“Move the fuck out of her way,” Barron growled behind Betty. The woman jerked and swung around.
“Bastard! You’re one of them,” she let out a shriek. Curving her fingers into claws, she stabbed at his face. He jumped out of Betty’s reach, then, grasping her wrist, he tossed her away from Yoanni. She stumbled several paces, then slammed her back against the wall. Betty recovered, made a move to leave, but Barron grabbed her arm. “What’s your fucking problem, bitch? Talk.”
“You!” she yelled. “You’re my problem. You and your friends did this.”
“Did what? Who are you, really?” Betty stared at him wildly. “Answer me.” He shook her.
“I don’t know why she’s so upset, but she’s scared.” Yoanni spoke softly behind him.
“She doesn’t look scared to me, baby. I don’t buy it.”
“What the hell’s going on in here?” A dungeon monitor banged on a locker. Barron turned to the DM and relaxed his hold. Betty took advantage of his distraction, twisted free, and bolted out of the locker room.
Holding back a curse, he turned to Yoanni. “You okay?”
Yoanni nodded.
“Come on, baby. She won’t bother you again.” He brought Yoanni to his side and slowly walked out of the locker room. “Did Betty explain anything?”
“What she said made no sense. First, she wanted me to go with her. When I said no, she went wild, saying it wasn’t her fault and she had to do it. But she didn’t explain what or who. Oh, onething was different. She’d mentioned something about a promise she couldn’t break.”
“Well, she’s gone now. We’re out of here.”
“What about Deacon? We can’t leave him,” she said once they were outside the locker room.
His stomach still churning with worry and fury, he glanced down at his girl. “You’re amazing. You could have been hurt, and now you’re worried about Deacon?”
“I’m unharmed, thanks to you. I feel bad for him. He’s so alone. Shouldn’t we help him?”
“Yes, we should. But you’re going to stay where I put you, and I don’t want to hear a single complaint out of those pretty lips. Got it?”
“Got it.”
Holding her hand, Barron headed straight for the exit. As he reached the metal door, Johnny Gun came out of the crowd.
“Have you located Deacon?” Johnny asked.
“No, man. We just had a situation with Iris. Remember her?”
“She’s here?”
“Well, she’s somewhere around the club. But that’s not all. Iris isn’t her real name.”
“What?”
“I’ll tell you more later. We have to find Deacon before he runs into Killer and the cartel men. Before we do, I’m taking Yoanni to Marie. It’s the safest place for her.”
Yoanni gave him an exaggerated eye roll, which crossed over into sass territory. Johnny Gun caught it and laughed. Pressing his lips into a hard line, Barron narrowed his eyes. Yoanni read trouble on his face and lowered her gaze.
It was too damned bad if she didn’t want to stay with Marie. Things could get hot inside the club, and he wanted her far from any danger. Later, they would have yet another conversation about this topic. She’d agreed to follow Daddy’s rules without apeep. He had zero tolerance for sass and disobedience, especially when her safety was on the line.
“This way, young lady.” He pressed his hand against her back. Johnny Gun opened the door for them, and Barron nudged her inside.
“Leaving so soon?” Marie stood from her seat.
“I need a huge favor, Marie.” Barron brought a silent and meek Yoanni forward. “Something urgent has come up. Johnny G and I have to go back inside to find our friend, but we need to move quickly. May I leave Yoanni with you? Just for a few minutes.”
“Anything for you, handsome.” Marie smiled. “Pull up one of those chairs. Put it next to mine so Yoanni and I can chat while you find your friend.”