Page 70 of Pack of Crooks

We work together from time to time.

“When?”

“Apparently the event is in a few weeks. New Jersey.” Ezra frowns. “He said he’ll send more details once we’re closer. Jois trying to shut it down before it happens, this is simply the backup plan.”

Anger burns through me. People who run these trafficking rings are the scourge of the earth. They all deserve to be flayed, tortured, and left for the birds to feast on. In high school, one of our friend’s youngest sister was taken and forced into an auction. Her body was found a few days later. He followed her to the grave shortly thereafter. After that incident and the shit with Tristan, we’ve done everything in our power to kill those who attend. If anyone can shut shit down before it happens, it’s Jo, Mac’s omega.

Jaw tight, I glare at the bacon sizzling in the pan, imagining pouring the hot grease on the head of the event host. “Tell Mac we’ll be there. Anything they need.”

Ezra texts him back, watches the phone for a response, and curses under his breath when it comes.

“What?”

“Rook’s organizing it.”

Mother. Fucker. I knew we should have spent more time hunting him down after we killed the rest of his pack, but the fucker left the country and then Hazel happened. If Rook thinks he can come back and pick up where he left off, he’s making a big fucking mistake.

twenty

HAZEL

The closing of the front door wakes me from the deep sleep Ezra had put me in. I jerk awake, groaning and scrubbing my hands over my face as I sit up, squinting at the clock on the stove.

Ugh it’s after nine already.

“Wooow,” Lottie says, stopping in front of me with a funny smile. “Rough night?”

I peer at her through sleep crusted eyes. “It was fine,” I say around a yawn. “How was the sleepover?”

“Good.” Lottie chews on her lip, a nervous habit.

“What?” I ask, sitting a little straighter. “Do I need to put some little jerk in her place?”

“Are you seeing a pack?”

Shit. Ezra’s scent is all over. I should have opened a window to air the place out. I don’t want to lie to her, but also, how do I explain Pack Lennox? My silence sends her on a rant.

“I mean, it’s fine if you are, but why are you hiding it from me?” She searches my face. “Do they not like kids or something?”

“What?” I shoot to my feet, step over the coffee table, and grab her hands. “Lottie, I’d never even consider dating a pack or anyone who wasn’t okay with kids.”

“Okay,” she says slowly, frowning. “So you are dating? I mean, I can smell what you did,” she says with a cringe. “Ew. Am I standing in it?” Jumping back, she stares at the floor in horror.

A laugh bursts out of me. “Relax, sis. Sex isn’t contagious.”

She gives me a look. “Who are they?”

“A pack I met. They’re. . .” Stalking me. Murdering people who try to hurt me. Trying to topple a billionaire’s empire. “Nice.”

She crosses her arms. “What are their intentions?”

Holding up my hands, I rear back. “Whoa, who’s the parental figure here?”

“Depends on the day,” she says with a smirk.

“Oh you little shit,” I tell her, narrowing my eyes. “Next time you can pack your own lunch.”

“I pack my lunch every day, Haze.”