Page 60 of The Price of Love

I glance at Storm. She’s been keeping her thoughts under wraps, not wanting to create drama in the club, even though Frost is. As much as I’ve wanted her to talk to the other officers about it, she’s stayed mum. With Nails opening the door, will Storm walk through it?

Storm sits up straight. Her jaw is tight, and the vein in her neck throbs. I can see in her eyes that she’s wrestling with her response. Finally, she says, “Nothing we can prove. I was hoping you guys had something concrete.”

Halo shakes her head. “She’s just not the same Frost I used to know. I shouldn’t say anything, but ever since you became president, she’s changed.”

“She’s bitter,” Nails says. “I tried talking to her a couple times, but I gave up.”

“But this ain’t about Frost. We can’t have the girls bailing on the business.” Storm puts her hand against her chest. “I love this club, and I don’t want all this disharmony or the girls thinking things ain’t safe.”

I hate hearing the sadness in Storm’s voice. “I don’t get why any of them would believe it.”

“Urban legend,” Nails says. “It’s easy to spread bullshit but harder to get people to believe the truth.”

Halo picks up a file folder off her desk. “Plus, as the businesses grew, we’ve brought in a lot of new girls in the last few years.” She flips open the file. “We’ve increased our revenue tenfold. And we needed bodies to do it.”

“Meaning we didn’t vet well?” There’s an edge to Storm’s voice.

“It’s not just vetting,” Halo says. “Some only knew Aces for a couple years before she got sick, so they don’t have the same loyalty.”

“So we’re ripe for a coup,” I say, not caring that I should keep my mouth shut.

“That’s what I’m thinking,” Nails says. “Best way to start a takeover is instilling fear and—”

“And screwing with our bottom line,” Halo says as she waves the folder. “The first night of the season is big. If the gamblers don’t have an extraordinary experience, then word gets around, and it could impact the rest of the season.”

“What are we going to do?” Nails asks.

“Recruit,” Storm says. She turns to me. “Plus, it looks like the two of us are going to be working it.”

“I’m in.” I frown. “But isn’t Shadow coming tomorrow to pick up her bike?”

“I’m picking her up in the morning,” Storm says. “I was gonna ride back to her house with her to make sure it’s fixed and doesn’t overheat.”

Nails grins. “Sorry we’re blocking you, Storm.”

Storm glares at her. “It’s not like that. I’m just making sure she gets home okay.”

We all laugh, except for Storm.

“Whatever you say,” Halo says.

Storm tosses the spreadsheet back onto the desk. “Can we just focus on recruits for tomorrow night?”

CHAPTER 26

SHADOW

I check myself in the mirror again. I’ve given up pretending I don’t know why. I want to look good for Storm. Despite my vow to keep my distance, I failed. It’s been three weeks since the poker run, and we talk and text every day.

In one text, she’d mentioned how much she likes my cheekbones, so I want to get it right. I pull a brush out of my makeup bag, dip it into the blush, and sweep it up my cheek. Perfect. I repeat the motion on the other cheek. I drop the brush before I overdo it and make myself look like a clown.

At the poker run, I was surprised how much I enjoyed Storm’s company, but I’m no longer surprised by how much I look forward to her nightly calls. With my work schedule, I usually don’t get home until after ten, so we end up talking well into the morning hours.

I was disappointed when she broke the news that she had to do club work tonight. Had I misunderstood her intentions?

I’d been tossing it around in my head since I’d talked to her last night. But there was no mistaking the disappointment in her voice or the number of times she apologized. Still, she’s the president, couldn’t she have gotten someone else to do the work?

Breathe. This can’t lead anywhere, so why do this to myself? Once I get my bike back, there’s no guarantee I’ll hear from her again. If I’m smart, I should hope I don’t. Margot would make my life hell if she found out.