fight the waves of desire driving through me.
I’m going to kill him, I think again.
Temperance takes over the conversation, explaining what the appetizers are and that they’re in line with the original budget. I squeeze my eyes closed as the men gorge on the food.
My assistant leans over and whispers in my ear. “Are you okay? Seriously, you’re acting weird.”
“Migraine. Just hit me. I’m powering through.”
Her face morphs into an expression of sympathy. “Do you need to go?”
Yes, I want to scream, but the vibrator stops.
“No. I’m fine. Not a problem.”
None of the men notice anything beyond the incredible food and even better whiskey we ply them with for the next hour.
By the time we finish, the signed contract is on the table, including the upcharge for the black-car service and the food.
I rise from my seat and step out from behind the table, and they follow suit.
“It’s going to be a fabulous event, gentlemen. You won’t regret your choice, and with an open bar featuring not only our incredible whiskey but every other brand of top-shelf liquor, your fundraiser is going to be a massive success.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” The assistant GM reaches out to shake my hand, and again, his eye contact is lacking.
As soon as our palms meet, the vibrator comes to life, and I squeeze his hand and drop it just as quickly. I get the same buzz, almost like a warning with each handshake.
Oh, you motherfucker. Where are you? The question burns in my brain, but I keep my businesslike smile pasted on my face as Temperance leads them to the elevator.
“I need to speak with Odile, so I’ll be down in a few. Have a wonderful day, gentlemen.”
As soon as the metal doors slide shut, I spin around on my stilettos from last night and survey the restaurant. We had a small lunch crowd, but the man at the top of my list of people who need killing is absent.
Would he have given the remote to one of his employees to control? The thought repulses me, spawning another disgusting thought. Am I just a toy to be handed off and played with by anyone? Is he really set on making me a whore?
I scan the restaurant, and some of the people meet my gaze and smile politely, but there’s no one who stands out with a flashing red beacon that says I work for Lachlan Mount and I’m fucking with your life.
I wait for the elevator to return to the top floor, eager to get back to my basement where I can—
What? What can I do? I have no power here.
“Don’t let him walk all over you.” That was Magnolia’s advice.
Not letting him walk all over me would mean stepping into the ladies’ room and taking this thing out of me right now and throwing it in the trash.
“Don’t you dare take it out without my approval. I promise you won’t enjoy the punishment if you do.” Mount’s warning is burned into my brain.
I don’t even want to think about what punishment he’d come up with, but then again, I can’t let him call all the shots.
It’s one thing for him to mess with my head while I’m in his territory, but it’s something completely different when I’m trying to do business. It was one of my stipulations—one he obviously didn’t care about hearing because he disappeared.
Screw him and his punishments. Bring it on, Mount.
I turn to head for the ladies’ room, but another vibration buzzes against my leg.
/> It’s not the toy this time. It’s my phone.
