Mastered by Malone (Haven, Texas 6)

Alec just sent him a look as his brothers started to scoff at that idea. “Don’t try to help.” He turned to his brothers. “The reason we’re going to help is because Jardin’s friend is the one who found Lottie.”

They all fell silent and looked over at Jardin.

“So, you all in? You got to keep this quiet, keep your dicks in your pants, and be prepared for shit to go down.”

Raid smiled wide. “I’m always ready for shit to go down.”

“That’s cause you cause most of that shit.” Beau gave him a dark look. “Not a chance in hell of you keepin’ your fucking dick in your pants.”

“You’re just jealous because I had a taste of Lucy first. Fuck that woman could—” His words were drowned out as Beau jumped on him with a roar of fury.

Alec ran his hand over his face. He was too old for this shit. Knowing he wouldn’t get any sense out of them until they’d worked off some steam, he turned and walked out.

“Christ, I think I’ve just made a huge mistake,” Jardin said from behind him.

He glanced back. “What? Wearing a three-piece suit during summer in Texas, yeah, well . . . ”

“I mean asking those louts in there to protect the only witness to a horrific crime. Her testimony is going to send Frankie Angelo to prison for a long fucking time—”

“Wait, Frankie Angelo?” Alec turned back sharply to gape at his cousin. “The Monster of Manhattan?”

“Yep, first time there’s ever been a live witness.”

“You didn’t tell me it was Frankie Angelo who has a hard-on for her.” Fuck. Shit.

“Problem? I didn’t know you knew him.”

“I don’t,” Alec said quickly. “Met his dad a few times.” That had been enough. “He finds out she’s here and he’ll come after all of us. Not just me and my brothers, he’ll come after the rest of the family as well.”

“Then we need to make sure he doesn’t find out,” Jardin said grimly.

“I want her name first,” Alec told him. “I want to do some checking before she gets here.”

Jardin nodded. “As long as you can do it without raising any alarm bells.”

Alec just shot him a look.

There was a loud yell from the kitchen. Jardin grimaced. “You sure they can be trusted?”

“They may act like overgrown children, but they’re tough, they’re loyal, and occasionally they even use their brains.”

“Glad to hear they’ve got some.”

“Relax. I have everything under control. But I won’t be forgetting you owe me.

”

“I didn’t think you would.”

2

She stared at the imposing gates looming in front of her.

“I think this is the place,” her cousin muttered from beside her as he stared out the window. They’d been driving for days. Staying in crappy motels that didn’t give a shit whether your ID was fake as long as your cash was real.

They hadn’t taken the most direct route to get there. Instead, Mike had done a lot of backtracking, to ensure they weren’t being followed. Neither of them had slept much over the past few days, Mike because he was in bodyguard mode, worried about protecting her. Her, because she knew if she fell asleep the nightmares would get hold of her.

Wrought iron gates hung between concrete posts. On one post was a small wooden sign: Lonely Horse Ranch.