Mastered by Malone (Haven, Texas 6)

He’d bribed him? How the hell had he had the sense to do that when he could barely manage to walk on his own?

“See? All we had to do was change the narrative.”

“Right. So when you say change the narrative, you mean lie. To the police.”

“Exactly. Thanks, darlin’. You’re the best.”

He reached over and patted her thigh. She was too shocked to say anything for several long minutes. Then when she looked over at him, she realized he was sleeping. The idiot was sleeping. After everything that just happened, he decided to take a nap. He expected her to lie to the cops for him. She clenched her hands around the steering wheel as her breathing came in harsh pants. Okay, she had to get hold of herself. She pulled over to the side of the road for a minute, not trusting herself to drive while in the middle of an attack. Jaret didn’t even stir as she pushed the seat of the truck back and then rested her head between her knees, trying to stop herself from passing out or vomiting. Finally, she managed to calm herself. Okay, she needed to snap out of it. Just because the police were probably going to come and talk to her, no reason to freak out. She just had to do what Jaret told her. Tell them she’d picked him up earlier than she actually had.

She could do this. She had this. He was a friend. Friends helped friends.

She was in so much trouble.

10

She was in so much trouble. Alex stormed his way out of the club. Not even bothering to answer Saxon as he called out to him. He strode his way towards his truck. She’d broken the rules.

When West had finally discovered she was missing, he’d called Saxons to tell him. What he wanted to know is why the hell she would leave the ranch? Her ass was toast. His hand itched with the need to spank her. How dare she disobey him? She’d not only put herself in danger, but she’d interrupted his scene at the club. He’d had to untie the delectable little sub he’d had bound to the St Andrews cross, and leave her with a monitor so he could grab his stuff and chase after a little brat who thought she got to disobey him.

Oh, she was going to find out very soon why it was never a good idea to go against him.

“Malone!” Saxon yelled, grabbing the door of his truck as he tried to slam it shut.

“I don’t have time for this.” He glared up at the club owner.

Saxon scowled. “Someone dying?”

“They will be soon,” he said ominously.

Saxon spoke calmly, but there was a little twitch beside his right eye that betrayed his irritation. “You want to tell me what’s going on?”

“None of your business.”

Saxon crossed his arms over his chest. “You left in the middle of a scene.”

“I apologized to Sarah. Find her someone else to take over. I’ll make it up to her. Is that all? Couldn’t we have had this conversation over the phone? I’m kind of busy.”

Saxon narrowed his gaze, glaring down at him. “No, we couldn’t fucking have this conversation on the phone, because you never pick up the damned phone. And I didn’t come after you because I’m worried about Sarah. No doubt she’s moved on by now.”

Yeah. That’s why he often chose her to play with. Because she never got attached. “I came out here to see if you’re all right.”

“Jesus, Aspen took your balls, didn’t she?”

Saxon tensed. Stared down at Alec coldly. “You want to tread carefully when you talk about Aspen.”

Everyone knew how protective Saxon was over his woman. Alec didn’t usually back down or apologize but he did give a nod of acknowledgement. It was enough to make Saxon ease up a bit on the death stare.

“Right, now that that’s solved.” Alec reached out and grabbed hold of the door handle of his truck. “Get out of my way.”

Saxon didn’t move. Alec glared at him. “You want me to make you move?”

“Good luck with that,” the other man drawled. “I know you like to do things on your own. You hold things close to your chest. But if you need some help, I’m here.”

“I don’t need any fucking help,” Alec growled at him.

“Is that so?”

“All I need from you is for you to get out of my goddamn way.”