Mastered by Malone (Haven, Texas 6)

He cupped her face. “We’ll go from there. You’ll tell me everything about that night.”

“I’ll tell you.” A haunted look came over her face. “I still have the trial to get through.”

“Not without me, you won’t. I’m going to be there for you. Through all of it.”

That knot inside her was almost completely gone.

“After the trial, you’re coming here with me. To your home.” He stared at her intently. “Understand me? This is your home. Where people love you.”

She placed her hand over his. “Home. I like the sound of that. I didn’t think I’d ever have one.”

“Your aunt was an abusive old bitch. She didn’t know the treasure she had. She should have cherished you. Loved you.”

She looked at him, her eyes glistening with tears. “I can’t believe this. I can’t believe that such a horrific thing led to me finding you. Is it fair that I have happiness, when they can’t?”

“You think any of them would want to live the rest of your life in misery? Alone? Or do you think they’d want you to live your life to the fullest? You were given a second chance, baby. If you’d been there, you’d be dead too. But you’re not. You owe it to them and to yourself to live.”

“They’d want that. Well, maybe not Jacques, he was a complete bastard. But Juan, Sophie, Lucas, Marion, and James, they’d want that for me.”

He leaned in to kiss her. His lips had just touched hers when she heard the first shout. He stilled. Then pulled back. Suddenly, he climbed to his feet. She frowned as she heard an agonized cry. Her gut tightened. Something was in pain. Fear. He raced over to the window.

“Fuck! The stables are on fire. I need clothes.”

“What? Oh, God.” She stood and reached for her clothes. He turned back to her, pointing to her. “You stay in the house, understand me? Do not leave the house. I won’t be able to concentrate unless I know you’re safe.”

“I won’t. Just go.” He shouldn’t be worrying about her. He needed to get outside. She got dressed and headed downstairs. She might not be able to help, but the least she could do was make coffee and food.

She stepped into the kitchen, reaching over to switch on the light. She never even heard someone sneak up on her. She was suddenly pulled back against a hard body, a heavy hand slamming on her mouth to stifle her scream. Before she could even fight, there was a prick at her neck.

And then she knew nothing.

18

Mia woke up slowly, blinking to try and clear the cobwebs in her brain. Where was she? Why was she lying on the floor? What was going on? Did she fall? She frowned, trying to think back . . . then it came to her.

Someone had grabbed her as she’d entered the kitchen. She hadn’t even had time to scream. Had they . . . had they drugged her? She gasped in a breath, fear flooding through her as the very man who featured in her nightmares came to stand over her. He pulled back his foot then kicked out, catching her in the stomach, making the air rush from her lungs. Winded and in agony, she curled up into a ball. Another blow landed. She closed her eyes. He must have moved because another burst of pain broke out in her back. She gasped for breath. Her side burned. Her ribs. Had he broken her ribs?

“Boss. Boss, you got to stop, we want her alive, remember?” someone said.

“I’m not going to kill her. Just want to punish the bitch a bit.” Another blow landed on her lower back; she couldn’t help but let out a cry of pain. “That’s it, cry, bitch. Scream. I like it when they scream.”

“Hey. Hey,” another voice spoke. This one high-pitched. Scared. “You didn’t say you were going to hurt her.”

“What’s it got to do with you, Osborne? You’re gonna get your part of the bargain, what do you care if I make the bitch hurt?” Angelo asked.

Osborne? Alec’s next-door neighbor? What did he have to do with this? Was he working with Angelo? Where were they? How had they known where she was?

“You said you’d get me Malone’s ranch. So far, I haven’t seen much evidence of that. All I see is you beating on a defenseless female half your size.”

Wrong move. Even she knew that. She moved her head and spotted the man she guessed was Osborne, since he didn’t look like one of Angelo’s goons. She glanced around the room. Heads of dead animals were mounted on the rich red walls. She shuddered. The red reminded her of blood. The carpet beneath her was cream. The furniture brown leather. It was a grotesque combination.

“You’ll get your precious ranch, Osborne. You have to be fucking patient.”

“You promised to kill Alec and his miserable brothers,” Osborne whined.

“And I will. As soon as they give me what I want.”

Her heart raced. Kill Alec? And his brothers? And what could Angelo possibly want from Alec?