Page 21 of The Price of Love

“I read between the lines pretty good,” Jazmin says with a smirk. “Do the Thorns want to be an outlaw club?

“It’s complicated.” I wink.

Her eyes widen, and then she grins. Is she having the same reaction? When her hand tightens around mine, I suspect the answer. Warmth rushes through my body, taking away the chill.

“Why’s it complicated?” she says in a low voice.

We’re not still talking about the club, but I pretend we are. “There aren’t any female one-percent clubs. They don’t exist, or if they do, it’s not public. Aces knew men wouldn’t welcome us into their space, and we don’t have the numbers or strength to hold our territory.”

“So women are weak?” Jazmin’s eyes flash with irritation.

“No, smart.” I gaze into Jazmin’s eyes. “Aces wasn’t willing to put the girls in danger, and neither is Storm. For what gain? We’re doing fine. Nobody bothers us. The community respects us. We do good things.”

“So what’s Frost’s angle?” Jazmin frowns. “Sorry. I suppose I shouldn’t be asking.”

I study Jazmin. “What are the girls saying?”

“It’s a mixed bag.”

My jaw tightens. I’d hoped to hear they all thought Frost was crazy. “Do some like the idea?” I refrain from asking if they have a death wish.

“Yeah, but most thought it was a bad idea.”

My shoulders relax.

Worry lines appear on Jazmin’s forehead. “But the ones for it are sellin’ it hard.”

Fuck me.

I’m still aware of her hand resting on mine, but I’m not sure if she is. “I don’t know why she’s picking this fight. I’m guessing we’ll find out.”

Jazmin’s dark brown eyes bore into mine. She squeezes my hand. “Is that why your hands were shaking?”

With her comforting hand resting on mine, I’ve stopped shaking. I could feign ignorance and pretend I wasn’t trembling or even blame the cold, but when I gaze into her sincere eyes, I don’t want to lie.

“I suppose so.” I take a deep breath. “I trust Storm with my life—she’s my go-to person—but I can’t burden her with my shit. She’s got enough on her plate.”

Jazmin’s face registers surprise. “Thanks for being honest. I’ve seen your hands shaking before, but it’s worse tonight.”

Fuck me. I should end this. “It is. Until you came out, I couldn’t get it under control.”

She squeezes my hand. “It stopped. Are you feeling better?”

Loaded question. My body has stopped shaking on the outside, but my insides are vibrating. I hold my free hand out with the palm down. “Steady as a rock.”

“That didn’t answer my question.”

“We shouldn’t be talking like this. You’re a prospect.”

“Say less.” Jazmin stands. “I’m a lowly prospect. Got it.”

As she reaches down to pick up her stool, I grab her hand. “Sit.”

“Is that an order?”

“No, a request.”

She sits.