Settling her cut on her shoulders, she whirls around, the corners of her mouth tilting up as she jumps. I catch her, gripping her thighs as she seals her lips to mine.
The cheers from the brothers and the laughter from the Old Ladies fade away as her tongue glides along mine.
Coal claps my back as we break apart.
Nora looks at me with a soft, radiant smile. Pressing her forehead to mine, she whispers. “Thank you for giving me a family again.”
Emotion burns the back of my throat, and I blink. I tighten my arms around her and hug her to me.
I clear my throat, and once I’m sure I can speak clearly, I reply, “You’re welcome, darlin’.”
“Nickel, let her down so I can welcome her officially,” Mom orders with a laugh.
Reluctantly, I allow Nora’s legs to slide down until she’s standing. Her feet scarcely touch the floor before she’s swooped away, first by my mom, then by each of my siblings.
My niece and nephew run around, adding to the chaos. It’s loud and wild as we celebrate. Laughter and teasing banter echo off the walls.
It’s brotherhood and family.
For once, I’m not standing on the sidelines watching it all unfold. Nora has a firm grip on my hand, grounding me, and I realise that being among everyone doesn’t bother me nearly as much as it used to when she’s near.
Later that night, when we’re back home where it’s quiet and the chaos of the night is a distant memory, I lie in bed, watching her curled up next to me, relaxed andbreathing deeply in sleep. Her hand is curled around my arm instead of her knife.
My heart is full in a way I never knew was possible. I’ve never been so glad that I nearly got shot and died.
Not when it led me to the one person who made me whole.
CHAPTER 13
NORA
I’m not sure what to do about getting a dress when Bee confirms she’s secured tickets to the ball. But I should’ve known better because Bee is nothing if not organised. After breakfast, she and Maggie drag me away, telling me they’ve organised a day of pampering and dress shopping.
I think I’ll hate it, but I get to meet some of the women from Bee’s family. The shop is loud, with feminine laughter and teasing. It’s closed for the day while we choose our ball dresses. It’s years since I’ve been in a room with somany women.
The Crow Old Ladies, and Navy’s cousin, Hope, are hilarious and a lot of fun to be around. I love them and understand now why it hurt Bee so much to leave them for as long as she did.
But we all do what we have to when it comes to protecting our families, and none of them seem pissed at her, only relieved to have her back.
I didn’t realise how much pull Bee’s family has and how connected they are. Most of the ladies here already have their dresses, and this is their final fitting. But Bee, Maggie, and I haven’t had a chance to choose a dress yet, so we’ll be settling for whatever we can find that fits us. Bee is still covered in bruises, so the make-up lady has her work cut out for her, but she does a fantastic job.
When I attempt to settle the bill for my dress and the pampering, Bee tells me that Nickel insisted on covering the expenses.
I’m not sure how I feel about that.
I’ve been alone and self-sufficient for a long time. I have money—not a lot, but enough. I’m the only surviving member of my family, so I inherited everything.
Maggie chuckles and wraps an arm around my shoulders in a hug when she sees the look on my face. “Trust me, honey, just go with it. The Tin men are a stubborn lot and don’t allow their women to pay for stuff when they’re more than capable of doing so. My advice is don’t fight it. Go with the flow. My boys are their fathers’ sons.”
I look at Maggie, seeing the humour and affection warming her eyes—eyes that look so much like her sons’. Relaxing into her hold, I rest my head against her shoulder. Maggie is amazing and has welcomed me into their family with open arms. I didn’t realise how much I’d missed having a mum’s comfort until I met her. There’s nothing quite like it.
“Okay,” I agree. “I’ll bow to your knowledge of the Tin men as you’re the Queen Bee of us all.”
“The Queen Bee.” Maggie chuckles.
Bee nods and grins. “She is, isn’t she, Nora? She runs those men like a well-oiled machine, and they don’t even realise it.”
Maggie throws her head back and laughs, drawing attention from the other ladies, but nobody says anything or demands to know what we’re laughing at.
