“I rescued her from the street. Gave her a place to live, a job. I would have arranged for any training she wanted, but she just never seemed to... thrive. I failed her.” She choked back a sob.
Ash’s arms tightened around her and he tugged her onto his lap. For once she had no desire to call out his manhandling. Snuggling into him felt so good, she might give him a permanent pass.
“Do you, uh, do that often? Rescue girls from the street.”
“Every couple months,” she said tiredly.
“The teenager I saw coming out of your office a few days ago?”
“The newest,” she murmured.
“Huh,” he said, his chin against her temple. “I really picked the perfect person for Hope, didn’t I?”
Her only answer was a soft snore.
Chapter46
Ash’s phone vibrated.He groped for it, encountering a warm body curled into his side. What the hell?
His eyes popped open. This wasn’t his room. He didn’t have a couch. Especially not one this comfortable. He shifted and felt the soft warmth all along his front. He looked down and nearly jumped off the couch.
Which would be a really fucking stupid idea. He was curled around Taryn’s sleeping form, his arm around her waist, her head resting on his biceps. It felt... right.
The memory of Taryn falling asleep on his lap came back to him. He hadn’t wanted to disturb her, so he’d sat there until he’d apparently dozed off too.
His phone buzzed again. Unfortunately, he didn’t have the luxury of not disturbing her this time. He ducked his head close to hers and whispered, “Taryn, time to wake up.”
Ash knew the moment she woke. Her body stiffened against him. Just as quickly, she relaxed again. “I didn’t expect this,” she said quietly.
“Neither did I. And I really wish I didn’t have to disturb this perfect moment, but someone’s calling. I have to get it—it might be Caspar.”
She scrambled to sitting and he immediately missed the press of her body against his. He followed her upright and dug into his pocket for his phone. The caller ID was blank.
“This is it,” he said. He answered in audio-only mode. “Yeah?”
“Your manners need some work.” Caspar’s voice wasn’t distorted this time.
Asshole. “I didn’t realize you were calling about etiquette lessons.”
“Oh, Ash. Did they take away your sense of humor when they took your port?”
His hand started to reach for his neck before he stopped. “Where’s my sister?”
After an annoyed silence, Caspar tsked. “Not even a please?”
Ash said nothing. He wasn’t sure how long he could hold on to his temper.
“Fine. You want your sister? Do exactly as I say.”
“Proof of life first.” Ash forced the words out. He hated using his baby sister as leverage. Taryn squeezed his hand. “If anything has happened to her, you’re mine.”
“You can’t catch me, boy. But I anticipated this. Turn your video on. I’ll show you.”
Ash shook his head even though Caspar couldn’t see him. “You don’t need to see me. Send the video, I’ll see it just fine.”
For long seconds, nothing happened. Then the phone screen filled with an image of Hope in a hospital bed. Ash held the phone in front of him, his fingers curled tightly around the comm. Taryn leaned close, peering at the screen.
Familiar beeps and whirs told him the equipment was active. His heart hurt, the way it did every time he saw her small, still figure. Hope had overflowed with energy and passion.
