by Black, Regan
To her, the stranger was a walking nightmare. He frightened her, stalking across the street and demanding information they didn’t have, his lean, attentive dog at his side. She’d tried to believe it was chance, some random stranger suffering a delusion, but that was even more improbable than the reality her cousin had just begun to explain.
“There is no time to waste. I need answers immediately,” Wayne said. “How was the dagger stolen?”
Nick winced at the demand and Tara leaped to his defense. “Are your ears full of cotton?” She was tall among the women of her family, but Wayne made her feel petite. “Nick said he’d explain when we have some privacy.”
“That is enough out of you,” Wayne shot back. “This isn’t your business.”
“Quiet. Both of you,” Nick intervened, stepping between them. “You’re drawing attention.”
“In Time’s Square?” She waved a hand. “Who would notice us over the Naked Cowboy,” she flicked a hand that direction, “or anyone else?”
She clamped her mouth shut at Nick’s sharp glare. She probably shouldn’t piss off the one family member she’d confided in. “Fine. We can take the subway back to the pub.”
“He won’t be happy on the subway,” Nick countered. “And the pub isn’t safe.”
“We can’t walk across the East River either,” Tara said. “Unless that’s another trick up your sleeve.”
“Do you not have horses?” Wayne asked.
Tara laughed. “We don’t have horses in the city.”
“Trouble,” Nick interjected. He held up his hand, palm facing Wayne. “Can you, umm...” He gestured for Wayne to mirror his movement.
The bigger man frowned as he pressed his palm to Nick’s in the slowest high five ever recorded. “What’s that about?” Tara asked. “What are you doing?” Neither man answered her.
Wayne faced one way, his dog the other and she watched the man’s blue eyes travel from passersby to billboards and back again. She couldn’t see anything out of the ordinary, except the man in front of her.
“My arrival has not gone unnoticed.” Wayne sounded proud of himself.
Nick nodded. “Take a cab.” He pressed a card into Tara’s hand. “Take Wayne and the dog to this address and stay there with them. You’ll all be safe there. I’ll meet you as soon as I can and we can make a plan.”
Her cousin had been muttering off and on about the danger to her since she’d admitted the theft to him late last night. “I can’t just go into hiding. You know I have to get back to the pub.”
“The pub will wait,” Nick said in the tone her uncle, his father, had used to halt many a family argument.
“Is that so?” She cocked her hip and folded her arms over her chest. “I’ll let you explain that to Ma.”
The color leached from his face. “You’re not safe until we recover the dagger. Aunt Siobhan would agree with me if you told her, so go ahead.”
Her earlier threat had been all bluster and they both knew it. She had no intention of admitting this fiasco to anyone else in the family or otherwise. “Fine.” She drilled a finger into his chest. “I’ll babysit your new - old - friend. But you owe me answers.” She gave him her back as she hailed a cab.
“You’ll have them.” Nick’s eyes, normally full of laughter, were grim and serious. “He’ll keep you safe,” he said at her ear when the cab stopped at the curb.
Sure Wayne was big and intimidating, but she had her doubts about his ability to fend off a modern-day attack. “I can take care of myself.”
“What is this carriage?” Wayne asked.
“It’s called a taxi,” she said, opening the door. “In you go.”
“I beg your pardon?” He frowned at the vehicle. She shot Nick a dark look. “Oh, this will be great.” Reaching out, she thought better of her intention to touch the man, instead, snapping her fingers for his dog. “Come on, sweetie. This way,” she crooned as she ducked into the back seat.
“You slide in across the bench,” Nick explained to Wayne. “Like a wagon or carriage.”
Wayne’s broad chest rose and fell on a deep inhale and exhale. He closed his eyes briefly, his fingertips resting lightly on his dog’s head. The dog jumped in willingly and after another moment, Wayne followed.
She gave the address Nick had provided to the driver and prayed they made it across the bridge without any more outrageous questions.
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Reader Note
Timeless Vision is an exciting new venture for me as I dive back into my passion for paranormal romance and explore the timeless power of love and hope with fascinating characters like Wayne and Tara. If you’ve enjoyed Heart of Time, please let others know by leaving a review where you purchased the book, or wherever you like to connect with readers.
Many, many thanks to my newsletter subscribers who suggested Siobhan, the perfect name for Tara’s mother!
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Live the adventure!
~Regan
About the Author
Regan Black, a USA Today bestselling author, writes award-winning, action-packed romantic suspense, paranormal, and urban fantasy novels featuring kick-butt heroines and the sexy heroes who fall in love with them.
Raised in the Midwest and California, she currently makes her home with her family, their adopted greyhound, two arrogant cats, and a quirky finch in the South Carolina Lowcountry where the rich blend of legend, romance, and history fuels her imagination.
You can visit her online anytime at www.ReganBlack.com and find a full list of her books at her website or her author page at Amazon.