Page 111 of The Price of Love

“Yes, President.”

“That’s bullshit, and you know it,” Wiz snaps back.

Her professional veneer is falling off.

Edge glances at Wiz before she says, “I’d like to explore your relationship with the Iron Thorns’ president.”

I give her a slight nod.

“When was your first encounter with her?” Edge asks, lobbing me a softball.

Wiz is going to be furious.

“The first time I met the president of the Iron Thorns,” I say, deciding not to use Storm’s name, “is when I was ordered to shadow her at the Steel Graces’ poker run. Which I did.”

“And have you continued your relationship with her since?” Edge asks.

“Yes, I continue to be in contact with her. The day of the poker run, she helped me get home safely when a family emergency arose and my bike was overheating. I was grateful for her help and found her kind and considerate.”

Wiz snorts.

Wow. So much for professionalism and being non-emotional.

“Were you aware that your continued involvement with her violated club rules?” Wiz says.

I look at Wiz and give her an innocent smile. “Since you were the one who asked that I befriend her, why would I?” Hopefully, she doesn’t realize what a non-answer that was.

Wiz puts her hands on the table and looks as if she’s going to rise. “So you’re blaming me for your indiscretions?”

“No, President,” I say.

The hardness in Wiz’s jaw lessens.

“I’m saying that I don’t believe there has been any indiscretion.”

Wiz moves to the edge of her seat. “Well, I’m telling you now that being closely associated with the president of the Iron Thorns is a major indiscretion.”

I lean back against the backrest of my chair.

“You have nothing to say?” Wiz’s face has been ruddy since I arrived, but it’s turned a deeper shade of red.

“I didn’t realize you’d asked a question.” I know my answers are infuriating her. “Would you please repeat it?”

Wiz’s eyes flash. “I’m telling you now that a relationship with Storm violates club rules.”

I lean forward. “And the question is?”

“Which do you choose?” Wiz blurts out.

The other officers shift in their seats, probably as shocked as I am at Wiz’s lack of composure.

“Ah,” I say. “So you’re saying that should I break off contact with the president of the Iron Thorns I’d continue being in good standing with the Steel Graces?”

“Yes!” Wiz says, giving me a half smile.

“I see.” I pretend to think.

“This can be seen as a misunderstanding,” Edge says. “An assignment carried too far.”