Page 45 of Pack of Crooks

That seems to satisfy her, because she nods. “Very well.” Her tone is a little softer now. “There’s a username and password in the welcome packet. You have onboarding training to finish today. Your first official day will be next Monday. Understood?”

“Got it.” I smile and extend my hand. “It was so nice to meet you.”

She looks at my hand, a little surprised, and clasps it. Her grip is firm. Adon’t make me regret thistype handshake, but I keep the pleasant expression on my face. Alpha dominance is a range, and Ellen is firmly in the hardcore dominance category. It’s served her well though. She has an executive position at Kain Industries.

“Vivian, the other applicant, is working with me. The two of you would do well to get along.”

I nod. “I met her earlier. She’s nice.”

Ellen hums in agreement, gaze drifting to an office a few doors down.

That’s my cue. “I won’t keep you. Thank you so much for this opportunity,” I tell her, infusing as much happiness as I can into the words. “I won’t let you down.”

“I hope not.” She smiles for the first time. “Welcome to Kain Industries.”

fourteen

HAZEL

Shopping. It’s one of those universal things that all omegas love. Buying new things might be as comforting as sitting in my nest with the pack’s T-shirts. Which I definitely haven’t been doing every night like some lovesick omega. Definitely not.

After seeing Lottie off to school, I made my way over to Saks Fifth Avenue in midtown. Basic business wear won’t cut it at Kain Industries. I need to look sharp. Maybe a little scary like Ellen. That alpha knows how to make a power suit work for her.

Adjusting the shopping bags full of empty boxes—ones that I intend to fill with somefreeclothes, I stop and stare at a display in the window that catches my attention. A mannequin in a black dress with bold white lines that trim the sleeves and the buttons that flow down the middle of the dress.

“I think you’d look good in that,” a deep voice murmurs.

Recognition flares in my mind seconds before Kill’s scent wraps around me. Ezra’s and Mad’s follow. I breathe in, sigh, and turn around. Kill is wearing dark washed jeans and a black V-neck. Maddox’s jeans hug his thick thighs and his black and white checkered button up stretches over his broad chest. Ezra’sin a silky, dark blue button up and black pants, the top buttons of his shirt hang open, revealing tanned skin and muscles I want to lick. They’re all so gorgeous it’s not fair.

“Should I be worried that you keep stalking me?”

Kill tips his head. “You don’t like it? Should we leave?” He turns and takes a step away.

“No, no,” I say quickly, grabbing his arm and tugging him back. “It’s fine. You can stalk me.”

Maddox and Ezra chuckle, but Kill? His eyes darken and he closes the distance between us, hand wrapping around my throat as he presses me against the window. The bags I’m holding fall to the ground. Most might freak out, but I soften, bite my lip, and gaze at him through my lashes. He breathes in a heady rush of my strawberry scent and his lips kick up into a smile that makes me want to climb him like a tree.

“Scare tactics, stalking.” Kill’s thumb brushes over my pulse point, scent marking me. “These are a few of your favorite things.”

“I don’t think that’s how the song goes,” I whisper.

Kill’s face inches toward mine. My heart stutters in my chest, gaze dropping to his lips.

“I’ve been wondering something.”

“What’s that?” I rasp.

His mouth crashes into mine, firm and demanding, fingers tightening around my neck as he steals my breath and the thoughts from my head. Kill kisses me like we’re dying, purposeful desperation, like the world might rip us apart at any second and the only reason he breaks away is so he can breathe.

He rests his forehead against mine. “I had to know what you tasted like,” he murmurs, his gaze holding me captive. “Maddox had all the fun last time.”

Grinning, I reach up and cup his face, rising on my toes and dropping a kiss on his lips, thumb marking his cheek withstrawberries and musk. “Jealousy looks good on you,” I tease, dropping to my heels.

He breathes in again and steps back, revealing Ezra and Maddox who both look more than amused. Ezra’s the only one I haven’t kissed. As if sensing my thoughts, he smirks and holds out his hand. I take it, and he yanks me against his body, hand diving into my hair and tugging my head back. I don’t even have a second to think before his mouth is on mine.

Where Maddox was careful control and Kill was intense, Ezra is steady and reassuring, like no matter what happens, he’ll make sure everything will be okay. I gasp when he bites my lip, leaving a tiny bruise, but he soothes away the pain with another kiss before someone bumps into him and jostles us.

Kill and Maddox growl, and Ezra reluctantly pulls back, eyeing the alphas. “Leave it. We’re the ones taking up the sidewalk.”