Nickel (QUEENS WRAITHS MC #4)

PROLOGUE

NORA

Rain runs down my face, mixing with the tears on my cheeks as I gaze at the graves. Three mounds. Too fresh for gravestones. My younger sister and my parents. All gone within a matter of months. I’m the last one standing in our family.

That alone is a surprise. Weighing the odds, I should be lying in one of those graves. I’m the one with the dangerous job. The one stationed in war zones. They were simply living their lives… until they weren’t.

My sister … God, my sister. I don’t care what the police said; there was no way she was involved in the drug scene. She was taken, and her murder was covered up; that much I know for certain. I saw her autopsy report.

My parents’ deaths were written off as a house fire, but I know better.

My father was a stickler for making sure the fire alarms were working.

When no batteries were found in them, I knew someone had killed them.

Probably because of their unrelenting questions about Willow’s death. Like me, they knew she’d been murdered.

She wasn’t killed in a drug-fuelled rage like they wanted us to believe. Their attempt at a cover-up only confirmed my suspicions that powerful people were at play.

And I’m determined to find out who those people are. I’m not sure how I’m going to do it, but I’ll find a way.

I resigned from the army as soon as I received the news about my sister.

I came home for her funeral, but I had to go back to work my notice.

I was a month from the end of my notice when I got the news about my parents.

Due to the circumstances, I was allowed to leave early.

During the time it took me to arrange my parents’ funerals, I completed all my last checks and handed back all the requested paperwork.

For the first time in six years, I don’t know what tomorrow will bring. And I don’t like it. I thrive on routine.

The ache in my soul and the anger in my heart are the only things keeping me standing. That and the memories of better times when we were all together.

Lost in my thoughts, I don’t hear them until they’re standing on either side of me. I should be terrified when the four huge men surround me, but something in me broke when my family died. Nothing can ever hurt me as much as losing them did.

“Nora Harvey?”

I look at the blond man, his hair plaited like the pictures I’ve seen of Vikings of old.

“That’s me.”

“We’re sorry for your loss,” he murmurs.

I wipe a hand over my cheek. “Thank you. Can I help you with something?”

“Yes. And in return, we’ll help you find who murdered your family.”

I narrow my eyes, wondering how he knows about my family. “Is that right? I think you’d better tell me who you are.”

He smiles and holds out his hand. “My name is Cahir, and these are my brothers.” He motions to each one in turn. “Silas, Cai, and Ramzi. We’re the Cursed Skulls. You may have heard of us.”

I stare at him blankly.

“We take care of certain… situations for governments around the world,” he continues when I just stare at them.

“Not that they’d ever acknowledge it. They prefer no official connection to the matters we resolve.

And forgive us for approaching you at the funeral, but we weren’t sure where you’d go after this. ”

I’m intrigued, wondering what they want with me. Taking a step back to get a better view of them, I cross my arms and study them. They’re all large men, muscular and in their prime. Ink marks them all, but one is almost entirely covered. I doubt there’s an inch of bare skin left.

They don’t look alike, so I assume they’re brothers in arms rather than related by blood.

Silas has dark hair and eyes. Cai is a wall of tattoos, his green eyes piercing beneath the black mohawk shaved tight at the sides.

The last brother, Ramzi, also has green eyes, but his hair is fiery red.

Other than Cai, they all have long hair.

I have no doubt that they’re all dangerous men, but somehow, I know they mean me no harm.

“When you say you take care of things, does that include hurting innocents?”

They all shake their heads.

“No,” Silas replies. “We go after those who hurt innocent people.”

Tilting my head, I consider them. I know about Black Ops. You can’t be in the military and not know about them. Operators that do what needs to be done, usually with no backup. Those men are a different breed, mostly from military backgrounds.

“And you’ll help me find who killed my family?”

Cahir nods. “You have our word. We’ll use all our resources to help you right this wrong.”

My gaze snags on my family’s graves as I wipe my cheeks again. I’ll do this for them. It isn’t like I have anything better to do, and at least this will keep me busy, so I won’t have time to miss everything I’ve lost.

I wipe the last of my tears away and straighten my shoulders. “Okay, sign me up. Where and when.”

Cahir smiles. “First, you’ll come with us to our home in Scotland. We’re aware of your military background, but what we teach you isn’t something the regular military can provide.”

“And how do I know you’ll let me go if I follow you home?” I raise an eyebrow.

Silas chuckles, and the others grin, but it’s Cahir who answers.

“You don’t. But I promise you’ll be safe with us.”

I tilt my head. “I’m sure that’s what all kidnappers say.”

Ramzi sniggers. “She’s not wrong.”

“Maybe so.” Cahir rolls his eyes. “But I promise you’ll be safe with us. We need your skills.”

“Okay,” I agree. My gut tells me they’re trustworthy, and I always trust my gut to keep me safe in dicey situations. “I’ve got things to settle here first, so tell me where I’m going and when you need me there.”

“Oh, I like her. She’s going to fit in just fine.” Silas smirks at Cahir.

Cahir pinches the bridge of his nose and shakes his head. Amusement runs through me, taking me by surprise. It was the last emotion I expected to feel today.

“Here.” Cahir takes a folded paper from a pocket inside his leather coat and hands it to me. “Our contact details, address, and directions. We’ll meet you there in three days.” He smiles. “Welcome to the Cursed Skulls’ special ops team, Nora.”

I open the paper to check where I’m going. I see the address is in the Scottish Highlands. It’s going to be a long drive. “I’ll be there.”

I lift my gaze from the paper, only to find I’m talking to myself. Turning in a circle, I look for any sign of them, but it’s like they disappeared into thin air. If it were not for the paper I’m holding, I would think they were a figment of my imagination.

***

Three days later, I drive my truck up a steep hill towards what can only be described as a castle.

It’s the day my life changes.

I absorb everything the Skulls teach me and carry out every mission they assign me without complaint, well aware that each job brings me closer to whoever murdered my family.

I trust the Skulls in a way I never thought possible. They care about every one of their operatives. Not many of us know each other—it’s safer that way—but now and then, our paths cross.

Bee is one of those operatives. We meet when I’m wounded and recovering at the castle. She’s a recruit in training, although from what I understand, they’ve known her for years. We become friends and keep in touch between assignments, sharing information when we feel it’s needed.

I’ve been with the Skulls for nearly four years when I get the message I’ve been waiting for and an address.

Cahir: Found him. Meet us here.

“Fucking finally,” I whisper.

After all these years. It’s been like chasing a ghost. Now I’ll finally have justice for my family, but most of all for my sister and the horror she endured.

I hitch a ride with the cleaners the Skulls use, knowing I’ll get a lift back with one of them. It’s only a few hours’ drive from their home in Scotland.

When we get to the meeting spot, I shoulder my rifle and climb the hill to get as high as possible. I’ll help whoever is on this mission if I can.

Whoever the Skulls have sent in for this op knows how to do damage, but stealthy they are not. They’re fucking noisy. No chance this isn’t getting reported, not with the way they’re detonating charges and throwing hand grenades around like confetti.

I keep an eye out, prepared to help if needed, but whoever is on their overwatch is a crack shot. Just as I’m thinking of moving closer, I see him.

“What the fuck is he doing?”