Page 5 of Pack of Crooks

“We will figure it out, okay?”

Tentatively, she asks, “Should I get a job?”

Oh, Lottie. Just gut me on the street. “No, sweet girl. You focus on school and cheer. I have everything under control.”

And for the first time, doubt flickers across her face. It’s enough to make me want to fall to the ground and scream at the world, but I can’t afford to wallow in self-pity. I have to find a way to get us back on track.

The address on Killian’s ID zips through my mind, but I push it aside. It’s too dangerous. “Now.” I hook my arm over her shoulders, shoving my fear, self-loathing, and dread as far down as I can. “Do you want pizza or Chinese for dinner?”

Maybe my friend Milly knows of some work I can do on the side. There are plenty ofhelp wantedpostings on the dark web, and while I normally stay away from jobs like that because they always come with baggage, I need big money fast.

Besides, it’ll be a one-time thing, so how dangerous can it be?

two

HAZEL

The way you see the world changes when you grow up with an abusive, drug addicted parent. My childhood wasn’t sunshine and rainbows, only angry clouds and savage storms. I’m not even sure I ever knew what happiness was until Mom died. Shitty as it sounds, my and Lottie’s life has been so much better since she’s been gone. No more tip-toeing around the house to avoid waking her up or locking myself and Lottie in my room to keep herflavor of the monthfrom touching us.

Outside of the constant state of dread I used to live in, trust also became an issue—which means my list of friends is practically non-existent. But Milly, my beta best friend, is a real one. She loves Lottie like I love Lottie, and she’s the only one I’d ask for help.

“Goodnight, Auntie,” Lottie says, hugging Milly tight.

My heart squeezes at the sight. Ever since she turned fourteen, Lottie has started to look more grown up, but when she comes to say goodnight, I still remember that little girl who used to want to play in the mud on the playground. Milly has her owntroubled past, a family she refuses to talk about, but we’ve come together to form one of our own.

Lottie pulls away from her and comes to me, grinning as she wraps me in a hug. She’s finally recovered from the incident earlier. I was worried for a bit, but pizza and copious amounts of the Real Omega Mates can fix anything. We may not be rich, but we finally, for the most part, have peace, and that’s what really matters.

I ruffle her hair as she steps away, tell her goodnight and watch her retreat, my chest tightening. I hope I don’t fuck her up more than Mom already did.

“Are you okay?”

Turning to Milly as Lottie closes the door to the bedroom—the only one in our crappy little apartment—I sigh. “Not really, Mil. I need money and fast.”

“About that,” Milly begins, her short black bob swaying as she tugs a laptop covered in stickers out of her backpack. “You’ll never guess what I found.” Her fingers fly over the keyboard. Milly is a world class hacker. Thanks to her, I know a few things, but I may as well be an eighty-year-old with the latest technology compared to her. “Okay so,” she says, casting me a look. “Don’t say no right away.”

My eyes narrow and I refuse to agree to those terms.

Rolling her hazel eyes, she smiles. “There’s an omega wanted?—”

“Nope,” I say with my whole chest.

Chuckling, she shoves the computer along the worn tabletop and scoots the wobbly wooden chair toward me. “Oh my god, will you at least let me finish?”

“Fine, but this better not be some weird foot fetish shit.”

“First of all, you shouldn’t kink shame,” she says, shaking her head. “Second of all, do you know how much money you can make selling pictures of your feet?”

My eyebrows rise. “Speaking from experience?”

She bites her lip. Milly is gorgeous. Short, thick as a snickers with pretty cupid’s bow lips and a delicate nose. She could definitely make a lot of money on Only Betas.

Gasping, I clutch her arm. “Oh my god, you little foot slut. Show me the pictures. Now.”

“You have to pay to play,” she fires back.

“Oh come on! Let me see your little piggies. Do you put them in whipped cream?” Her cheeks flush, and I burst out laughing. “Now I really want to see.”

“If you let me finish explaining, I’ll show you the whipped cream video.”