Page 67 of The Price of Love

We’ve been so busy we’ve been working some Saturdays. Today, it’s just me and Nails, but some weekends, we have three or four girls at the shop.

Nails comes from around the counter toward me. “And hey, thanks. Dimples says you’re helping with security tonight.”

I nod.

“You carry, don’t you?” she asks.

“I prefer my Glock 19, but I’ll bring my 43X tonight.”

“Perfect choice. We like to keep our firepower low-key. We’ve not needed it, but I’ve never needed my bike insurance, either. I wouldn’t ride without it.”

I measure my words. Since I’m a prospect, it ain’t my place to ask. “Ya think if the girls knew we carried, it’d calm them?”

Nails takes a deep breath through her nose. “We talked about it but couldn’t decide. It might put some at ease, but others might freak out. Like I said, we’ve never had to draw our weapons. We’re careful who we let in and stay away from the serious high rollers.”

“I could see them being trouble.”

“When Diesel turned over the role of sergeant to me, it's the first thing she stressed. Best way to keep the girls safe is to be careful who has access. I’ve taken her words to heart. We’ve passed on a lot of players over the years who coulda brought us serious money.”

I grin. “Serious bank leads to serious headaches.”

Nails laughs. “You got it, Prospect. So why’d you decide to help out?”

“I’m a prospect.” It’s true. Just not all of it.

She studies me for a beat, then winks. “Good answer.”

I smile, though my mind is racing. That felt loaded. Shit. I don’t want her asking any more questions, so I say, “Figured I’d better volunteer before I was recruited. Security suits me better than waiting. I don’t look good in a cocktail dress.”

Nails laughs. She runs her hands down her body. “I do. But you won’t see me putting one on for them. I save that for my old lady.” She shakes her head. “But some like what they see when I’m wearing my cut.” She grabs her boobs as she says it.

“Can I ask a question?”

“If it’s about my boobs, no.” She grins. “But anything else, sure.”

“Why wear our cuts for Casino Night at all?”

“The gamblers pay for the vibe, not just the game. Several years back, we switched to civvies, but the gamblers complained to Aces.”

“Turns them on to be around dangerous biker chicks?” I say with a grin.

“Probably. Plus, we’re selling the experience. Giving them an old-time speakeasy feeling, and we’re the gangsters.”

I nod. “Did you recruit enough servers?”

“Barely. We thought we were gonna have to pay some locals, but with Dimples and Storm helping, we should be fine.”

Holy shit.

Nails laughs. “Put your eyes back in your head. Storm’s bartending and wearing a tux.”

“Thank god. That’s a sight I’m not ready for. Our president in a cocktail dress.” I shake my head as if trying to clear the image from it.

“None of us wants to see that. It fucks me up seeing some of the sisters glammed up, but Storm’s a step too far. Dimples, on the other hand, that girl can pull it off.”

Dimples. My heart rate quickens. I try to act normal and hope Nails doesn’t see the heat rising up my neck. Even though I already know Dimples is serving, I say, “I thought Dimples was working the kitchen. Last-minute change?”

Nails’ gaze bores into me, or is it my imagination? “Yeah. Only reason Rouge agreed to deal was Dimples being on the floor.”