Chapter 9
NORA
Ilike the Queens Wraiths.
While Nickel works with Bee, I spend an interesting morning with Thea and Jeanie.
Other than Bee, I haven’t had any close friends in years.
My job doesn’t exactly allow for girls’ nights out and mani/pedi days.
Not that I think these ladies are the type to want to do those activities.
They’re more the “shall we shoot them” kind of women. My kind of women.
They put my mind at ease about how fast Nickel and I are moving.
Seems the Tin men don’t mess around once they find the one meant for them—something I discover when I spend the morning putting together guns and testing them with Jeanie while Thea takes notes on how well they fire.
We break mid-morning for a mug of tea and something to eat, which is when the inquisition starts.
“So, you and Nickel?” Jeanie starts casually as she takes a sip of her mug of tea.
I bite back a grin. I should’ve known she’d go first. She’s as straightforward as they come. Thea is quieter but no less protective of her brothers-in-law.
“Nickel and me,” I agree. “He kind of took me by surprise, and now I’m questioning how fast we’re moving.”
Jeanie and Thea share a look before they burst out laughing.
I wait them out, not quite sure what’s so funny.
“Sorry,” Thea says, wiping tears of laughter from under her eyes. “Let us explain about the Tin men, starting with their dad, Tinman.”
“Oh, yeah, let’s not forget Tinman,” Jeanie says with a nod. “He’s the OG of falling in love hard and fast.”
“He is,” Thea agrees. She holds up her index finger. “David Tin. Met Maggie on a night out and immediately knew he’d met his one. They were married soon after.”
A second finger. “Coal Tin. Proposed within thirty minutes of us meeting. We were married the same day.”
“Bolt and Jeanie met in October last year on a night out, and ended up in bed together,” Thea says, holding up a third finger.
“They regretted not exchanging numbers, but it only took a few weeks for them to track each other down. Bolt made Jeanie his Old Lady within a day and married her in January.”
“Copper and Bee.” Thea sighs a little dreamily before telling me how they met. “Copper knew he wanted Bee before they’d even met. But as you know, Bee was punishing herself for hurting someone, even though that someone is now very happily married.”
“He is,” Jeanie agrees with a nod before explaining.
“He married my sister, and they’re expecting their first baby.
Copper and Bee took the longest, I’d say, but that’s only because of the circumstances surrounding their meeting.
If you look at it from Copper’s point of view, he knew from the beginning. ”
“So, your meeting Nickel a few days ago, falling into bed with him, and him wanting to make you his Old Lady within days is true to form for a Tin man. And Nora”—Jeanie leans forward and grasps my wrist, squeezing gently—“there is nothing better than having a Tin man who loves you. He’ll treat you like a queen and always put you first. They are the best of the best, and that’s saying something, considering I was an O’Shea before I was a Tin. ”
I’m quiet for a minute as I mull over their words.
Flipping my hand, I grip Jeanie’s to ground myself as I make a decision that surprises me.
I’m not one to be led around by my heart.
Not when I buried it alongside my family.
At least I thought I had, but it seems all it took was one Wraith to make it beat again.
“You’re saying that what I’m feeling is perfectly normal for a Tin man and I should just go with the flow?”
Thea and Jeanie nod.
“That’s exactly what we’re saying. Don’t overthink things.
Don’t be influenced by what people think is normal nowadays,” Jeanie advises.
“That doesn’t work with the life we lead and the men we fall for.
You won’t regret being an Old Lady. I mean, look at us.
” She gestures at herself, then Thea, then around the building.
“We’re fucking awesome. And you know Bee.
If you’re worried, ask her for her opinion, but I don’t think she’ll tell you any different.
I’ve got her on speakerphone. You need someone you know and trust to tell you that we’re not shitting you when it comes to the Tins. ”
“They’re not,” Bee agrees. “They’re not like men I’ve met before.
I come from a family of fantastic men, like Jeanie.
The Crow men love their ladies to distraction, but yeah…
the Tins are on a different level. Plus, selfishly, I’d like to have you with me.
You won’t regret being a Queens Wraith, Nora.
Like Jeanie said, we’re fucking awesome.
Admittedly, Jeanie and I have known each other for a long time, but Thea has been amazing.
If I had to choose sisters, I’d have them at my back any day of the week. ”
“I hear you,” I whisper. “I’ll think about everything you’ve said. But one thing I can agree on is that you’re fucking awesome.”
“Too right,” Jeanie echoes, clinking her mug against mine. “Welcome to the family, Nora.”
Laughing, I clink my mug against hers, then Thea’s. “Happy to be part of it.”
“You won’t regret staying here, Nora,” Bee reassures me. “I have to go. Nickel and I are going to attempt to explain to Coal what we’re doing with the finances, but I’ll see you all at lunch.”
She ends the call.
“Thank you,” I tell Thea and Jeanie, meaning it with my whole heart. I haven’t belonged anywhere for years, and somehow, over the last few days, that sense of belonging has slipped over me.
“You’re welcome.” Thea smiles sweetly and pats my hand. “Now, how about we hand-load some bullets before lunch, while Jeanie fills us in on the O’Sheas? The only one I know is Butcher, and trust me, all the stories I’ve heard about him are scary.”
“You’re on,” Jeanie replies. “I’ll start with my mum and dad, then we’ll move on to my uncles and aunts. Trust me, I’ve got stories for hours.”
My head is reeling by the time she’s finished filling me in on the O’Sheas and their history with the Crow MC. I didn’t realise I met her dad the night I tortured Lloyd, which is hardly surprising as I had other things on my mind.
Thea and I alternate between laughing and shaking our heads at Jeanie’s stories. By the time we get back to the clubhouse, my stomach is hurting because I’ve laughed so much.
So, yeah, today has been a good day, and ending it on the beach in the arms of a good man, watching the waves, is no hardship.
“What are you thinking about, darlin’?”
Nickel's beard tickles my cheek as I rest it on his shoulder. Turning my head, I tuck my face into the crook of his neck and breathe. A smile tugs at my lips when his lips touch my forehead. I love how free he is with his affection for me.
Needing to see his face, I turn and straddle his lap, draping my arms over his shoulders.
His bright green eyes meet mine, and the emotion in them once again sweeps me away.
Nickel looks at me as if I’m his sole reason for breathing.
It’s simultaneously heady and terrifying.
I’ve never been someone’s beginning and end before—never been the centre of another person’s world like this.
The weight of it presses against my chest, equal parts intoxicating and unnerving.
But after spending the morning with the Queens Wraith Old Ladies, I know I’m going to lean into the feeling. I’m done running.
“I had an interesting morning with Jeanie and Thea.”
His eyebrows rise in question. “You did?”
“Yep.” I lean forward and whisper in his ear, “They told me all about you Tin men and how you claim a woman as soon as you know she’s yours.”
His chest shakes as he chuckles. “Love my sisters. They’re fucking awesome,” he murmurs.
“That’s what they said.” I grin and sit back on his thighs. “So, if I go by what they said about the Tins and their timelines, I believe you want to ask me something, Mr Tin?”
“Fuck, babe, I’ve been worried you’ll think it’s too soon, and here you are making it easy. I do have something to ask you. I know we touched on it the first night we made love, but I couldn’t officially ask you until I had my brothers’ votes.”
My heart flutters in my chest. He told me that first night that he wanted his name on my back and his ring on my finger.
I wasn’t sure then. But after spending the morning with the other Old Ladies and getting to know his mum and sister better, I knew I’d finally found my home—the one place I never expected to belong.
I honestly thought I’d die alone, with no family to mourn me, and I’d made my peace with it. Nickel has taken me totally by surprise, and I can’t say I regret crossing paths with him.
“Ask me.”
Nickel slides his hands up my cheeks, cupping them. My attention focuses on him, on the way he looks at me, how he smells, the love in his eyes. The wash of the waves lapping against the rocks, the walkers chatting on the beach, all fade into the background.
“Nora Harvey, you took me by surprise. You saved my life… literally.” He grins at me.
I chuckle, leaning forward to rest my forehead against his.
He nudges my nose with his. “I never thought I’d meet someone who instinctively got me and my idiosyncrasies, someone who would fit seamlessly into my life and my family. And then there you were in front of me with a gun pointed at my head. You killed for me. I’ll never forget that.”
Nickel pulls back, still holding my gaze. “Will you be my Old Lady? Accept my name on your back and my ring on your finger? Will you, when you’re finished kicking ass and taking names, have babies with me that we can raise to be as awesome as their mother?”
Tears fill my eyes and roll down my cheeks.
I press my lips to his in a quick kiss before replying.
“I’d like nothing better, Nickel Tin, than to be your Old Lady, to take your name, and when the time is right, have babies with you.
Thank you for giving me back a life I thought I’d lost, and for sharing your family with me.
I thought it was too soon to say the words, but I understand the Tins fall in love quickly, and it seems the Harvey's do too. Love you, Nickel Tin. You’re the best of the best, and I’d be proud to have your name on my back. ”
“Love you right back, Nora Harvey. I’ll get your cut ordered as soon as we’re back at the club.
Thank you.” He wipes his thumbs across my cheeks, removing the tears I’d forgotten I'd shed, before he kisses me.
We only break apart when we hear the whistling and heckling coming from a group sitting down the beach from us.
“Come on, darlin’. Let’s go home where I can kiss you without a peanut gallery.” Nickel grins at me.
Standing, I wipe my cheeks, which are aching from my wide smile. “Sounds amazing.” I hold my hand out to him, pulling him up next to me.
The ride home flies by. We waste no time stripping and falling into bed.
I only have one thought as pleasure takes me and I see stars…
Sweet Jesus, the man is lethal, and I’m glad he’s all mine.