Page 41 of Pack of Crooks

“Only omegas get hired as administrative assistants.”

Right. Silly omega heart. Don’t go romanticizing every single thing about this experience. They needed an omega. Here I am. The fact that we all want to bang is probably just an added bonus.

“A little word of advice?” Bubblepop says low enough only for me to hear. “Watch your back. Bullseye was the last new recruit. He got caught talking to a fed. He’s not here anymore.”

As in he’s dead? Or he took a trip? “Should I be worried?”

“Nah.” Her exhale is muffled by the Ghost Face mask. “If you can survive their orientation, stay loyal to the pack, then you’ll be fine with us. As long as you aren’t a snitch, we’re harmless. For the most part.”

“I’m not a snitch,” I assure her.

“If you are, they’ll make sure you regret it,” she says conversationally. “Bullseye fucked us over and ended up being burned alive.”

Guess that answers my question. “Jesus,” I whisper. They told me what would happen, but it’s still unsettling to realize this pack kills so easily. Like it’s as easy as breathing.

Bubblepop hums in agreement. “Ruthless, but necessary. This room holds too many secrets.” She initiates a program and pushes the keyboard in my direction. “Pick a password.”

The key is fourteen digits long, but it’s an old one I used in high school and easy to remember. I don’t bother making it super complex because if anyone could crack the password, it’s this group.

Bubblepop takes control again, setting up an email account, using AI to generate a resume that makes me sound like an organization queen, and tests out my Microsoft Office Suite skills. My typing is adequate. My PowerPoint skills are lacking, and have I ever even opened an excel spreadsheet? She shows me a few things there, but most of our energy is spent on calendar and email management.

“No,” she says, exhaling in frustration. “You forgot the link to the virtual meeting.” She shows me how to do it again.

“Oh yeah. Okay. I got this.” I definitely don’t, but we won’t tell Bubblepop that. I start a new one and mess up again.

“Maybe we should take a break.” Probably more for her sake than mine. “How about a tour?” she asks, pushing away from the desk.

“Sure.” I lock the computer, now knowing better than to leave my work station vulnerable, and join her.

“So this is the hub. Where all the grunt work happens. There’s Roscoe and Flash.” The guys nod at me in acknowledgement before turning back to their screens which are covered in some sort of coding language. She shows me whereto find power cords, spare keyboards and accessories, and then brings me back to my desk. “Ready to practice again?”

Must we? This is the job, though. A million dollar job, apparently. “Sure. Remind me why I’m learning these things again?” I still have no idea what I’ll be doing outside of living in admin hell.

“Because we’re destroying an empire,” she says flippantly, dropping into her seat which happens to be right beside mine. “The main company we’re going after is Kain Industries.”

I’ve heard that name before but can’t remember where or the specifics of what they do. “Do I get to ask why?”

Bubblepop’s Scream mask turns in my direction. “They’re terrible people who do terrible things.” Sighing, she grabs my mouse, and I watch as she creates another meeting. “Me and my friends had this app, it was going to be amazing,” she says softly. “Then Tristan Kain got wind of it, and any chance of our company working out was obliterated.”

“What did he do?”

“His fancy lawyers got us on a technicality, and he basically extorted us into selling the company to him, and then,” she says, voice tight, “he destroyed it. Years of hard work gone because he can’t handle a little competition.”

“That’s really shitty.”

“What’s worse,” she says, releasing the mouse and gesturing for me to take it. “Is that my best friend Cory, who came up with the idea, killed himself.”

My breath freezes in my lungs. “Bubblepop, I’m so sorry.”

She nods. “Me too. We never should have taken the deal, but I’ll make sure Cory’s avenged.” She points at the screen. “But first, you need to master Outlook. Again.”

Exhaling, I focus on the screen and turn Bubblepop’s story over in my mind. I can’t imagine what losing someone you love would feel like. Mom died, yeah, but that was a relief. Bubblepoplost one of her closest friends because of what Kain Industries did. I’m not sure what type of monster this Tristan is, but even if he’s dangerous, I’m willing to do just about anything to secure a better future for me and Lottie.

thirteen

HAZEL

After a gruesome training session with Bubblepop, I’ve effectively learned Outlook and I’m proficient in a few other programs. If I get the administrative job, I should be fine. The worst part of this whole thing is the clothes. Don’t get me wrong, I love a cute dress as much as the next woman, butbusiness casual? The literal worst.