That small act of kindness makes my heart clench, and tears prick my eyes. “Thank you, Opal. That’s very kind of both you and your mum.”
Opal shrugs. “It’s what we do.” She tilts her head up at Nickel. “I’m going back to the clubhouse. You’re missing the debrief that’s going on right now, and Coal says to tell you to make sure you’re at Church tomorrow at ten for your and Nora’s debrief.”
“Thanks, squirt, I’ll be there.” He turns to me. “I’ll take Opal back to the clubhouse.”
I grin when she rolls her eyes, but I’m happy they're protective of her. Being a motorcycle club, I’m sure they know better than most that shit can go wrong when you least expect it.
I nod. “No problem.”
“Make yourself at home. Grab a shower. If you want something to sleep in, help yourself to my drawers for whatever you need. I won’t be long.”
“Take your time,” I assure him. It’ll be good to have a moment to myself. I need time to think.
Picking up the bag Opal brought, I heft it over my shoulder. “Thank you again, Opal, and tell your mum thanks.”
“I will.” She smiles. “I’ll see you tomorrow for breakfast.”
The two of them turn and leave.
I wander down the hallway and see that the internal walls have been removed, creating one big room with a king-size bed, built-in wardrobes, and an ensuite. The only other door opens into what appears to be a home office.
Entering the bedroom, I strip, fold my clothes, and put them on the floor outside the door. I empty the bag that Opal brought, smiling when I see a sealed pack of panties. They’ll be a little big, but I’ll make do. There’s a three-pack of coloured V-neck t-shirts and socks, as well as shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrush, and a hairbrush. Everything I’ll need for tonight.
I select what I need and take it to the bathroom. While the water heats up, I brush my teeth. Once the water is warm, I step into the shower. Releasing my hair, I quickly shampoo and condition it. It’ll be a bitch to deal with in the morning, but I’m too tired to worry about that tonight. I don’t linger in the shower; that king-size bed is calling me.
When I’m finished, I dry off, wrapping a towel around my hair. I slip on a pair of panties under the towel I’ve wrapped around me and walk back out to the bedroom.
Nickel isn’t back yet, so I take him at his word and grab one of his shirts from the drawer. Holding it to my nose, I sniff, a little sad that all I get is a whiff of laundry detergent and not him.
Shaking my head at myself, I unwrap the towel and hang it up, slipping his t-shirt over my head. I collapse into his bed, drawing the duvet over me and sliding into sleep the moment my head touches the pillow.
I don’t stir until I’m woken up the next day by Nickel and the scent of freshly brewed coffee.
CHAPTER 4
NICKEL
Ididn’t intend to leave Nora alone for long when I walked Opal back to the clubhouse, but I’m glad I did because my little sister is one of my favourite people to spend time with.
“I like her, bubby,” Opal says as we walk. Like she’s done since she was little, she loops her hands around my bicep and rests her head against my shoulder.
“Yeah?” I look down at the top of her curly hair—the same hair we all inherited from our mother, along with our eyes. “You didn’t say more than ten words to her.”
Opal shrugs and tilts her face up to mine. “I didn’t need to. Ifyoulike her, I know she’s a good person. But I like her because she spoke to me like a real person and not because she was trying to get into one of my brother’s pants.”
I scowl. I hate that Opal has had to deal with that. But sadly, she does. “I’m sorry, Opal. I hate when that happens to you.”
Opal shrugs again as if it’s not a big deal. I guess she’s been handling it so long that for her, it isn’t anymore. “It’s all good. I can protect you guys this way and get rid of the women I don’t like before they have a chance to dig their claws into one of you. But I have to say, I’m happy you’ve all found your ladies. It means I can relax for the first time in years.”
I snort out a laugh as we walk slowly towards the clubhouse. I want to get back to Nora, but not at the detriment of hurting my sister’s feelings. “She’s not mine yet. She may not want someone like me.”
Opal halts, and I stop alongside her. She turns to me, gripping my arms, her expression serious and a little angry.
“Stop doing that,” she spits out before continuing. “And wipe that look off your face. I hate it when you put yourself down. I’ve got good brothers, and I love you all. I always say I don’t have a favourite, but I do. You.”
Emotion fills my chest, and I swallow the lump in my throat. “Opal—”
“No.” She swipes the air with one hand as if to silence me before settling it back on my arm. “Nickel, listen to me. Coal and Copper are the eldest, and I love them, but they’re bossy and expect me to fall in with whatever they say. It pisses me off because it’s like they think I don’t have a brain or something. I’m not stupid, and I’m learning to look after myself more. All my new sisters-in-law are helping with that. But Coal and Copper still treat me like I’m five.”
