“What the fuck?” Killian jumped to his feet. The scrape of chair legs behind him indicated Dizzie had too. “Let’s get out of here.” He scanned for a nearby exit.
“Where?” She sounded calmer than he felt.
“Shit, I don’t know.” He propelled her toward the back of the bar, instinct driving him to get her to the safety of their room.
“We need to ask?—”
“The Jack, I know.”
They weren’t the only patrons surging toward the bar. The sounds of a brawl behind them told Killian that leaving through the front wasn’t an option. Once they reached the bar, Killian planted his body between Dizzie and the danger at the door.
The Jack stood with the bartender and watched the bouncers handle the fight, radiating displeasure.
“We need a back way out,” Killian demanded.
“That’s going to cost you.”
No shit.
“Bill me.” Killian didn’t care about negotiating. At this point, he’d pay whatever the Jack asked to keep Dizzie safe. Whoever was at the door—and he would bet that it was Tremaine Security—was here for Dizzie. And maybe for him. Learning how they’d been discovered was a worry for later.
“A favor,” the Jack said. “Anytime, anywhere.”
“Done.” Killian took the proffered hand and shook. He’d make a deal with the devil himself to get out of here right now. And maybe he had.
The Jack ushered them into another small hallway off the side of the bar. They took a sharp right and were blocked from view of the front of the business.
“Who is it?” Dizzie asked as Killian herded her in front of him.
“Tremaine Security.” The Jack responded in even tones, though Killian detected an underlying anger. It was gone in an instant.
“This door leads to the alley. Your vehicle is parked a couple blocks away, as arranged.”
Killian took in Dizzie’s heels. Dammit. Her shoes would slow them down. “Got your bag?”
Dizzie nodded. “I didn’t want to leave it in the room.”
He turned to the bar owner. “Can you hold them off?”
The Jack looked offended. “Of course. But it?—”
“I know. It’ll cost me.”
With a smile, the Jack retreated to hold off the invading forces.
Killian didn’t know—or care—as long as he and Dizzie had time to disappear. “Change your shoes. We’ve got to move.”
Dizzie nodded. She kicked off the heels and pulled her boots from the bag. With one hand on Killian’s arm for balance, she wiggled her feet into the boots.
It was stupid to be so happy she chose to lean against him, rather than the wall. He missed her touch when she released him to shove the heels into her bag.
“Ready,” she said.
Grabbing her hand, he tugged her toward the exit.
“Where are we going?”
He had no idea. “Does it matter? We can’t stay here.”
