“But I kept his sister captive.”
“Yeah, that would make it very difficult for me,” Taryn admitted. “If you really want to know, you’ll have to ask him.”
“Did you take her?” Portia asked suddenly.
Did Taryn detect a note of concern in her voice? “Not the first time. I’m the one who got her back from the hacker collective.”
“Is she safe?”
“Yes. She is.”
“I’m glad.”
They’d concluded their negotiations, but there was something else. “Ash said there was a possible cure for brain burn in the network.”
“Yes, he mentioned that in passing,” Portia admitted quietly.
Taryn nodded. “Apparently your father decided that there wasn’t enough value in the idea and shelved it. I’d like the cure as well.”
“What’s it worth to you?” Portia asked.
“Knowing I helped a woman trapped in a coma get her life back.” Her voice carried a bite. Shouldn’t that be enough?
Apparently, Portia got the message. “Fine. If he doesn’t have it already, he can copy it from the system. I would also like it sent to me, so I have the data available.”
“Fine.” Taryn extended her hand. Portia stood and didn’t hesitate to shake Taryn’s cyberarm.
Portia rose another notch in Taryn’s estimation. She knew Portia was un-modded, but she hadn’t known how she reacted around enhanced people.
“It was a pleasure doing business with you,” Taryn said. Sure, it was half sarcastic, but it was also half true. Portia Tremaine was a savvy businesswoman. Taryn had held her own and rescued the man she loved.
Portia’s smile reminded her of a shark. “Until next time,” she said.
“Can you please have Ash waiting for me in the lobby?”
With a regal nod, Portia agreed. She escorted Taryn all the way to the elevator.
Chapter62
Ash paced backand forth in the Tremaine headquarters lobby. When Tremaine Security had come to his cell, he’d been sure he was done for. Instead, they’d escorted him up here. They were still loosely gathered around him, but no one had drawn their weapons. “What am I doing here?” he asked for the millionth time.
Like all the other times, they ignored him.
The elevator opened and his breath caught. Taryn stepped out, looking 100 percent like the Jack.
“What did you do?” He hurried toward her, half expecting security to restrain him. They didn’t.
He engulfed her in his arms. “Where were you?” His voice was gruff and slightly muffled since his face was pressed into her hair.
Her arms wrapped around his waist. “Meeting with Portia.”
He let her go and stepped back. “What?” He couldn’t possibly have heard that right. “Are you okay? What did she want?” He had so many questions.
“It wasn’t about what she wanted. It was about whatIwanted.” She looked triumphant.
“What did you want?”
“You,” she said. “And Hope. I know you’re a package deal.”
