Jardin's Gamble (Haven, Texas 9)

Danny laid a hand on her shoulder. But unlike when Carrick or Jardin touched her, it felt wrong. She had to work hard not to shove it off. She knew he was trying to help her. He was one of the few people who had attempted to over the years. And she was grateful to him. Just not so grateful she welcomed his touch.

“What if they’re hurting him?”

“No offense, Thea. But so what? The guy’s a drunk and a bully. How often did you come to school with bruises?”

Fuck. Shit. “I’m clumsy.”

“You’re not that clumsy. And you might have fooled the teachers, but you didn’t fool those of us that cared. Stay away, Thea. You’re better off without him in your life. If he’s involved with Silvers, you need to keep yourself safe. You need to keep your brothers safe.”

Fuck. He was right. She couldn’t risk Ace and Keir to save her father. He’d never do the same in return.

“You’re right. I know you’re right.” She raised a shaking hand and wiped it over her face then gave him a tired smile. “Thanks, Danny.”

“You know it, babe. Come on, I’ll walk you out to your car.”

“Danny!” a deep voice barked. She glanced over to find a bald, overweight man glaring at them. “Go check the kegs. The Heineken tap has stopped working.”

“I’ll do it in a minute,” Danny called back.

“You’ll do it now. You’re on my dime, not your girlfriend’s.”

Danny gave her an apologetic look. “I’m so sorry—”

“It’s okay. I’m not your responsibility, and you’ve done more than enough for me.”

“Just promise you’ll stay out of Silvers’ way.”

“I will. I promise. I’m not going anywhere near that asshole.” She moved to the door and turned to wave at Danny before stepping through. She pushed her way through the crowd, suffering some asshole groping her ass, and someone else slapping it. Jesus, why did these dickheads think they had the right to touch her?

She finally reached the door and had just walked outside when someone moved up beside her, grabbing her bicep with a hard grip. Great, now she was going to have more bruises to add to those on her wrist and neck. Something cold and hard pressed to her side and she glanced down in shock.

“Miss Garrison?”

“Are you holding a gun on me? Is that real?”

“Yes. It’s real. Thea Garrison?”

“I don’t know, shouldn’t you make sure you get the right person before you hold them at gunpoint?”

“Stop being a smart-ass. I know you’re Thea Garrison.”

“Then why did you keep asking me when you already knew?”

All right, her smart mouth was going to get her into trouble. It was a reflex when she was nervous or upset. But it wasn’t going to serve her well in this situation.

“Come on, Mr. Silvers wants to talk to you.”

Shit. Fuck.

“Well, I’m kind of busy right now. Maybe he’d like to make another time we could meet and talk?”

He dug his gun into her side. The door opened behind them and he stepped aside as a drunk couple appeared. The woman already had her hand down the front of the man’s jeans.

“Say a word and I’ll shoot and then where will those brothers of yours be?”

Terror flooded her. Stealing her mind. Her breath. Her thoughts.

“What? Nothing smart-ass to say now? Didn’t think so.” He kept a tight hold on her arm as he steered her to the parking lot where a dark car sat. He opened the back door of the car. She glanced around but other than that couple who were currently fucking against the wall of the bar there was no one else around.