Jardin's Gamble (Haven, Texas 9)

She wanted them to be free. She wanted to be free.

“What if . . . what if I can find the money?” She couldn’t. There was no way.

His face grew cold and he stepped away from her. “Be very careful you don’t insult me, Thea. I’ve just given you an offer thousands of women would take up in a heartbeat.”

Shit. Fuck. She’d just made a stupid move; she could see that. She waited for him to explode. To turn to his goons and order one of them to shoot her. Instead he took another sip of his drink.

A knock on the door interrupted the tension and she turned to watch as Marcus opened it. Someone spoke on the other side, too quietly for her to hear.

“Boss, best you hear this.”

Silvers left the container along with Marcus, leaving her alone with her father and Milo. She guessed she should probably use this chance to escape. Except there wasn’t anywhere she could go that Silvers wouldn’t find her. Plus, Milo looked like he could crush her with his pinky. She didn’t think he was going to let her just waltz out that door.

“Is he alive? Can I check on him?”

Milo just stared at her. He didn’t say no, so she stepped forward and raised a shaking hand to her father’s neck. His pulse was a bit slow, but it was still there. She reached out and raised his head, her stomach revolting as she took in his swollen, bloody face.

He didn’t wake up and she figured that was a blessing. She carefully let his head drop back and then took a step away. And another one. Until suddenly, she was on the other side of the container, staring at Milo and her father with horror.

The door banged open and Silvers stepped in, a frown on his face. “Milo, get him out of here. Put him in the trunk and take him to storage.”

Maybe she should protest. He was her dad, she should try to defend him, but she found herself at a loss. Plus, she was angry at him. Furious. More furious than she could ever remember being.

This was all his fucking fault. He’d put her and the boys at risk.

Silvers turned to her. “Come here, my dear.”

She didn’t want to move, but she made herself shuffle forward. He wrapped a hand around her sore wrist, and she winced. She didn’t miss his smile at her show of pain.

Fuck.

He cupped her face between his hands. They were cold and clammy. She had to work hard not to vomit up her dinner.

“Yes, such an unexpected surprise.” Abruptly he stepped back. “I have business to attend to. Thea, I can be a reasonable man.”

He could?

“I can see all this has shocked you. You’re obviously an innocent. I’ll give you a chance. You have one week.”

“One week?”

“Come up with fifty thousand dollars by next Saturday, and I’ll never bother you again. But fail, and you’re mine.”

Jesus. There was no way she could do that. But what choice did she have? She could run, but how did you hide from a man like him? She’d be forever looking over her shoulder, worried he’d be coming for her. And it wasn’t like she had the money to run with.

But what was the alternative? Find the money? No chance.

Give herself to this man? Sacrifice herself to save her father?

“I don’t care about him,” she whispered harshly.

“Your father? Hmm, now, I would understand if that were true, however I don’t think it is.” He shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. The debt is no longer just his. He mentioned you several times. Told me how beautiful you were. I’m afraid I didn’t believe him. You understand I can’t afford to let him get away with this or everyone would be trying to take me for a ride. I’m a businessman first and foremost. Now, I don’t have time for this. I have to go. One week, Thea. And don’t bother trying to run or hide. I will find you. And it won’t end well for you.” He strode toward the door then turned back. “Oh, and I don’t need to tell you what will happen if you tell someone about tonight, do I? It would be a shame if something happened to those brothers of yours, wouldn’t it?”

Oh, God. Oh, God. She shuddered at the threat. She was still standing there, trying to catch her breath, to force herself to move when she realized the place was fully dark and quiet.

Shit! Fuck! Had they left her there?

Gathering up her nonexistent courage, she opened the door and stepped out. There was no one there. No cars. No men. Nothing.