Because Nora means more than anything else. Especially with the operation looming on the horizon.
And who knows what dangers that will bring?
***
“Nickel.”
I look up to see Coal motioning me toward his office.
Pushing away from the bar, I walk towards him, smiling when I hear Nora’s laughter mixed with the other women in my family. I love that they all get along and enjoy each other’s company. My family feels complete now that all of us Tin brothers have old ladies.
Coal is waiting for me at his desk with a familiar white box sitting in front of him. He grins and pushes it towards me. “It came today. I thought you’d want to make it official as soon as possible.”
I lift the lid. Possessiveness fills me when I see my name on her cut.
Property of Nickel.
“Thank you, Coal,” I say, closing the lid and looking at him. “Appreciate you getting it here so fast.”
“Anytime, brother. Fucking thrilled for you. Your lady is a little scary, but she fits right in. Mom and Opal love her. So do Thea and Jeanie. I’ve heard nothing but good things since she arrived. But even if they didn’t, I’d still like her because of how she is with you. Congratulations.”
Coal stands and walks around his desk, clapping a hand on my shoulder. “How about we make it official?”
“Sounds like a perfect end to a pretty spectacular day,” I reply, chuckling when he rolls his eyes.
“I don’t want to know,” he grumbles, turning to leave the office. “With everyone fucking off to spend time with their Old Ladies, we’ll never get any work done.”
I laugh as I follow him back to the common room and place the box on the bar. I know he doesn’t mean it; he’s as bad as the rest of us.
Coal whistles loudly to get everyone’s attention. It’s only the club, Maggie, and Dog are here tonight. Family. Which is perfect.
“If I could have your attention for a minute,” Coal says. “Nickel has something he wants to say.”
He turns towards me and grins. “All yours, brother.”
My gaze lands on Nora, and I raise my hand, motioning her towards me. She arches her eyebrows and gives me a look that promises retribution for the way I’ve summoned her but comes anyway, not stopping until the toes of her boots touch mine.
Rising onto her tiptoes, her cheek brushes mine as she whispers, “You’ll pay for that, Mr Tin.”
I turn my head, chuckling. “I look forward to it, Ms Harvey.”
Coal clears his throat loudly. “If you two are quite finished, I’d like to get to supper sometime tonight.”
I brush a kiss to Nora’s cheek and step back to open the box on the bar. Removing her cut, I turn to show her the back.
Nora’s eyes widen slightly when she sees it, then her face softens as her gaze meets mine.
“Nora, you know I don’t like to talk much.”
Nora giggles, and the rest of the room chuckles.
“I beg to differ,” she murmurs.
I grin. She’s not wrong; with her, I don’t seem to have a problem talking.
“I know you’ve already agreed, but I’d like to formally ask you to wear my name in front of my brothers and my family.”
Nora turns her back to me, her voice clear. “I accept.”
