Page 30 of The Price of Love

Storm studies me before she says, “I’m not sure what there is to talk about. She’s going to do whatever she can to turn the club against me. There’s really no way for me to fight it.”

Anger bubbles inside me. “Seriously, Storm? Don’t tell me you’re gonna let her win.”

“Do you really think that little of me?” Her eyes cloud with anger, which I never see directed at me, and then sadness replaces her anger.

Shit. I’ve gotta stop taking my mood out on Storm. I step toward her as she finishes filling my tank and put my hand on her arm. “I’m sorry. We’re a team. I’m just struggling with things.”

“I didn’t mean I was going to just let her win. You, of all people, know how hard I’ve worked to control my temper.”

“I know.” I clap my hand against her shoulder. “Aces always said if you could harness that tempest inside you, you’d be unstoppable.”

“I’m trying.” She gives me a slight smile. “God knows, ten years ago, I would have punched Frost in the face. Wouldn’t have mattered we were in church.”

I smile because it’s true. Once Aces took Storm under her wing, became her mentor, Storm worked hard to control her impulses. And just like me, it’s a constant battle to keep those demons at bay, but she’s done it.

“I’m proud of you,” I say.

Her face reddens. She still can’t take a compliment.

I playfully push her shoulder. “What are you doing standing around jawing? I’m getting hungry, and you’re supposed to buy me lunch.”

Storm’s face lights up, and she sniffs the air. “There’s lots of good food here. We could try someplace new.”

“We gotta support Cinder Ridge. The Broken Lantern.”

“Can’t I just donate some money?” she says with a whine in her voice.

I shake my head. “Nope, we—you—need to be seen in town, and it’s been a minute since we’ve been there.”

She throws her leg over her bike and fires it up. “Fine, but we’re gonna ride hard. I’m starving.”

I jump on my bike, but she’s already pulling away from the pumps. She doesn’t look back as she revs her bike and shoots toward the road. I gun my bike and roar after her.

We’re traveling seventy-five by the time I pull alongside her.

She grins over at me before she twists her throttle.

CHAPTER 14

STORM

Dimples and I make it back to Cinder Ridge in record time. It was freeing riding beside her with our throttles open wide. I miss riding with her. Miss her. Period. She worries about me too much, and I know she’s keeping things from me. Since I’ve been president, she treats me like I’m made of glass. I think she’s scared the stress will make me snap.

We pull into the Broken Lantern parking lot, being careful to weave around the potholes. The Broken Lantern tells the whole damn story of the decline of Cinder Ridge. It was once a hangout for paper mill workers. With the plant running three shifts, the bar was always full. Now the lot has only a smattering of cars. The bar’s sign hangs with a permanent tilt, and the lantern on the sign hasn’t lit for years.

As we dismount, I say, “Looks like we won’t have trouble getting a table.”

Dimples frowns. I shouldn’t have said it, but I do, so I don’t have to think about how bad it’s gotten.

Since Dimples doesn’t respond, I switch to the Graces’ poker run. “About time Wiz got around to sending the itinerary. How many girls are we taking?”

“We’ve got lots of interest, but Wiz asked that we keep our numbers to twenty.”

I smirk. “Thirty it is then.”

Dimples takes off her helmet, lays it on her seat, and shakes out her hair. I’ve already replaced my helmet with a baseball cap.

“Let’s get inside and warm up.” I rub my hands together as we walk. “I want the prospects on the poker run.”