Sinful Empire (Mount Trilogy #3)

“You’re richer than God, Lachlan. Don’t tell me you can’t get her help and keep your secrets safe at the same time.”

He lowers his head until his forehead rests against mine. “This has been tearing me apart since the second I realized what she’d done.”

“Then let me help put you back together. We’re a team. There’s nothing we can’t handle.”

He lifts his head, and something akin to awe softens his features. “I don’t deserve you.”

“Good thing I know you’re wrong. Now, come on, you have shit to figure out. Plans to put into motion, because that’s what you do. And I have to go to work before my dad calls the f*cking FBI.”

Lachlan buries his hand in my hair and whispers two words. “Thank you.”





Keira





Three months later

“Where the hell are we going?” Lachlan growls the question in my ear as we climb the stairs to his jet. The jet I requested be fueled and ready for the honeymoon I planned.

I turn around and shoot him a saucy smile. “Remember that time you didn’t tell me we were going to Dublin until we were already in the air? Consider this turnabout being fair play. Besides, growl all you want. I think it’s sexy.”

“Keira—”

“Patience, husband. Patience.”

His gaze skewers me, but he doesn’t say anything else. I’m pretty sure it takes everything he has not to march to the cockpit and demand our destination from the pilot. The pilot I’ve sworn to secrecy with the threat of losing his job.

It turns out, when I issue threats now, people take them seriously.

That doesn’t mean the last two months haven’t been without their challenges, however. Destiny is settled into a locked-down facility where she receives round-the-clock care and a boatload of counseling and medication. She’s officially been diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder. She’s also smart as hell, and has tried to escape multiple times. Thankfully, the massive amount of security on the premises has foiled every attempt before she got too far. She’s done a lot of talking, though, including about how she’s known for years that Hope was buried in that mausoleum, because she’d followed Lachlan on the anniversary of her sister’s death and watched him lay flowers at the doors.

Magnolia finally woke up, praise the Lord, but doesn’t remember anything about what happened. I think it’s better that way. She’s on “leave” from her job, because she’s also undergoing a lot of physical and occupational therapy. She definitely is receiving sister-of-the-queen benefits.

The distillery is chugging along, making the best whiskey in the country. Then again, I’m biased. Even though the rackhouse caught fire, all was not lost. Smoke and flames damaged several of the barrels, but my father, with a lifetime of experience, had a hypothesis that was genius—the smoke and char on the barrels added a totally different flavor to the whiskey, in a good way. When we bottled a few of the barrels that were properly aged, the flavor was incredible. Something we might never be able to duplicate, and due to the scarcity, the price has skyrocketed.

Seven Sinners’ Phoenix Label is now one of the rarest and most expensive whiskeys on the market. We’re experimenting with smoking and charring our barrels, but this time, without the fire department needing to be called in.

We also launched the Spirit of New Orleans on a limited release, and the response has been phenomenal. Our expansion project has been moved to the top of the priority list because we need more capacity yesterday. As soon as the expansion project is complete in about sixty days, we’ll start tours of the facility, and New Orleans will have a brand-new attraction.

Mom and Dad went back to Florida after about a month, but before they left, my dad told me something I’ve been waiting years to hear.

“I wouldn’t have been able to leave this company in anyone else’s hands. You’ve done me proud, Keira, and you’ve done things I never dreamed Seven Sinners could accomplish. Your grandfather and his father before him would be proud too. You’re a credit to the family name, my girl.”

I still haven’t told my parents I don’t actually bear the family name anymore, or that the rock on my hand isn’t just an engagement ring. When I asked my husband for advice, his response was simple. “Tell them or don’t. Whenever and whatever you want. I’ll always make sure they’re safe regardless.”

Yeah . . . I’m still working on that, although I’m pretty sure my dad figured it out. He’s not dumb, and V’s constant presence around the distillery is a dead giveaway that something is very, very different.

But shockingly, Dad didn’t push, and somehow, he kept my mom from asking questions too.

I don’t live in the light anymore, but Lachlan doesn’t live solely in the shadows either. We’ve found a happy medium, and that happy medium is heading out of the country so we can be Lachlan and Keira again like we were in Dublin.

When I attempt to take the seat next to him, he pulls me onto his lap.

“You’re going to tell me. I demand to know.”

“You demand? That’s pretty serious. I mean, what with your reputation and all.”

“Damn right, hellion. You should fear me, because I own you.”

Even though his tone is dark and gritty, I can’t help but smile.

“You own me . . . hmm? So, does that mean my ass is yours? Or did I wear this monster butt plug for no reason?”

Shock. It’s not an expression I see often on his face, but it’s definitely there now.

“Excuse me?”

I force my expression into mock severity. “I don’t repeat myself.”

His dark gaze flares with heat. “Then I guess I’m going to have to find out for myself if what I thought I heard was right.”

The jet hurtles down the runway as his lips crash into mine. I squirm on his lap as the heat that was already present between my legs ratchets up about a hundred degrees.

By the time we reach cruising altitude, I’m missing my shirt, and we’re tangled up on the long sofa in the back of the plane.

“You need a jet with a bedroom. Time to upgrade, Lachlan.”

“If I’d known I’d fall in love with a woman who pushed me to the edge just by breathing, I would’ve gotten one.”

I still as the words leave his lips. “You love me?”

It’s been months, and even though I was pretty certain Lachlan Mount loved me—because if nothing else, he’s a man of action rather than words—I’ve still wanted to hear the words.

“Are you f*cking crazy, hellion? Of course I love you. The thought of losing you almost killed me. I’ve never known how to love anyone, but you taught me. You made it impossible not to love you.”

I bite my lip as tears burn behind my eyes.

“Don’t you dare cry. Not now.”

“Don’t tell me what to do, Lachlan Mount.”

“I’ll tell you what to do anytime I want, Keira Mount. Especially when you’re naked.”

The burn of the tears dissipates. “Don’t threaten me with a good time.”

His lips descend onto mine, taking over, just like he always does. “Tell me where we’re going,” he demands against my mouth.

“No. Not yet.”