He’s not alone in thinking that. There was a point when they surrounded me at the garage when I thought the same.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper.
“No need to be sorry, Bee. You did what you had to do, and in the process, we saved a lot of women and children. I’m proud of you.”
Warmth fills me at the pride in his voice. God, this man. He’s everything to me. “Love you, Copper Tin.”
His eyes flare in surprise. Then he smiles. Ignoring everyone in the room, he gently presses his lips to mine and whispers, “Love you, too, Bee Davies-soon-to-be-Tin.”
“I’d smile, but it hurts too much. Just know that the answer is yes,” I murmur.
Copper straightens as Dad clears his throat.
“I’ll go and check on our boy,” Copper assures me.
“Thank you,” I say gratefully as he turns to leave.
“Copper,” I call out as he reaches the door.
He turns to look at me, and I’m once again struck by the love in his eyes as he looks at me. He’s never hidden it, but now I’m not the only one noticing it. My mum and dad are, too.
“If he’s not settling, bring him here. If they give you a hard time, get Onyx and Rea involved.” I say this loud enough for my brothers to hear.
Onyx nods. “I’ll go with him.”
“Thank you.”
The room is silent after the two of them disappear. I know my parents have questions, and I’ll answer them, but right now, sleep is pulling at me. “You’ve found the one for you,” Mum says as I’m nodding off.
I turn my head on the pillow to look at her. She looks tired and has tears in her eyes, but I also see relief.
I hold my hand out to her, and Mum links her fingers with mine. “I have. Copper is a good man, and he’s been there for me through thick and thin. He loves me with all my faults. He’s been patient and kind, and he lets me be me. And he makes me a better person just by being him. He’s mine. My person.”
Mum nods, and Dad’s arm goes around her shoulders as she rests her head against him.
“Missed you like hell, baby girl,” he says gruffly. “Hate what you did, but I’m also proud as fuck of you. I like your man.”
Tears fill my eyes. “I missed you, too. More than you can ever know. And I’ll tell you everything, I promise. I’m sorry you’ve been worried, but,” I hesitate, holding my dad’s gaze, “I’d do it again if it meant meeting Copper. If it meant saving Noah and all the others the Skulls have saved over the two years I’ve been working for them.”
Dad nods. “Like I said, I’m as proud as fuck.”
Noah’s loud sobs interrupt our conversation. I know immediately that it’s Noah. I’m also annoyed at the nurse, who is obviously berating Copper.
“Sir, you can’t take him off the ward,” a nurse berates.
“Look, lady,” Copper’s voice rises over Noah’s wails. “You had him alone in a room, tied to the bed, screaming his head off. We’ve been here for hours, and none of you will tell me how long he’s been like that, even though I left instructions with the nurse last night to let me know the second he woke up.”
Copper is pissed off. I can tell from his tone how angry he is.
“Sir, as I explained, he was hurting himself flailing around. He wasn’t alone for long. I only stepped out to check on another patient. I’d never leave a child alone like that. He needs to be sedated, and I was arranging that.”
“He doesn’t need sedation,” Copper growls. Noah’s sobs have quietened down. “He needs to be with people who make him feel safe. Why didn’t you call us like I asked?”
“There’s nothing in his notes to say who to call. The notes say that he has no family, and there was no number for me to call.”
“That’s bullshit,” Copper snaps. “I watched the nurse write down all the information last night.”
His footsteps approach my room, and then he’s there, cradling Noah in his arms. My heart melts at the care he’s taking as he holds him gently.
