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. Na?ve? 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.”
I chuckle. “Ain’t nobody ever called me granite before.”
DIMPLES
I think I just called Jazmin granite, but I’m not sure if I spoke it or just thought it in my mind.
The rhythmic motion of the van is making it hard to keep my eyes open.
Without the glare of bright lights and only the glow of the dashboard, the pounding in my head eases just enough for me to breathe.
I don’t plan on telling Halo about it unless it worsens.
I snuggle against Jazmin, finding comfort in her warmth and strength. I know she’s planning on staying with me, but would it be wrong to ask her to share my bed?
As lousy as I feel, nothing’s gonna happen but sleep. Still, I’d sleep so much better if I could curl up next to her. Would that be fair to her?
My thoughts become hazy and start to drift. I hear Jazmin and Halo’s voices, but I can’t make out their words.
Where’s Storm? Panic spikes—fast and irrational—but the heaviness of my eyelids wins. I’m sure Storm’s nearby. She always is.
Comforted by the thought, I let myself drift further into sleep.
STORM
Fucking Frost. If Dimples had been hurt bad, I’d have killed the bitch. I’ve been trying to lead with calm. But my fury keeps building. If Frost doesn’t knock off her shit, something’s gonna happen. Something we won’t be able to fix.
As it is, I’m pretty sure Jazmin broke the woman’s jaw. Good. My chest tightens. One member to blackball a prospect. Frost will never vote yes on Jazmin now.
An uneasy feeling settles over me. Maybe this is my fault. Trying to be a fair leader, I’ve become weak. Nobody pulled this shit on Aces’ watch.
Nails’ words rattle in my brain. After we resumed Casino Night, she’d told me what happened was a fluke. As shitty as Frost is, she couldn’t have orchestrated what happened. She came to stir up shit, and it got outta hand. I can’t read too much into it.
I’m not sure what to think anymore. Except my world is crumbling around me, while it’s also brighter than ever. I glance down at the reason for the brightness inside me—Shadow. Her head rests on my shoulder, and as I watch her, peace washes over me.
If Shadow hadn’t walked into my life, would the tempest Aces said she saw inside me break loose? Or is having her here softening the rage?
She must sense something because she looks up at me and smiles. “You okay?”
I pull her close. “I am now.”