Jardin's Gamble (Haven, Texas 9)

She gulped as she looked over Jenny’s shoulder to the man who stood there. He looked like sin dressed in jeans and a button-up, plaid shirt.

Jenny sneered at him. “Who are you? And what are you doing back here? This is for employees only.”

“That so? Must have got turned around in this big ol’ building,” he drawled, laying it on thick. “Hard for someone from the country to get his bearings without no hills.”

She choked on a laugh.

Jenny sniffed, obviously not understanding he was joking. She looked him up and down. “Are you sure you got the right firm? Jin, Stein, and Malone is a very exclusive law firm.”

“Exclusive huh? Well, la-de-da. It’s okay, I been counting up my pennies. Brought a whole jar of ’em with me.”

She couldn’t hold back her giggles any longer. The cowboy glanced over at her and winked.

“Stop laughing, you stupid cunt!” Jenny screeched.

“Whoa.” The cowboy rubbed at his ear. “Got some good lungs on you.”

“Fuck you!” Jenny screamed at him.

“Now, you see, I’m usually down for a good fuck, but I’m busy right now. Got to go talk to my cousin about a little job. And well, to be honest, you’re not really my type. Bit too bony. And screechy. Now you, on the other hand,” he looked Thea up and down with hunger in his gaze, “you most definitely are my type.”

She could feel herself blushing bright red even though she didn’t believe him. There was no way she was his type. She was pretty certain she wasn’t anyone’s type. But the conversation was definitely pissing Jenny off.

And that was pure gold.

The cowboy smiled at her. “Maybe after I’ve met with my cousin, I could take you out for an early lunch, darlin’? Got to be something decent to eat around here.”

“What? Has everyone lost their fucking minds? How can you prefer a fat, ugly bitch like her!”

The smile fell off the cowboy’s face. “I think it’s time you left.” He straightened and glared down at Jenny, who didn’t have the sense to see that behind this one’s smile lurked darkness. “You’re starting to piss me off and you don’t want to do that.”

“What’s going on in here?” a familiar voice demanded.

She winced as Jardin stepped up behind the cowboy. They were about the same height. The cowboy was maybe a bit wider in the shoulders. Both dark-haired and handsome. Even though they were dressed differently, there was something similar about them. And she wasn’t talking about their looks.

It was like they’d both known pain. Darkness.

“Well, hello there, cousin,” the cowboy said with a wide grin. His eyes danced with amusement. “I’ve come for a visit.”

* * *

Could his day get any worse?

Really? He’d woken up thinking it was going to be like every other day. Work. Work. Sleep. More work. Instead, it seemed like the universe had decided that today it was going to throw a whole bunch of obstacles in his path to strain his patience.

“Wait,” Jenny said. “You’re his cousin? You can’t possibly be a Malone! You . . . you’re not refined or rich.” She ran her gaze dismissively over Maddox’s clothes.

Oh, she was so mistaken.

“I’m not?” Maddox replied. “Huh, that’s weird cause that’s what it says on my passport.”

Thea started giggling, and it was the sweetest noise Jardin had heard in a long time. His cock grew hard and he had to take a few deep breaths to calm himself.

“Shut up, you stupid bitch!” Jenny screeched.

Oh, hell no. He was not putting up with that. He stepped forward, around Maddox, who’d stiffened, right as Jenny reached out and shoved Thea. Thea flew back on those ridiculous heels of hers, toppling over onto her ass, the cup of coffee smashing to the floor.

A cry flew from her lips.