Page 11 of The Price of Love

“Um, we’re not downstate,” Halo says.

“Yeah,” I add. “I like our little corner of the Adirondacks. Nobody bothers us, and we earn enough to support the club and the community.”

“Sounds like typical blue-collar rhetoric.” Frost sneers. “Small-minded.”

My jaw clenches, fearing what Storm will do since she comes from a long line of proud blue-collar workers.

To Storm’s credit, she doesn’t play into Frost’s hands. “This community is solid. We’re solid.”

“Maybe, but we could be more solid,” Frost says, her voice forceful. “If Aces were still here, then—”

“She’s not,” I say, stepping way over the line, but I’m sick of people throwing that shit at Storm. Luckily, I can’t see Storm’s face.

“What did you have in mind?” Storm asks, keeping her voice steady.

“We’re too close to Canada not to take advantage of it,” Frost says. “With so much focus on our Southern border, think about the potential we’re missing on the Northern. It’s an easy ride from here to Canada. Fucking money left on the table.”

“What are you suggesting?” Halo asks.

Frost shrugs as if giving a nonchalant answer. “Fentanyl.”

I expect Storm to erupt; instead, she turns to Jinx. “Would you hand out our code of ethics? I was planning on reviewing it with the members tonight, but it seems our officers need a refresher.”

A sour expression settles on Jinx’s face as she pulls a stack of papers from her binder and distributes them around the table. I want to smile at Storm, who’s handling Frost perfectly.

I pull the sheet toward me.

1. No victims. Only take from the system and those adults who can afford it.

2. No kids. No drugs. No trafficking. No women harmed.

3. Take care of your sisters and your community.

4. Patch before profit.

5. Stay off the radar.

6. Ride free, die loyal.

Storm puts her hand under her chin and looks toward the ceiling, tapping her finger on her lips as she does. Then she looks back at Frost. “I believe that idea goes against several items on this list. Are ya gonna suggest sex trafficking women next, or do you want to start with children?”

Nails, who’s been silent throughout the conversation, laughs. “Yeah, Jesus, Frost, what’re you thinking? We’re the good guys, remember.”

Frost crosses her arms over her chest and glares at Nails.

I study Frost. Something isn’t right. Her actions are off. It’s like she’s putting on an act, but what’s her endgame?

“Then what’s your suggestion?” Frost says to Nails.

“If we wanna bring in more money, do more of what we’re already doin’.” Nails shakes her head. “Sometimes you educated types can be so stupid.”

“Fine, brainiac,” Frost says. “What’s your suggestion?”

“We’ve got more capacity at the garage. Prospect One is handy with a wrench.” Nails smiles. “She was a mechanic in the Army. Great addition to the club. Anyway, we could take in more abandoned vehicles.”

Early on, the Thorns took in abandoned cars, motorcycles, snowmobiles, you name it, and stripped them down. The last few years, the abandoned vehicles aren’t the rust buckets we used to get, but nobody talks about it, and nobody says the word chop shop.

“That would require another supply,” Halo says. “’Cause we don’t want the girls foraging for vehicles.”