She paused when she caught sight of O’Klaren. Preacher had warned her O’Klaren was making all the rounds on the club kids, men, women, and families. This was the first time he’d approached her.

“I heard congratulations are in order.” He pointed at her finger. “I checked everything out. I even went by to see your mother and father. Both gave you their blessing to be with that … boy.”

She took a seat, looking at him.

“Well, it makes me wonder if that was all necessary.”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“You think I don’t know about the club? About your pregnancy?”

She didn’t move a muscle as she looked at him.

“In fact, I’ve been wondering if you’d seen this woman lately?” O’Klaren produced a picture and thrust it beneath her face.

She stared down at Milly. “I’ve seen her. That’s Milly.” Preacher had told her not to lie. Not to pretend she’d never seen anyone unless he’d given her instructions. Everyone in town knew Milly had been part of the club. “I haven’t seen her recently. I don’t know where she is.”

“I’m looking for her. I want to talk to her.”

“I can’t help you.”

“Who is the father of your baby?” he asked.

“How do you know I’m pregnant?”

“I have my ways.”

She stared at him, wondering if he was reaching or if there was possibly a rat in the club. There was no way Randall would have said anything to him. She didn’t believe it.

“I don’t know how I can help you.”

“You’re going to protect him?”

“Bishop’s my father’s baby. It’s why we got married.”

“That’s mighty convenient, wouldn’t you say?”

“What are you trying to say?” she asked. With every passing second, she was trying not to freak out, but she didn’t know how not to freak out if he was asking all of these questions. They were personal, and they shouldn’t have left the clubhouse unless he really was reaching, hoping to stump her to make a mistake. She wouldn’t ever be an ally to this man.

“Well, it just makes me wonder. You see, I have it on good authority that you and Bishop were always together but not really together in the biblical sense.”

She stared at him. “On good authority?”

“Yes.”

“What’s that? A couple of girls who go to this school?” She stared at O’Klaren waiting to see what he’d say. “Because if you’ve got it on good authority from the girls here, then you really don’t know me and Bishop.”

“He sleeps around.”

“Don’t all men?” she asked.

“And you don’t care.”