Page 97 of Simon Says

With the precision of a laser beam, Bonnie’s gaze drilled into him. “And justwhatiz so funny?”

“Oh, come on, darlin’. You don’t see the irony of you playing judge and jury?”

Bonnie drew herself up to her full height. “I see nothin’ humorous in thiz situation at all.”

As if he mourned the loss of a fine attribute, Barber muttered, “And to think I used to be such a gentleman.” He met Bonnie’s gaze. “All right, doll, let me point out the obvious.”

“I don’ see—”

“You and I just met today, but you were headed home with me. And it sure as hell wasn’t to play checkers.”

Watching Simon, Dakota saw his expression of boredom.

Through gritted teeth, Bonnie said, “Everyone here knows tha’ I’mdrunk.”

“But you weren’t when you agreed to my offer.” Barber eyed her head to toe. “It was your impatience in waiting for the monumental moment that drove ya to imbibe, my sweet.”

Bonnie gasped.

Lounging back in his seat, Barber stretched out his long legs and laced his fingers over his abdomen. “Not that I blame you, me being such a treat and all.”

Bonnie snatched up Simon’s water glass. She would have thrown it if Simon hadn’t caught her in time.

Dakota snickered.

And Bonnie swung around on her so quickly that she lost her balance and Simon had to catch her. She ended up in Simon’s lap—and made herself at home very quickly.

With her arms tight around Simon’s neck, Bonnie said, “You bitch, how dare you?”

Name calling? And still in Simon’s lap? Slowly, while staring at Bonnie, Dakota smiled—and stood.

Simon stood, too, setting Bonnie on her feet at his other side, safely away from Dakota. “That’s enough.” Then to Barber, “It’s time for you two to go.”

“I’ll call a cab.”

“Not until you’ve gotten Bonnie home.”

Barber looked up at the ceiling. “Will the trials of this day never end?”

“Forgit it,” Bonnie insisted. “I’m sober ’nuff to drive myself.”

Neither man agreed.

While Simon and Barber convinced Bonnie, Dakota went back to the bedroom to wash up and finish dressing properly. She needed to go see Barnaby. She needed to settle things with him before someone got hurt.

She needed to protect her friends, and herself, from Marvin.

By the time Simon got rid of his guests, Dakota was ready to go. He closed the front door, turned, and almost ran into her.

One look at her and he asked, “Where do you think you’re going?”

“It’s almost morning.” She didn’t feel like smiling, but did so anyway. “With everything we know now, I have a lot of decisions to make.”

To her surprise, he bent and kissed her.

Dakota yanked back. “And I’m not tired anymore.”

He kissed her again, his mouth open, hot.

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