Page 52 of Unmask (Crew of Elmwood Public #2)

Maddox was sprawled in the big armchair, one leg thrown over the side, completely relaxed in a way I’d rarely seen him.

Mason had claimed the other end of the couch, his feet propped up on the coffee table.

Raine sat cross-legged on the floor, his back against the couch, looking younger than his years in the flickering light.

They trusted me. That was the worst part. They’d finally let their walls down, and I was about to exploit that trust in the cruelest way possible.

I swallowed hard and kept walking, the pills burning in my closed fist as I made my way into the kitchen.

My hands shook as I pulled ingredients from the cabinets, the simple act of making cocoa feeling like preparing for execution.

Whipped cream swirled in thick clouds. Shaved chocolate curled from the block like delicate flowers.

Anything to make the taste stronger, richer, more decadent.

Anything to hide the bitterness of the crushed pills burning a hole in my pocket.

One by one, I doctored each mug. Kreed’s first. Then Maddox’s, Raine’s, and Mason’s. I made two more for the guards outside, pouring them into black thermoses.

The pills dissolved quickly when I stirred them in, leaving behind nothing. I made one for myself as well. The only one untouched. No pills. Just warm milk and cocoa, because I knew someone would notice if I didn’t have a drink too.

The mugs steamed on the tray, cheerful and innocent, but I knew better. They weren’t comfort. They were betrayal in disguise, wrapped in whipped cream and good intentions.

My heart raced so loudly I was sure they could hear it from the other room, the sound thundering in my ears.

I wasn’t doing this because I didn’t care.

I was doing this because I did, and if it cost me everything, Kreed, the Crew, the trust we were slowly rebuilding, I’d carry that burden, because if this worked, if I made the trade and brought Kenny home, the cost would be worth it.

I just had to survive it first.

I lined the mugs up on a tray, but the moment I picked them up, the enormity of what I was doing nearly buckled my knees. My hands trembled so violently I almost dropped the whole damn thing, cocoa sloshing dangerously close to the rims.

“Fuck,” I hissed, unable to believe I was doing this.

The night air bit at my skin as I stepped out onto the porch, two black thermoses warming my hands.

The guards stood in their usual spots, shadows against the pale moonlight.

Evan was by the stairs, and the other guard leaned against the railing, his eyes scanning the tree line.

They tensed when the door squeaked open, hands moving instinctively toward their weapons, but relaxed when they saw me.

Just the harmless girl they were protecting.

If only they knew.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.” I offered a tentative smile. “Thought you guys might want something to warm you up.”

They exchanged a glance, some silent communication I couldn’t read, before Evan gave the expressionless approval. “Appreciate it.”

“Hot cocoa.” I handed over the thermoses, wondering if they could feel my hands shaking or smell my nervousness. “Don’t worry, I didn’t spike it.”

What the fuck? Why did that come out of my mouth?

Evan cracked the lid and sniffed it, steam rising into the cold air. “Thanks. You should probably head back inside. It’s cold tonight.”

One of the coldest nights of the year. Of course, it was. I’d checked the weather earlier, some desperate part of me hoping for a storm to delay what I had to do. I lingered long enough to see them take the first sips.

One step down.

Now the hard part.

Inside, Raine and Maddox were in the living room arguing.

Mason was half asleep on the couch, his head leaned back against the cushions, scrolling on his phone.

Kreed stood by the window, his back to me, phone pressed to his ear.

His shoulders were tense, one hand braced against the window frame as he stared out into the darkness.

“She said the guy had a tattoo behind his ear?” Kreed asked. A pause, and I could practically hear him processing information. “No, that sounds like the same runner from the old warehouse. You’re sure it was him?” Another pause, longer this time. “Brock, I swear, if this is another dead end?—”

I froze, breath catching in my throat.

Of course, it was my cousin on the other end of that call, and whatever he was telling Kreed, it sounded serious.

Hopefully, it wouldn’t mess with my plan.

I was running out of time, and I couldn’t afford any surprises.

The tray in my hands grew heavier with each step, four steaming mugs balanced precariously as I approached the living room.

Maddox glanced up first. “Is that what I think it is?”

“If you think it’s hot cocoa, then yes,” I replied, setting the tray on the coffee table and somehow not managing to spill a drop. “It’s like the only thing I can make. My mom taught me.”

Mason swung his legs over the side of the couch, sitting up with a grin, reaching for a mug before anyone else could. He groaned in delight as he took a sip. “Holy hell. Marry me.”

I rolled my eyes. “You’re too high maintenance for me.”

“And Kreed might kill you,” Raine added, directed to Mason as he gave me a curious glance. I didn’t meet his gaze. I couldn’t. “Besides, if Kreed fucks this up, I’m swooping in.”

I choked on my first sip of hot cocoa, and not because it was too hot. “I’m not marrying any of you. There’s no way my last name will ever be Corvo.”

Kreed’s leg shot out, his boot connecting with Raine’s shin in a kick that made his brother grunt.

He was still on the phone, pacing near the window with his free hand gesturing as he spoke in low, clipped tones, but obviously, he was also tuned partially into the conversation with me and his brothers.

Multitasking had always been one of his more annoying talents.

“I’d let you keep your last name,” Maddox offered, and I was afraid he might be serious.

What the hell was happening? Why were we talking about me marrying any of them ?

Kreed ended his call and turned, brow furrowing in concentration. “Thanks,” he muttered, reaching for the last cup without thinking, sipping absently before he sat down beside Maddox.

I took mine and curled into the armchair opposite them, tucking my legs beneath me like it was any other night. “Who was that?” I asked, pretending my ears hadn’t been straining to catch every word Kreed said.

“Brock,” he replied, rubbing his temple. “He thinks he might have a photo of one of the smugglers. It’s not the best, a still from CCTV footage.”

I sucked up a half-melted dollop of whipped cream. “Where did Brock get the footage?”

Kreed lifted a brow at me over the rim of his mug. “Do you really want to know, little raven?”

“It might be information we should share with the police,” I suggested.

“They have it.” His response was clipped.

“How would…oh.” The picture started to come into focus. “Brock obtained it from the police, I take it.”

“I’m not saying anything,” he replied.

I lifted my mug back to my lips to give myself time to think, to process this new information.

The ceramic felt cold against my palms now despite the warm liquid inside.

Let it go , I told myself, the words repeating in my head like a mantra.

Let them chase their leads. Let them run in circles for one more night because if everything went according to plan…

By tomorrow morning, Kenny would be free. And I would be gone.

I couldn’t even think that far. All that mattered was getting through this night. One step at a time. It was all I could handle, or I’d lose the thin thread of bravado I clung to.

I watched them sip. Watched as the rich brown cocoa disappeared from their mugs. My fingers gripped my cup, but I barely touched the drink inside. My stomach was a mess of guilt, nerves, and anticipation, churning so violently I doubted I could have swallowed even if I wanted to.

Raine was the first to show signs. He yawned and rubbed at the back of his neck, rolling his shoulders.

“Long day?” I asked casually.

He nodded. “I haven’t slept much lately. Think it’s finally catching up to me.”

Maddox stretched out over the arm of the couch. “Shit, is it just me, or is it really hot in here? Did someone crank up the heat?”

“It’s the cocoa,” Mason muttered. “Sugar crash. That stuff is deadly.”

Kreed didn’t say anything. He was still watching me from across the room, mug half finished in his hand, a slight furrow between his brows as if he was close to working something out but was missing one piece of the puzzle.

I kept my eyes trained on the fire crackling in the hearth.

Don’t look at him. Don’t look guilty. Just breathe.

My brain was convinced that if Kreed stared into my eyes, he’d be able to read every one of my fucking thoughts.

He had an annoying, uncanny ability to know shit.

I couldn’t take the chance, regardless of how ridiculous or superstitious it might be.

Mason’s head dropped back against the couch. “I’m tapping out. I’ll crash on the floor if I have to.”

“No one’s sleeping on the floor,” Kreed said, pushing off the wall, but the movement wasn’t as smooth as usual. His balance wobbled slightly before he caught himself.

My nerves skyrocketed. He was going to find out. He was going to know it was me. “Are you okay?” I asked, genuine concern in my tone. What if I’d given them too high a dose?

Shit, what if I kill them?

I nearly spilled my guts, confessed my sins.

“Yeah.” Kreed blinked a few times, then looked down at his mug. “Just tired. Didn’t realize how fucking tired.”

“Maybe we should all get some sleep,” I offered carefully.