Page 58 of Midnight’s Captive (Stroke of Midnight #2)

The small jail in the basement of Razor Jack’s was one of Taryn’s least favorite places. She’d never been held here—the old Jack had preferred to punish her elsewhere—but its mere existence hinted to the dark history of the bar. And until this last week, she’d never had cause to use it. Twice in a single day.

The pimp and his crew had only been held overnight. She’d arranged with one of her contacts for them to be transported far, far away from Seattle. Killing them probably would have been easier and less expensive, but she never wanted to be like the old Jack.

She took a deep calming breath and approached the cell where Daryl had put Rhonda. Dani had warned her that it was bad, but it broke Taryn’s heart to see the woman she’d once trusted.

Rhonda huddled in the far corner of the cell. She’d dragged the mattress from the frame and pulled it into the shadowed corner of the small room. Her hair hung stringy and limp around her too-pale face. Twenty-four hours without the drug had left its mark.

“What’s wrong with me?” She thrust her arms into the dim light.

Taryn gasped.

Rhonda’s arms were streaked with green lines. The telltale sign of Vyne.

That wasn’t good.

She’d asked Dani to attend to Rhonda’s needs. Now Taryn felt terrible for burdening her friend with that task. In her defense, Taryn hadn’t expected the drug to act so fast. Of course, she’d only seen Rhonda in long sleeves. The marks could have been there for a few days, but not much longer than that. Word on the street was that once your veins turned green, you had about a week.

Taryn had still been pissed at Rhonda when she’d entered the basement. But seeing her like this... The feelings hadn’t necessarily melted away, but Taryn wouldn’t wish this on her worst enemy.

“Oh, Rhonda. I’m so sorry.” Unlocking the door to the cell, Taryn crouched near the other woman. She kept her cyberarm between them, ready to fend her off if necessary.

Rhonda wrapped her arms around her waist. “I don’t feel good.”

“Can I get you anything?” Taryn’s fists clenched. She hated feeling helpless like this.

“I need it,” she moaned. Rhonda abruptly tumbled to her side and started rocking back and forth. “I need it.”

Taryn prided herself on handling any situation, but nothing had prepared her for this. Should she get her the drugs and make her more comfortable?

“It’s bad, isn’t it?”

Startled, Taryn stood and whirled around. “You about gave me a heart attack, Daryl. What are you doing down here?”

“Dani asked me to come get you. There’s a message for you at the bar.” He watched Rhonda over Taryn’s shoulder.

Taryn dropped her head for a moment. It never ended. She really should talk to Dani about taking on more responsibility.

“I don’t know what to do for her,” she admitted. “Do you?”

The big man’s appearance was scary if you were messing with anyone in the Razor Jack’s family, but gentle as a lamb when it came to protecting those who needed it. “We can get her the drugs she’s asking for and make her as comfortable as possible for as long as possible.” Sadness filled his eyes. “I don’t think it will be long.”

Taryn studied the still-rocking Rhonda. “Do you know where to acquire Vyne?” She hated to ask him, but her interests focused more on trafficking people than drugs.

“Yes, I can take care of it. Take care of her.”

She placed her hand on Daryl’s forearm. “You don’t have to do this,” she said fiercely. “I need your help with the drugs, but you do not have to be here with her. That’s on me.”

“Thank you.” He brushed the back of his hand over his eyes. “I can help, though. I will help.”

“I won’t argue with you, but if you change your mind, let me know.” This wasn’t part of his job description.

“It’s what you do for family.”

Family.

She’d never thought of it like that until today. But he was right, the people here at Razor Jack’s... they were a family. Her family.

Taryn looked down at Rhonda huddled on the mattress and blinked away the tears that welled in her eyes. She’d given Rhonda a chance at a new life, but the other woman hadn’t been strong enough to take it.

“Thank you.” She looked at the woman rocking on the floor. “We’ll make it better soon, Rhonda.”