Chapter 4 #3
“My family owned a construction company, and I spent most of my summers working for them,” Cross answers. “I can do the build, but I can’t do the electrics. We’ll need to hire someone.”
“I can do that,” Bee states, surprising us.
“You can?” Copper asks, looking at his Old Lady with surprise.
“Yeah,” Bee replies, looking uncomfortable. “I spent a lot of time at Abby’s when I was a teenager. You know I like to learn things, so she taught me. I’m not certified or anything, but I can make sure it's wired up and safe. But I’m not good at plumbing, so we’ll need someone for that.”
“I can do the plumbing,” Nora volunteers. “Like Bee, I’m not certified, but I know enough to get the job done.”
Cross nods. “I’ll draw up the plans before the next Church.”
“Okay, it’s sorted,” Coal says. “We’ll all pitch in to help. I want it underground, which means digging and shoring up. Everyone happy with the suggestions? Let’s vote. Nickel, tally up.”
We all pass the vote. Not sure why we bothered, but Coal likes to do things a certain way.
“We’ll meet back here in two days unless we receive any news about Burres before then.
Let’s check on the businesses and make sure we’re not letting things slide.
Copper has an idea I like, but we’ll bring it to the table.
Bee will be working in the back office, taking over our accounts from Beau now she’s back. ”
Bee raises her hand.
Coal grins and waves at her to speak.
“I’d like Nickel to work with me in the office.”
Surprise lights the faces around the table. Hell, nobody’s more surprised than me.
“Any particular reason?” Coal wants to know.
Bee looks perplexed, and her gaze slides to me. “They don’t know?”
“Know what?” I ask, confused.
“Nickel.” She sighs and shakes her head.
“You’ve been running your investments since we took them over.
Beau wasn’t sure why you were using us because more often than not, you told him what needed to be done.
All he did was move the money around. Honestly, you don’t need us.
Beau dropped our fees, only charging the club an administration fee because you were doing all the work. Why does nobody know what you can do?”
The silence around the table is deafening.
“Nickel?” Coal demands.
I shift uncomfortably, hating that I’m under scrutiny.
Nora’s hand wraps around my thigh, squeezing gently, and I settle.
I’m not sure how to answer the question. I’ve always dabbled in finance, managing my money and the money I put aside for Opal, but I figured the club would want a company they trusted to do theirs. I mean, I’m not trained; I just wing it and make what I think are deductive decisions.
“Is Bee right, Nickel? You’re doing our investments?” Coal presses.
“Not really,” I admit. “Okay… sort of. I work with Beau to decide what's best for us.”
“You do more than that, Nickel,” Bee admonishes.
“You’ve not only doubled your club's earnings, but you've also helped Beau with investments for my family. I know you have your own investments and a portfolio set up for Opal, which means she’ll never have to work if she doesn’t want to.
And there’s also one for your mom and dad, which means they can retire if they want. ”
“There is?” Tinman looks at me with surprise.
“Mom knows about it,” I assure him.
“I’m sure she does.” He chuckles. “And Opal?”
“She knows.”
Coal frowns. “Is there a reason you haven’t told us?”
I shift uncomfortably in my chair, knowing that everyone is looking at me.
“No. I just figured the club would want a stable company managing their investments rather than an untrained brother. As treasurer, I know what’s going on with our finances, so it seemed natural to talk to Beau.
Cash showed me how to funnel money out for our operations. ”
Coal shakes his head. “Fuck, Nickel. We’ve always known you were too smart to be a brother.”
Hurt flashes through me, and Nora straightens in the chair next to me.
“I’m a good brother, Pres.”
Coal holds up a hand. “You’re a fucking phenomenal brother, Nickel. That’s never been in question. But if you hadn’t been born into this life, you could be doing so many other things.”
I’m fucking confused. I hate not knowing what he means. Is he upset that I’m making money for the club, or is he happy? People are so bloody frustrating.
“Son.”
I turn to Tinman.
“What our President is trying to say is that he feels you’re wasted in the brotherhood. That you could have gone to college, had a career, and that if you hadn’t joined the Queens Wraiths, you could be or do anything you wanted.”
“I like being a brother.” I turn back to Coal.
“It was never a choice for me. All my family is Queens Wraiths. I’ve always wanted to be a brother, and I hope I’m a good one.
I enjoy working with numbers because they make sense to me.
I’m happy with the life I’ve chosen, Coal.
I don’t want a career or a nine-to-five job.
I’d be fucking bored. I love the life we live with my brothers and my family. Am I missing something?”
“No, brother, you’re not,” Copper says. “You’re a great brother, both in blood and in brotherhood. Always have been and always will be. I, for one, am glad to call you mine.”
“Same,” Bolt agrees.
“That goes for me too,” Iron adds. “Always happy to have you at my back. I may have to hit you up to take over my portfolio. The guy I use in the states is slacking.”
“You use Cash,” I say, confused.
“I know.” He grins. “But I’d rather use you, and he’ll be glad to have a bit more free time.”
“Okay, we’ve gone off track, and I’ve somehow fucked things up when I didn’t mean to.
Bee, you're welcome to work with Nickel if he wants to join you. Everyone, we’re back here in two days.
Hopefully, Sterling will have more information on Burres.
We’ll go over the company books then. Church dismissed. ” Coal slams the gavel on the table.
Nora and I stand as everyone files out.
“A minute, Nickel,” Coal says, stopping me before we can leave.
Nora tenses and slides in front of me, arms folded across her chest. She stares Coal down. “You’d better not say anything to make him feel bad about himself again. I don’t like it.”
Coal smiles, and his eyes meet mine over her head. I know he feels bad about what he said, and I may have taken it wrong. He’s my brother and would never intentionally hurt me, so I must’ve missed something. This is him wanting to clear the air.
“I only want to apologise to him, Nora.”
She turns slightly to look at me over her shoulder.
I squeeze her waist. “It’s all good, darlin’.”
“If you’re sure.”
Lowering my head, I kiss her temple. “I’ll be fine.”
Nora uncrosses her arms and levels Coal with another look before leaving us and closing the door behind her.
“I’m sorry, Nickel. I meant it last night when I said you’re the best of us. I didn’t mean to imply you were a bad brother because you’re not. You were a fucking amazing VP while Copper was away, and I’d have you at my back any day.”
Coal pauses, holding my gaze. “Having said that, we need to rethink your role when it comes to trafficking and the ops side of the business. We all have a part to play, and I think yours is to make sure we have the money to finance everything. I assumed the Skulls financed the ops. I didn't realise you’d arranged it all. I’m sorry I dropped the ball on that. ”
“It’s all good, Pres. You juggle a lot of plates, and if it makes you feel better, I only used our money for the last operation. I’ll walk you through everything if you want, so you know what I’m doing. I’d love to work with Bee, and I think I can also learn a lot from her.”
“Sounds like a plan. And I suppose you’d better explain it to me, although you know I’m not going to understand a single thing you show me, right?”
I chuckle. “Welcome to my world, brother. I’ll break it down for you so even a toddler can understand it.”
“Wanker.” Coal laughs, hugging me and slapping my back. “Appreciate you, Nickel.”
“Right back at you, Pres.”
He steps back. “Are we good now?”
“We’re good. And just so you know, you’re a good president, but you’re an exceptional big brother.”
“Fuck.” He clears his throat. “Let’s get out of here. Do you think it’s too early for a beer? It’s been a morning.”
“What’s the saying?” I shrug as I open the door. “It’s five o’clock somewhere.”
“Fucking right, brother. Come on, let me buy you a beer. We’ll enjoy some family time, and I’ll get to know your lady better. She’s a little scary, huh?”
“Sleeps with a knife under her pillow.”
“No shit.” He side-eyes me. “Rather you than me.”
I laugh. “You mean you’d rather the gun your wife cuddles than the knife my lady does.”
“Jesus.” He slaps my shoulder as we get to the bar. “We know how to pick them.”
“We sure as fuck do,” I agree, taking the beer from Blue with a nod of thanks.
I turn to face the main room, searching for the woman who’s taken me by surprise. I find her sitting in the comfortable chairs where the Old Ladies always seem to gravitate, chatting comfortably with Thea and Jeanie.
Bee comes out of the kitchen, carrying a couple of boards filled with cheeses and cold meats. She drops one off at their table, then comes towards us.
“Snack time, guys.” She rolls to her toes, kissing Copper’s cheek before turning to me.
“Tomorrow, at nine o’clock sharp, we’ll go through all the accounts and portfolios. You can bring me up to speed before we make a game plan.”
“Sounds good to me,” I agree.
“Looking forward to working with you, Nickel.” Bee holds out her hand to me, which I shake. “Welcome to Wraith Investments. Our company is set up. We’ll get the contracts drawn up, signed, and sealed by the end of the week.”
Surprised shock runs through me. “What?”
Bee tilts her head, her tone serious when she declares, “I’m a businesswoman first and foremost, Nickel.
I recognise a good partner when I see one.
You may not have the big career your brothers seem to think you should have, but you sure as shit can own a company and be your own boss.
Looking forward to making money with you. ”
I’m left with my mouth agape as Bee drops that bomb and walks off as if she hasn’t just changed my entire life.
“Our women are amazing.” Copper squeezes my shoulder. “Congratulations. Proud of you, brother.”
“Fuck.” I turn back to the bar, stunned as I try to process what just happened.
“Here,” Dad says, pushing a shot towards me. “Fill ‘em up, Blue. I’d like to celebrate with my son.”
Celebrate, we do. We haven’t done this for a long time. Spent time together as a brotherhood, getting drunk, bonding, and enjoying each other’s company for what seems like forever.
And knowing that the woman I want as mine is only a few feet away only makes it sweeter. That she’s laughing with the Old Ladies at the stupidity that comes along with getting drunk with a group of men you’d lay your life down for.