Chapter 17

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

S aturday morning, Yoanni wasn’t a bundle of joy when he drove her to the MC’s clubhouse.

“Why are you dropping me off here?” she grumbled. “I can work, you know. I’m not a useless sack of potatoes, and I don’t need a babysitter.”

Barron scowled. “You’re not useless or a sack of any kind. Evidently, you thought—all on your own—you’d take part in the cleanup. Had you asked me, I would’ve told you to forget it.”

“But, Daddy?—”

He came around her door and helped her down. “I’m getting tired of the bratty buts, little girl. My brothers and I are cleaning and painting and bringing the cottage back to normal. We won’t let you near a paintbrush or a vacuum cleaner. Did you think you’d supervise and give instructions to a bunch of Dominant Daddy bikers? Think again.” Holding her arm, he strode toward the clubhouse. “And be nice when we go in. Cel is a lovely person and a Little same as you. She can be a good friend, and she’s looking forward to seeing you. Plus, the Johnstons are doing me a huge favor. ”

“Huh?”

“They’re watching over you while I’m busy. You’re not staying alone until Analise is picked up. Did you forget about her?”

Before Barron could knock, Blade opened the front door. Cel, with her five-year-old son embracing her leg, smiled as he ushered Yoanni into the heart of the MC, the TV-and-hangout room.

“Welcome,” Cel said, extending an arm to Yoanni. Moving from her spot with Little Jerrod clinging to her leg seemed a difficult prospect. “I’m so happy to see you. Beautiful as always. It’s been a long time. We get to catch up and hang out today, and maybe tomorrow too, I hear.”

Yoanni turned Barron’s way. “Tomorrow too?”

Barron arched a warning eyebrow. “Paint takes time to dry, and we may need two coats to cover the red letters. The work could extend to tomorrow. Are we clear?”

Wisely, she backed down. “Yes, Daddy.”

“Nicely done. Rebellion in the ranks is controlled.” Blade laughed as he came out of the hallway. “Good morning, guys.”

“Daddy!” The little boy released his mother’s leg and ran to Blade, who tossed him high and caught him while he giggled ecstatically.

“What a beautiful ring.” Now free to move, Cel walked closer to Yoanni and gently picked up her left hand. “Congratulations. Have you decided on a date?”

Yoanni blushed deep red. Blade gave him a knowing glance and a nod. Barron guessed his prez remembered yesterday’s comment about shopping when he left the coffee shop.

“I proposed last night,” Barron answered Cel. “And she accepted me, but we didn’t get too far into the plans. Once her cottage is fixed up and returned to the leasing agency, we can check out a few places and maybe set a date. Right, baby?” He remained evasive on purpose. He wasn’t ready to spill all his surprises.

“Whatever you say, Daddy.”

She kept her gaze lowered; her voice revealed simmering irritation. Fuck, she was still testy with him because he wouldn’t let her work. He’d take care of that tonight. Ten minutes staring at the corner would settle her down.

At least the smile she gave Cel was genuine.

“You know?” Yoanni glanced around the room. “I’ve only seen this part of the clubhouse. I’ve always been curious. Where do you spend most of your time?”

“Let me show you,” Cel said right away, then glanced at Blade. “Daddy, do you have Little Jerrod? I want to show Yoanni the place.”

“Of course, hun. Take her around. Show her every room.” Blade emphasized the word room . Barron knew he referred to the Little play area Blade had built for Cel years ago. Some of the brothers had mentioned the room as something special. He’d never seen it himself.

“I’ll take care of our baby,” Blade continued. “Barron and I have a couple of things to discuss before he joins the others.”

Cel beamed at Blade. “I love you, Daddy.” Focusing her attention on Yoanni, the much-taller Cel put an arm around her shoulders. “This place is a lot bigger than it appears from the outside. Our living quarters are to the left of Blade’s office. Come.”

“Sounds like a maze.” Yoanni allowed Cel to lead her without resisting.

“Pretty accurate statement,” Cel said. “The first time I went around the clubhouse, I almost got lost. Blade made fun of me.”

“I heard that, and I didn’t make fun of you,” Blade shouted as the two women disappeared into the connecting passageway. Cel’s distant laughter responded to his comment.

Blade picked up a transformer toy from the coffee table and handed it to Little Jerrod, who immediately wiggled the piece in different positions and sat down on the sofa. “Take a load off.” He signaled at the recliner facing him. “The brothers can get a head start without you. They know what to do.”

“I’m so grateful for their help.” Exhaling, Barron sat. “And for Cel’s too. Yoanni lost her only friend when Emily moved in with Cutter. I have my brothers’ support and she’s missing that connection. It’s okay for her to lean on me, but she should have her own friends, especially women who think and feel like she does.”

“Cel’s pretty special. You and I can encourage their friendship. Bring her around more often. You rarely did in the past.”

“Don’t remind me. I was a real jerk. I kept her at arm’s length because I was a know-it-all. You have no idea how I regret my actions.”

“Lessons learned from the past. You’ve turned the corner in the right direction. Congratulations on your engagement. It’s about time. Does she know you’re house hunting?”

“Dude.”

Blade laughed. “They can’t hear us, and I didn’t miss the paint, ring, and house comment. The ring is on her finger, and the painting is happening as we speak. The only thing missing is the house.”

“I stopped by a couple of new developments and checked out the model homes. I also took information from a few more. I can’t wait to see her face when she realizes we’re buying a home. I’ll take her around the site once the cottage is returned to the leasing agency and she’s settled in with me.”

“How long before you’re all squared away?”

He shrugged. “If we work quickly, by tomorrow night, we can pack up the rest of her belongings, which isn’t much, and the deal is done. ”

“I’m curious: why did you wait to move her things until after the cleanup?”

“Analise left a mess. I didn’t want Yoanni to see the destruction.” He shook his head. “Not a happy memory to have.”

“Makes sense. You’re on your way.” Blade nodded. “I’m happy for you both.” Little Jerrod squealed a protest. Blade calmly took the toy from the little boy, wiggled a resisting arm into place, and gave it back. Jerrod glanced at his daddy with adoring eyes.

“Thanks for watching over Yoanni. With Analise on the loose, I’m not comfortable leaving her alone in the house, and hanging out with a bunch of guys, even if they’re my MC brothers, is out of the question.” Barron glanced at his watch. “I have to go soon. Do you know how the feds figured out Killer’s location? And what happened to the cartel guys?”

“The cartel guys went underground without a trace. But the Killer situation is going to bite us in the ass. Don’t ask me how he did it. Deacon convinced Killer to meet him at one of the squares in Savannah, then he snitched the place to the feds. When I confronted him, Deacon said payback was way overdue.”

“Killer had nothing to do with Warden’s death.”

“No shit. But Deacon can’t let go. Revenge has consumed his mind and changed him. He’s not the same fun-loving biker from years ago.”

“That means Rover’s gonna demand payback. And the cycle repeats.”

“It’s generational,” Blade muttered. “I hate to say it, but the feud will go on as long as Rover, Gunner, and Deacon live.”

“Is Deacon still in town?”

“Nope. He’s gone. Took Isolde and rode north. But you and I know this is just the beginning. He’ll need a protective detail. Guys to watch his back because the Steel Wolves are coming.”

Barron rubbed his hands over his face and up into his hair, trying to erase Johnny Gun’s face from his vision. He could see it already. Hands down, his friend would volunteer before anyone else to protect Isolde’s father.

“Okay. Let’s deal with this when it comes. Right now, I can only focus on Analise. I won’t breathe until the bitch is picked up.”

“I hear you, my man. We’re all on it.”

He stood. “Gotta go. Where do I find them? I want to say goodbye.”

“I’ll take you.”

Holding Little Jerrod in his arms, Blade stood and headed for the connecting passage. A couple of turns later, Barron stood on the threshold of an adorable Little room.

A collection of pretty crayon drawings on canvas, framed cartoon graphics, and multicolored neon signs in the shapes of hearts, stars, and crescent moons decorated the walls painted in a soft yellow. Shelves were loaded with stuffies in different sizes and shapes. A white crib and rocking chair stood by a wall under the window. A vintage record player with a stack of 45 rpm records took one corner. He didn’t have to play the records to know they were all lullabies and children’s songs. In the center of the floor, a plastic tea set decorated a child-sized table.

Cel and Yoanni sat in front of each other in small chairs, laughing and chatting. They had glitter all over their fingers. It warmed his heart to see her happy, so at ease and protected, and far removed from another woman’s evil intent.

She saw him, jumped to her feet, and rushed to hug him. “Daddy.”

“I’m going to the cottage, babe.” Caressing her hair, he kissed her forehead. “I’ll pick you up later, okay? Be a good girl.”

“I will.”

He kissed her again and walked out. An aching sensation gripped his throat. Even though he knew she was having fun, he hated leaving her.

Barron was pleased. The project known among the MC brothers as Yoanni’s home rescue job progressed faster than even he’d imagined it would. By Sunday late morning, the place was sparkling clean, the furniture was returned to its original place, and not a speck of garish red paint or insulting words remained on the walls. His MC brothers’ efforts had erased every trace of Analise’s attack on his sweetheart’s place. He and Johnny Gun—the last two to leave the site—inspected the cottage top to bottom and approved.

They could move on to the final phase, which included packing her clothes and kitchen items.

That afternoon, as Barron moved about his garage, collecting and stacking boxes to carry Yoanni’s wardrobe and her pots and pans, he recalled his conversation with Johnny G:

“What do you think?” Barron asked.

“It’s done,” Johnny G said. “But I’d wait a couple of hours. The smell of paint is still pretty overpowering.”

“You’re right. I’ll come back around five and check the smell. If it’s bearable, we move what’s left tonight.”

Barron returned to the cottage at five, not that he was anxious or anything to end this, opened the door, and sniffed. The odor was bearable, and if all three moved quickly, they could dispatch the job in thirty minutes tops. As he returned to his bike and mounted, he texted Johnny G.

The smell ain’t bad. Let’s do this.

Johnny G replied right away.

I’ll meet you there in twenty.

Done.

With that settled, Barron called Yoanni’s phone.

“Hey, Daddy.”

“I’m swinging by to pick you up. The cottage is ready, and Johnny G will help us. Between the three of us, we’ll get it done.”

“Cool. Cel offered to help too, but I told her it wasn’t necessary.”

“You’re right. Thank her for me. I’m very grateful she kept you company.”

A flurry of voices and sounds came after he spoke.

“What was that?”

Yoanni laughed. “That was Cel saying you better bring me back.”

“I will, hun. As soon as you’re all squared away. Give me fifteen minutes. I’d like to double check the truck is loaded. Wait for me on the porch. Okay?”

“Okay, Daddy.”

Back in his garage, he counted the boxes once more. Satisfied they had enough to complete the job, he loaded the stack in the truck bed, dropped two extra boxes in the crew cab, and took off at top speed. He could barely contain his excitement, but he cautioned himself to slow down. The last thing he needed was a speeding ticket to ruin the evening. In less than an hour, Yoanni would officially move with him. They were ready to begin their new life.

Ten minutes later, he pulled in front of the clubhouse. Blade, Cel, holding Little Jerrod in her arms, and Yoanni waited for him on the porch.

As he jumped out to open the passenger door for her, Blade called out, “Are you sure you don’t need more hands? We’re happy to help. ”

“Thanks. We’ll be fine.” He waved, gave Yoanni a boost up, and jumped back behind the wheel.

“Bye. See you soon.” The truck tires, crunching gravel and soil, drowned out Yoanni’s voice.

“Are you sad, Nugget?”

“Not sad. I realized how much I enjoyed her company.”

“I’m glad you had a good time. You need each other. Blade and I were talking about it, and once you’re settled in, you’ll get together again. We’ll have them over for dinner. Would you like that?” He extended his hand to her. She entwined her fingers with his.

“Thank you, Daddy. I’d love it.”

“Then it’s settled.”

Barron drove through the city streets. During the week, the highway was usually faster, but it took him several miles out of the way. On Sunday evenings, traffic was almost nonexistent. Dinner hour approached, and most folks were home. He slowed as he entered Yoanni’s soon-to-be old street.

She pointed at her house. “Look. The garage door is open. Johnny Gun beat us.”

His friend’s bike straddled the driveway behind the opened door. The nose of his girl’s Camry peeked out. Barron pulled in behind him, and Yoanni, without waiting for his help, jumped down.

“Hold up,” he said.

“Come on, Daddy.” She grabbed two large boxes from the crew cab and slammed the door closed. “Why can’t I go in? Johnny G’s already inside.”

“Good grief.” He threw his hands up in defeat. Yoanni’s Cuban enthusiasm was impossible to tamp down. Might as well get used to it.

“Okay, go. ”

“I’ll go through the front door.” Laughing, she pushed the door in with her shoulder and dashed into the cottage with her two oversized boxes.

He rearranged the boxes in the truck’s bed into two piles. He carried one pile halfway into the garage, dropped it next to her car, then went back for the other pile. A crashing sound stopped him.

“Yoanni?” he shouted, rushing to the door she’d gone into. “Are you all right? Did you fall?” He moved through the shadowy living room. Only one light was turned on. He turned on the wall switch. The living room looked the same as when he’d seen it earlier in the day. The pungent smell of paint had faded to a faint reminder.

“Nugget? Yoanni?” he called again. Silence answered him. Fear surged, but he pushed it down. “Johnny G? Where are you guys?” If they were playing a joke on him, Yoanni’s butt would be red for a month, and his friend would never hear the end of it.

He stood at the kitchen threshold and scanned the space. The pots Yoanni had hung above the kitchen island were neatly lined up on the tile countertop. Obviously, Johnny G’s work. He walked around the island. His toe hit something…

Barron’s heart jumped.

Johnny G lay unconscious on the floor. Instantly, his military training kicked into gear. Keeping the panic at bay, he slowed his mind down. Uncontrolled reactions only worsened a bad situation. He bent to press his fingers to his friend’s neck and exhaled with relief. Johnny G’s pulse was slow, but he felt it, and the absence of blood on his body, face, and head, or on the floor, reassured him that his friend would recover.

He sent out an emergency text to his primary contact, pulled the Glock from his waist holster, and continued searching. Bending low, he exited the kitchen. A shadow moved to his left, heading for the door that opened to the garage. He chased it. “Stop, or I’ll shoot!” he shouted, pointing the gun.

The shadow stopped and faced him. “And do what? Put a couple of bullets in her?” The hood covering the woman’s head fell back, and a mass of wild, bright red hair elicited instant recognition. Analise, the woman from the courtroom, had an arm around Yoanni’s waist. With the other, she held the tip of a knife against his girl’s neck.

Smirking, she pressed her lips to Yoanni’s ear. “What do you think he’ll do? Hmmm? Does he really love you? Will he save you?” She spoke as she walked backward toward the door.

If he expected Yoanni to be fearful, it was the opposite. He read fury in his girl’s eyes.

“Let her go,” he demanded, engaging the Dominant command to intimidate her. But this was the real Analise. Iris and Betty were gone.

Eyes cold, she stopped. “I don’t think so.”

His heart thudded, thinking of ways to pull Yoanni from her grasp. Nothing came to mind. “Don’t do this, Analise. Yoanni’s innocent.”

“Used to be. And I gave her a chance to escape. I used everything I could think of to scare her. I emptied her desk, used the mumbo-jumbo stuff, sent her things back, even tore this fucking house apart.” Analise chuckled. “She should’ve gone running to Mommy and Daddy in Miami. Left you at my mercy. I tried one more time at the club, but she sided with you and lost her innocence,” she growled. “My plan has changed.”

“You want me. Let her go. She means nothing.”

“But you’re wrong. She’s perfect for my needs. I’ll get my revenge through her. You and your precious MC ruined my poor brother’s life and sent him to prison. He’s going through hell, and now so will you. When I take her, your agony begins. You’ll turn every stone, go crazy searching, but you’ll never find her. Despair won’t let you sleep. You know I’ll torture her, and you’ll feel her pain. It’s actually brilliant.” She slid back as she spoke, closer and closer to the garage door.

Barron moved forward, keeping up with her. He’d allowed Analise to rant, hoping she’d get distracted somehow. Give him an opening to jump her, but the crafty woman used Yoanni as a shield.

“Please Analise. Take me.”

“You’re such an arrogant ass. You sat there, enjoyed my brother’s trial. Yoanni is my way to hurt you. She’ll waste away in my hands. Once I’ve had my fill, I’ll dump her body in a ditch somewhere. Regret will hound you. I want you to suffer the guilt in your bones, day after day, knowing your efforts to save her failed. Should you decide to put an end to your agony, my brother and I will get the ultimate payback.”

“You can try to take Yoanni. But I promise, you won’t get far. I’ll be on your ass.”

“Aww…you think I’m alone? That’s your mistake. Who do you think hit you from behind and knocked out your stupid friend in the kitchen? Beto, from Los Emes, is my lover. It was his idea to use Yoanni against you.” She grinned. “He’s bringing his car over.”

Fuck. He stared at Analise in panicked disbelief. The involvement of a Los Emes member elevated the danger. She’d gone all out to plan her revenge.

“Some lover. He left you to face me?” he taunted her.

“He wouldn’t take the satisfaction from me. So long as I have her, you won’t do anything stupid.” She tugged at Yoanni. “Stop resisting, bitch. Let’s go.”

Yoanni didn’t speak, but she wasn’t moving either. Frustrated with her resistance, Analise pressed the knife to her throat. Blood trickled down in a thin line. “Move, or I’ll cut you right here.”

The loud noise of an engine revving came through the open garage door. Analise beamed. “Yes. Perfect timing. My Beto’s here,” she exclaimed in triumph.

Fury and renewed desperation surged in him. Barron evaluated quickly. Analise couldn’t leave with Yoanni. If she did… No. Never. He had to attack, but he had no space to maneuver without still risking his baby. Analise’s knife was too close to a jugular vein.

“Cut already,” Yoanni growled, staring into his eyes. The message was clear. She was ready to end the ordeal, no matter the cost. “I’ll die, but so will you.”

Outside, the engine revved louder. A hurry-up call to Analise.

“I mean it!” Analise shouted. Switching her hold, she dragged Yoanni by the hair into the garage. Barron followed them in. An important detail popped in his mind. For this to work, he needed Analise’s attention focused on him.

“You hurt her, and you won’t live a second to enjoy it.”

Analise continued moving backward along the Camry’s side. The space around her narrowed. Beto beeped his horn urgently. She looked over her shoulder. Her feet tangled with the pile of cardboard boxes. She flailed, seeking balance.

“Kneel!” he yelled. Yoanni dropped to one knee. Barron fired three bullets into Analise’s chest.

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 Gun stumbled 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.