Page 81 of Property of Anchor

“Doll,” I murmured, shaking my head.

She turned toward me with a smirk playing on her lips.“I forgive you because I feel really sorry that you are going to have to keep an eye on Bernice for the next forty-eight hours.”

“Yeah,” I grunted.“That woman’s got more bite than half this club.”

I grabbed her hand, and we made our way down the steps, heading back toward the clubhouse.Her fingers laced with mine easily, like they belonged there.

Bob would be sticking to Bernice.The job would more than likely be easy, seeing as Bernice slept most of the time.

The sun had started its slow crawl up the sky, casting gold across the tops of the trees and making the lake shimmer like it had no damn idea what kind of nightmare was unraveling beneath its surface.

“What if this is a game?”Pearl asked suddenly, her voice quiet.“Like, it’s not actually going to happen?”

I glanced at her.“I would say the four dead bodies that are buried on the island prove something is going to happen.”

She nodded slowly, eyes fixed ahead.Her steps faltered just a little, and I stopped with her, turning to face her.

“What is it?”I asked, my thumb grazing her knuckles.

“Is it foolish of me to feel relieved that the psycho said I was safe?”she asked, looking up at me.“Like… he isn’t out to get me anymore?”Her lips pressed together.“But now he’s going after four other people.”

I took her hands in mine and squeezed them gently.“At this point, it seems like you’re in the clear since he said you were safe, but I’m still not taking my eyes off you.”

She rolled her eyes with a dramatic groan.“I mean, I’m enjoying all of my time with you, but being babysat is low on my list of things I like… at all.”

I gave her a half-smile.“You want to stop being babysat?”

“Yes.”

“Then marry me.”

Her eyes shot wide open.

I barked out a laugh.“Kidding… mostly.”

She shoved my shoulder with a scoff, but I didn’t miss the way her cheeks flushed.

I leaned in, brushing my lips against her temple.“You’re stuck with me, doll.Babysitting and all.”

Chapter Thirty-Two

Pearl

I spun the glass slowly on the counter, watching the amber liquid catch the overhead lights.Somewhere behind those closed Church doors, Anchor and the rest of the Kings were having some oh-so-secret discussion, and I wasn’t allowed in.

Because I wasn’t a member.

Even though I’d nearly stepped on a dead body.Even though someone had threatened me.Even though I had practically moved in with the club president.

Still not enough to get a damn seat at the table.

“Aren’t you a member?”I asked and glanced up at Lost.

He looked up from the bottle he was drying and shook his head.“Prospect.”

I tipped my head to the side.“Explain this to me like I’m two.”

Lost chuckled and rested both hands on the bar like he was getting ready to teach preschool.“I’m a prospect.That means I have to prove I’m worthy enough to be in the club.I do the grunt work.Run errands.Take shit.Follow orders.”