Damon and Jayden rushed through the side door and stood on either side of Barrett, effectively creating a wall between the Assassins and Braxton.
“This is my business, dickwad. I’m the Pack Master of Arkansas, so you better back the fuck up.” Barrett’s deep voice shook the cracked glass of the church.
“We were ordered here by the Pack Master of Louisiana,” Brutus answered.
“And you are now in my territory!” Barrett stepped forward. “Louisiana commands hold no weight here.”
Damon and Jayden smirked and took a step forward.
Lorcan and Killian took a step back.
“I am Law here. And as long as you are in my territory, you are under my authority.” Barrett’s voice carried through the church, the glass windows trembling under the weight. “So you assholes better kneel before me before I rip out your spleen and eat it.”
The muscle in Brutus’s jaw twitched, and he fisted his hands. He nodded and he, along with the other two Assassins, knelt before Barrett.
Kate trembled and said a silent prayer that Barrett seemed to be on Braxton’s side. Braxton’s hand ran up and down her back in a reassuring motion.
Kate leaned closer to Braxton and lowered her voice. “What does this mean?”
Barrett turned his gaze on her. “It means that the fugitive is in my jurisdiction and therefore I will hold a Tribunal to determine his guilt or innocence.”
“What about our orders?” Lorcan looked up from his position on the floor.
“When you crossed into Arkansas without letting me know you were here, you forfeited any rights to the fugitive. It seems to be an old law on the books about such an offense.” Barrett motioned for the Assassins to stand. “Get up, you’re making my neck hurt.”
The three Weres stood. Felicity rushed down the aisle toward them.
Kate sucked in a breath. “Damn, I forgot about her.”
“Who is she?” Barrett’s intense gaze was focused on Felicity.
Kate swallowed, but Braxton answered first. “She’s one of Kate’s guests at The Bella Luna.”
Lorcan stepped behind Killian. “She’s crazy. Watch your man parts.”
Felicity propped her arms on her hips. “Okay, spill it. Are you guys some kind of vampires or something?”
Everyone grew quiet.
“Vampire?” Barrett set his hardened gaze on her.
Felicity wasn’t backing down. “Yeah. I mean how else do you explain how all of you guys are built and ripped? Not to mention how strong you all are.” Felicity gave each Were an appreciative look. “So?” She looked back at Barrett.
Barrett arched his brow. “Spartacus.”
Felicity frowned. “What?”
“We’re so big because we do the Spartacus workout.” Barrett’s gaze never wavered. Kate felt Braxton chuckling softly, and she bit her lip to keep from laughing.
Felicity narrowed her eyes. Kate held her breath, her mind racing with another plausible explanation because she just knew Felicity wasn’t going to buy it.
“Is that right?” Felicity glanced at everyone.
“Yeah.” Killian nodded and then flexed his bicep.
Felicity frowned. “Hmph. I’ll have to look into that.”
Kate released her breath.
“It’s not even dawn yet. I think I’ll go back to the B&B.” Felicity looked at Kate. “Do you want me to wait on you or is everything good?”
“I’m fine, Felicity. You go on back to the house. I’ll be there shortly.”
“Alright. I’m going to bed.” Felicity started down the aisle and turned, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. She looked right at Lorcan. “Wanna come?”
Lorcan swallowed hard and shifted his weight. He looked at his two friends for help, but they kept silent.
“He can’t. He’s going to have to clean this place up,” Barrett stated. Lorcan relaxed.
Felicity shrugged and then closed the door behind her.
“Thanks,” Lorcan murmured to Barrett.
“What’s with you, man? She’s just a human,” Killian snarled.
“Actually, she’s more than just human. She’s a romance writer.” Jayden rubbed the back of his neck.
Barrett glanced at his watch. “It’s going to be dawn soon. We need to be getting out of here.”
The Assassins started for the door. Barrett’s hand clamped down on Brutus’s shoulder. “Except for you three.”
“You three will be sticking around here with me to speak to the pastor of this church about how you’ll be paying for the damages.”
“What?” Brutus growled.
Barrett’s smirk slid off his face. “Do you have a problem with that? If so, we need to discuss this before the pastor gets here. I’d hate to greet him with three dead bodies in his church.”
Brutus gritted his teeth. “There’s no problem.”
“Good.” Barrett turned to Braxton and Kate.
Braxton cocked his head at Barrett. “I guess I’ll be heading back with you.”
“Yes. There’s going to have to be a Tribunal.”
“What’s a Tribunal?” Kate asked.
Barrett looked at Braxton. “I guess she knows.”