Page 9 of The Price of Love

That’s not like Dimples. She’s hypervigilant, always alert, which makes her an excellent road captain.

“Let the prospects do their jobs.”

She salutes me and flashes me a smile. “Yes, boss.”

“Cut the shit.” But I don’t mean it. No one is immune to Dimples’ smile, not even me.

The roar of several bikes cuts off Dimples’ words, which is impressive considering how loud the clubhouse is.

“She bringing reinforcements?” Dimples asks.

I lift an eyebrow, so the rest of the girls won’t see my reaction. “I was wondering the same.”

I consider telling Dimples I need to show her something in the back room, but it might look like I’m cowering. Instead, I pretend to straighten Dimples’ cut, so I can turn my back to the door. It’ll rob Frost of my witnessing her grand entrance.

Dimples must get what I’m doing because she grabs the armhole of her vest and pulls on it. “Jesus, you’d think I’ve never worn a cut. I’ve had to straighten it all day. Thanks, Storm.”

Before I can respond, the front door bangs open. It’s loud, and the walls shake.

Dimples’ eyes widen.

I casually look over my shoulder and ignore the women surrounding Frost. Instead, I call, “You break it, you pay for it.”

Most of the girls laugh, except for the ones with Frost. Four are club members, one being Jinx, an officer of the Thorns—our secretary.

I’ve never seen the other two since they ain’t Thorns. The pair are a contrast. In my mind, I think Tank since she stands at least six feet, but she’s not lean like Dimples, so she looks much bigger. Her counterpart, Shortstack, makes me look tall.

Frost struts toward me with a cocky grin on her face, and a hush falls over the clubhouse. She must have recently dyed her hair because the white blond streak appears more pronounced against her jet-black hair. In her late fifties, it’s too dark to be natural.

“Hey, I hope you don’t mind.” She motions behind her. “I brought a few pals from my old stomping ground.”

I assume she means Philly, but I don’t ask. She knows the clubhouse is closed to outsiders until church is over, so she’s testing me. I let her hang there, saying nothing.

She must have expected me to explode because she stumbles over her next words. “I mean, uh, they’re in from Philly, so they don’t know their way around here. It’ll be dark soon, and I didn’t want them getting lost. Ya know what I mean?”

Damn, she’s backing me into a corner. I can either be a jerk and send them away in the dark and cold, or I let them stay and appear weak. My mind races. Another one of my superpowers, at least according to Aces, is I think fast on my feet.

I nod to the strangers flanking Frost and address them instead of her. “On behalf of the Iron Thorns, I want to welcome you to our clubhouse. I’m not certain if you’re aware of club protocol, but on church night, we don’t open the doors to non-members until after our meeting.” I don’t smile, wanting to keep the intensity burning in my eyes. “But I wouldn’t want you ladies getting lost in the Adirondacks. It’ll get cold out there tonight, so you’re welcome to hang out upstairs in Frost’s room.”

I motion for Prospect One, suspecting nobody will try pushing her around, and if they do, I’m pretty sure they’ll regret it.

The prospect hurries over. “Yes, President.”

“Take these ladies over to the bar. Get them a drink and some snacks. Then escort them upstairs to Frost’s room.”

There’s a twinkle in her eye when she responds. “Yes, President.” She turns to the women. “Please come with me.”

The Amazon glances at Frost, who gives her a subtle nod.

I clap my hands together. “I’d like to have a brief meeting with the officers before church.” I start toward the back, but I turn before I enter the hallway and wave my arm around the room. “And don’t you all forget. Church in less than half an hour, so drink accordingly.”

Several girls let out a groan.

I glower and say, “You’ll survive.”

Without glancing back, I march down the hall, expecting the officers to follow.

CHAPTER 6