Page 88 of Barron

The force from the shots sent her reeling. She collapsed across the stack of boxes. Bullets struck Yoanni’s Camry as Beto fired back from his car, then peeled away without a thought for his fallen lover.

Bolting to her feet, Yoanni threw herself into his arms. “Oh, Daddy,” she sobbed, burying her face in his chest.

“It’s over, baby girl. It’s really over,” he murmured, holding her as tight as he could. He glanced one more time at Analise’s macabre pose, the empty street, then ushered his girl back inside.

As they returned to the living room, a dazed Johnny Gunstumbled out of the kitchen. Ghostly pale, he leaned a shoulder against a wall. “What happened? Did I hear shots fired?”

“You did, my friend. You need to get off your feet.”

Without releasing Yoanni, Barron helped Johnny Gun to a chair.

“Dude, my head is about to explode.”

Gripping his shoulder, Barron said, “Help is coming.” The distant wail of emergency sirens followed his words.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Aweek had passed since the incident with Analise, and it was high time to get their life back on track. Barron was losing patience. “Yoanni, how long is this going to take?” Barron asked, hands on his hips as Yoanni picked a top from one closet and dashed to the other in search of slacks, leggings, or something else that would work. For this mystery ride, they’d be on the bike, so he ruled out skirts along with a few other choices.

She came out holding her pink overalls. He loved it when she wore them, but not today.

“Nope. No rompers and no onesies. I told you we’re going on the bike. Your legs have to be covered, and you have to wear closed-toe shoes. It’s the rule. No deviation.”

“Okay, but I’m very disorganized. I don’t remember where half my stuff is.”

He sat at the edge of the bed. “I get it. Come here.” He patted his thighs, and she perched there sideways, putting one arm around his shoulders. “We had a wild week, between Captain Weaver’s intense questioning and requests for written reports.Plus, with the feds grilling my behind, we’ve had no chance to take a deep breath. But I think we’re finally over the hump on this.”

“But I want to look pretty for you.”

“You’re always pretty, Nugget. Please don’t go overboard with this. We’re going for a ride because I want to show you something I think you’ll like. We’re not going to a fancy place or anything. A pair of jeans will do.”

She took a deep breath. “If you say so, Daddy.”

“I do. On the way back, we’ll stop to get pizza. How’s that?”

Yoanni grinned. “You’ll always win my heart with pizza.”

“I know what you like. Let’s go.”

She stood, and he slapped her butt. Laughing, she dashed away. “Five minutes.”

“I’ll hold you to it,” he called after her.

Barron couldn’t have asked for a better day. The temperature was perfect, with low humidity that kept the skies pure blue and clear of clouds. An excellent day to show his future bride his vision. Soon, they were out of Garden City and heading for the outskirts of Pooler, where new neighborhoods were popping up. He rode into the residential area he liked the best so far, pulled into the model homes’ parking lot, and stopped between other cars.

Eyes wide as saucers, Yoanni climbed down and held his hand. “What are we doing here?”

“We’re browsing, and if you see anything your little heart desires, we’ll put a down payment on it.”

“Is this the surprise?”

“Uh-huh.”

She dropped her forehead on his shoulder. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Say that you love me. That’ll work.”

“But a house?”

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