We walk towards the clubhouse, and I’m surprised when her fingers curl around mine. I don’t make a big deal of it. I squeeze her fingers so she knows I’m happy to be holding her hand. She tilts her head, resting it against my shoulder for asecond.
What most people don’t realise is that a lot can be said without uttering a word. That small gesture means more to me than anything she could have said.
The walk to the clubhouse takes no time at all. We hear voices before we get to the door.
“It’s going to be loud and chaotic,” I warn before I open the door.
“So it seems,” Nora says wryly as one of the brothers shouts something and laughter rings out.
She drains her coffee and straightens her shoulders as if she’s going into battle. “Okay. I’m ready.”
I chuckle as I open the door for her, my palm resting on her lower back as I usher her into the mayhem that is the Queens Wraiths brotherhood and the rest of my family.
I’m right.
It’s chaotic.
My niece, Shea, and my nephew, Noah, are giggling their heads off as Opal and Bolt chase them around the clubhouse common room. Coal, Thea, and Bolts’ Old Lady, Jeanie, laugh as they watch them.
Looking around for my parents, I spot them through the kitchen hatch, along with Copper and Bee. The rest of the brothers are sitting at the long table where we eat, or in the seating areas scattered around.
Coal nods as we walk in.
I lower my head and murmur to Nora, “Let’s go to the kitchen and grab another coffee and something to eat.”
“Sounds good,” Nora agrees.
Taking her hand, I pull her along behind me, nodding at brothers as we walk through the room towards the kitchen.
My mother is the first one to spot us.
“Hi, baby,” she says, smiling widely as she walks towards us.
“Hey, Momma.” Keeping hold of Nora’s hand, I wrap an arm around my mom, hugging her to me, and press a kiss to her head.
“Missed you, son.” She smiles up at me, eyes crinkling. My mom is happiest when all her chicks are at home.
She looks over my shoulder at Nora.
I step aside and gently tug her forward when I realise I’ve not left enough room for her to get around me. “Mom, this is Nora. Nora, my mom, Maggie.”
Nora holds out her hand to Mom, who releases me and pulls Nora into her arms. “Welcome to the Queens Wraiths, Nora.”
“Thanks for having me,” Nora replies, her eyes on me. They’re filled with an emotion I can’t read.
She removes her hand from mine and wraps both her arms around Mom, returning her embrace.
Mom sways them from side to side before releasing Nora, but keeps an arm wrapped around her waist as she ushers her towards the counter where breakfast is laid out. “Come on, let's get you fed before they call Church.”
My eyes meet Copper’s over their heads, and he nods.
Bee studies Nora with a soft smile, handing her a plate when she gets close enough. “Here you go, Nor. Plenty of food, so help yourself.”
“Thanks,” Nora replies, taking the plate and looking at me over her shoulder with a raised eyebrow.
“I’m right behind you,” I assure her, taking a plate from the counter. Mom is pouringcoffee into mugs on a tray. “Thanks for breakfast, Momma.”
“Welcome, son. I have lots of help now.” She tilts her head towards Bee, who’s still chatting to Nora as they fill their plates.
