The distant sound of an emergency vehicle siren yanked her out of her weird, uncharacteristically moony fit. Barney’s office was one of the few occupied spaces in the ratty strip mall, and the neighborhood was just as run-down and abandoned. She glanced over her shoulder at Barney’s office door and then back at John as suspicion began creeping in.

“Why are you here?” she asked bluntly. Either he was following her or he was coming to see Barney, neither of which were positives. Her mind was in chaos, thanks to the revelations that had just been dumped on her, and she was just one wrong thought away from exploding in a fit of rage or breaking down in uncontrollable tears.

“I stopped by your house, and one of your sisters told me you were here.”

Molly suddenly wished she were an only child. “Which sister?”

“The one that looks the most like you.”

“Felicity,” she growled. It had to be her. She was the one who shared Molly’s dad, and both of them were spitting images of Lono. There would be retribution for siccing Carmondy on her. Right now, though, she needed to put some distance between her and Barney so she didn’t charge in there and choke him until his stupid, smug face turned purple and he handed over the title to their house. A tiny part of her was shocked at the grim satisfaction that mental image gave her, but most of her was all for putting aside her usual anti-violence stance.

Skirting around John, Molly strode across the parking lot. The absence of her car caused a flare of fresh anger, but she pushed it back and turned in the direction of the bus stop. John, being John, quickly caught up and walked alongside her.

“Why’d you track me down?” she asked, although the question lacked its usual heat. Her brain was too busy processing what she’d just found out and trying to come up with a plan so they didn’t get evicted if—when—Jane decided not to show up in court.

“Why were you talking to Barney?” he countered rather than answering her question.

Two could play at that game. “Why is that any of your business?”

“You aren’t going to go after Sonny Zarver, I hope.”

Irritation surged through her at his stern tone. “Again, focus on your own situation, and I’ll do the same.”

“Molly…” He caught her arm, pulling her to a stop. “Sonny’s dangerous. I know the bounty’s big, but you don’t want to get mixed up in his world. Money’s worthless if you’re dead.”

Despite her resolution not to get sucked into conversation with John, she couldn’t keep her response to a mere sideways glance as she tugged away and started walking again. “Why are you pushing this so hard? Are you hoping to bring in Sonny yourself?”

His face tightened, his mouth pulling into a straight line. His long legs easily kept pace with hers. “Of course not. I’m not that stupid.”