CHAPTER 40 #3
“The first time I met the president of the Iron Thorns,” I say, deciding not to use Storm’s name, “is when I was ordered to shadow her at the Steel Graces’ poker run. Which I did.”
“And have you continued your relationship with her since?” Edge asks.
“Yes, I continue to be in contact with her. The day of the poker run, she helped me get home safely when a family emergency arose and my bike was overheating. I was grateful for her help and found her kind and considerate.”
Wiz snorts.
Wow. So much for professionalism and being non-emotional.
“Were you aware that your continued involvement with her violated club rules?” Wiz says.
I look at Wiz and give her an innocent smile. “Since you were the one who asked that I befriend her, why would I?” Hopefully, she doesn’t realize what a non-answer that was.
Wiz puts her hands on the table and looks as if she’s going to rise. “So you’re blaming me for your indiscretions?”
“No, President,” I say.
The hardness in Wiz’s jaw lessens.
“I’m saying that I don’t believe there has been any indiscretion.”
Wiz moves to the edge of her seat. “Well, I’m telling you now that being closely associated with the president of the Iron Thorns is a major indiscretion.”
I lean back against the backrest of my chair.
“You have nothing to say?” Wiz’s face has been ruddy since I arrived, but it’s turned a deeper shade of red.
“I didn’t realize you’d asked a question.” I know my answers are infuriating her. “Would you please repeat it?”
Wiz’s eyes flash. “I’m telling you now that a relationship with Storm violates club rules.”
I lean forward. “And the question is?”
“Which do you choose?” Wiz blurts out.
The other officers shift in their seats, probably as shocked as I am at Wiz’s lack of composure.
“Ah,” I say. “So you’re saying that should I break off contact with the president of the Iron Thorns I’d continue being in good standing with the Steel Graces?”
“Yes!” Wiz says, giving me a half smile.
“I see.” I pretend to think.
“This can be seen as a misunderstanding,” Edge says. “An assignment carried too far.”
“I’d like to share something with you, if I may,” I say.
“Go ahead,” Wiz says. Her demeanor is conciliatory, thinking I’ve come to my senses.
I have.
I smile. “During my time with Storm,” I strategically call her by name for the first time, “she told me a story about Aces, the founder of the Iron Thorns. Aces lived her entire life alone, unable to move on from the one that got away. I don’t want to live my life with regrets.”
“What in the fuck are you saying?” Wiz’s face is crimson.
I hold my head high. “I’m saying that I will not end my relationship with Storm.”
Wiz seems to be struggling with a response, so Edge says, “So you’re willing to jeopardize your standing with the Steel Graces?”
“It’s the price of love.”
And in that moment, I know it’s true. I’m in love with Storm.
“Jesus Christ, grow up, Shadow,” Wiz says.
“You’ve known her for what, a month?” Her eyes narrow, and a cruel smile plays on her lips.
“Ah, I understand. How did I miss it? Poor little Shadow. After living under Margot’s thumb for all these years, you’ve found yourself a protector—somebody else to control you. ” Wiz laughs. “How pathetic.”
Anger rises inside me, but I won’t give Wiz the satisfaction of losing my cool.
Edge clears her throat. “That’s going too far, Wiz.”
The other officers look as if they’d like to crawl under the table.
“What did you say?” Wiz says, turning her ire on Edge.
“A tribunal should not be personal. As you stated earlier, it’s about judgment, accountability, and protecting the Steel Graces’ name.”
The vein in Wiz’s neck throbs, but she sits taking several deep breaths before she speaks. “Let’s proceed with this tribunal.”
I stand and walk toward the table where the officers sit. If this were the Thorns’ meeting, Nails would have scaled the table and restrained me, but Sloth sits wide-eyed.
“Let me make this simple.” I pause and look from one officer to the next, making eye contact with each before I continue. “I’m not begging, and I’m not defending myself any longer.”
I meet Wiz’s gaze. “You once told me I needed to stand up for myself. Well, the time has come.”
Slowly, I take off my cut and neatly fold it. “If loving Storm makes me unfit to wear the Graces’ colors, then they were never mine to begin with.”
I place my cut on the table in front of Wiz. “I won’t renounce Storm. I won’t stand trial for love. I’m done.”
Wiz slams her palms on the table and pushes herself to her feet. “What the fuck has gotten into you? You’re choosing an outlaw over your sisters.”
I don’t answer. There’s nothing more to say. I turn and walk toward the door.
“Don’t you walk away from me, Shadow,” Wiz says in a commanding voice.
I keep walking. My hand is shaking when I grip the doorknob.
“When the Iron Thorns fall, don’t come crying to us,” Wiz calls.
I walk out, leaving the door open behind me.
Halfway down the stairs, I hear a commotion. I don’t look back.
“Steel Graces,” Wiz calls from the platform overlooking the club. “From this moment on, Shadow is dead to us.”
I keep walking.