Mastered by Malone (Haven, Texas 6)

Saxon backed off, his hands up in the air. “Fine. Go. God forbid I should offer to help the mighty Alec Malone.”

Shit. “Look, it’s a family matter.”

Saxon nodded. “Got it. But the offer still stands. You need help. I’m here.”

Alec closed the door, unsure what to say to that. He didn’t make friends, deliberately kept people at arms’ length. The very last thing he needed was anyone meddling in his business. And still, they offered to help him when they thought he needed it.

He left the parking lot of Saxon’s and headed as fast as he dared towards the ranch. But it wasn’t Saxon’s problem. Or anyone else’s. It was his.

And he intended to make sure she never disobeyed him again.

She made it safely home. But when she reached the ranch house, which seemed to have every light on, she found herself having to fight the urge to turn around and drive away.

“Oh, crap, what is he doing here?” She drummed her fingers against the steering wheel, staring up at the imposing figure who was standing on the porch at the top of the stairs, his hands on his hips, no doubt glaring daggers at her.

Jaret actually woke up, miracle of miracles. “We home? Thanks, darlin’.”

“We’re not the only ones who are home,” she warned. She knew she couldn’t stay there indefinitely, but it was damn tempting to try. She gulped. “I’m in big trouble.”

“Huh?” Jaret asked, looking over at her. He yawned.

“You stink of whiskey,” she told him.

He shrugged. “Gotta go to bed.” He fumbled with his seatbelt latch then reached for the door, opening it and stumbling out onto the ground. She quickly climbed out and went around to help him.

Jaret put his arm around her shoulders and nearly toppled her over.

“A little help here?” she snapped at Alec. What was he doing, just standing there?

“Why?”

“Because I need to get him to bed and he weighs a ton,” she said with exasperation. Wasn’t it obvious?

“He got himself into this state, he can make his own way to bed or sleep outside. I don’t care.”

“Wow, you are really going for brother of the year, aren’t you?”

Alec started down the steps and she gulped, standing her ground only because if she didn’t, she was pretty certain Jaret was going to land on his face.

“I suggest you start rethinking the tone you use with me,” Alec said in a low voice. “I am not happy with you nor him right now.”

“Got that. I’m not stupid. But anytime now, there’s going to be some cops turning up on your doorstep, wanting to know if Jaret destroyed the car of the guy who he caught fucking his girlfriend, and I figure it might not look good if he’s found sleeping off his hangover on the front lawn. Not to mention he could get run over.”

She heaved in a deep breath and tried to balance herself as Jaret rested more of his weight on her.

Alec muttered something under his breath. But he reached for Jaret and hauled him over his shoulders in a fireman’s carry. Wow, he didn’t appear winded at all as he carried his brother inside. He turned sideways as he moved through the front door, and she had to quickly grab Jaret’s head to stop it being smashed against the doorframe. Alec obviously didn’t care much about being gentle. Her fingers scrapped along the jamb and she hissed in a pained breath.

“What?” Alec half-turned.

“Nothing,” she said hastily.

“Good. You’ve caused me enough fucking problems tonight. I don’t need any more. So you do exactly what I tell you, understand me?”

“Yes. Sure.” He’d always intimidated her, but right now he was scaring that shit out of her.

“Go and make some coffee and get some water. We need to sober him up.” He strode off into the living room. She heard a crashing noise and winced, hoping that wasn’t Jaret’s head. Then she raced off to grab coffee and water.

By the time she returned to the living area, Alec had laid his brother on the couch and was pulling off his boots.