Page 64 of Barron

Barron pulled her aside in the kitchen. “What’s the matter, Nugget?”

“Oh, nothing.”

“Wrong. Try again with the truth, or you get the corner.”

“You’d do that?” Her hazel eyes couldn’t go any wider.

“Yes. Either we start on the right foot, or we go nowhere.”

“Okay.” She lowered her gaze. “He’s in so much pain.”

Well, fuck. Not the answer Barron was expecting or the bewildering revelation. Yoanni was an empath. Funny he’d never noticed that before about her. Here was another surprising aspect of her amazing personality. Life with Yoanni promised to be a constant adventure, one undiscovered trait after another.

Touching her cheek, he studied her expression. “Really, Nugget? You see pain?”

“Uh-huh.” She winced, tapping her chest. “It’s so bad, I feel it.”

“Is this common? I mean, does it happen often?”

She shrugged. “Sometimes. The feeling just comes.”

He straightened and glanced at Deacon, who now paced his small living room, with new eyes. If Yoanni, a total stranger, had sensed such heavy emotions in the older biker, Barron could go a little easier on him. He knew about demons and how tightly they held on to a man’s soul.

“I love you, Nugget.” He kissed her head, then held her hand. “Come on. Let’s get this party started.”

Back in the living room, Barron asked Deacon, “Do you have the club’s address?”

“I have it in my phone,” Deacon replied, patting the pocket of his vest. “But I’ll follow you.”

“Sounds good. I’m taking the truck. We’ll be out of the garage in a second.”

With a nod, Deacon walked out the front door, and Barron locked the bolt behind him.

Moments later, Barron pulled out, waved at Deacon where he waited on his bike, and drove off toward Nightshade’s quiet industrial neighborhood.

As he pulled into the parking lot, he noticed Johnny G’s bike right away. Deacon must have seen it as well because he parked next to it. A good thing to do, from Barron’s point of view. There was always safety in numbers, and two or more bikes parked together sent a clear message to everyone: “We’re not alone. So, fuck off.” The last part was Barron’s.

He dashed around the side and helped Yoanni descend. The obvious thrill in her expression made the night worth it. She didn’t speak, but her bright eyes locked with his, and he knew he’d made the right choice. Deacon joined them, and together they walked inside.

Johnny G waved at their little group. “Hey, guys. Marie’s waiting to check you in.”

“Barron, are these your guests?” Marie asked, holding up two wristbands. She then pushed a clipboard his way. “Print names and sign, please. I also need some form of ID.”

Once the formalities were finished, Barron slid Yoanni’s wristband on and led her to the heavy entry door.

“Ready?”

Smiling, she nodded quickly.

Chuckling to himself, he ushered her in. Deacon walked right past them without saying a word. Barron shrugged. The biker could take care of himself, unless he got into hot water or made a scene. No pun intended. In which case, Barron would have to get involved for the sake of the Spawn’s Nightshade membership.

Barron scanned the length of the dungeon. For a Thursday night, the place was unusually busy. Standing in a crowded section down the center aisle, Master Darius’s huge form was impossible to miss. He glanced away from a rigging demonstration and gave them an acknowledging gesture but didn’t come over.

“I’m going to walk around the place,” Johnny G said.

“Kathy?”

“Yes. Call if you need me. My phone’s not silent.”

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