Page 135 of Pack of Crooks

Maddox lays out strips of bacon. “With his employees, he was always at work. Somewhere we just didn’t have access too. But with Vivian, that was different. He would have left his security behind.”

Kill drags the loaf of bread toward him and groans as he stands, slugging toward the toaster. “I think I’m done letting that alpha take up space in my pack.”

Ezra hums in agreement. “What’s done is done. He’s gone.”

I drop some butter in the pan, watching it melt before slowly lifting my gaze to meet his. “And it feels. . .”

“Good,” Ezra and Kill say at the same time.

I exhale and nod. That’s great. “I’m glad he’s dead. Oh, we need fruit.” The butter is taking its sweet time, but the bacon is still cooking so it’s fine. I zip to the fridge, open the fruit drawer, and pause. There are three containers of strawberries.

We’ve either ordered out or the guys have cooked since I’ve moved in. I’ve come for snacks, but this is my first time reaching into the fruit drawer. I grab one and set it on the counter.

“Not those,” Maddox says, picking it up and putting it back in the drawer. “Those are mine.”

“Okay, kitty,” I say with a grin, grabbing the blueberries and precut melons.

“For the record,” Kill says, swooping in to kiss my cheek while he grabs the jam. “Maddox hates strawberries.”

“You do?”

He glares at Kill. “I hated them. I love your scent. . . the fruit is growing on me.”

“You should see him eat them,” Ezra says with a chuckle.

“What happens between me and my strawberries is a private matter,” Maddox growls.

“Okay, okay, no bickering.” I set the melons and blueberries on the counter and pick up the bowl of eggs, pouring it into the sizzling pan. My skin prickles with the heat from the stove.

Ezra turns on the TV and flips to the news. We all pause, listening to an anchor covering the breaking story about a CEO bribing public officials. They cover every sordid detail and show various officials being arrested for sex crimes against children.

“Tristan remains at large and authorities believe he’s fled the country. Our sources in the FBI shared that his bank accounts were drained, indicating that the alpha knew the authorities were coming for him.”

Ezra shuts it off, exhaling long and low. “It’s finally almost over.”

All that’s left is to finish dismantling that stupid company and Resistentia is working hard on that. Bubblepop will probably be ecstatic about Tristan’s death. Before the conversation can continue, the elevator dings and we all glance over. Lottie steps out, stiffening when she realizes she has an audience. “This is so creepy, you know that, right? Why are you staring?”

“How was the sleepover?” I ask.

“Good!” She drops her bag by the foyer table and sniffs. “Is that bacon?”

I lift the spatula. “Yeah, we’re making breakfast. Hungry?”

“They only had cereal for breakfast,” she complains, drooping her shoulders and shuffling forward. “I’m practically wasting away.”

“Oh, you poor baby.” Carefully moving the scramble, I rub the back of my hand across my forehead. Their kitchen needs better circulation.

Lottie takes a seat beside Ezra. He gives her a brotherly side hug and ruffles her hair. She pretends to be mad, but there’s a smile on her face. Kill, Maddox, and I work together to time the plating. I finish the eggs as they add toast and bacon to each plate, and I follow behind, dividing the scramble evenly while they grab water and juice for everyone.

I sit next to Lottie at the end of the island, still a little hot from cooking. I gulp down some water. “So what did you all do?”

“Binged watched some movies. Painted our nails.” She wiggles her fingers. “It was fun! What did you guys do last night?”

“We went out on a date.”

“That sounds nice.” She shoves some bacon in her mouth. “Oh, the next cheer competition is in November, and I want you all to come.”

Maddox pauses with bacon halfway to his mouth. Kill chomps on a bite of toast, grinning like he hit the jackpot.