Page 56 of Midnight’s Captive (Stroke of Midnight #2)

Taryn glanced at the clock again. She’d never been much of a clock watcher—time really had no meaning in a dimly lit bar—but she was anxious to see Ash. After she’d bandaged him up last night, he’d slept on a cot in Hope’s room. If she were being honest, she was a little disappointed, but it was understandable. He hadn’t spent more than a couple hours at a time with his sister for years. She’d peeked in on them earlier, just to make sure everything was okay.

“What are your plans for today?” Dani asked. “Any more big battles I need to worry about?” She was joking, but Taryn caught the bite in her tone.

“I hope not,” she said vehemently. “I’m really sorry about yesterday. There was so much going on. Forgive me?”

Dani paused and studied Taryn over the table in the small kitchen. The bar was in good hands right now. They both would check in later. “You’re forgiven. But you can’t tell me that you aren’t spread too thin. You need to get your priorities straight.”

“You’re absolutely right. I am spread too thin and I can’t do it all. I have some thoughts about that I want to share with you later. When we’re sure things have calmed down.” When Dani started to ask about it, Taryn shook her head. “Later. I promise.”

Taryn rubbed her eyes. “Both Ash and Giselle are priorities. Unfortunately, last night they clashed. I think, no, I hope, that they both become permanent fixtures here.” She pressed a hand to her stomach. That was the first time she expressed her thoughts—her hopes—out loud. The relief she felt was just as unsettling as the nerves.

“Ohmygod.” Dani clapped her hands. “You two worked things out?”

Taryn shook her head. “Not yet. The Tremaine Corporation is still hanging over our heads. Not to mention I still need to deal with our mole. And our pimp and his friends. But I’m hopeful,” she said with a smile.

“Excellent news!” Dani said.

“I agree,” Ash said from the doorway.

Color flooded Taryn’s cheeks. It was one thing to tell Dani her plan. It was another to tell Ash. She’d wanted to ease him into it. “How much did you hear?”

His slow, sly grin made her heart race and her blood warm. “Enough.”

“How are you feeling?” She hurried to change the subject.

“Like someone drilled a hole in my neck,” he teased. “But better than I have in a long time. Thank you again for rescuing my sister.” He gestured to one of the open chairs. “May I?”

“Of course,” Taryn said.

“I’ll let you two talk.” Dani stacked her dishes.

“You don’t have to go,” Ash said.

“I think you two need to talk. Besides, I need to take lunch to, ah, someone.”

Taryn mouthed her thanks to Dani. She was taking a meal to Rhonda. Taryn planned to visit her later. It was one of the problems she needed to solve.

“Taryn told me you readied a room for my sister with no notice. Thank you. Really.”

“You’re welcome,” Dani said, as she stood and cleared the table. “I’ll see you around. I hope.”

Ash smiled and took her seat.

“Sorry I slept so long,” he said. “My body just crashed as soon as I hit the pillow. Then I spent some time talking to Hope before getting up.”

He paused and looked at her. “You’re still serious about keeping us. Me and Hope?”

“If you want to stay, yes.” She stretched her hand across the table. He grasped it.

“And you have a plan?”

Did she? Not really, not yet, but they’d figure it out. “Working on it,” she said. “I usually focus on one rescue every few months. Not three in a couple of weeks.” She laughed.

His return smile was half-hearted. That was okay. She’d make a believer out of him.