Page 33 of Midnight’s Captive (Stroke of Midnight #2)

Taryn took the coward’s way out, slipping into the hall to watch the guys take care of Ash through a crack in the door. She’d thought watching them drag him away would make her feel better.

Yeah, not so much.

Ash hadn’t given her a choice—he’d been warned what would happen if he touched her like that again. She’d made that threat in public, so she had to back it up in public. Otherwise, word might get around that the Jack was all talk, no action.

She just hadn’t anticipated how much protecting the Jack would hurt Taryn.

Dani joined her in the hallway. “I thought you two were at the touching stage.”

“We are. Were.” Taryn didn’t know any longer. Had they just broken up? “I told him that first night, if he ever laid a hand on me without my permission...”

“You were right. You couldn’t let it slide.” Dani leaned into her, wrapping her arm around Taryn’s waist. “I’m sorry that it happened.”

“Yeah, me too.” She laid her head on Dani’s shoulder.

“Do you want me to take over the rest of your shift at the bar?” Dani asked.

She did. She really, really did. But Dani had been covering for her an awful lot lately. Since Ash had walked into her bar and her life. “No. I can’t ask you to do that.”

Dani hugged her. “You can ask anything. You know that.”

She’d told Taryn that more than once. “I’m the boss. I’m supposed to take care of everything.”

Her friend made a rude sound. “Fine. I know how stubborn you can be. If you need anything, all you have to do is ask.”

“I know. I know.”

“Now say it like you mean it.” Dani leaned against the wall and watched Taryn with a serious look in her eye.

Taryn sighed again and did what Dani asked. It was the only way to get her friend off her back. “All I have to do is ask. And you’ll be there.” She paused. “Man, that sounds like bad song lyrics.”

Dani burst out laughing. “At least you’ve still got your sense of humor.”

Taryn smiled weakly. She wouldn’t go that far, but making Dani laugh felt good. She appreciated that Dani worried about her, but it still felt wrong to lean on her. Or anyone. Taryn changed the subject. “Don’t you have a date tonight?”

A pretty pink washed over Dani’s cheeks and her eyes sparkled. For a brief, terrible moment, Taryn was jealous. Horribly jealous.

Fortunately, the feeling dissipated almost as quickly as it appeared, vanquished by Taryn’s happiness for her best friend.

“Yes. He’s taking me out for dinner.” Dani’s voice was soft and girly.

“Oo-ooh. This is what, your third date?” Dani didn’t date often and Taryn couldn’t remember anyone who’d lasted until the third date.

She nodded. An auburn strand escaped her hairstyle, curling in front of her ear. She moved to tuck it back, but Taryn stopped her.

“Leave it. It adds a bit of romance to your look.”

If anything, Dani blushed harder. “Really?”

Taryn hadn’t lied. The soft curl went perfectly with the top Dani wore. Soft cream-covered lace enhanced her slim build and soft curves and flowed into a rich velvet skirt the color of the fine wine Dani enjoyed. The skirt ended just an inch or two from the brown leather boots that covered her knees.

She looked like she’d stepped out of the pages of an old storybook. A heroine who could hold her own but embraced pretty things. Of all the people Taryn knew, Dani deserved a happily ever after the most.

Taryn was so happy for her. “You look amazing. What time is he picking you up?”

“Not for an hour or so. I was so excited, I got ready way too early.”

Taryn grinned and her heart felt lighter. The sadness and confusion from how things had gone down with Ash wasn’t gone, but now was the time to be happy for her best friend. She could deal with the guy bullshit later. “How about I buy you a drink at the bar while you wait?”

“Ooh. The Jack buying drinks? You better not say that too loud or people will start thinking you’re a softie.”

“That’ll be the day.” Taryn laughed.

She linked her arm through Dani’s and they re-entered the bar area. They parted ways at the edge of the bar so Taryn could take up her position behind the bar and Dani could take one of the seats in front of it.

Dani angled her body so she could see the door, a bright smile on her face.

Taryn held back a sigh. Who knew it was possible to be so damn happy and sad at the same time?

Business was brisk and the steady work helped Taryn banish Ash from her thoughts. Dani sat at the bar and nursed her drink. Whenever there was a lull, she kept up a mostly one-sided conversation with Taryn and fielded compliments from regulars who’d never seen her so dressed up.

Dani looked so happy and alive that it was hard to believe that she’d been a beaten-down girl from the streets just a few years ago. If anyone deserved happiness, it was her.

Taryn hadn’t met Dani’s guy yet and she was really looking forward to it. She watched Dani watch the door.

The smile that broke over Dani’s face when she saw him practically lit up the room. His answering smile won him points, but Taryn still wanted to take his measure, maybe set a few ground rules. Starting with “I’ve got my eye on you” and ending with “Break Dani’s heart and they won’t find you. Ever. Not even the tiniest little piece of you.”

They both watched him cross the room.

“You look amazing,” Mason said, when he reached the bar.

Taryn watched Dani carefully as she stepped into his arms. Her friend’s smile never dimmed—she really was happy.

“This is Mason. My date.” Dani stepped back and smiled at Taryn. “Mason, this is the Jack.”

Taryn watched for a visible reaction, but there wasn’t one. She’d have to ask Dani what she’d told him.

Dani and Mason exchanged a look Taryn couldn’t read. Then he stood and held out his hand. His gaze was direct, which she liked. “Nice to meet you.”

His handshake was firm.

“You too.”

Pleasantries done, she glanced at Dani. “So this is the boyfriend?”

She blushed beet red. “Date,” Dani said. At the same time, Mason said, “Yes.”

Taryn smiled. She’d still keep an eye on Mason, but she liked that he kept Dani on her toes.

“So, you’re Dani’s date.” It wasn’t a question. He seemed to realize that.

“And you’re Dani’s boss.”

Touché.

“What do you do, Mason?” She pinned him with her gaze.

“I’m an analyst.” He named a software company headquartered in Seattle. Decent place, based on everything she’d heard. At least he was gainfully employed.

He turned to face Taryn head-on. “I’m also single. I have my own place. I’m ready to be in a relationship and I think Dani is great. Anything else you want to know?”

If she’d overhead this conversation while she was bartending, she’d have smiled. Maybe even applauded.

But this was Dani they were talking about. Taryn couldn’t afford to be amused.

“Since you did me the courtesy of being honest, I’ll do the same. If you hurt Dani, in any way, shape, or form, I will disappear you.”

“I’m right here, you guys,” Dani said.

Taryn had to give him credit, he didn’t even flinch. “I would expect nothing less. I’ve heard about you.”

“All bad, I hope.”

He laughed and she could see why Dani had agreed to a third date. He was cute, quick on his feet, and didn’t back down.

“Can I have my date back now?” Dani asked.

Mason turned to look at her, a bright smile on his face.

That weird combination of happiness and jealousy settled in Taryn’s stomach again. “You two kids have fun.”

Dani looked at her funny. “Do you need me to stay?”

“No. You’re off the clock. Have fun.”

Dani tucked her hand in Mason’s elbow and led him toward the exit.

Shit. How could she be jealous of her best friend?