Jardin's Gamble (Haven, Texas 9)

“What are you doing here?” she demanded.

“Came to see you. Thea, I need help.”

She shook her head. “I’ve tried to help you in the past. All I got in return were bruises and a broken arm.”

Regret filled his face. “I’m sorry about that, really I am. But I’m sober now, sweetheart.”

Sure, he was. That’s why he was breathing bourbon fumes all over her.

“Go away. I don’t want to talk to you.”

“But your brothers might,” he told her. “I still have custody of them, don’t I? What if I demanded you return them? The cops would like to know how you kidnapped them.”

She turned on him. “I didn’t fucking kidnap them and you know it. And you go to the police, they’ll laugh their asses off. You don’t have a leg to stand on. But go if you want. I have the weight of the Malones behind me now. I’m their family. Ace and Keir are their family. And they don’t take kindly to threats.”

“Please, just a bit of money. Thea!”

Swinging around, she stomped into the building. She wasn’t going to be a pushover anymore. How often had he stolen from her? Hurt her? She didn’t owe him anything! Although that didn’t stop her from feeling guilty.

Reaching into her handbag, she pulled out her phone and sent Carrick a quick text.

Gone inside. My dad was here. Had to get away.

She walked into reception, surprised to see it empty. But she didn’t wait for that awful receptionist to return. She just wanted to deal with whatever was going on with Ace.

Knocking on the office, she stormed her way in. She was beyond caring what the principal thought of her at this point.

And she came to a screeching halt at the sight that greeted her.

“J-Jenny?”

30

Carrick read the text message as he drove.

Yes, he knew he was being a hypocrite considering he’d spank Thea’s ass for doing the same. But he didn’t have time to pull over. He swore as he read it. Then his swearing became a groan of frustration as he rounded the corner and came into a line of traffic. What the fuck?

Quickly, he hit Jardin’s name.

“I’m twenty minutes out,” Jardin said.

“I’ve just hit traffic. Hopefully, I’ll be there at about the same time. But Thea texted me to say her father turned up outside the school.”

“What the fuck?” Jardin snapped.

“She said she was going inside. She’ll be safer in there at least.”

“Damn it! Fuck.”

“I know. I know.” He understood the other man’s frustration. “I’ll meet you there.”

“What are you doing, Jenny?” she asked.

“It’s not Jenny! It’s Jennifer, you bitch!”

Jenny, who was looking decidedly worse for wear in a dirty pants suit, with her hair all wild around her face glared at Thea from manic-filled eyes.

What the hell?