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“Sure. Willa handled him.” Dizzy bounces up and down. “I love when you go all girl power on their asses. It’s so much fun to watch.”

Lennon is quiet. She looks almost as pale as the creep did while Willa was hand-mashing his balls.

“Are you okay?”

“I think so. I...” She wraps one arm around her waist. The other reaches up to tug on a tendril of her light brown hair. “I’ve never seen anything like that before. And I have seen a lot of things I wish I hadn’t.”

Things her evil witch of a boss has done no doubt. “Sonatina?”

“I don’t want her to ruin our night,” she says.

“Then we won’t.” I hook my arm through hers. “Where do you ladies want to go next?”

The creep is ejected from the club before we can decide. He holds his hands over his nuts as he walks a lot like Riot did straight after he got his tattoo. His gaze lands on us. On Willa and then I swear, on me.

I break out all over in goosebumps. The fine hairs on my arms stand straight up.

He’s not Marco. But the vibe I get... “We should move on.”

Thirty minutes later, we’re stuffing our faces at a bar where they serve food as well. The tunes are good, the pizza is perfect, and the drinks are cold.

Lennon gets a call. Sonatina’s shrill voice is loud enough we can hear it despite the music and Lennon having her phone to her ear. She shrinks with each word of the conversation.

Popping off her stool, she grabs her bag. “I have to go.”

I chase after her. “You don’t have to go, you know. She can’t control you all the time.”

She’s almost in tears by the time she hangs up. “I shouldn’t have come. I’m so sorry. I’m just going to wait outside for an Uber.”

I’m so not comfortable with her waiting alone. I gesture to Rook who comes over. “Please wait with Lennon. Make sure she gets her ride.”

“I have orders,” he says.

“I know, but I’m safe with Willa and Dizzy. You saw the way Willa handled that guy.” I’m pretty sure Dizzy knows more ways to kill someone than the average hardcore true crime addict, but I am not going to tell him that.

He scans the crowded bar. “I still don’t—”

“Rook, I’m not going anywhere. Just back to the table.” It’s like seven feet away. “I really am going to be fine... for what... a few minutes. What can possibly happen in a few minutes?”

“Okay.” He sighs and escorts Lennon toward the exit.

I hurry the few feet back to the table without mishap and take my seat.

“Is she okay?” Willa lifts a perfect eyebrow.

“She is. Sonatina’s a bitch, and Rook is going to make sure she gets her ride.” I pick up a slice and bite off the tip.

Dizzy leans across the table. “Can I kill her yet?”

“Tempting.” I’m starting to believe she’s serious. “But no.”

“Damn it.” She sits back.

The band starts to play a cover of an L.A. Riot song. Dizzy and I share a long look. She has too many questions, and I have no answers.

Three horn blasts cut through the song. My breath catches, and everybody stills. The horn sirens again and the band stops mid-song. Willa is already out of her seat.

Everyone starts to rush toward the exit.