Page 23 of Pack of Crooks

Ron glares, features contorting, a vein appearing on his forehead. “Who the fuck do you think you are putting hands on me in my shop?”

“Is this what you do?” Hawk asks, ignoring his question, attention moving to a signed bat sitting on top of a case. Hawk’s fudge brownie scent turns burned, the taste of ash and smoke coating my tongue.

Oh, he’s madmad.

He continues. “Take advantage of omegas who come in here?”

With a growl, Ron moves toward him, but Hawk snatches the bat and with a quick twist back, he swings it full force into one of the cases. My hand flies to my mouth, and I jump back right as glass explodes around him, the pieces tinging as they fall on the ground.

“Whoa, whoa!” Ron’s hands go up. “What the fuck, man?”

Adrenaline floods through my veins. Now is a good time to run, but I can’t get past either of them. Ron is in the way of the exit to the back, and Hawk is too close to the front.

“Tell me,Ron.”The name rolls off Hawk’s tongue like it physically disgusts him. “What were you thinking about making her do?”

“Nothing, man. Nothing!”

Nowthat’sa fucking lie.

Hawk’s dark chuckle sends a shiver down my spine. “No one likes a liar.” He pulls the bat back and swings again, wood smashing into the next case. Creating a graveyard of glass that covers the floor.

Ron’s face is beet red and the vein in his forehead looks close to popping. “Mother fucker!”

My gaze shoots to some rings within reach. I inch forward, making sure neither man is aware of my movements. Turning, Ron makes for the main counter, but Hawk runs for him, kicking the back of his knees.

Stifling a sound of surprise, I reach into the case, grab two handfuls of rings and shove them into my bag. I inch toward the next case, eyeing Hawk who’s got his heel pressed into Ron’s throat.

Ron’s hands are raised in a placating gesture. “Okay, okay,” he wheezes. “I’m sorry. That’s what you want, right, an apology?”

The next case has some necklaces, but I don’t bother with those. No one wants to untangle a metal chain. Instead, I grab a few pairs of diamond earrings, spot a cute pair of pearl earrings for Lottie, take those as well, and shove them all into my purse.

“You’re apologizing to the wrong person. You should apologize to her.”

I’m bent over the case, checking to make sure I didn’t miss anything worth stealing, but I shoot up straight at his words, locking my sticky fingers behind my back and shooting him a look of surprise.

“Who? Me?”

Hawk arches an eyebrow. “Who else, pretty thief?”

The nickname hits me, and I fight a flinch, keeping my expression neutral. I focus on Ron who is definitely turning a funny shade of purple. “I think you’re killing him.”

Hawk eases up enough to let the man breathe. “Apologize,” he demands, pointing at me, putting his beta mark on full display, but somehow, his deep tone is more commanding than Ron’s alpha bark. Sometimes that can happen if a pack has particularly dominant alphas.

“Sorry.” Ron chokes as Hawk pushes down, eyes bugging. There’s no way Hawk is getting away from this without Ron pressing charges.

“Awe, come on, Ron, you can do better than that.” Hawk moves his foot, squats down, catches Ron around the throat and yanks him to sitting.

Mmm, yes, beta daddy. Show him who’s boss.

Wait. What am I thinking? Him being here isn’t a mere coincidence. Pack Lennox has probably hunted me down, and he just destroyed two cases because Ron tried to alpha command you.He destroyed the store for me. I bite my lip and watch him manhandle the shop owner as if he were a ragdoll.

Bet that beta could toss me around.My scent sweetens, and the air feels like there’s a vat full of strawberry juice nearby.

Hawk’s head snaps in my direction, lips curling into a devious grin. “There she is.”

“Who?” I ask.

He rolls his eyes and looks at Ron. “Now, apologize to my omega like you mean it.”