Page 50 of Property of Bob

“You want to say that again?” Cross asked.

“You heard me.”

“The club is keeping her safe.”

“I know.” But it wouldn’t be that way for long.

“Then what’s the problem?”

“The problem is she came here for me.” Nobody spoke. I continued. “She doesn’t know you fuckers. She doesn’t know what’s happening on the island. She doesn’t know why everybody watches the trees, why nobody walks alone, why Erin is in the hospital, or why I almost died.”

“She knows somebody attacked you,” Anchor pointed out.

“She doesn’t know the rest,” I pointed out.

“No.”

“And she shouldn’t hear it from one of you fuckers.”

“Hey,” Skull said.

I looked at the phone.

“What?”

“We’re not that bad,” he said defensively.

“I wouldn’t go that far,” Anchor laughed.

“Okay, fair,” Cross laughed.

I ignored him. “She needs to hear it from me.”

Anchor crossed his arms. “Why?”

I stared at him. “Because she’s connected to me.” Simple. “She showed up because she thought I could help her. Now instead of me doing that, she’s got the whole fucking club taking care of her while I’m sitting here.”

“Bob—” Anchor started.

“No.” My voice came out harsher than it had in days. Pain ripped across my throat. I stopped and swallowed carefully.

Nobody said anything until it eased.

Then Anchor pointed at me. “That right there is why you’re still in the hospital.”

“I talked too loud.”

“You’re recovering from having your throat cut,” Anchor pointed out like I didn’t know.

“I’m aware,” I drawled quietly.

“Apparently, not.”

I glared at him.

Cross leaned forward, forearms on his thighs. “You’re not gonna be worth shit to Ramona if you push too hard and end up back in ICU.”

“I’m not going back to ICU.” That was the last place I was going to land.