Page 26 of Pack of Crooks

“Is he okay?” I whisper as Killian and the pack lead me outside.

“He’s fine. JJ likes to work alone. We’re over here.” The guys walk around the corner to a black SUV a few parking spots up the block. Not any SUV. The one from earlier.

I knew something was off about it. “I knew you guys were stalkers.”

“You have no idea,” Kill murmurs.

Hawk turns, flashes a smile before I can ask Kill what he means. He pulls the watch out of his pocket. “I wanted my watch back.” He slips it on as Bear unlocks the front passenger door and opens it for me.

A little dazed by the chivalry, I furrow my brow and step forward. Bear offers me a hand and I take it, sliding into the seat and ignoring the way my pulse speeds up at the brief touch.Their scents wrap around me as they climb into the vehicle and my own blooms in the air, spurred on by their proximity.

Could I be any more obvious? Jesus, at this rate they probably think I’m a virgin. I’m not, but I guess I may as well be given how long it’s been. Do omegas die without sex?

If my needy scent bothers them, they don’t bring it up. If anything, they go out of their way to include me in their conversation on the way to the restaurant, but I only half pay attention, because one question screams through my mind.

Is this a date?

eight

HAZEL

Do you know the origin of the word normal? Norma. The Latin word for a carpenter’s square. Those are used for precision. Straight lines we’re all meant to follow. At least, that’s what society thinks. What about the Palais Bulles, though? Its round rooms are iconic. Unconventional. To some, inconceivable.

Palais Bulles isn’t normal. But it worked. You can live there. Sleep. Eat. Dream. Relax. Not everything that makes sense fits in a box. Sometimes, the most beautiful things are those that stray from that straight line. That’s what I tell myself as the Bear parks outside of the restaurant.

Killian pops out of his door as soon as the car is stopped, and before I can climb out, he opens my door and offers me his hand. Chivalry isn’t dead, but Ron sure is. Too soon? Definitely.

I place my hand in his, and he brings it to his lips, kissing it. I bite my bottom lip as warmth floods through me, and I allow him to help me out of the SUV. “Thanks,” I rasp, overly aware of the lusty musk chasing my strawberry perfume.

His gray eyes darken. “My pleasure.” He edges closer. Suffocating me in that delectable vanilla and chocolate scent. “Speaking of pleasure?—”

“Let her breathe,” Hawk chastises.

Killian sighs. “He always spoils my fun,” he says with a wink, stepping back.

Fresh air creeps between us, and I breathe in, hoping it’ll clear my head, but Hawk steals me away from Killian, tucks me under his arm, and leads us to the door.

“Sorry about him. He’s a handful.”

“Stop it, I’m blushing,” Killian murmurs.

“I’m not talking about your cock,” Hawk tosses over his shoulder.

Killian releases a dramatic exhale. “Such a shame.”

“Keep it in your pants,” Bear gruffs.

“Do I have to?”

“Yes,” both Bear and Hawk say at the same time.

It’s almost comical. I press my lips together to keep from laughing, a smile stretching across my face. These guys are fun.

“Hi, welcome to the Breakfast Palace. How many?” the hostess asks.

“Four,” Bear answers.

“Okay.” She clicks her tongue, studying the map of tables. “That’ll probably be a thirty minute wait.”