Page 68 of The Price of Love

From what I understood, they didn’t even ask Frost, but I’m not gonna say that. “It’s cool they’re stepping up instead of forcing anyone.”

“It’s the long game. We can’t have the gamblers sensing tension, or it’d ruin their experience. Plus, it sends the message we ain’t afraid.” Though we’re the only ones in the garage, Nails leans in and lowers her voice. “We’re gonna flash around the tips we make tonight. Some girls need the money, so it’ll be an incentive for next game.”

“Smart,” I say and mean it. The Thorns’ leaders know what they’re doing.

“Well, I gotta run out to the Velvet Rose. See how things are coming along.” She motions toward the car on the lift. “And you have pipes to replace.”

“Yeah, I wanna finish before Storm and Shadow show.”

Nails grins. “Storm’s got it bad.”

I nearly reveal Dimples said the same, but the less anyone knows Dimples and I talk, the better. “Shadow’s cute.”

“Yeah, but she ain’t Storm’s usual type.”

“What type’s that?”

“Ultra femme and slutty. Shadow may be pretty, but she’s got some toughness in her.” Nails chuckles. “It’s about time someone gives Storm a run for her money.”

I’d finished the exhaust job and swept the garage, so now I’m just waiting for Storm and Shadow. I’m killing time scrolling my phone when I hear the roar of a bike. Sounds like Storm’s. Since I work on the club’s bikes, I can identify them by sound.

The small garage door rises. Yep, it’s Storm. Only her and Nails have remotes. I stash my phone in my back pocket and greet them as soon as Storm pulls in and kills her engine.

Shadow slides from behind Storm, removes her helmet, and shakes out her hair. I can’t help but think about what Nails said earlier. She might not be ultra femme and slutty, but she can hold her own. There’s just something about her.

Storm dismounts and puts a hand on Shadow’s lower back. “I told you I could shave thirty minutes off.”

“That’s good and bad.” Shadow grins at Storm. “Less time riding, but at that speed, the vibrations are heavier.”

Storm laughs and winks. The way she’s looking at Shadow, I’m not sure she remembers I’m in the room.

Shadow breaks eye contact with Storm and says to me, “I wanna thank you for all the work you did on my bike, uh…uh…”

“Jazmin,” Storm says, surprising me. “It’s just us. You can call her Jazmin. She deserves the respect after the magic she’s worked.”

“Thanks, Jazmin.” Shadow smiles, making it clearer what Storm sees in her.

While her smile doesn’t compare to Dimples’, it’s still a good one. I must be getting older since I’m noticing smiles over anything else, or maybe Dimples has just ruined me.

“You’re welcome.” It’s always nice to be appreciated for my work. “Do you wanna see her? I took the liberty of polishing her up.” I don’t mention that Dimples lent me a hand.

“You guys are too kind. Thank you.” She turns to Storm. “And thank you, too.”

Storm puts out her arm, and Shadow takes it. Apparently, they ain’t hiding it, or since I’m a prospect, it doesn’t matter what I see. No, that ain’t fair. Storm just showed me respect, telling Shadow my name.

When we arrive at her bike, Shadow’s eyes light up. It’s shiny, but the real difference she can’t see.

“Ya wanna tell her what you did to her baby?” Storm says.

“Yes, ma’am.” I meet Shadow’s gaze. “A Shovel’s always gonna run hot, but I doubt you’ll get stranded on the side of the road again. I swapped your ignition, sealed the manifold, rejetted the carb, installed a high-flow oil pump, and added an external cooler.”

Storm laughs and puts her arm around Shadow. “Don’t worry, I didn’t understand half of what she said, and I wrench my bike sometimes.”

I bite my lip so I don’t smile. Changing oil and tightening a few bolts ain’t wrenching, but I won’t contradict my president.

Storm points at me. “And don’t you say a word.” She turns to Shadow and smiles. “I’m not a gearhead like the girls who work at Black Briar.”

I choke back my surprise. Storm’s always decent, but she’s got an edge to her. This version of Storm is throwing me. She’s grinned more in the past five minutes than I’ve seen her smile in the past five days.