Page 85 of The Price of Love

I release her, and she scrambles away.

That leaves only Frost to contend with. Storm has her in a chokehold. I approach, not sure what headspace Storm is in.

“Storm, let her go.”

Storm looks up at me with clear eyes and releases Frost, who falls to the ground. On all fours, Frost coughs and crawls away from Storm.

Nails approaches with Tank in tow. She’s been subdued and stares at the ground as she shuffles along. Nails gives her a light shove. “Go join your friend at the bikes.”

Tank limps off. She doesn’t look down as she passes Frost, who’s still bent on all fours.

I stand with Storm and Nails, watching Frost. She finally rises to her feet. Her face is red, and there are signs of the punches Storm landed.

I’m not sure whether to expect rage or humiliation. I’m surprised to see neither. Instead, she has a smirk on her face. She studies us for a few beats, and then she laughs. “You just sealed your fate, Storm. Witnesses saw you lay your hands on me first. Your days as the Iron Thorns’ president are numbered.” She laughs again. “Aces would be so fucking proud.”

Nails and I grab Storm before she can jump Frost, who has turned and is walking toward her bike.

CHAPTER 33

SHADOW

The van ride back to the Thorns’ clubhouse is quiet. Being so late, we’re the only ones out on the desolate road. Nails drives, and Rouge rides shotgun; neither of them is talking. Dimples nods off where she sits between Jazmin and Halo. Her head rests against Jazmin, who has a protective arm around her. Halo is talking softly to Jazmin, but from the backseat, I can’t make out what she’s saying.

Storm has her arm draped over my shoulders, but she’s been staring out the window. I decide to leave her to her thoughts. There’ll be plenty of time for talking later. Besides, I have my own feelings to work through.

The last few hours were a blur, but somehow, we survived Casino Night. Once Halo got Dimples’ bleeding under control, the officers had a quick powwow. The fire in Storm’s eyes told me whatever happened behind closed doors didn’t sit right.

I can’t tell if Storm’s irritation came from extending play as an apology to the players or Dimples’ refusal to leave. Probably both. At least after some argument, Dimples agreed to retire from serving. She spent the rest of the evening in back with Jazmin watching over her.

I glance over the back of the seat at Dimples and Jazmin. Is Storm blind? Is everyone blind? Or is this something you don’t say out loud in their club?

The way Jazmin knocked Frost’s friend out with one punch was more than protecting her club, and the way she’s glued to Dimples’ side is more than doing a prospect’s job.

But I have no intention of bringing it up with Storm. We have our own issues. Tonight was an eye-opener. I’ve heard stories about the Thorns’ dark edges. Now I’ve seen it. Still, I felt no danger until Frost arrived. Naïve? Margot would call it stupidity—trusting Storm, trusting any of this.

Yet I’ve never felt safer. Jesus, what does that say about me and my life? I glance at Storm, who is still intensely staring out the window. Her raw energy should have me on edge, shouldn’t it?

Maybe. I snuggle closer, close my eyes, and let the van’s hum lull me.

JAZMIN

Even this late, I’m still on high alert, easily splitting my attention between Halo and Dimples. With Dimples resting against my shoulder, I’m more than aware of her breathing and her jerks as she drifts in and out of sleep.

Halo doesn’t believe Dimples has a concussion, but she’s telling me what to watch for just the same. I’m relieved it’s a myth that someone with a concussion shouldn’t sleep. I want Dimples to have peace, so it’d kill me if I had to keep waking her up.

“Sleep is crucial for healing,” Halo says in her soothing tone. She’s made this nightmare better by her calm. “Don’t hover over her but still keep an eye on her.”

Oh, I’ll be hovering all right, but I don’t tell Halo. Instead, I nod and listen to her instructions.

Once Halo finishes, she smiles. “You did good tonight, Prospect. Proved yourself to be loyal and steadfast.”

“Thanks.” I’m touched by her praise.

I thought Dimples was asleep, but she mutters, “She’s a rock. My gran—”

I look over Dimples’ head at Halo. “Did she just call me grandma?”

Halo smiles. “No, I think she said you were her rock—granite.”