Page 48 of The Bourbon Bet
“Sebastian?” I ask, my stomach dropping.
Sade nods.
“How did you know who I’m going with?”
“Please, honey, everyone knows. You’re going to Kentucky’s fanciest event with the state’s most eligible bachelor.” She looks at me in the mirror and grins. “And Gus, the receptionist working today, received a call from Mr. Blackstone requesting a carte blanche afternoon for a mysterious woman. Trust me, everyone here is talking about it.”
A cold wave washes over me. Not at the loose-lipped Gus, but because of what Sade might tell me about Sebastian. What if I learn he has a harem of women or a sex dungeon? Okay, maybe I should worry less about his sexual tastes and instead about the ruthless nature Thorne and gossip have hinted at.
Sade keeps her gaze locked on mine, a little worry showing in her eyes. “You’re not going to spread this around or tell people it came from me, right? That family keeps their secrets locked down tighter than their bourbon recipe and yeast strain—”
“Yeast strain?”
“Live here or date him long enough, and you’ll learn the importance. But what’s important now is that I have your word not to gossip about what I’m telling you.”
“Got it. Don’t gossip about the gossip.”
Sade snorts, playfully tugging at the braid she’s creating. “Exactly. Now, I’ve never worked for Sebastian’s family. They are the type that have the salon come to them, not the other way around. However, a regular of mine is a close mutual friend of theirs. She’s one of those clients who sees her beautician as her secret keeper—or at least, the keeper of others’ secrets.”
“Anyway, let’s start with Daddy Blackstone. He’s a brilliant businessman, and judging by how their distillery has been booming since Sebastian took over, his son is too. But let’s hope he didn’t inherit his father’s womanizing ways. His wife, Sebastian’s mother, is stunning, yet the man can’t keep his dick in his pants. He has at least one child from a mistress, possibly two, but that one’s harder to pin down because the woman and child live farther south. New Orleans, I believe.” Sade pauses, tilting her head. After placing a few more pins, she continues, “From what I hear, his sister is a vagabond who wants little to do with her family, except she’s perfectly fine with mommy and daddy sending her money so she can travel the world.”
I’m tempted to defend Lillianna, but all I know about Sebastian’s sister is what he’s shared. Still, I didn’t get the impression she’s the frivolous mooch Sade is painting her to be.
“Then there’s Thorne. He’s an even bigger bastard than his father.” Sade’s lip curls. “That shit he did with Tiffany was wrong. Sure, the woman’s a bitch, and Sebastian could do so much better, but his own brother…” She shakes her head.
“What happened?” I ask quietly, not sure if I really want to know.
Paige obviously doesn’t have the same hesitation. She is literally on the edge of her massage chair.
“Almost everything.” Sade huffs. “Sebastian walked in on them one thrust away from having sex.”
A wave of sympathy crashes into me, followed by a surge of anger. How could Thorne be so callous and selfish? And how could I even consider aligning myself with him? My resolve to protect my bookstore wavers, overshadowed by a growing impulse to shield Sebastian from further pain.
“No shit. Daaamn,” Paige gasps. “And Sebastian is the master distiller. The top man. I bet he makes his slimy brother pay every day. I would.”
I knew there was tension between them, but this goes beyond mere sibling conflict. The mere thought of the folder I’m supposed to steal burns like a guilty flame. Thorne claims it contains information that could damage Sebastian’s position, but help their family’s company. What if it’s all a lie? What if this is just another way to twist the knife?
The tightening in my throat intensifies, making it difficult to breathe. But if I don’t help Thorne, I lose everything. My store, the reading programs, and probably my father’s house.
Maybe.
The revelation about Thorne and Tiffany burns in my chest. “How could he? His own brother.” Disgust coats my words, though I know I’m being a hypocrite. “He’s going to be at the gala tonight. How am I supposed to make it through the evening without throwing my drink at him?”
But even as I judge Thorne, I know I have to find another way than stealing from Sebastian. The SBA meeting, the grants—they have to work.
“Aw, look at you, getting all protective over your man,” Paige says.
“He’s not my man.” However, the more time I spend with him, the more I wish for the opposite.
Sade’s brows rise. “He’s not?”
Oops.“I meant we’ve just started dating. We aren’t official or anything.” I shift in my seat. “I have to admit, it’s nice to learn the rich are as messed up as the rest of us mortals.”
“Yup.” Sade sprays my hair with a product that smells of lavender. “The only difference is they have the money to hide their mistakes.”
Paige pats my hand. “And honey, youaren’tgoing to fit in with the group. You’re going to outshine them all.” She looks behind me at Sade. “You should see her dress.”
My heart skips and trips, falling to my belly. “I should have gotten the black one.” I planned to play it safe. Get a sophisticated gown, maybe even subdued. Instead, I went with a crimson number with a plunging neckline.
