I stifle a giggle at Thea’s look of dismay.
“Oh, feck,” she whispers, covering her face with her hands.
“Feck,” Shea repeats, bouncing excitedly in a laughing Coal’s arms.
Thea thumps her forehead on the table.
Shea shouts “FECK” again just as Copper’s parents walk in the door.
My giggle becomes a belly laugh, and I collapse against a chuckling Copper.
I love his family. They’re similar to mine in their affection and merciless teasing.
We laugh a lot over the next few hours. I relax and enjoy the happy atmosphere, ignoring the underlying sadness that my family isn’t here to share this with me.
I can only hope that this assignment won’t drag so I can see them soon. But hope is a fickle thing, and I should know better.
CHAPTER 12
COPPER
I’m instantly hard when Coal and I walk into the kitchen to find our women stripping and reassembling weapons. Coal is right; there’s nothing sexier than a competent woman, and ours are that in spades.
Coal and I are happy to see Bella and Thea getting along. Not that I had any doubt they would. I know Coal had reservations, but they were quickly laid to rest.
When I slip the ring onto Bella’s finger, I know instantly that it’s right. My promise to her will hold. As soon as this assignment is over, I’ll be making her my Old Lady and then my wife.
After Bella went to bed last night, I caught up with Mom and Dad. I didn’t hide anything from them and told them my intention to eventually make Bella my Old Lady and my wife. I also explained that she’d been through a lot and was still fragile after attending Sam and Ally’s wedding.
I never hide shit from my family because you never know when you’ll need them the most.
Seeing Bella with my family convinces me even more that she’s the woman for me. I’m not surprised that my parents love her. They both notice the rings on our fingers, and their approval is clear in their eyes.
My mom is surprised and impressed that Bella and Thea have made breakfast for all of us. I could’ve told her that Bella isn’t the type who expects to be waited on.
When we leave, Bella tells my family to stay another day if they want and gives them a list of things they can do. She also offers the house if they ever need it again, and she and Coal reset the property's codes so they have access.
Leaving them hurts like hell, and Bella gives me a gentle squeeze as we ride away from the safe house.
Patting her hand, I turn my sled towards Felixstowe and the danger we’re about to embark upon.
***
Three hours later, I pull into our parking space next to Bella’s car. Bella gets off and stretches her back with a groan before taking off her helmet.
“Tired, Spice?”
I can see in her eyes that she’s exhausted. Neither of us has had much rest over the last few days.
“Yeah,” she says quietly.
“Let’s order something to eat. Then a bath and bed,” I say as I climb off my sled.
“Sounds like a plan,” Bella agrees.
I unlatch the saddlebags with our clothes, while Bella carries the backpack containing the weapons.
Wrapping an arm around her shoulder, I guide us towards the apartment. I know how tired Bella is when she leans heavily against me.
