Page 20 of Defiant Queen (Mount Trilogy 2)
“Fine. Hold on.” I walk to the glass shelves holding all the liquor bottles, and survey them. “He doesn’t have Seven Sinners in here.”
“Well, good, because you won’t get drunk enough to find your ladyballs with that anyway. Get a damn drink, Ke-ke. Hurry up.”
“Fine.” I grab a bottle of vodka from the top shelf. It’s definitely a terrible plan, but since I can’t stand Scotch or tequila, which seem to be my only other choices, this is the best I can do. I don’t bother with a tumbler, just suck back a shot from the bottle itself.
“This shit is terrible,” I say after I manage to choke it down. “How can people drink this?”
I read off the label of the bottle to her and she gets quiet.
“Most people will never get the chance, because that shit’s like a thousand dollars a bottle.”
Suddenly, the idea of draining it while I search for clues about the real Lachlan Mount doesn’t seem quite so distasteful. “Okay, heading for the bathroom.”
An hour later, I’ve searched the bathroom, the bedroom, and the living room—including every cabinet and drawer. I attempt and fail at picking the sole locked door with a hairpin.
“This is hopeless. I should’ve watched more YouTube videos.”
“Then do it now and call me back.”
I flop back onto the most comfortable bed my body has ever touched. “I can’t. It’s all spinning, Mags.”
“Shit. You’re such a lightweight when it comes to anything but whiskey. Makes no damn sense.”
“When does the spinning stop?”
“After you either throw up or pass out.”
“Ewww. I don’t want to puke.”
“Good, because you’re no rookie, so don’t act like it. You laying down?”
“Yeah.”
“Then hang your leg over the side so you can touch the floor. That should help with the spinnin’.”
“Okay.”
“You put everything back where you found it, right?”
“Mm-hmm, yeah. Ten-four, Magpie.”
“Shit. You’re really drunk.”
“True story.” I yawn. “Gotta go. The spinny thing is gettin’ worse. I’ll try the leg trick. I’m tired.”
“Yeah, and from the way you’re slurring, you’re gonna hate yourself in the morning.”
“That’s a given, ’cause I gotta give that piece of shit Brett all the money Mount put in my account so I don’t go bankrupt. Fucker.” At this point, I don’t know who I’m talking about.
“I don’t think Mount’s gonna let that happen, Ke-ke.”
“He can’t stop me.”
“Okay, sweetheart. You get some sleep now. Set your alarm.”
“Already did. Night, Mags. Love you.”
“Love you too. And before you pass out, you need to get it through your head that nothing about how Mount is treating you is normal. If I had to guess, I’d say you’re making him break all the rules.”
