Chapter 4
NICKEL
Ididn’t intend to leave Nora alone for long when I walked Opal back to the clubhouse, but I’m glad I did because my little sister is one of my favourite people to spend time with.
“I like her, bubby,” Opal says as we walk. Like she’s done since she was little, she loops her hands around my bicep and rests her head against my shoulder.
“Yeah?” I look down at the top of her curly hair—the same hair we all inherited from our mother, along with our eyes. “You didn’t say more than ten words to her.”
Opal shrugs and tilts her face up to mine. “I didn’t need to. If you like her, I know she’s a good person. But I like her because she spoke to me like a real person and not because she was trying to get into one of my brother’s pants.”
I scowl. I hate that Opal has had to deal with that. But sadly, she does. “I’m sorry, Opal. I hate when that happens to you.”
Opal shrugs again as if it’s not a big deal.
I guess she’s been handling it so long that for her, it isn’t anymore.
“It’s all good. I can protect you guys this way and get rid of the women I don’t like before they have a chance to dig their claws into one of you.
But I have to say, I’m happy you’ve all found your ladies.
It means I can relax for the first time in years. ”
I snort out a laugh as we walk slowly towards the clubhouse. I want to get back to Nora, but not at the detriment of hurting my sister’s feelings. “She’s not mine yet. She may not want someone like me.”
Opal halts, and I stop alongside her. She turns to me, gripping my arms, her expression serious and a little angry.
“Stop doing that,” she spits out before continuing. “And wipe that look off your face. I hate it when you put yourself down. I’ve got good brothers, and I love you all. I always say I don’t have a favourite, but I do. You.”
Emotion fills my chest, and I swallow the lump in my throat. “Opal—”
“No.” She swipes the air with one hand as if to silence me before settling it back on my arm.
“Nickel, listen to me. Coal and Copper are the eldest, and I love them, but they’re bossy and expect me to fall in with whatever they say.
It pisses me off because it’s like they think I don’t have a brain or something.
I’m not stupid, and I’m learning to look after myself more.
All my new sisters-in-law are helping with that.
But Coal and Copper still treat me like I’m five. ”
Opal pauses, her mouth twisting slightly.
“Bolt… well, we all know what he’s like.
He was the fun brother, the one who was happy to mess around with me until he lost the baby.
Then it was like he disappeared. I’ve only just got him back, and I love him, but I don’t feel like I can go to him when I’ve got a problem. ”
She stops talking for a minute as she gazes at me, and her face softens.
“But you, bubby, you’re my brother. The one I go to when I need someone to listen without judging.
The one who helps me with my homework. The one who took me to prom when no one asked me and made it a fun evening.
The one who doesn’t mind sitting quietly with me when I’m having a bad day and don’t want to talk but still want company.
The one who is my safe space because you don’t judge me, no matter what I do.
You are so incredibly smart. Your IQ is probably higher than all of us siblings combined, but you never make me feel like I’m stupid. ”
I laugh. “Not true about my IQ.” Then I sober and scowl as the rest of her words penetrate. “Who said you were stupid?”
“Nobody.” Opal slaps my chest. “Now shut it. I’m talking.”
I grunt; she’s not light-handed.
“You’re incredibly smart, Nickel. If you hadn’t been born into an MC, you’d probably be a rich stockbroker or something.
I know we use Crow Investments, but I also know you keep an eye on them and invest your own money.
I know you have an account set up for me with more money than I’ll ever know what to do with.
So, you need to stop putting yourself down.
Are you quiet? Yes. Are you sometimes awkward and don’t always understand society's niceties? Also, yes.”
Opal glares fiercely when I wince at that last part.
“But so the fuck what? You’re so much more than that.
You’re the best big brother a girl could ask for, and you were an amazing VP while Copper was gone.
You knew what Bolt’s sleigh needed to finish it perfectly.
You’re my bubby, the only one I’ve given a nickname to, and you’re my favourite out of all our siblings. ”
Opal grips my arms tighter. “And you really need to hear me this time, Nickel, because we all know it. You are the best of all of us!” She shouts the words into the night.
The clubhouse door opens, but we ignore it.
I press my forehead to hers and close my eyes. “Love you, Opal.”
My sister sighs and wraps her arms around my waist, pressing her cheek to my chest. “Love you too, bubby. No more putting yourself down, okay?”
“Okay,” I agree, kissing the top of her head.
“Everything okay here?” Coal walks closer, his gaze searching mine before moving to Opal.
She smiles. “Everything is perfect. Just making sure our brother knows that he’s worth taking a chance on.”
Surprise flares in Coal’s eyes. “Of course he is. He’s the best of us, and he’s a Tin.”
Opal laughs softly before looking up at me. “Told you so.”
A wide grin spreads over my face, and I flick her nose. “So you did, little sister. So you did. But it’s good to hear it all the same. And you’ll have to tell me how you know so much about my personal business.”
She rolls her eyes. “Please, you gave me your password years ago, and you know I’ll never tell anyone else.”
Coal looks between us with a frown. “Am I missing something?”
“Nope.” Opal shakes her head. “Nickel is going to be fine now. Go back home, bubby. Nora’s probably finished in the shower. I’ll see you tomorrow. Love you.” She rolls to her toes, kisses my cheek, and disappears into the clubhouse.
“You okay, brother?” Coal asks, concern in his voice.
“I’m okay, Coal.”
He studies me for a beat. “You know you can come to me with anything, right?”
“I know.” I nod. And I do know.
“Nora doing all right?”
“She is for now. We left her showering.”
Coal hums as he studies me. I’m not sure what he’s looking for, but he seems to find it because he steps back. “Church tomorrow at ten.”
“Opal said. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Turning, I lope back to my home and jog up the stairs.
When I get to the door, I scan my surroundings the way Brass and Iron have drilled into us.
I’m surprised to see Coal still standing by the clubhouse door.
He lifts a hand and waves. It’s only when I return his wave that he opens the door and disappears inside.
I’m not sure what to do with what Opal said. And Coal agreed. It’ll take me time to process and mull it over.
The first thing I notice when I enter my home is the scent of vanilla. It’s an alien smell in my home, but not an unwelcome one. The anxiety that followed me when I left Nora to take Opal to the clubhouse eases knowing she’s here in my home, in my shower. And soon, hopefully, in my bed.
I leave my boots on the shoe rack near the door and walk towards the bedroom.
The door is wide open. Nora has left the bathroom light on, and I can just make out her form in the bed, her blonde hair peeking from beneath the towel she’s wrapped around it.
That can’t be comfortable, but I’ll leave her for a minute while I clean up before removing it.
Her hair will have dried enough by then.
Gathering up clean clothes, I quickly shower and clean up the bathroom. Picking up our clothes, I throw them in the washing machine before returning to the bedroom. I gently ease the damp towel from Nora’s hair and hang it up to dry.
She looks perfect in my bed, and I’d love nothing more than to crawl in next to her, but not while she’s asleep. I have a feeling she’s one of those women who don’t like to be surprised awake. She’d probably knee me in the balls or stab me.
Taking my pillow and the spare blanket from the bottom of the bed, I walk back into the lounge and collapse on the couch. I tuck the pillow under my head, and I’m fast asleep within minutes.
***
It feels like I’ve barely closed my eyes when my alarm wakes me up. Groaning, I roll over and switch it off.
“Fuck,” I mutter, wiping at my gritty, sleep-filled eyes as I squint at the time. We have an hour before Church.
I stand and stretch with another groan. Every muscle in my body aches. Shaking my shoulders out, I go to the kitchen and start the coffee before transferring the washing from last night to the dryer. Then I check on Nora, who’s still fast asleep.
I make use of the bathroom and get dressed for the day. The smell of coffee is calling me. Leaving Nora to sleep a bit longer, I make myself a cup and down it as I fold our clothes from yesterday.
Making a pile for Nora, I fill a cup with coffee for her and take it along with her clothes to the bedroom.
I squat next to the bed, placing her coffee on the bedside table, and grasp the wrist of the hand buried under her pillow.
I caught a glimpse of the knife last night, and I don’t fancy being stabbed before breakfast.
Running a finger over her face, I wake her gently, whispering her name until her eyes open. It’s a little disconcerting that she’s asleep one minute and wide-awake the next. I’m glad I’m holding her wrist because I was right; she’s woken up ready to fight.
“It’s me, Nora. I brought you coffee.”
“Nickel.” She huffs a sigh and falls back on the bed with a groan. “What time is it?”
“Just gone nine thirty. We’ve got Church in half an hour.”
“Thanks,” she mutters, pushing herself up in bed to rest her back against the headboard.
Picking up her coffee, I hand it to her and stand.