CHAPTER 32 #2
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.”
I turn and run back inside. I clock it fast. Dimples must’ve come to help. With Shortstack still on the floor, she must’ve swept Dimples’ legs, knocking her down. The hair on the side of Dimples’ head turns red with blood.
Shortstack, now on her feet, raises her leg to kick Dimples, but my fist connects with her jaw, stopping her assault. Shortstack crumples to the floor as I shake my hand, trying to get feeling back in it.
I kneel beside Dimples, but I catch movement out of the corner of my eye. Somebody’s moving fast toward us, so I spring to my feet. My only thought is to protect Dimples. I’d lost track of Jinx and the other patches, and I don’t want to be in a vulnerable position if they attack.
Once on my feet, I realize it’s Shadow racing toward us in her high heels. I scour the room and see the patch sisters still huddled near the door. Their sheepish expressions tell me they’re not going to cause any trouble, so I kneel beside Dimples again.
She’s sitting up and holding her head. Blood drips between her fingers.
“We need a towel,” I call to Shadow before I focus on Dimples. “How you doin’?” I ask her, trying to get a look at her eyes.
When she looks at me, she blinks several times as if trying to focus.
“Feeling dizzy?” I ask.
She nods but grimaces as soon as she does.
“It’s okay.” I put my arm around her. “You took a blow to the head.”
Dimples leans against me and lays her head against my chest.
Halo pushes in. Before I can protest, she says, “I’m a nurse.”
I’d almost forgotten.
I move back and give her room.
Though I want to stay with Dimples, the voices outside are getting louder. What if Frost brought reinforcements? Storm and Nails could have walked into an ambush.
I look over Halo’s shoulder and make eye contact with Dimples. “I gotta check on Storm and Nails.”
“Go,” she says.
I stare at her, not moving.
Despite the blood still dripping down her cheek, she gives me a smile. “Please. Make sure they’re okay.”
Her smile gets my feet moving. When I reach the door, I do a quick assessment. I’d been right, there was another woman waiting outside. It’s three against two, so I step out to even the odds.
Tank delivers a glancing blow to Nails, while Storm is grappling with Frost and her other friend. A quick assessment tells me Nails needs my help more than Storm, so I hurry to the middle of the yard. With two of us, it doesn’t take long to subdue Tank.
We get her face down on the ground with her arms pulled behind her. Nails drops a knee onto the center of her back, and the woman stops struggling.
“Go help Storm,” Nails shouts.
I race toward Storm, who just took a hard right to her chin from Frost. Storm staggers, but it doesn’t appear she’s going down. From the corner of my eye, I see Frost’s friend rising from the ground.
Shit. She’s going to jump Storm from behind. I run faster, covering the distance between us. I grab Frost’s friend and spin her around. She’s smaller than I realize, so I grab her by the throat and look her in the eyes.
“You’re gonna stop this shit and back off. I don’t want anyone else to get hurt.”
Her eyes harden, so I tighten my hold on her neck. Her eyes widen and fill with fear.
Good. I ain’t trying to hurt her, just wanna scare her. It works.
She nods.
I point. “I’m gonna let you go, and you better hightail your ass over to your bikes.” I squeeze before letting off the pressure. “If you don’t, I won’t let go next time.”
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.