Chapter 1
NORA
“What the fuck is he doing?”
I peer through my scope, keeping an eye on the man working for the Skulls.
He’s a big guy, dressed in black, wearing a skullcap, the same as the rest of the men. He doesn’t move as fluidly as some, but he’s clearly had training.
Somehow, he gets separated from the rest of the men on his team. When I see what’s happening, I sling my rifle over my shoulder and descend the hill to find a better vantage point. I’m not sure why, but something is pushing me to make sure he’s okay.
I find a good spot and set up my rifle. Steadying my breathing, I peer through the scope. Whoever he is, he’s boxed—pinned down behind a low-level garden wall. I already know where the Skull’s sniper is positioned, and there is no chance he’ll be able to help his teammate.
I draw in another breath and release it slowly as I fire, dropping one guard, then the other, who had him pinned. Once I’m sure my guy is in the clear, I pick up my rifle and head down the steep hill towards the house.
Picking my way through the carnage from the bomb, I inch toward the front of the house and the man who caught my attention. I ease into the shadows at the corner of the house, watching as he checks on the dogs but completely ignores the fallen men.
From the corner of my eye, I see one of the guards move.
“Fuck, no,” I mutter. “You’re not killing him when I just saved his arse.”
I pull my handgun from my holster and hurry towards them, catching a glimpse of acceptance in my guy’s eyes. He thinks this is it, his time to die.
Well, not on my watch.
Taking aim, I fire, hitting the guard in the centre of his forehead. He drops like a stone. I don’t have to check to know he’s dead.
I turn my attention to the man who, for reasons I don’t fully understand, has held my focus from the moment I first saw him. Anger surges through me at his complete lack of awareness—at how casually he gambled with his life and the danger he put himself in.
“Seriously, dude, what the fuck was that? That’s the second time I’ve saved your arse tonight.”
He’s much taller than me, good-looking, with a black, neatly trimmed beard. Heat flares in his eyes as they settle on me, sending a shiver of awareness down my spine.
He smiles. “Hi.”
Hi? That’s it? What the bloody hell is wrong with him? He doesn’t seem at all concerned that he nearly had his head blown off. I’m starting to question his intelligence.
I roll my eyes. “Seriously, dude, what the fuck?” I demand. “You checked the dogs, but not the guards?”
“You’re right. I fucked up. I should’ve checked them. Thanks for saving my life.”
Surprise rushes through me before I school my features. I expected him to go on the defensive, but his easy acceptance takes the wind right out of my sails.
Colour me shocked. Surprise rushes through me. “You need a keeper,” I mutter, checking my weapon out of habit—I always count my rounds as I fire. Better to stay careful. “Where are the Skulls?” I ask, still scanning the area.
Bee’s familiar voice crackles through the comm in his ear, and I almost shake my head. How he’s able to ignore her is beyond me.
“You should answer Bee. I can hear her from here.”
He grins as he reassures Bee he’s okay, his gaze never leaving mine. I want to bean him. We’re in the middle of an op, and he seems more interested in staring at me than watching our surroundings. The man seriously needs a keeper, and it looks like I’m it.
I wonder if I’ve heard him right when he says something to Bee about me being an “old lady.” Cheeky bastard. I’m pretty sure we’re around the same age.
I glare at him. “Did you just call me old?”
His grin widens, and his piercing green eyes hold me captive. “No, ma’am, I did not.”
His voice is low and rough, gravelly enough to send another shiver down my spine. Jesus, the man is too handsome for his own good, and the unexpected flutter of desire in my belly catches me off guard.
“Bee says hi, and Ramzi is on his way,” he adds.
I nod, dragging my gaze from his. I need distance—from him and whatever pull he has on me. I can’t let my focus slip. We’re not safe yet, and I’m not about to leave him alone out here alone.
This protective instinct isn’t something I’m used to anymore… at least, not for a long time. But something about him screams at me to keep him safe at all costs. Not that he can’t handle himself. He wouldn’t be here if he couldn’t.
I don’t understand these unexpected feelings coursing through me. But what I do know is that my heartbeat only settled once I knew he was safe.
“Military, huh?” He leans casually against the house wall and crosses his arms as if this is just another day in the park for him. Maybe it is. The Skulls have allies everywhere that they use for certain jobs.
“Yep,” I reply. “But you’re not.”
“Nope,” he agrees. “Motorcycle Club. Name’s Nickel Tin. And you are?”
Motorcycle Club? Well, that’s a new one. I didn’t realise the Skulls had one on their operations team.
Seeing no reason not to tell him who I am, I open my mouth to reply when I hear my name from behind me.
“Nora Harvey, you made it.”
I recognise that voice immediately, and happiness floods through me as I turn to see Ramzi.
I hug him, ignoring Nickel’s unhappy rumble as Ramzi squeezes me tightly.
He and his brothers have become my family over the years.
I know I’m a special case. They’re not close to many of their operatives, but Bee and I seem to be the exceptions.
“Ramzi,” I murmur, giving him one last squeeze before stepping back.
“I see you met Nickel,” he says with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.
I tilt my head as I look at him, wondering about his humorous tone. “I have.”
“She saved me. Twice,” Nickel admits.
His admission surprises me. Not many men would be humble enough to admit they were rescued by a woman. But something already tells me he’s different from the kind of man I’m used to.
Ramzi tells Nickel that someone called Cross will be working with him.
I tense as the front door of the house opens and Cahir appears. More men file out with him, carrying Eade.
Cold anger flows through me as they haul Eade through the gates, but I school my expression to conceal my turmoil. I’m used to locking down my emotions.
Cahir breaks away and greets me warmly before filling me in on where they’re taking Eade. He calls out to a man who closely resembles Nickel. His brother?
Nickel offers immediately when Cahir asks for a lift so they can take me with them.
Relief slips through me. I probably could’ve ridden with Bee and the others in the van, but being cooped up isn’t what I need right now.
Making small talk is the last thing I want when the need for retribution is boiling in my blood.
Riding free with the wind in my face on the back of a bike seems like a far better option. And riding for hours with my arms locked around the gorgeous hunk I saved is as good a way to pass the time as any.
Romantic relationships haven’t been on my radar for years, but seeing Bee’s easy familiarity with her man, Copper, has me wondering if it’s possible with Nickel.
***
I do my job with Lloyd Eade, torturing him for information as I seek retribution for my family.
Nickel and the rest of the Queen’s Wraiths don’t judge me for the things I do to him. They stand beside me, a silent wall of support, and once I’m done, it seems the most natural thing in the world to walk right into the open embrace and seek comfort in Nickel’s waiting arms.
I can’t help but wonder why I’m so comfortable with him. I’m not a woman who acts impulsively. Trust doesn’t come easy for me. The life I’ve lived has made me hard. I keep my emotions locked down because if I don’t, they could get me killed.
But I allow myself to be vulnerable with Nickel for a short time in the place that everyone calls The Hole. And for the first time since my family was murdered, I allow myself to feel.
Something about Nickel makes me feel safe.
I only hope I’m not making a mistake now that the Cursed Skulls are working with the Queens Wraiths.