Page 69 of Barron

As Yoanni stepped into her heels, Barron typed a quick text to Johnny G.

I’m taking Yoanni home. Killer’s here with three cartel guys. I’ll try to find Deacon before he finds Killer and company.

Understood. Kathy didn’t come tonight. I’m done here. I’ll meet you out front.

A quick, quiet retreat from Nightshade was the smartest move to make. Barron put his phone into his pocket, but a new text dinged. Shifter’s name appeared on the screen.

I have Betty’s identity. I’m at the agency. Leave the club and come straight here. I’m texting Captain Weaver now.

He typed back:

Guess what? We ran into Betty here. She goes by the name of Iris.

Wait till you see what I found.

On my way. I’m taking Yoanni home first.

Don’t. Bring her.

He put the phone away, cursing under his breath. “Change in plans. We have to meet up with Shifter, our IT guy at the agency.”

“You mean now?” She fiddled with the strap of her shoe.

“Yes. New info has come up, and apparently, it’s big.”

“You’re kidding, right?”

“No. I asked him to work on Betty’s photo. The answer’s back, and he wants me to see it tonight.”

“Okay.” She straightened her skirt. “I’m ready, but my things are in the locker.”

“We’ll pick them up on our way out.”

He put an arm around her shoulders, and, holding her close, he moved through the crowd. Once he reached the dungeon’s midpoint, he turned into a side passage. Few people knew this short cut. At the entrance of the changing room, he held up the phone screen with the lock combination.

“It’s okay, I memorized it before,” she said and dashed inside.

Barron shifted from foot to foot while he waited for Yoanni to come out. An eternity went by. He hadn’t made it clear before she went in, but he knew Yoanni understood the urgency. They had no time to waste. He glanced at his watch. Another five minutes? Still, no Yoanni. What could possibly be keeping her?

Two ladies wearing identical neck-to-ankle leather body suits and heavy boots emerged from the dressing room.

“Nightshade is going downhill,” said one. “These days, anyone is allowed in.”

“That poor girl?—”

Barron didn’t wait to hear more. He bolted inside.

“Yoanni! Where are you?” he shouted, alerting any women in the room of his presence.

“Here, Daddy!”

He followed her voice around a wall of lockers. On the next turn, he found her at the end of the room, trying to escape Iris/Betty’s harassment. Yoanni moved to the right, and Betty rushed to block her. Frustration glaring on her face, Yoanni stomped her foot, a sure sign his baby was angry. She faked a move to the left, then darted back to the right, but Betty guessed her ploy and blocked her again. Amid the back and forth, Betty’s urgent pleas reached him.

Holding her belongings to her chest like a shield, Yoannishook her head, refusing to listen. “No. No! Get out of my way, Betty.”

“But you don’t understand. I had to do it, Yoanni. They left me no choice. Please listen to me. He’ll do the same to you.”

“Who?” Yoanni asked. “Who is making you do this?”

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