Taryn took a long drink while she pondered what to tell her. In the end, she decided on all of it. No one was nearby, but she still leaned close. “Rhonda’s on Vyne. And she’s been selling information.”
“Oohh shit,” Dani said on an exhale.
“Yeah.”
“I hadn’t noticed. I’m so sorry. I should have noticed.”
Taryn shook her head. “My bar, my responsibility. Plus, you recognized something was wrong before I did.”
“Is it bad?” Dani watched her intently.
“Yeah, really bad. She’s the one who sold out Giselle. And Dizzie.” Taryn was still struggling to wrap her head around the betrayal. What other information had Rhonda sold that Taryn wasn’t aware of?
“Are you serious? How could she?” The outrage in Dani’s voice echoed what Taryn had felt since she’d learned.
“Not to mention she sold the rescue plans and now Ash’s sister is missing.”
Dani’s mouth dropped open but no sound came out.
Taryn laughed, though there was no humor in it. “Yeah, that was my reaction, too. She fucked us over a million ways.”
“What are you going to do?”
That was what Taryn loved about Dani. She always bounced back and she was always practical.
“I have no idea. She obviously can’t stay here, but she knows too much for me to let her go. I had Daryl put her in one of the basement cells for now. Where she hopefully can’t do any more damage.”
Dani paled. “Can we get her help?”
Taryn wrapped her hands around the pint glass. Her head dropped and her shoulders slumped. “I don’t know. It depends on how deep she is with the Vyne.”
“Are her veins green?” Horror coated Dani’s voice.
“She was wearing long sleeves, so I couldn’t tell. I’m afraid that they are.”
“Oh no,” Dani said. “By the time that happens, it’s always fatal.”
“Yeah, that’s what I’ve heard too. Although I’ve never heard of anyone living for very long after they tried it.”
The silence that fell between them was pensive. From all accounts, Vyne was a horrible way to die.
Dani blew out a breath. “How can I help?”
“I need you to keep this place running, no matter what. Ash and I are going to try to locate Hope and then figure out how to rescue her. For real this time.” She caught Dani’s eye. “If you can handle it, I’d like to give you the list of supplies we’ll need to set up a room for her here.”
“Of course. Do you think it’s safe to have her here?”
“Right now, I think it’s best that she’s near Ash until they can leave town. And I’m pretty sure he’s not going back to Tremaine headquarters.”
“Consider it done,” Dani said.
Taryn grabbed her hand and squeezed. “Thank you. I can’t do this without you.”
Dani laid her hand on top of Taryn’s. “You could, but you don’t have to.”
“That means more than you could ever know.” Tears welled in Taryn’s eyes and she blinked them away.
“Get some sleep,” Dani said gently. “It sounds like you’ve got another busy day tomorrow.”
