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 sofunny.
“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.”
