Page 122 of The Rust in Her Hair

Renata comes in behind him with a paper sack of groceries on one hip and her sunglasses shoved up into her dark hair. The red streak underneath catches the light. Her bangs fall into her eyes, and she blows them out of the way with a huff.

Her face opens up when she sees me.

"Hey there, shortie." She dumps the groceries on the counter and pulls me into a hug that lifts me onto my toes. She smells like smoked cedar, orange peel, and a thread of cigarette smoke.

"Thank you for the clothes," I say into her shoulder.

"Of course." She sets me down, then catches sight of Mack over my head and levels a finger at him. "I’ve got an insane piece you have to see. This guy was desperate to have a hotdog tattooed on his upper thigh. You’ll love it."

"Can’t wait." Mack moves toward Renata as she pulls out her phone.

"Do all the clothes fit?" Renata asks me as she taps the screen of her phone.

"Yes, ma’am." I smooth my hand down the front of my oversized t-shirt, wishing I was wearing one of the nightgowns she bought me so she could see.

"Well, I kept the receipt for the shoes, just in case." She smiles at me, before turning her phone toward Mack. The alpha lets out a howl of a laugh as he takes it from her.

"Christ almighty." He angles the phone so Nico can see. The pack alpha smiles, then shakes his head. "Now every gal he brings home has gotta decide which wiener she's putting in her mouth first."

"Stop it." Owen smacks Mack’s arm, and I quickly cover my mouth, trying to hide my smile.

"Well, we finally have our truck back." Nico sets the keys on the counter. "It cost a fortune, but I don’t like using the company truck for grocery runs." He looks around the kitchen. "Where's Adrian?"

"Still asleep," I say.

"Coffee, Ren?" Owen holds out a fresh cup to her as he reaches into the cabinet, grabbing another mug. "It's black."

"God, yes." She takes the mug, then drinks half of it in one go. "Fuck, you make strong coffee."

Two seconds later, Adrian shuffles into the room with his sweatpants riding low on his hips. I bite my bottom lip, taking in every dip and groove.

Adrian doesn't have Mack's bulk or the heavy muscle Nico carries through the chest and arms. Adrian’s leaner than them, with long lines, a trim waist, and broad shoulders. And I absolutely can’t wait to feel him on top of me.

Adrian’s eyes go wide as he looks around the small kitchen. "Is there a party in here nobody invited me to?"

"You snooze, you lose, sleepin' beauty." Mack tips his coffee at him. "And we already voted you out. Ren's got your spot now."

"Damn right I do," Renata says into her mug.

I smile as I look around at my new little family. They’re all so easy to be around, so loving and fun. And then my stomach pulls into a knot.

My father could destroy everything they’ve worked so hard for with one phone call.

Nico's hand finds my cheek, immediately pulling me out of the dark thought.

I tip my face up, and his dark eyes search mine. Our bond draws tight, and I instantly know he felt my brief pang of fear.

"Hey." He brushes my skin with the pad of his thumb. "You okay?"

"I'm good." I cover his hand with mine, then I take a breath. "But I want to talk to you about something."

"Of course." His brows pull together. "Are you sure everything’s okay?"

"Yeah, uh, can we move into the living room?" I need to sit while I say this.

Renata hooks her arm through mine before anyone can say anything. "You heard her, boys." She steers me out of the kitchen, and the rest of my pack shuffles after us with their coffee.

We settle in, and Renata pulls me down beside her on the gray couch. Owen perches on the arm of it on my other side. And all three alphas fold themselves onto whatever will hold them. Mack sinks into the middle of the loveseat with his coffee balanced on his stomach, Nico stays on his feet by the wall, and Adrian drags a folding chair next to the couch.