Bennett (Bourbon & Blood #1) Read Online Free Page A

“ We ’ ll need a plastic surgeon consulted immediately, if that’s likely. ”
    The doctor blinked at him for a moment, and when he spoke again, his tone was perceptibly cooler. “ The stitches are along the line of her eyebrow. Any scarring will be minimal, if not nonexistent. A few minor cuts and some very ugly bruises, but there ’ s nothing she shouldn ’ t make a full and unmarred recovery from. ”
    Clayton rose. “ Thank you, doctor. When can we see her? ”
    The doctor spared another hard look for Samuel. “ Assuming she wants to see you? Once they ’ ve transported her from recovery to her room, you ’ ll be able to visit with her. ”
    Samuel sighed when he left. “ At least she won ’ t need surgery. Thank God. ”
    Quentin snorted in disgust. “ How about, ‘ thank God, she ’ s all right ’ or ‘ thank God, that bastard came along and fished her out of the creek before she drowned ’ ? I don ’ t like him any better than you do, but if he hadn ’ t been there, she would have died … and you ’ re worried about her fucking looks? ”
    Samuel gifted his younger son with a cool look. “ I am relieved that she will recover, of course. But that doesn ’ t change the fact that Mia is the face of the distillery in many ways. She is in charge of our PR and marketing. How well do you think that would go if she were no longer beautiful? I suppose Erica could take over for her if it becomes necessary. ”
    Clayton ’ s temper flared. No one got under his skin quite like Samuel did. “ Erica will not take over anything. In case you ’ ve forgotten, our agreement makes you little more than a figurehead at Fire Creek and your own recklessness has made you a financial liability. You don ’ t make those kinds of decisions! ”
    “ I am still your father, boy! You won ’ t speak to me like that! ” Samuel shouted. His voice was loud enough that several people in the hallway looked up in shock. Deciding on a different tactic, he turned the cajoling manipulation that was typically his first choice. “ Just think what it would do to Mia if she had to see a scarred face in the mirror every day! Would you really want that for her? ”
    Disgusted with him, Clayton stated, “ Mia will always be beautiful … because it has nothing to do with her looks. Now that you know she ’ s okay, you should go. Quentin and I will stay with her. ”
    “ She ’ s my daughter! ” Samuel ’ s reply was emphatic, but there wasn ’ t a great deal of emotion behind it. With him, it was always a show.
    “ Really? ” Clayton shot back. “ Because from here it sounded more like you were talking about a corporate asset. You don ’ t give a damn about any of us, and while Quentin and I are okay with that, she ’ s still got a heart for you to break. So just go, old man. ”
    Samuel pointed one finger at Clayton, “ You ’ re not in charge of the distillery just yet. Nothing is set in stone, boy! Mia will always side with me … and without her that leaves you all at a paltry forty percent share. ”
    Quentin rose then, getting up in his father ’ s face. “ Then take the damn distillery and stop holding it over our heads … You can ’ t run the thing without us, anyway! You haven ’ t put in an honest-to-God day ’ s work in more than a decade and wouldn ’ t know what to do even if we did step down. You ’ ve been too busy running around with two-bit whores half your age … Hell, some of ‘ em are half my age! ”
    Samuel turned then to walk away, but as he reached the door to the small waiting area, he turned back to them. “ You don ’ t like me, you don ’ t like the way I run things … You don ’ t have to be around to witness it! I ’ ll buy you out anytime. ”
    “ With what? ” Clayton demanded. “ We ’ re keeping you afloat, in case you ’ ve forgotten! You ’ ve wasted the money you married Mama for! ”
    “ Watch what you say to me, son, ” Samuel admonished. “ And watch what