Page 83 of The Price of Love

“It wouldn’t be the worst thing to squeeze out the cowards who bailed,” Storm says. “Have them begging to come back.”

“True. The money is gonna be good tonight.” Nails winces. “But we gotta get our kitchen help back. Some of those appetizers looked rough.”

“Gamblers didn’t seem to notice or care,” Storm says.

“Let’s just hope nobody gets botulism,” Nails says.

As we’re laughing, the front door of the lodge bangs open. Nails and I both reach for our pieces. While they assured me there’s never trouble and the law leaves us alone, as cursed as this game’s been, who knows.

Storm vaults over the bar and lands between me and Nails. I don’t know if she’s packing, so I instinctively step in front of her, and Nails does the same.

“Are we late for the game?” Frost says as she enters with Jinx, three patch sisters, and her two out-of-town friends, the ones Dimples has been calling Tank and Shortstack. Though that ain’t their names.

The room grows quiet. The games stop. All eyes land on Frost.

“The fuck.” Storm pushes between me and Nails and races toward the door.

Frost spreads her arms out wide. “Look, ladies, it’s the welcome wagon.”

Storm gets to Frost first and grabs her by the jacket collar. “What the fuck are you doing here?” Storms says under her breath.

The gamblers crane their necks to see what’s happening. Dimples, Nadine, and Shadow edge closer to the entrance, but they stop about ten yards from the action.

Smart. They shouldn’t be in the middle of what’s about to go down. Nails and I go right to it and flank Storm. Nails meets my gaze and nods toward the patch sisters. Then she taps her chest and glances at Frost’s out-of-town friends.

I nod, letting her know I understand my assignment. She’s the sergeant-at-arms for a reason. This could blow up fast, so she’s making sure we’re keeping track of all the players.

I shift my attention back and forth between the patch sisters and Storm and Frost. Ready to act if needed.

“Heard you were shorthanded.” While Storm still grips Frost’s collar, Frost leans to the side to see around her. “Thought maybe you needed some help.”

Nobody’s buying it with only an hour left to go.

“We’ve got it covered.” Storm’s voice is controlled, but I can hear the rage underneath.

“I see.” Frost smirks. “Interesting.”

“Fuck yeah!” Frost’s tall friend yells, drawing all eyes to her.

With our attention diverted, Frost escapes Storm’s grasp and pushes between Storm and me. With the element of surprise, Frost moves fast and is only a few steps from Dimples, Nadine, and Shadow when Storm catches up to her. Nails and I follow behind, but we move slower, monitoring our charges, who so far haven’t moved from near the entrance.

“Now it’s all clear.” Frost makes a show of looking Shadow up and down. Then she calls over her shoulder to her friends. “Storm didn’t ask her VP to help because she brought her little piece of Graces.” She looks at Shadow with a smirk. “And a nice piece of ass it is.”

As Frost reaches toward Shadow, Storm snatches Frost’s arm. Nails and I move in closer, ready for Storm to lose her shit.

“That’s it.” Storm twists Frost’s arm around behind her back. “You’re done here,” she says and pushes Frost back toward the entrance.

Frost struggles against Storm, hurling obscenities as they go. Nails and I follow but leave it to Storm since she’s got Frost moving. I was certain Storm would lose it when Frost leered at Shadow, but Storm’s surprisingly under control.

Near the door, Frost twists, trying to loosen Storm’s hold. It works, but it throws Frost off balance, and she falls against Shortstack, causing both to topple to the floor. Frost’s other friend, Tank, who stands nearly six feet, takes a swing at Storm. Luckily, Storm sees it coming and ducks under it. Nails and I seize Tank before she can throw another punch. We push her toward the still open door, while Storm grabs Frost, who’s gotten to her feet.

“You need to leave,” Storm says, dragging Frost along behind us.

We’ve about got the pair out the door when a commotion comes from behind us. I turn in time to see Dimples crashing to the floor.

What the hell?

“Go,” Nails says. “I’ve got this one.”