Page 18 of A Raven Revived

He stopped walking. Perhaps he could, though.

He could certainly afford to provide her a good life. He may not have come here looking for her, but he had found her. Alive and well, which was more than he ever could have hoped for, and what he’d been dreaming of for years.

What if Ash was right? What if she did care for him? What if she had, in fact, been reaching out to him for more than just physical pleasure? His mind conjured the moment when she’d thrown herself into his arms in Raven House. The first time he’d heard the name Fitz from her lips in nearly four years. Nothing had ever made his soul purr the way that had.

Perhaps she really did need him, or at least want him? Well, if that was even remotely possible, he certainly wasn’t going to abandon her for a second time.

* * *

Daisy had only been in her room a few minutes when Gwen knocked and let herself in. “Come to give me a second lecture?”

She sighed as she closed the door. “Don’t be like that. We’re still friends.”

Guilt instantly filled her gut. “Of course we are. I’m sorry.” She got to her feet and wrapped Gwen in a hug. It wasn’t like Daisy to be grumpy or spiteful. She was usually a lot like her namesake, bright and cheerful.

“I know things have changed a bit since I married Ash, but I haven’t forgotten the kindness you always showed me. Nor have I forgotten how many rules I broke while I was your roommate just a short time ago. I am familiar with the silly things we’ll do when our hearts are drawn to someone.”

Daisy nodded. “I suppose you are, but you didn’t sneak out of the house, at least.”

Gwen laughed. “Only because I didn’t have to. Ash was just upstairs.”

“How did you do it, Gwen? I mean, before. Fitz wants to invest in The Raven’s Den. What will happen when he’s my boss and I’m still drawn to him? I’ve never had that with the others.”

Gwen placed a hand on her shoulder. “That isn’t going to happen. Not after last night.”

“What do you mean? Did Ash tell you something?”

“No, but I know him. He won’t allow someone in if it’s going to cause problems, and whatever is between the two of you, it would definitely be a problem.”

Great. Fitz was going to miss out on the investment he wanted because she’d been unable to control herself.

“Now, there’s something else we need to discuss.” Gwen steered her over to sit on the side of her bed and pulled up a chair. “Ash needs to know how you were able to leave here without anyone noticing, especially in the state you were in.”

“If I tell you my secrets, how am I going to sneak out again next time?”

Gwen raised her brow in a very Ash-like manner.

“You’re starting to act like him, you know.”

Pink blossomed in Gwen’s cheeks as she smiled. “I am not.”

“You are,” Daisy teased with a nod.

Gwen folded her arms across her chest, but her smile remained. “Stop it. You’re just trying to distract me.”

Daisy shrugged. “Perhaps I am.” She sighed. “I don’t want someone else to be in trouble for what I did, and I know they will be.”

Gwen shook her head. “They won’t be in trouble for what you did, Daisy. If they weren’t doing their job properly, then that’s their own fault. Ash needs to know that, though.”

“I know,” Daisy said with a resigned sigh. She hated to get Brennan into trouble, but Gwen was right. Ash did need to know, even if he was going to be angry.

“Brennan leaves his post at the backdoor for maybe a half hour around the same time every night he’s stationed there. I never knew why until last night. I don’t know if it’s always been the same, but that time, he was meeting with a woman.” Daisy giggled, but Gwen didn’t.

“How long have you been aware of this, Daisy?”

“I don’t know.” Daisy shrugged. “A while.” It was clear from Gwen’s expression that this was more serious than Daisy had realized. “You don’t think Ash will sack him, do you?”

“I don’t know. Brennan is one of his most loyal. He’s been with Ash for a long time.”

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