Page 16 of A Raven Revived

She nodded and turned to pull open the door.

“Fitz, I’d like a word with you, please,” Ash said.

With a sigh, she left them and made the walk down the long hall to her room at the very end.

* * *

Fitz stared after her as she disappeared from view. If he hadn’t suddenly turned up in her life again, none of this would have happened.

“Close the door and have a seat, Fitz.”

He rolled his eyes. Time for his own lecture, presumably.

“Thank you again, for sending that note, Fitz. I would have had a search party out looking for her, otherwise, and I am grateful.”

Fitz settled himself into the chair, once more. “It was the least I could do.”

“Well, many would have been too afraid of the consequences, and not bothered. Especially after the last interaction you had with the four of us concerning Daisy.”

He shrugged. “I did think someone would break down the door at some point.”

Ash chuckled but shook his head. “You gave me your word. I tend to be a pretty good judge of character, and I believe your word is good.”

“That is a compliment, indeed. I doubt you give your trust easily.”

“I don’t, which is why I’m disappointed to say I will have to turn down your investment offer.”

“Hoping for someone a bit more biddable?”

Ash scoffed. “You’ve met my partners. Do they seem very biddable to you? I’m actually pleased you were willing to stand up to me for Daisy’s sake.”

“Why then?”

“Because of her. As the owners, we are their employers, and we do not have any kind of romantic entanglements with them.”

“Nothing happened last night, Ash.” He knew it to be untrue even as the words left his mouth. He may not have actually laid hands on her, but they had shared an intimate experience, nonetheless.

“Nothing physical, perhaps, but you obviously care for her, or you wouldn’t be here right now. Don’t mistake my meaning, I am grateful that you didn’t take advantage of her while she was quite clearly in a very vulnerable state. I imagine it wasn’t easy.”

Fitz barked a laugh and scrubbed his hands over his face. “You have no idea.”

“I probably do, actually.”

There was a light tap, the door opened, and a woman peeked in.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Ash. I thought Daisy would be in here.”

He shook his head. “No, I’ve just finished with her. She should be in her room now. But since you’re here, I’d like you to meet Fitz. Fitz, this is my wife, Gwen.”

Fitz got to his feet. “It’s a pleasure,” he said, bowing over her hand. “I was hoping to meet the woman behind the stories. The woman who somehow managed to make a man made out of solid stone bend his knee.” He winked and a light flush bloomed in her cheeks.

“Careful, Fitz, or I’ll have to call you out for flirting with my wife.”

“Stop it, Ash. It’s about time someone dared to flirt with me.”

As she looked at her husband, the connection between them was obvious. Theirs was, without question, a love match.

“Thank you for keeping Daisy safe, Fitz.” She smiled, and then shook her head with a sigh. “I have a hard time even criticizing her. She was my roommate, after all, when I was… well, before Ash and I wed.”

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