Page 90 of Pack of Crooks

“Your sister.” Gently, she wraps her arms around me. “Say what you want, but this pack is all in, sis.”

I hug her back. “You think so, huh?” My voice cracks a little.

“Yup. Now, can you stop being doom and gloom and act a little excited?”

“Stop telling me what to do,” I complain, tears sliding down my cheek, but they’re not sad anymore.

“Someone has to be the grown up,” she teases, stepping back and glaring at me. “And if you keep crying, you’re grounded.”

With a sniff, I chuckle and hold up my hands. “Okay, Mom. I’m sorry.”

“Good.” She glances around our small apartment, her smile faltering for a beat, before glancing back at me. “You and me forever?”

“If you think for even a second you’re getting rid of me now, you’re wrong. I’ll probably move into your dorm room when you go to college.”

She looks slightly horrified at the thought.

I grin. “Finish that box and we’ll call it a night. We still have a few days to pack.” And tonight, I just want to sit on our shitty couch and watch trash TV with Lottie. She moves back toher packing and I exhale, opening a kitchen drawer, eyebrows pinching together.

What if everything changes? What if this is a bad decision? What if. . .God. There are so many what ifs, but I can’t spiral now. I have to trust the pack. I’m free falling into their arms and praying they won’t let me drop. They’ve never given me a reason to doubt them.

So why does it feel so fucking scary?

twenty-five

MADDOX

Drumming my fingers on the desk in a steady rhythm, I eye the strawberry scented candle next to me. When I lit it, I thought it would be soothing, but it’s toxic. A chemical mix of artificial sweetness that doesn’t even compare to Hazel’s scent.

Fighting a growl that’s borderline unhinged, I roughly blow the flame out and carry the candle to the trash in the kitchen, grab a handful of strawberries, and head back to my room. Ezra and Kill are out on their weekly date, and while they invited me to come along with them, I didn’t want to spend my night with the love birds. A pack bond is undeniable. Like family. But love like that?

That’s different, even within a pack bond. Those two are like brothers to me, but they don’t necessarily fill the void in my chest. That empty space craves softness. Understanding. Pretty light blue eyes.

With the taste of Hazel on my tongue, I grab my phone and collapse onto the bed, savoring the strawberries’ sweetness while trying to ignore the urge to spit it out—the texture always gets to me. Instead, I start a private text thread with Hazel. Outside ofthat undeniable attraction, we haven’t had a ton of time to get to know one another.

MAD

I can’t wait for you to move in.

HAZEL

Well hello to you too.

I’m excited, too. Lottie is really happy.

She’s a sweet kid.

She’s a good one. What are you doing?

I send her a picture of my handful of strawberries.

Trying to recreate a memory.

Is it working?

Nope.

I’m sorry, kitty cat. How can I help?