Page 18 of Coal (QUEENS WRAITHS MC #2)

I walk into our bedroom and come to a standstill when I see brand-new leathers on the bed.

They are a dark black with red seams. I know that the red is reflective from when I was following the guys back from Ireland.

I love that I’ll match them. I scramble into my new clothes, hoping they’ll fit, and they do.

Like a glove. I’d been avoiding looking at myself in the floor-to-ceiling mirrors that were on the front of the built-in wardrobes, but now that I’m dressed, I turn and hold my breath when I see myself .

I’m still the same woman with the same body, but somehow, I seem to carry myself differently.

It’s the look on my face that has me stepping closer to the mirror and taking stock.

It’s then that it hits me what’s different.

The stress that had seemed to line my face back home is gone.

Even with the shitstorm swirling around us, I’m relaxed and happy.

Happy! Wow! It hits me then that what I’ve been feeling is happiness.

And it shows. I’m not sure who had decided we’d suffered enough, but I give thanks for whoever had put Coal and the Queens Wraiths in my path.

“Are they okay, Thea?” Coal calls out. I can hear him walking towards our room, and I turn when I hear his guttural moan, “Holy fuck, baby. You’re so hot.”

A wide smile graces my lips when I see his heated eyes.

And I have a feeling if he wasn’t holding our daughter, then I wouldn’t be standing by our wardrobes; I’d be on the bed.

Who’d have thought that a man like Coal would ever find me attractive?

Not me, that’s for sure. But from his reaction, I’m not left in any doubt that my husband likes what he sees, and it makes me stand taller.

His gaze travels from my still-socked feet up my thighs and body to my face. “Get finished, baby, so that we can get back here as soon as possible,” he informs me before turning on his heel and walking out the door.

I snicker, French braid my hair, and shove my bank card and ID into a pocket. Scooping up my boots because I’d not be able to drive in them, I leave our bedroom, slowing when I hear voices coming from the lounge.

Walking in, I find Copper and Bolt with Coal. Shea is now with Copper. She’s never going to learn to walk with everyone happy to carry her.

Bolt whistles, and I laugh when Coal slaps him behind the head, grumbling, “That’s my Old Lady, dickhead.”

“Sorry,” Bolt apologises to me, looking sheepish.

“No worries,” I say with a laugh, waving it off before asking curiously, “What are you two doing here? Do we need to change plans?”

Coal prowls over to me and circles my shoulders with his arm.

“Nope, we aren’t changing diddly squat. Copper and Bolt are going to take Shea as they were already going over to Mom’s.

We’re still going out for the day. I’ve packed Shea’s bag and snacks, and I’ve put it in our vehicle, ready for them to drop her off. ”

“Okay,” I nod in agreement. “Are you guys sure?” I ask Bolt and Copper.

“Are you kidding?” Copper asks. “We get to spend time with our best girls. We’ll be fine. Plus, Mom is beside herself that she gets to keep Shea for the day. I’m not sure if you realise how much she’s been holding back.”

“Oh,” I reply, surprised and feeling a little guilty that Maggie was restricting herself. Turning troubled eyes to Coal, I continue, “She’s welcome in our house and to see Shea whenever she wants. I didn’t think to say anything. Other than my siblings, it’s only ever been me looking after her.”

Coal pats my arse and nudges me towards where I’d dropped my boots when I’d walked in. “We’ll make sure that she knows, baby. Go put your boots on, and we’ll get this show on the road.”

I do as Coal suggests, and before long, I’m waving goodbye to Copper and Bolt, having already kissed Shea goodbye.

Curling my arms around Coal as we begin our descent down our road, I wish we didn’t have to wear a helmet so I could feel the wind in my face.

Although my helmet is pretty. It’s a similar design to Coal’s, black with the Queens Wraiths logo on the side and my name in red letters on the back. It’s gorgeous, and I love it.

When we get to the main road, only then does Coal open up.

The feeling of freedom as we speed down the road is amazing, and it feels like we’ve only just started our ride when Coal slows down as we enter a small village.

It’s only when he stops in front of a shop that has a sign saying Hawks Tattoos that I realise where we are.

The sign and the Crow MC emblem in the window are my first clues.

I’d heard the brothers speak about this club, but I know nothing about them.

Coal taps my leg, bringing my attention back to him. I take hold of the hand he holds out and I get off his sled. Shaking my legs out to get the feeling back into them while removing my helmet, I step up on the pavement to wait for Coal.

“What are we doing here?” I ask curiously as he joins me on the pavement outside the shop.

“I’m here to get your name tattooed on my ring finger, and I was hoping you would do the same,” Coal replies, his gaze searching mine.

“Really?” I ask in surprise. Why I’m surprised I do not know. The man has been nothing but honest about how he sees our marriage going. It seems it’s me who is doubting everything .

“Really,” he assures me. “And I want Hawk to design me something for Shea. Something that I can add to with any other children we may have.”

My heart melts. This man! “Oh, Coal,” I whisper, emotions welling up. Taking a deep breath, I clear my throat before replying. “Well then, let’s get our fingers tattooed, husband.”

Coal smiles, and I can see the relief in his eyes when he takes my hand, wrapping his fingers through mine and pulling me towards the shop door.

I’m smiling at the thought of having his name permanently marked into my skin. That he wants mine on his body and wants something for Shea and any other children we have blows my mind, and the walls around my heart disintegrate and tumble.