Taryn broke the kiss with a groan. “Dani, this is why I promoted you. Soyoucould handle problems for me.”
It had been a long week since she’d rescued Ash from Portia Tremaine. For Taryn, the sadness of Rhonda’s passing from Vyne-inflicted injuries had been tempered by Ash’s presence. Having a man live with her—live withallof them—had been an adjustment. There were still kinks to work out, but all in all, it had been a positive change.
Ash swiveled the chair so they both faced the door. Dani definitely looked concerned.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, slipping into the Jack role.
Dani’s mouth opened and closed like a fish. Finally, she said, “You need to see it. Both of you.”
Taryn exchanged a concerned look with Ash. “The Jack’s work is never done,” he said wryly.
“Fine. But you better not be messing with me, Dani.” Taryn stood. “We’ll be right behind you.”
Dani closed the door with a nod. “Good. And hurry.”
Ash stood and she watched hungrily as he adjusted himself. “She better have a good reason for interrupting us,” she said. “I had plans for you.”
A wicked grin crossed his face. “Hold that thought. We can pick this up later.”
They were at the bar a minute later. “Okay, what’s the problem?”
Dani looked at her then pointed toward a table tucked into the corner.
Taryn’s gaze panned over the table. What was the— She looked at the table again, recognizing the woman.
“I think it’s Portia Tremaine,” Dani whispered.
Ohmygod. What was she doing here? And why was she dressed like that? Taryn shared a look with Ash before they moved as one toward the shadowed corner.
“What a surprise,” Taryn said when she reached the table. She didn’t say Portia’s name. “I never expected to see you here.”
“I was told the bar had good drinks. A dozen beers on tap, more by the bottle, and a decent selection of booze and wine?”
Hearing her words parroted back at her, Taryn smiled. “You heard right. What can I get you?”
Panic crossed Portia’s face. “Surprise me,” she said finally.
“Get her the house special,” Ash said. It was the first time he’d spoken since Dani had pointed Portia out.
“Sure, one house special coming up. Will you be okay here?” Taryn asked him quietly.
“I’ll be fine,” he said.
Taryn walked back to the bar and quickly mixed up three of the drinks. When she returned, Ash was sitting at the table with Portia.
Taryn studied the two of them as she approached. Portia’s signature fair hair was pulled into a severe braid that she’d tucked under her shirt. Her cargo pants had so many pockets they would have done a street rat proud. They were worn, too. Worn enough that even if her outfit had started life as designer clothes, there was no way to tell now.
Despite the camouflage, Taryn never forgot how dangerous the other woman was.
“Flashin’ Jacks all around.” Taryn set the drinks on the table and grabbed an open seat. “Welcome to Razor Jack’s.” She raised her glass. The others echoed the toast and clinked glasses.
Portia looked at the bright yellow drink and took a tiny sip. Then she looked around the bar. “Tommy and I used to come to a place like this. Not here. Never in Seattle.” She stared into the distance while she spoke. “We were both too recognizable around the city. We’d dress down, take an inconspicuous car, and drive for hours just to get a beer.”
Taryn reached over to squeeze Ash’s hand. He looked as pensive as Portia and she knew it was the mention of the other woman’s husband. “That sounds like fun,” she said to fill the growing silence.
Portia looked up. When she caught Ash staring at her, she smiled. “What, you think I don’t know how to have fun?”
Ash opened and closed his mouth a few times before words came out. “Well, yeah. No one thinks you know how to have fun,” he blurted.
