Page 12 of The Price of Love

“Of course not,” Frost says. “I’ve got sources in Philly. They’ll hook us up with as many as we want.”

“I could be down with that,” Nails says. “The more work we have, the more hours I can give to the girls. Though we’re already pretty busy.”

“Plus, we could offer more free repairs to the locals who’re struggling with their bills.” Frost gives Storm a fake smile and taps the code of ethics in front of her. “It’d help our community and those women and children we’re committed to protecting.”

The puzzle pieces fall into place as I listen to Frost talk. She knew fentanyl would never fly, but that was never her endgame. She wants to walk the club into deepening our business at Black Briar. But why?

I squirm in my chair, trying to get a better look at Storm. Was Storm coming to the same conclusion? My mind spins. Jinx has to know. Did Nails? She’s getting more business for Black Briar. What about Halo? I hate how easily suspicion comes to me, even with my sisters.

Perhaps Frost is just being her typical manipulative self, nothing more. Instead of being upfront, she likes being sneaky. It’s her nature, or she doesn’t know Storm like I do. Sure, there’s no love lost between the two, but Storm is fair. She’d have heard Frost’s suggestions out, but did Frost know that?

Storm saying my name pulls me back in.

“Dimples will talk about our upcoming rides,” Storm says.

I pick up my notebook and shake it. “I’ve got all the details here.”

“Good,” Storm says. “We’ll also run through the bylaws and remind everyone of club expectations. Sometimes the girls get lax over the winter.”

“Speaking of,” Frost says.

I stiffen.

Storm nods, giving Frost permission to take the floor.

“We need to make sure nobody’s coddling the prospects.” Frost doesn’t look at me when she says it, but I can still feel her eyes on me, or more accurately, her judgment.

I’d expected the attack, but I figured it’d be public, during church.

“Would you like to elaborate?” Storm asks.

Frost shakes her head. “No, I just wanted you to remind the patches when you’re covering the bylaws.”

Damn, had someone slipped Frost Prozac? The contentious meeting I’d been dreading hadn’t materialized. I bet Storm is as puzzled as I am.

“Sure, I’ll mention it. Anything else?” Storm asks.

When nobody has anything, Storm says, “Let’s call in our sisters.”

Relief settles in, but I don’t trust it to last.

CHAPTER 7

JAZMIN

I didn’t know how wound up I was until Nadine called me to the bar. It didn’t take long to secure Frost’s friends in her room, so I’ve been pacing the clubhouse ever since. The patches have slowed down their drinking, so I don’t have many drinks to run, but I wish I did.

Nobody would guess what’s goin’ on in my head. I appear chill as hell, but I’m not. When you grow up where I did, you’re always on alert. If you ain’t, it can get you killed.

The clubhouse has been tight all night, and despite Dimples’ smile, I know she’s not okay. If I could just wrap my arms around her and hold on, I would, but it’d get me kicked outta here. Jesus. It’s getting harder to be around her when I keep having these thoughts.

Hopefully, Nadine can distract me from what’s happening behind the meeting room doors. I ain’t stupid. The meeting has everyone on edge. All week, I’ve heard whispers Frost is up to something. I just want it over, regardless of what happens. I hate waiting around like this.

“What do you think’s going on in there?” Nadine says as soon as I slip behind the bar.

Nope, she’s not gonna pull me into gossip. “We ain’t supposed to be talkin’ about that.”

She scrunches her face at me. “Come on, it’s just me. We’re in this together. I wouldn’t talk to a full patch like this.”