“Years of practice, loves. Years of practice. You’ll learn.” Maggie winks and squeezes me again before moving off towards Bee’s mum and Bev, a tall, strawberry-blonde bombshell.
I’ve had a lot of fun this morning, and I’m looking forward to getting to know Bee’s family better. Ironically, Bee’s mum is also called Maggie. From what I’ve heard about Jeanie’s family, they’re equally awesome.
When we arrive back at the Queens Wraiths, Bee disappears to find Noah and pick up Copper. Maggie goes home to Tinman, and I go to the clubhouse to wait for Nickel, who sent me a message to meet him here.
I missed my family so much today. Willow and my mum would’ve been right at home with the ladies I met. And my dad would’ve loved Nickel and his brothers. He was a quiet man, my dad, but he was a man’s man and loved us girls and my mum to distraction. He would’ve done anything for us.
But it’s not a night for melancholy thoughts, not when I’ve got work to do. You make mistakes when your head isn’t in the game. I can’t afford mistakes, not when my new family is counting on me.
Not when Nickel is counting on me.
Tapping my newly polished fingernails on the bar, I look at myself in the mirror,admiring my perfectly styled blonde hair and makeup. I’m looking fabulous and ready for the ball.
“Holy shit, Nora. You look fantastic, darlin’.”
I turn on my two-inch heels at Nickel's husky groan and almost swallow my tongue when I get my first look at him in a tux. We haven’t seen each other since this morning's training.
And wow. Just… wow. Nickel is hot any day of the week, but my god, in a tux… he’s next-level hot.
“Holy shit, right back at you,” I breathe as he walks towards me.
He takes my hand and twirls me around. I’m wearing a long, dove-grey dress with thin straps, a low scooped back, and a slit up each leg to just above my knee. I need easy access to the knife and gun strapped to each thigh.
I turn back to face him and smile. His hair is loose around his face, his beard newly trimmed and oiled. He smells divine.
“You smell delicious,” I tell him, stroking a hand down his beard.
“Beard oil.” He smirks at me. “I’ve got something for you. I had Thea make you a few things.”
He pulls a box from his pocket and puts it on the bar before opening it. Inside are a silver necklace, bracelet, and ring with green gemstones and a circle of clear ones around it. They could be diamonds but are more than likely zirconia.
“Wow, Thea made these?” I ask, running a hand over the pretty jewellery.
“Yeah, this is her passion, and she makes stuff for the family if we ask. Guns are her second love… according to her,” he says, picking up the necklace and showing me the locket. “She always puts a few surprises in her designs. The necklace has a lock pick set; the bracelet is a garotte; and the ring is a tracker. There’s also a tracker in the necklace.” He hesitates as he looks at me. “I’d like you to wear these. I know we’ve got everything planned down to the last second, but I’d feel better knowing you’re wearing them.”
“Only if you’ll wear this,” I say, pulling a ring from between my breasts and holding it up.
I found out about Copper’s ring from Bee, and I like the idea of tracking Nickel. It’ll ease my concern knowing that we can track him. I wasn’t sure how to broach the subject, but he’s just given me the perfect opportunity.
“Happy to, darlin’,” he assures me.
Taking his left hand, I slip the ring onto his ring finger. He raises an eyebrow and tilts his head, his eyes filled with surprise.
“Staking my claim, handsome. Don’t want any women having ideas about my man tonight.”
Nickel’s eyes soften, and he leans forward to kiss me softly. “Don’t you know? I don’t see other women since I met you. All I see is you.All I need is you. I’ll happily wear the ring, and when this is all over and done, we’ll make it official.”
God, this man.
For someone who thinks he’s not good with words, he always gets them right for me.
“I accept.” I roll onto my toes and kiss him.
Sinking back to my heels as we pull apart, I hold out my left hand. He slips the ring over my knuckle, kissing my finger before reaching for the bracelet and slipping it onto my wrist. Then he picks up the necklace, and I turn my back so he can fasten the catch.
The doors open, and Bee walks in, followed by Copper, Tinman, and Maggie.
“Wow, don’t you all look amazing?” I smile, noticing how alike the brothers look. “Pity we’re not going for a fun night out.”
