Page 39 of Coal
Gripping her wrists, I tell her, “I don’t want to wait, baby, you and I are strong. We’ll be fine, and it may be caveman of me, but I can’t fucking wait to see you big with my baby.”
Thea smiles sweetly at me and moisture floods her eyes. I realised over the last few weeks that my woman had big feelings, and when she felt them, they came out in tears. It didn’t mean she was sad, it only meant that she struggled to contain them. For years, she’d had to keep her feelings bottled. Now that she could let them have free rein and that she felt safe enough to do that with me meant the world to me.
These tears I know are happy tears. Bending my head, I kiss each cheek before breaking her hold and enfolding her in my arms, rocking us from side to side as she inhales a breath, then lets it out on a gentle sigh.
“Thank you, Coal, for giving me this beautiful life.”
“You’re welcome, baby,” I assure her, pressing a kiss to her temple. “What did you say to me inIrish?”
“Treasure of my heart,” she whispers.
“Right back at you, baby,” I reply. I’d have stayed there all night holding her, but we were summoned when Blue knocked on the door.
“Sorry to bother you, Pres, but Maggie says you need to hurry.”
“We’ll be right there, brother,” I call out and reluctantly let my arms drop from my woman.
Thea wipes at her face and scoops up the bag that she’s placed on the couch. “I’ll get cleaned up and meet you out there,” she says, shuffling towards the bathroom that’s attached to my office to clean up. I chuckle at the way she’s walking, then laugh harder when she gives me the finger before closing the bathroom door. Zipping my pants up, I buckle my belt and leave my office, making sure the door is secured behind me so nobody can walk in on Thea getting changed.
The clubhouse has filled up since we left. Ignoring the strange that are making eyes at me as I walk through the throng of people makes me wish I’d kept this to family only. Spotting Cross, Copper, Tinman, and my mom at the bar, I walk over to them and stand next to Copper,who is leaning back, elbows resting on the bar, surveying the room. The music is pumping, and the brothers are letting loose. Usually, Copper would be in the mix, joining in. I know this isn’t Cross’s scene, and he’ll disappear once I’ve given Thea her cut. As usual, Blue’s behind the bar. I offered to hire a bartender for tonight so he could have some fun, but he’d declined, saying he’d rather be behind the bar than mingling. It’s not the first time I’ve offered nor the first time he’d declined, so I hadn’t pushed. I’ve noticed over the months that while he didn’t mind his brothers and my family, he wasn’t one to mix with others, preferring solitude. I’m guessing it’s what made him a good sniper. He was happy in his own company.
“You not joining in?” I ask Copper. He shakes his head, “Nah, man. I’m done with the party scene, and I’ve got too much on my mind with what’s coming up.”
“Yeah,” I hum under my breath. He wasn’t the only one who was worried. “You’ll let us know if you need us, and we’ll be there. You’re not alone.”
“I know,” he nods again, then turns to look at me. “Where’s your woman?”
“Getting changed,” I reply, turning a little whenBlue says, “Here you go, Pres.” Taking the beer he offers, I thank him. “Thanks, Blue.”
Lifting the bottle to my mouth, I’m taking a sip when I hear some dumb fuck say, “Oh, yeah, now that’s what I’m talking about. I’m going home with her tonight.” Next to me, Copper chokes slightly on his beer and taps my shoulder. Looking at him in confusion, I ask, “What?”
He points in the direction of my office. Turning, I just about swallow my tongue. Thea is standing on the edge of the common room, gaze roaming, and I know she’s looking for me. She’s wearing a tight, low-cut emerald green top, shoulders bare, and her beautiful red curls hanging wild and long down her back. I’m not sure what magic she’s done to her hair, but I love it. Her green top is tucked into a pair of flared jeans that fit her like a glove. On her feet, she’s wearing a pair of heeled boots.
Behind me, I hear Blue murmur, “You are one lucky man, Pres.”
From the corner of my eye, I see my dad laughing, his head buried in my mom’s shoulder. She’s laughing along with him, too. Why? I know why. I’ve seen this exact reaction from brothers when my mother got herself togged up.
When Thea’s gaze lit on me, her face lit up with a smile that shone, making everything else fall away. I’ve been so busy admiring my gorgeous wife that I’d forgotten about the idiot’s comment until Copper nudged me again, saying, “Best you go and get your wife and make your claim as her Old Man and get her vest on her ASAP, brother, because the vultures are moving in.”
“Oh, fuck no,” I growl, slamming my beer onto the bar and pushing my way through the crowds of people to get to Thea, who’s frowning at the dickhead and holding up her finger to show him her tattoo.
She’s pissed because her accent’s strong when she tells him, “Listen here, you gobshite. I’ve told you twice now that I’m married and not interested. Best you leave before you get hurt.”
“Yeah, baby,” he smirks at her, “you can hurt me all you want. I won’t mind as long as I get to slap that arse back.”
Thea’s eyebrows rise as she looks at him in disbelief, asking, “Are ye simple, man? I’m not interested; I’m taken. Don’t ya understand English?”
“If you’re taken, where’s your man?” the pissantdemands, pushing closer to her. I’ve had enough. Picking him up by the collar, I haul him up and away from Thea, pinning him to the wall with my hand at his throat.
“I’m her husband and Old Man, dickwad, and this is my house. That doesn’t matter, though. If a lady says no, it means no. Not maybe, or yes. N.O. Say it with me.” I shake him, and his eyes widen at the anger in my tone. The clubhouse has gone silent; the music has been switched off. I have everyone’s attention now. “Say it,” I demand.
“No,” he whispers, his voice garbled with my hand still around his throat. A soft hand runs along my arm to my hand.
“You may want to let the fecker breathe,mo ghrá, he’s obviously missing a few screws, and I don’t want to be visiting you in prison,” Thea murmurs as she gently strokes my hand. The hand choking the life out of the cunt who’d dared touch what was mine.
Relaxing my hold on his neck, I let him fall to the ground. Iron and Brass are there, grabbing him. “Make sure he understands what NO means,” I order them.
Iron flashes a grin at me, replying, “No problem,Pres. Thea,” he nods at her. “Looking good, babe.”
