Page 92 of Pack of Crooks

“The difference?” I ask with a chuckle. “Oh, Lottie. I’m about to change your life.”

Hopefully in more ways than one. Lottie is like a mini version of Hazel, and I can’t help feeling protective of her too. She’s too young to grow up in a place like this. That’s not to say Hazel hasn’t done her best. I understand how hard she’s worked once her mom died. Probably even before then.

Hazel never directly talked about her Mom with me, but there was enough information in the NYPD database to give me the CliffsNotes. An addict who had a proclivity for theft. The strange thing was, around the time Hazel hit ten, outside of the occasional disorderly conduct, most of the charges against her mom disappeared.

I’m pretty sure the reason is the omega with beautiful blue eyes who is currently smiling at me like I hung the moon. My chest swells with pride. My pack will give her the safety she never had.

“Are we feeding a small family?” Hazel asks as I start to set out the various containers of food.

“I wanted us to have options.”

“I’ll grab the bowls.” Lottie dashes to get the dishes.

Hazel edges closer. Her strawberry scent surrounds me, and I breathe in deep, chest rumbling in appreciation. Amusement dances in her gaze, and she bumps her shoulder against mine.

“Hey, big guy.”

“That’s a better nickname.”

“Thought you might like it. You didn’t have to bring all this food for us.”

I give her a look, grabbing a spring roll from the bag. “You know this is all for me, right?” She glares at me, opens her mouth to say something, but I push part of the spring roll into it. “Don’t fight it, Hazel, just let it happen.”

With narrowed eyes, she takes a bite and pulls back, hand popping up to her mouth and eyes widening. “Oh my god,” she says around the food.

Laughing, I nod. “Told you I was going to change your life.”

“Can you two stop flirting? I’m kind of hungry.”

I step back from Hazel, even though every instinct urges me to pull her closer, and shoot her sister an apologetic look. “Sorry.”

“Hurry up and get your food,” she tells me, going for the pho. “We’re starting at season one and we can probably get through it tonight.”

“You have school tomorrow,” Hazel tells her.

Lottie gives her a look. “It’s a half day. I think I can stay up later.”

“You need sleep,” Hazel counters.

“One night isn’t going to kill me.” Lottie suddenly looks thoughtful and glances at me with wide, puppy dog eyes. “What do you think, Maddox?”

Hazel’s mouth drops open, and I take a step back, suddenly feeling caught between two wrongs, but Lottie looks so sad and itisa half day. If we go straight through, we can probably binge season one in six hours or so.

“Don’t do it, Maddox, don’t let her guilt you into it,” Hazel warns.

Lottie pushes out her lower lip, and I swear to god her eyes swim with tears. Fuck. Is she going to cry? I glance at Hazel for help, but she’s shaking her head at her sister, lips twitching.

“Please,” Lottie whines. A tear tracks down her cheek. “I’ll never ask for anything ever again.”

My chest constricts, and I press my hand to it, eyebrows pinching in confusion. Why does her sadness make me feel like my heart has been ripped out of my chest? How can I say no? But I have to. Hazel said no. But if I side with Hazel, then Lottie will be mad at me, and I don’t want to start off on a bad foot.

Mouth opening and closing, I struggle to come to the right decision.

“Puh-leassseeeeeeee,” Lottie begs.

“Oh my god, you’re relentless,” Hazel says with a laugh, gaze jumping to mine. “Look at him. He’s panicking.”

Lottie shoots Hazel a look, eyes suddenly clear. “I’m working here.” Then looks back at me with fresh tears. Hazel presses her hand to her mouth, shoulders shaking as my head spins.