Sinful Empire (Mount Trilogy #3)

As soon as V walks in, I can read everything I need to know in the expression on his face. Shit is bad. Really bad.

I learned long ago that if he’s not texting me, the only way to get answers is yes-and-no questions. And because my phone is nowhere to be found, yes-and-no questions are my only choice.

“Have they found the shooter?” I didn’t have to give that order. J would already be searching as soon as the report came in about what happened.

V shakes his head.

“Did they take care of the cops?” Someone would have called in the accident, and I need the cops who might have made it to the scene before it was cleaned up to forget anything they saw. No one can know about what happened. It would upset the power balance if word got around that someone had the balls to try to take me out. Luckily, a solid chunk of the cops in this city answer to me rather than the other way around.

V nods.

“Was the car towed to the garage and the scene swept?”

Another nod.

“Bullet retrieved?”

He holds up a hand with two fingers about an inch apart. I know that means not yet, but they’re close.

“Tear that car apart. The bullet’s gotta be in there. I didn’t see an exit hole. Find out where the f*ck it came from and trace the shooter. We need to know who the hell was stupid enough to attempt this.”

Another nod. V turns to leave, but I stop him.

“You did good. Her safety is always your first priority—no matter what. You always see to her first, just like you did.”

Keira pipes up, interrupting the conversation. “Uh, no. I disagree with that.”

I shoot a look at her. “You don’t get a say in this. It’s not something I’ll ever compromise on.”

“Not at the expense of your own safety. Don’t make me bear that burden. The price is too steep.”

V swings his gaze between us, no doubt shocked at the new subject of our argument.

“Who do your orders come from, V?” I snap, bringing his attention back to me. When he obediently points at me, I look at Keira. “Doesn’t matter what you say, I overrule.”

“I’m calling bullshit.”

“Too damn bad.”

V meets my gaze once more, and I speak my next words to him.

“Stand guard. No one gets in unless there’s a medical emergency, and then only approved staff. I’m told I need to rest so I can rain hell down on this city and whoever did this.” I glance at Keira with a crooked smile.

V nods and heads for the door.

Once it closes behind him, fatigue weighs down my limbs, but I still reach out my hand to clasp Keira’s, and she squeezes it.

This whole experience—her not fighting me, not trying to escape—is surreal. And so is me following her orders.

“I won’t let you—”

I cut her off with a glance. “I thought you wanted me to rest so I can be ready to exact vengeance.”

Her eyebrows wing up in the direction of her hairline. “You’re actually going to listen to me?”

“On one condition.”

“Name it,” she says without hesitation.

“You rest too.”

Her mouth screws up into a defiant expression, but for a completely different reason this time. “I’ll keep watch. You rest.”

“V is outside on guard. No one’s getting through him. So, please, f*cking rest. I need you whole and healthy. I have a lot of plans for you, woman.”

Keira studies me for long moments before she finally responds. “And you will if I will?”

“Yes.”

“Deal.”

She reaches out her hand and I shake it, sealing the bargain.

Somehow, in the midst of chaos, our positions changed. No longer am I the one forcing her to bend to my wishes because she has no other options. Now, we’re equals. Partners.

It’s a new and different feeling, one that should scare the shit out of me, but it feels nothing like weakness. Actually, I’ve never felt stronger.

I drift off, my fingers still tangled with hers.





Keira





Even drugged by the pain meds, I wake up first. I think I forced my body to allow me to regain consciousness because I needed to reassure myself that Lachlan was still breathing.

I couldn’t care less about my injuries now. I’m much more concerned about him. The strain is visible on his face, even in sleep.

I swore I’d hate him until my dying breath. That I’d never give him what he wanted. That I’d build impenetrable walls around my heart, even if he messed with my head and forced my body to betray me.

Lachlan Mount destroyed those walls. When he turned his back, using himself as a shield, it became pretty damned clear where I stood with him, and that was before I knew he’d already been shot.

But if I’m completely honest, that’s not when my walls started to crumble. No, that mortar began to break down the moment I realized he was taking me to Dublin, fulfilling a lifelong dream of mine, even though there was nothing in it for him.

I may not have had the chance to ask my questions yet, but I’m willing to bet everything I own on the fact that selfless actions are new for Lachlan Mount.

The door to the room opens again, and V steps inside. Another shift, because I’m no longer thinking of him as Scar. He’s not the man who aids and abets my captivity, but someone who was also willing to lay down his life for mine.

“Is everything okay?” I whisper.

I know he won’t answer me, and even though Magnolia said it’s because Lachlan cut out his tongue, I’m one hundred percent certain that she’s wrong. Loyalty like V shows to his boss isn’t born of fear and intimidation. It’s a product of respect.

V nods, but holds something out to me.

My purse. And in his other hand? My phone.

He lays both on the bed beside me, nodding down at the phone insistently.

I glance at the screen and see several missed calls from my father and text messages from Temperance.

Shit. It’s one o’clock in the afternoon, and a day later than I realized.

I slept a lot longer than I thought.

It doesn’t help that I’ve lost track of time, what with the time change from our flight, the drugs, and the lack of a clock in this room.

I unlock the screen and read the texts first.



Temperance: Our phones are ringing off the hook. Your dad. The press. The tourism board. Distributors. Everyone wants to know about the award from the GWSC. I know it was a last-minute plan to go, but I gotta tell them something, boss. Help me out here.

Temperance: Are you okay? Where are you?

Temperance: Keira, please freaking answer me. Your dad said he’s getting on a plane tomorrow morning and heading here.



The time stamp on the last text message is an hour ago.

Shit. I don’t want my dad anywhere near New Orleans right now. Not with the situation I’ve landed myself in. Lachlan swore to me he’d keep my family safe, and I believe him, but I still don’t want them here.

Checking the bars of service, I find that I have none.

I glance back up at V. “I need to make calls. Text people. You’ve gotta help me. I have to stop my dad from coming.”

V glances at Lachlan’s sleeping form in the bed, and then back to me. His loyalties are clearly torn.