Page 105 of The Price of Love

Dimples’ touch and hearing my name brings me out of the darkness. When I glance at Shadow, there’s fear in her eyes, and it nearly breaks me.

I drop my head into my hands and dig my fingers into my scalp. “Give me a minute.”

They stare, but I don’t care. Aces taught me this. When I look up, the fog has cleared.

The fear in Shadow’s eyes is now mixed with concern.

“Ya calm now?” Dimples asks.

I nod. There’s an unasked question in Shadow’s eyes, so I say, “I got my road name for a reason.” I struggle with my words, so I shoot Dimples a pleading glance.

“I got you,” Dimples says and gives me a slight smile. “When Storm first came to the club, she had anger management issues.” Dimples puts her hand on my shoulder. “But it was always directed at anyone who threatened the people she loved.”

“I almost got kicked outta the club.” I look down at my lap in embarrassment. “I’d only had my patch for a little over a year. We were having our annual party. There must’ve been twelve other clubs there. The president of one club took a liking to Dimples.”

“The party was outside,” Dimples says, jumping in. “There was a huge bonfire, and everyone was gathered around it. I let down my guard.”

“Bullshit.” I still remember that day like it was yesterday. Well, at least part of it. “She was a fucking predator.” I meet Shadow’s gaze. “She manipulated Dimples away from the fire. When I found them, the bitch had Dimples pinned against the wall. I still don’t know what possessed me to look for Dimples. Sixth sense?”

“I’ve always believed that,” Dimples says to Shadow. “The woman was enormous. Towered over me. She was at least six-two or -three.” Dimples spread her arms out wide. “And she was a wall. I couldn’t get away from her. She was pressing against me, trying to kiss me, and her hands were all over me.” Dimples shivers. “Still makes my skin crawl.”

“So what happened?” Shadow asks me.

“You’ll have to ask Dimples. I blacked out. When I snapped out of it, blood was everywhere, and the woman was knocked out cold. There must have been ten girls pinning me to the ground.”

“She was still fighting to get away,” Dimples says. “Aces couldn’t even get through to her, so Aces pushed me forward and said, You try.”

“That’s when I calmed down. As soon as I saw Dimples was okay, I stopped fighting.”

Dimples raises her eyebrows at me.

My cheeks heat. “Fine. As soon as I saw Dimples, I curled into a ball and started sobbing.”

“Oh, Storm.” The compassion in Shadow’s eyes gives me hope in this hopeless situation.

“I almost killed her.” Shame courses through me. “She was hospitalized for two weeks.”

“Did you get arrested?”

I shake my head. “She and her club lived under the code of club honor. She told the hospital she crashed her bike.”

“Nobody believed her,” Dimples says. “But the law around Cinder Ridge doesn’t interfere in club business.”

“Aces had a problem on her hands. Me!” I hold up one finger. “She gave me one chance—showed me mercy. But I could never black out like that again, or she’d take my patch.”

Shadow tilts her head. “And you haven’t?”

“No, ma’am. I know the signs. The thoughts in my head when I’m in danger. When I need a minute.”

“And I know the external cues,” Dimples says. “But it’s been more than a decade since it happened.”

I can see the thoughts rushing through Shadow’s head. Is she trying to figure out whether I’m dangerous?

“I see your hesitation,” I say. “I’m gonna tell you something few people know.” I glance at Dimples. “Dimples, Rouge, and Nails are it. Aces gave me an ultimatum. Go to counseling for my anger, or she’d take my patch.”

“I’m taking it you went?” Shadow says.

“I was a star pupil. Graduated from anger management with flying colors.” I smile at Shadow. “I’m telling you this because I want you to understand I’m not that person anymore. But I have to guard against it when someone I care about is concerned.”