Page 4 of The Price of Love

Since we’ve got two prospects, we sometimes call Jazmin One and Nadine Two. I like One, but I haven’t warmed to Two yet.

Prospecting is a time for them to prove their loyalty and their usefulness. No matter how big a hotshot they are outside of the club, prospects do the grunt work. Errands, cleanup, anything they’re told. Their cuts are stripped down because they haven’t earned their back rocker or their name yet.

One stands a few feet from me, but she doesn’t speak. She’s learning the ropes, knowing she shouldn’t speak until spoken to.

I smile at her. “Did you need something, Prospect?”

“Yes, Captain.”

She calls me Captain because I’m the road captain. I plan the rides, scout the routes, and make everything run the way it should. Storm leads the clubhouse, but on the road, I’m in charge. Keeping everyone safe is on me, and for some people, that may feel heavy. For me, it feels safe. It gives me control over what happens to me and the people I love—something I’ve spent a lifetime trying to achieve. That’s why I take my job so seriously.

“What do you need?”

“Um.” She gives me a sheepish smile. Her perfect teeth stand out against her dark skin. She’s attractive in a tough-girl kind of way, but her expressive brown eyes soften her.

“I noticed we’re running low on toilet paper. Only a few rolls left. Should I go buy more?”

“Good eye, Prospect.” Outsiders might think it strange that I’m praising her for noticing we’re low on toilet paper, but she’s showing she’s a good prospect, looking out for the club’s needs and anticipating them without having to be asked. It’s one of the many reasons I’ve warmed to her. “Why don’t you check the bar and see if we need to restock?”

She pulls a list from her back pocket. “I already took an inventory.” She hands the list to me.

I give it a quick glance and nod. “Looks good.” I flash her a smile. “Take the van.”

Her eyes widen, but she recovers and says, “Yes, Captain.”

Some full-patch sisters would make her carry the items on her bike, requiring several trips. That just seems ridiculous to me. I’m not into power plays.

Frost would disagree. She’d say I was too soft on the prospects. She’s complained to Storm about it several times, and I suspect it’ll come up in church again tonight. If I were the one giving Frost her road name, it’d be Shit Stirrer.

Since Storm became president six months ago, Frost has been up her ass. Always starting sentences with, If Aces were still here. It drives me crazy, but as the road captain, I have to keep my mouth shut.

“Is there anything else you need?” Jazmin asks.

“No, I’m good. Where’s Prospect Two?”

She motions over her shoulder with her thumb. “Last I saw her, she was having a smoke.”

“Make sure she blows up the air mattresses for tonight and remind her to put fresh drinks on the officers’ table for church.” It’s something she should remember, but I look out for the prospects when I can.

“Does everyone want their regular?”

Something else a prospect is expected to know. The drink preferences of all the members. I hesitate before I say, “Tell her to check what everyone wants when they come in.”

“I’ll tell her.” She smiles again, and I can’t help staring at her lips.

Damn. I need to get it together. Prospects are off-limits.

“Now get outta here,” I say in my gruff tone.

Her lips quiver, but she holds back her smile as she nods and hurries from the room.

CHAPTER 3

JAZMIN “PROSPECT ONE” CONROY

I pivot, turning away from Dimples, hoping she didn’t see my lip quiver. I can’t help it. The woman makes me smile. The first time I walked into the Iron Thorns’ clubhouse and laid eyes on her, I was hooked.

It was more than her dimples. It wasn’t even her long, sexy legs, although I’d give anything to have them wrapped around me. No doubt she’s hot, but there’s something else. Something behind the sparkle in her eyes that tells a different story.