Page 102 of Pack of Crooks

Kill grins. “Do you want us to?”

“I mean. . . you built me a nest. I’m moving in. Cementing the pack bond during my heat seems like the next step.” I chew on my bottom lip, watching them exchange glances.

Ezra nods, giving me a look that borders on serious. “Hazel, does my pack have permission to mark you? To make this pack claim real?”

My heart bubbles with giddiness. “Fuck yeah you do.”

The guys laugh, and I grin, on cloud nine. Maybe they’re right. I’m worthy of this nest, and this new life of mine. I deserve a little goodness in my life.

twenty-eight

KILL

The apartment has never felt so full. With Hazel and Lottie here, there’s more life and smiles. Not that we were a bunch of serious assholes before. It’s just that Lottie brings out a part of Maddox I haven’t seen in years.

His mom and little brother were really great. He and his brother used to play video games all the time. Maddox’s mom and brother died together. Maddox would have probably died too had he not snuck out to hang out with me and Ezra. Needless to say, his dads deserved every second of the tortuously slow death we gave them while they waited for conviction.

Maddox has never fully healed though, not really. It’s nice to see a version of him I used to know coming out to play. It’s more proof that this was the right decision. I drum my fingers on my stomach and stare up at my ceiling. We all agreed to give Hazel privacy tonight since this was such a big change, but it’s driving me crazy.

Ezra rolls over to face me. “You should go.”

My fingers pause, and I glance at him. “What about theadjustment period?”

“I think she’d welcome you,” he says, propping his head up on his hand. “Besides, you’re the only one of us who needs more solo time with her.”

“If I go in there, she’s not sleeping.”

He chuckles. “I’d expect nothing less, babe, butIwant to sleep so. . .”

“Are you kicking me out?”

“Think of it as gentle nudging.” He pokes my side. “Go get our omega.”

Leaning over, I kiss him, smiling as his tongue teases my lips, and then climb out of the bed, heart banging around my chest, adrenaline lighting up my insides. I grab my red ropes, shooting Ezra a wink, and head to Hazel’s nest.

There are a dozen different ways I’ve imagined tying her up. Sex has definitely been on my mind, but for me, seeing her bound and completely at my mercy, that means more. That’s trust. And those who submit are rewarded.

I quietly slip into her nest, prowling through the dark with my pulse hammering. It’s too dark, so I turn on the bed curtain twinkle lights and stare at her sleeping, her lips slightly parted. Does she have any idea how gorgeous she is? She’s wearing a thin tank top and shorts that are bunched up between her thighs. So innocent. Sweet.

The ropes drop onto the bed with a thud, and she shoots up, gasping and staring up at me with wide eyes. Her blonde hair is a mess, but she’s never looked more beautiful to me. I press my palms on either side of the mattress and lean over her, smirking as her chest rises and falls in heavy pants.

“Jesus Christ, Kill! You scared the shit out of me.” Her voice is still husky from sleep.

“Mmm,” I tell her, breathing in her strawberry perfume and savoring that spike of fear. “Do you remember what I told you when you called me a boy scout?”

Her forehead crinkles. Her skin is golden beneath the soft glow of the twinkle lights, a literal goddess before me. She’s so fucking perfect.

“Um, no?”

I smirk and reach back, dragging a bundle of Shibari rope up the mattress, watching her eyes fall down, down, down and warm with interest. Her gaze slips back to mine and her head tips.

“You like to tie up pretty things.”

Releasing the rope, I clutch her chin and place my mouth centimeters from hers, but don’t kiss her yet. “You’re a pretty thing,” I murmur and our lips brush. “Do you want me to tie you up?”

She sucks in a breath and before she can take her next, I capture her lips, depriving her of oxygen for a few beats then pull back, searching her face. There’s a tiny bit of hesitation. It’s natural for someone’s first time without understanding the full concept.

“If you say yes,” I begin, placing my knees on the bed and climbing on, forcing her to lie back as I loom over her. “Your body is mine to manipulate, to bend and place however I like. My ropes will bind you, confine you to my control, and when I’m ready, I’ll set you free.”