Page 101 of Unmask
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 aboutmemarrying any ofthem?
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.”
