Page 77 of Barron

“More like an obsession,” Weaver added softly.

“No kidding,” Blade said. “Didn’t she ambush Yoanni in the locker room?”

“She did,” Barron replied. “Analise argued everything that had happened wasn’t her fault and she wanted to take Yoanni with her. Thank goodness, Yoanni refused.”

“What wasn’t her fault?” Blade squinted. “I don’t understand this piece of the puzzle yet. Something’s missing, and it could be important.” Abruptly, Blade waved the server over. “Are you guys eating? I am.” He directed his attention to Barron. “You’re assuming Analise started her research at the end of the trial. I say she began well before.”

“Fuck,” Barron murmured. “We’re talking well over a year.”

Weaver nodded. “If that’s what she did. She had plenty of time to study all of us and make her plan.”

Everyone fell silent as the server approached. She dropped menus and held up a pot of coffee. “More coffee, gentlemen?”

Blade lifted his mug, and so did Weaver.

“None for me, thanks.” Barron held his hand up; he didn’t need coffee. He was riled up enough. “I’ll take a seltzer, please?”

The server finished refilling the mugs, then smiled at Barron. “Be right back.”

She left, and Barron spoke again. “Maybe I’m dense, but I still don’t get why she’d want to go after Yoanni. Whatever the case, she has to be protected day and night. That bitch gets near my girl, I swear she won’t live to see the next day.”

Blade chuckled. “Not the smartest thing to say in front of the chief of police.”

Frowning, Barron locked his hands together and stared at the table. He meant every word. No one touched his girl. They had to go through him first.

When the server returned, she must have read the mood at the booth because she placed the seltzer in front of Barron and walked away without asking for food orders.

“I guess we scared her.” Blade laughed, holding the menu, ready to order.

“Listen, we’ll find Analise if she’s in town,” Weaver said. “My guys are on the lookout for her, and so are your MC brothers. Don’t forget the feds are scouring the area. My guess is she put Garden City in her rearview mirror and is long gone.”

“I hope so.” He gulped down half the glass.

“Relax. Take a deep breath. Keep Yoanni close to you, and before you know it, this ugly episode will be behind us.”

“Enough with the heavy,” Blade said. “What are your plans for today? How’s the agency?”

“I have a full day ahead.” Barron smiled. “The agency will open on schedule Monday morning. I believe Master Darius has a meeting with Shifter today.” He finished his drink and slid out of the booth. “I’ll swing by to check on Shifter first. After that, I’ll stop at the clubhouse. I’m asking the guys to help me straightenup and paint Yoanni’s place over the weekend, which is still a mess, and then I’m going shopping.”

“Shopping?” Weaver and Blade spoke at the same time.

“Don’t tell me, you’re getting new wheels,” Blade said.

“Nope. I’m buying paint to cover the insults Betty left on Yoanni’s walls, a new house, and a ring. Catch up with you later.” He left the booth, knowing he’d shocked both men. As he stepped outside, he sent a text to Yoanni.

Friday night = pizza. Sound good?

Yes! Yum.

Pizza night ended on a high note. Yoanni loved riding on Barron’s bike. She laughed with pure enjoyment all the way back as he growled at her for insisting on taking the leftover box home. If that earned her a spanking, so be it. It would be a perfect way to end a fun night.

“This is the first and last time you pull this stunt,” he grumbled as they entered through the kitchen.

“But Daddy.” She set the box on the counter and bent to scratch Caesar behind his ears, a ritual in the making between them. “The pizza was really good. I couldn’t leave the leftovers. We can freeze the slices and reheat them for lunch or a snack.”

“I only agreed because the restaurant is close by, and I rode at a snail’s pace.” He took off his Spawn leather jacket and tossed it over the back of the sofa. “But carrying a pizza box and holding on to me with one arm isn’t safe. Bike riding is a serious business. Do you understand?”

Yoanni wanted to argue that he was making a big deal out ofnothing and the box wasn’t that big, but she lowered her gaze instead. In a way, he did have a point. “Yes, Daddy.”

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