Page 28 of Sinful Empire (Mount Trilogy 3)
Or maybe ex-best friend?
What was in Magnolia’s head when she decided to give Lachlan the note instead of Brett?
I want to think she was protecting me again, doing what she thought was best. But being lied to by your best friend calls a lot of things into question.
She told me his mistresses went missing. How could she have wanted me to be one of them? I realize that’s one question I forgot to ask, but in all truthfulness, I don’t need to ask it. Lachlan wouldn’t kill an innocent woman, and I know down to my bones that he would never hurt me. Ever.
But still, Magnolia doesn’t know him like I do. If she thought there was even a chance . . . how could she have done what she did?
She’s closer to me than either of my sisters. I text them for their birthdays and send them a gift card. But for Magnolia’s, I put in serious thought, just like she does for mine. A few months ago, I had her favorite restaurant cater an amazing dinner in her condo, and I commissioned a silversmith to forge these incredible silver chopsticks for her hair because she’s been obsessed with wearing kimonos.
So, how could she gamble with my life so easily?
I can’t stand to lie in bed anymore. The painkillers are doing their job, so things aren’t hurting like they were. The nurse took me off the IV last time she came in to check on me, saying I no longer needed it. Now I’m free to pace back and forth across the room as I try to come up with some kind of explanation that would make any sense.
But I’ve got nothing.
Because of Magnolia’s actions, I had the most incredible night of my life, but with the wrong man. Or, if you want to be specific, with the right man, but I went off and married the wrong one.
I remember how surprised Magnolia was when I told her what Brett and I had done. I thought she’d be all high-fives about my impulsive move, teasing me about finally pulling the stick out of my ass, but she just looked at me in shock.
Magnolia isn’t stupid. I know that for sure.
Like Lachlan said, she rose to her position by being cutthroat, but I’m not her competition. I’m her friend. Is this a case of treating your closest allies worse than your enemies? I don’t believe it.
I don’t have any answers by the time the tech guy finishes getting me set up. As he leaves, V gives me a disapproving stare and jerks his head at the bed, clearly indicating that I should get back in it.
I turn in the direction of the bed where my laptop waits, but I make a statement just to be sure we’re clear on one point. “I’m only going to sit down again because it’s easier to work that way.”
He responds with a predictable grunt before leaving me alone once more.
I stare at my phone and hover my thumb over my Wi-Fi calling app with Magnolia’s contact info, wondering what the hell I can say to her.
Actually, screw it. All I have to do is ask her one question.
Why?
I tap on the icon and wait for her to pick up.
Keira
“Thank fucking God you’re okay, Ke-ke. I heard someone tried to take out Mount, and there was a woman with him. That you might’ve been collateral damage. I’ve been freaking out of my fucking mind because you haven’t been answering shit.”
Magnolia’s tone borders on hysterical, but I force myself to go ice cold, Mount-style.
“If I were collateral damage, who would’ve been to blame for that, Mags?”
“The fuckers who clearly have a death wish!”
“Bullshit. You put me in this position, and I want some fucking answers about what possessed you to give my note for Brett to him.”
Magnolia goes quiet.
“What? Nothing to say? Thought I’d never find out?”
“Ke-ke . . .”
“Don’t even try to deny it, Mags. He told me you gave him the note. You set me up.” I’m off the bed before I realize it, pacing with the phone in my shaking hand.
