Page 71 of Nest of Thieves
“You’re not mad?” I don’t believe it.
“I didn’t say that,” Lark says. “But we’re not going to kill you.”
“Because you’re intrigued?” I side-eye Vette. He’s still standing close enough our arms brush against one another.
“Interested,” Vette says.
“Obsessed,” Mac quips.
“Infatuated,” Lark murmurs.
The three of them wait for me to respond. I stand there with my mouth twisted to the side as I try to grapple with what they’re saying. They want to keep me around, even though I drugged them and stole their car. Even though I destroyed two cars at the shop and wrecked another. They like me?
“Don’t hurt yourself,” Lark whispers. “It’s not rocket science.”
“You’re an asshole,” I mutter.
“Sorry,” he says with a laugh. “You’re overthinking it. Let me simplify it for you. You’re good at what you do. You got the best of the three of us, and that rarely happens, let alone three times. The moment you stuck that knife against Mac’s throat, he was a goner. Vette and I aren’t as romantic as he is, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t interested.” He checks me out. “You’re gorgeous. Smart. Cunning. Ruthless.”
“Deadly.” Vette’s voice is husky.
“Ours,” Mac adds.
My heart clenches at the thought. They’re everything I’ve wanted in a pack, but this is all a little too good to be true. What if it’s a trap? They’re saying all the right things. Trying to woo me. This has to be some way for them to get back at me for what I’ve done.
“No,” I say.
“Kitten,” Mac begins, voice coaxing and full of sin.
“No.” I step away from Vette. “I’m not yours.”
“Mac doesn’t think before he speaks,” Lark says, glaring at his friend. “Of course, you’re not ours. He’s delusional.”
“A bit unhinged,” Vette adds, sticking his hands into his dark-wash jeans.
“We agreed to do a job together. That’s it.” I pin Mac with a look. “We never talked about mating.”
Mac casts his eyes down, cheeks turning pink. I almost feel bad. The eager omega inside of me wants to say,yes, I’m yours, but that’s insanity. We don’t know each other, and while we’re all criminals, that doesn’t mean they’re the pack for me. But if they were, maybe they’d help me get the ruby back? It’s too late to mention the ring now. Perhaps the next time Mac declares his intentions, I could try to use that as a bargaining chip. The ring for my allegiance.
“Come on, mami. Let me drive you home.”
Mac and Lark head toward Lark’s truck, and Vette drives me in his pretty Corvette. I cross my arms and watch the city lights pass by.
“Are you going to ignore me the whole drive back?” Vette asks over the rumble of the engine.
“What’s there to say?” I ask, keeping my eyes glued to the window.
“A lot,” he says, switching lanes to pass a slow car. “Pretty smart to dose the cups and not the liquor. I regret dumping the bottle now.”
“I told you it was a waste.” I lean my head against the headrest.
“You could have asked for help,” he says.
“Could I?” I ask, cutting my gaze to him. “We’re not exactly friends, Vette, and just because you and your friends like the way my pussy smells doesn’t mean you’ll help me.”
“Who says I like the way your pussy smells?” He focuses on driving.
“I know you do,” I say, rolling my eyes. “Alphas are always attracted to omegas. It’s biology.”
