Page 24 of Pack of Crooks

“I’m. Sorry!” Ron splutters.

The words fly over my head, my mind still seizing on two very important ones that Hawk said with ease. My omega. Chest tightening, heart thudding, I step toward the beta, that hollowness inside of me aching to finally belong to a pack. And then the door opens and in walks Killian and Bear.

The room shrinks, and my hackles rise. I really, really hate feeling like I’m trapped. I take a step back, eyeing the hallway in the rear of the store. I can probably make it. I shift my weight to the balls of my feet, preparing to run.

Killian catches it. “Easy, baby. We’re not here to hurt you.”

Bear takes in the mess, gaze swinging to me and taking me in, as if he’s searching for injuries, then he looks at Hawk. “What did he do?”

“Tried to use his alpha bark on her.”

Killian and Bear’s response is immediate and loud, twin growls that are so deep a shiver of apprehension skates down my spine.

“Kill him and get it over with,” Bear says, fists clenching.

Hawk lifts his eyes to meet mine. “Close your eyes.” There’s that demanding tone again, and even though part of me wants to obey, I glare at him. That only makes him smirk. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” In one swift jerk of his hands, he breaks Ron’s neck and drops his head to the linoleum floor.

Ron’s head lolls, lifeless. Dead. All because he tried to use his alpha bark on me. My hand presses into my chest and I make a noise, mouth hanging open in surprise.

“Hey, hey,” Killian murmurs, moving for me. “Why don’t we find you somewhere to sit. I really don’t want you to pass out in the glass.”

I shake my head. “I’m okay, it’s just. . .” I wrench my focus away from Ron and look at the pack who is most definitely stalking me, and blink back tears. “That’s the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.”

Bear scowls.

Killian tips his head to the side, a smile playing at the edges of his lips.

Hawk stands, walking toward me, and my entire body lights up, electrified as he draws near. I’m rooted to the spot even though every instinct is telling me to run before they can catch me. After what happened though, I don’t think they’re here to hurt me.

He called me his omega.

I try to talk my hopeful heart down, lift my chin, and hold his intense gaze as he stops before me. Slowly, he studies my features, memorizing what I really look like before cupping my face with both hands, smoothing a thumb over my bottom lip.My stomach flips, and I suck in a breath, delighting in the tingles rushing through my body. One touch is all it took and I’m ready to do whatever this beta wants.

“What’s your name?” he asks.

That’s the last piece of anonymity I have, but I’m desperate to hear my name on his tongue. Throat dry, I swallow, search his gaze, and whisper, “Amber.” It’s practically inherent to lie about my name.

As long as they don’t know your name, they can’t find you. That’s what Mom always told me. She obviously never had stalkers.

He hums, eyes darkening as his pack members close in.

Heart hammering, my body stiffens on instinct, but Hawk shifts one hand back to my hair, tugging on the strands as his other floats to my neck, squeezing lightly and suddenly grounding me, chasing the fear away with the strong and steady hold.

“You’re okay.”

My eyes flutter closed. Every inch of my body is keenly aware of their proximity—Hawk in front of me, Killian on the left, and Bear on the right. I’m caged in, only this time, it doesn’t bother me. The heat of their bodies. Their scents twining together, threatening to drown me in sugary goodness. And mine—my scent teases theirs like a snake testing the air, flicking its tongue deliberate and unafraid.

Hawk’s thumb strokes over my pulse, traces of his scent lightly kissing my skin. “You stole my watch.” He pauses. “And my shirt.”

Opening my eyes, I try to focus, but all I want to do is fall into his control. Consequences be damned. “Are you mad?”

He smiles. “Not even close,” he murmurs, side-eyeing his pack. “Do you want to go get waffles?”

My eyebrows jump. “You killed someone and you want. . . waffles?”

“I’m hungry,” he says with a little grin. “Kill, can you call JJ to clean up?”

“Already texted him,” Kill says.