Page 40 of Nest of Thieves
I gently close the door of the car and hold out the keys. “Fine, but only because I can’t get caught. I have my own problems.”
His fingers brush over mine, sending tingles down my spine. He grasps my hand in his and turns my wrist over, licking his thumb and wiping away the makeup covering my omega mark. My heart clenches as his saliva soaks into my skin. “We all have problems. Some of us hide who we really are.” He lifts his gaze to meet mine. “Should I be worried about you?”
“I could ask you the same thing. Mac invited me to stay. You guys need my help, right?”
“We do.” He pockets the keys and glances around. “Where are your things?”
“At a hotel a few miles away.”
“Right. Let’s go.”
I follow him back to the vehicle and give Mac the name of the place. He doesn’t even need directions. We park outside the building, and Mac and Lark follow me inside to help carry my things.
“A snake?” Mac queries when he sees Atticus.
“I thought you’d recognize your kin,” I say, reaching for a suitcase, but Lark snatches it away before I can pick it up.
“Ouch,” Mac says with a chuckle.
Lark grabs the other cases and carries them out of the room. I slip the hotel key cards into my wallet. I won’t give up my room. I still don’t trust them with the money. For now, my connecting rooms are the safest place for the cash.
Mac picks up the vivarium, carefully carrying Atticus against his chest. I place a “do not disturb” sign on the handle and close the door to my room. I follow Mac out of the building, watching as he sets the glass box in the back seat of the SUV and buckles it in.
I scowl at the care he’s taking with my pet. I don’t want to have a reason to like him, but damn if that little gesture didn’t make my chest tighten in appreciation.
Lark deposits the suitcases in the back. “You’re not bringing the money?”
“I’m not dumb enough to bring my cash to your house.”
Lark closes the hatch. “We don’t need the money anymore. You should bring it.”
“I’m good.”
“You can trust us.” Lark walks to the passenger side and opens his door.
“Said the cat to the mouse.”
“We’re not going to hurt you,” Mac cuts in. “You’re with us now. No one will touch you unless they want their hand chopped off.”
“How romantic.” I roll my eyes, pretending that the bold declaration didn’t make me swoon a little. “And you trust me in your house?” I ask, nose scrunching in disbelief.
Lark shakes his head. “Not really, but it’s probably fine. Besides, I don’t think you can cause much more damage than you already have.”
If only he knew.
thirteen
JO
Mac’s headlights flash over the estate when we arrive back at the house. They live in a mini mansion. Mac parks inside a giant garage. As with when we left, I can’t help but admire their vehicles. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much money in one garage. There’s a pretty little midnight blue Corvette, a vibrant McLaren, and a sleek, steel gray Aston Martin. On top of those, there are three identical murdered-out trucks and three muscle cars. The SUV we’re in is the tenth. Ten vehicles for three alphas. A bit obnoxious, but hey, if they have the money, can’t say I blame them.
“Your McLaren is pretty,” I say to Mac, guessing that one is his. The lime green is as intense as he is.
Mac glances at me in the rearview, grinning as he pulls the keys out of the ignition. “How’d you guess?”
“Mac, McLaren. I was hoping for the letters to match up.”
“What about Lark?” he asks.
