Page 29 of Pack of Crooks

“But I stole from you. Twice.”

“Technically three times,” Kill corrects.

“I hope you’re enjoying our T-shirts,” Ezra says with a knowing grin.

They’re never going to let me live that down, are they? Playing it cool, like I haven’t rubbed their clothes all over my face like a kitten rolling in catnip, I shrug. “They’re in good hands.”

“About the courting,” Kill redirects.

Why does this feel too good to be true? Maybe because I haven’t really had anything good in my life. “I have a sister.”

“We love kids,” Maddox says.

“She’s a teenager.”

Ezra nods. “Even better. She’ll understand sarcasm.”

There has to be a catch. Something I’ll owe them. “I?—”

Maddox’s hand on the back of my chair cuts me off, and I swear my heart almost gives out as he leans in, mouth brushing over the shell of my ear. His honey scent coils around me. So sweet and tempting my mouth waters. “Don’t overthink it, sunshine.”

How he knows that’s what I’m doing is a little intimidating. This pack seems to have my number, and while it’s unsettling, it’s nice to have a pack immediately understand my uncertainties and quirks.

Maddox nudges my cheek with his nose, inhaling my strawberry perfume with a soft sigh. “Let us court you.”

Well, when he asks so nicely. “Okay,” I murmur, turning to face him. His mouth catches mine, firm and demanding, and I melt. My lips part and his tongue sweeps in. The alpha’s purr is so loud. Pleased. I hum in approval, ready to crawl into his lap, but a squeak has me pulling away and whirling around.

The server is there, holding three plates of food, eyes wide. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“It’s okay,” Ezra says in a soothing tone. “We’re starving.”

She titters and sets the plates down, making room for the food runners behind her to pour into the room and place way too much food on the table. Maddox straightens but keeps his arm on the back of my chair, a protective and possessive gesture that goes straight to my omega heart.

It’s only courting, but everything is so natural with them I’m already wondering what a life might be like with a pack like this.

By the time the dessert Kill ordered arrives, I’m stuffed. So blissfully full. Sighing, I take a sip of my coffee and watch Maddox stack plates.

“Did you enjoy breakfast?” he asks when he spies me watching.

“It was great. So, you own the place?” I hedge.

“My mom opened it, and it passed on to me when she died.”

“I’m so sorry.”

He drums his fingers on the table, perfect beats of four. “It wasn’t your fault, but I appreciate the sentiment.”

“Do you manage the place?”

Kill chuckles. “Maddox would drive everyone crazy. He’s particular about his kitchen.”

Ezra nods in agreement and Maddox grimaces. “I can’t help it, but they’re right. I’d probably be the reason everyone quits.”

“So you don’t operate the restaurant.” My gaze moves to Kill. “You were in a suit the other day. Are you guys like. . . investors or?”

“Good guess. Thanks to Maddox’s inheritance and the trust fund my grandpa left me, our pack mainly has passive income. Sometimes we get our hands dirty.”

“Like. . . construction dirty or,” I glance around and lower my voice, “orRondirty?”