Page 64 of Property of Anchor

I brushed a stray strand of hair from her face.“Talked to Bernice outside.”

She cringed.“You always seem to be talking to someone before you come in here.First my dad, and now Bernice.What did she have to say?”

“Some weird shit that I can’t really make heads or tails of.She made it sound like she knew the club and the island before I joined.”

“Oh lord,” she muttered.“Half the time, Bernice talks in riddles that no one can understand.”

Yeah, she had definitely been talking in riddles.“I’m sure it was nothing,” I said and brushed it off.I had enough to worry about without adding Bernice’s ramblings to it.

She melted into me.We stayed like that for a long second, breathing each other in.

Eventually, she pulled back slightly.“You think the island’s still opening tomorrow?”

I nodded.“Yeah.We need to keep things running.The club’s got a good chunk of money stashed, but that’s only gonna stay true if we keep the haunted house and boat tours going.How much longer do you think we’ll be painting?”

She ran down the list of two rooms, touch-ups, detailing the outside again.“Probably a week, then we’ll be gone.”

“The crew will be gone,” I corrected.

She blinked.“Yes… I am part of the crew.”

I wrapped my arms around her waist and leaned close.“You may be done painting in a week, doll, but you sure as hell aren’t going anywhere when you’re done.”

She stilled.“Maybe if I leave the island, I’ll be safe.”

“Yeah, no.”I shook my head.“We’re not even testing that theory.You’re with me, here, on the island, until we put whoever’s killing people in the ground.”

She smirked.“You like telling people what to do, don’t you?”

I nuzzled her neck and heard her breath hitch.“I’m the Prez, doll.Telling people what to do is kinda my thing.”I kissed the soft skin just below her ear.“But with you, I’m just keeping you safe.If you want to leave when this is done, I won’t make you stay.”

She looked at me.“I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what happens then.”

I didn’t say anything.Just pulled her tighter into my arms and kissed her like tomorrow wasn’t guaranteed.Because right now?On this island?It sure as hell wasn’t.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Pearl

I adjusted the moon pendant necklace around my neck and frowned at my reflection in the cabin mirror.“And this is when I regret not bringing more clothes,” I muttered.

My options were limited, but I finally settled on a black skirt with a strip of animal print down the sides that hit mid-thigh, a light blue fitted crop top, and my trusty black Converse.Not exactly haute couture, but I figured it was cute enough for a haunted house and a ghost boat ride.

I pulled my damp curls into a high ponytail and gave myself one last look.Cute.A little nervous.Definitely excited.

A knock sounded at the door just as I was adjusting the clasp of my necklace.I turned to see Anchor through the screen, broad and dark against the golden haze of sunset.

“Hey,” I called.

“Hey yourself, doll,” he said, his voice low and warm.“Lost told me you sent him out here.”

Uh oh.I might’ve just gotten Lost in trouble.

“I was getting dressed and couldn’t figure out what to wear,” I explained quickly.“Didn’t want him to be an audience to my indecisiveness.”

Anchor tsked and pushed the door open.“Take off, Lost,” he barked.“I’ll talk to you later.”

Yup.Definitely in trouble.