Page 103 of The Price of Love

“It’ll have to crap out first.”

“By the looks of it, it won’t be long.”

I chuckle.

Dimples drapes her arm over my shoulders and looks down into my eyes. “I know you’re worried.”

“Me?” I give her a cocky grin. “Never.”

“You’re such a liar.” She squeezes me against her. “You like this girl. And we both know it, so don’t let your cockiness interfere.”

“In other words, beg?”

Dimples laughs. “If that’s what it takes. Seriously, you’ve been my ride or die for a long damn time. I know you. She’s special.”

“But we just met.” I’m trying to convince myself, not Dimples.

“It doesn’t matter.” Dimples chucks me under the chin. “I’ve never seen that look in your eyes.”

“The fuck.” I throw both my hands over my face and run them down my cheeks. “I’ve got it bad, don’t I?”

“Yep. And I think it’s sweet.”

“It’d be sweeter without the shit going on at the club.”

“No, it’s still sweet, and you can’t let Frost fuck that up.” Dimples slaps me on the back. “Come on. Let’s not keep her waiting.”

With it being a Tuesday night, the bar is nearly empty. I spot Shadow at a corner table with a beer already in front of her. Relaxed? Or does it mean she needs liquid courage?

She greets us with a smile and a hug, but her eyes betray her. I want to interrogate her. I don’t, knowing what Dimples would say: Give her space.

It’s difficult making small talk, but I sense she’s waiting for us to be served before she tells us why she invited us. Dimples carries the conversation since I spend much of the time analyzing Shadow’s every move, trying to decipher a hidden message in her words. I can’t.

After our beers arrive and we enjoy a few sips, Shadow’s demeanor changes. Her gaze darts around the room before it settles on me. “I suppose you’re curious why I asked you here.”

I manage an easy smile, though it doesn’t match my insides. “We’re curious.”

Shadow bends and pulls an envelope from under the table. She opens it, takes out what looks to be pictures, and fans them in the center of the table.

I lean over and stare, but I don’t pick up the photos. It’s as if I do, it’ll make them real.

Dimples doesn’t have the same reservations and snatches a handful. “For fuck’s sake, what is this?”

Before I can say anything, Dimples rifles through more and tosses them down. She looks up at Shadow and says, “Is this blackmail?”

Shadow’s face falls. “God, no. Did you…I mean…what did—”

Dimples shakes her head. “I’m trying to figure it out.”

“I am, too,” Shadow says.

I still haven’t spoken, but their back and forth is hammering at my brain. I place my hands on the sides of my head. “Would you two just stop?”

I must have said it louder than I realized because people from several tables over turn and stare.

I take a calming breath and put my hand on top of Shadow’s. “Will you tell us what’s going on?”

“I don’t know what’s happening.” Tears well in Shadow’s eyes. “Wiz—”