Page 50 of As Thick As Thieves

Cruz: You alive, Hendricks?

Luna: I appear to be. You?

Cruz: I’ll let you know once I have coffee.

She sent back a bunch of laughing emojis, and I put my phone on the counter to finish making the coffee.

“Leah wants to see Penn,” Drake said as he sat at the table. “She wanted me and Knox to give Penn her number, but with all the drama, we haven’t. Do you think we should?”

“Penn and her got on like a house on fire. If Leah’s genuine, then I think that’s a good idea. Our girl needs some friends,” I answered, placing a mug in front of him before grabbing two more, carrying them into the living room and placing them on the coffee table in front of the couch. I leaned down, dropping a kiss on Penn’s cheek. “Hey, baby. Made you coffee.”

She stirred, blinking up at me with confusion. “Huh?”

“Coffee,” I chuckled, motioning to the cups. She grumbled but nodded, sitting up and giving Knox a small shake. I left her to wake him, going back to the kitchen to join Drake.

“Stone was spying on us again last night. We need to move the computer,” he sighed.

“Do you think I should’ve kept it to myself last night about him being the one who sent Penn into Rory’s house?” I asked quietly. “I’m pissed at him, but fuck. He’s going to get killed.”

“He made his choice, man. If they found out later that we all knew and hadn’t told them, we’d all get buried.”

“I need to talk to him.”

“Is that a good idea?” he asked dryly, sipping his coffee and eyeing me over the brim before continuing. “You’ll only come to blows.”

“I think we need to.”

He chuckled, shaking his head slightly. “Ezekiel would take shots at all of us for what we’ve done to his organization. He would’ve liked Penn, though. She keeps Stone on his toes and gets under his skin.”

“He would’ve appreciated her enthusiasm. Probably would’ve turned her into a thief within weeks.”

“He’d hate how involved we are with the crews. We were ghosts until Zavier dragged us into that shit,” he grumbled as if he didn’t get a kick out of crew drama regularly, smiling when Penn walked in with Knox close behind. “Morning. Are you guys ready for a fun-filled day of—”

“Keep your peachy bullshit to yourself,” Knox grunted, dropping into a chair beside us, leaving Penn to sit beside me. I ignored their usual morning banter, turning to Penn and sliding a hand over her thigh.

“Did you sleep well?”

“Surprisingly, yes,” she replied, putting her hand in mine. “How about you?”

“Pain pills knocked me the fuck out.”

“I missed you,” she said softly, holding my gaze. “It was weird not having you beside me.”

“Well, I’m calling dibs tonight,” I grinned, lifting her hand to kiss her knuckles. “Have your coffee. I’ll rebandage you before we go.”

“Knox said we’re going to the gym? Am I training today?” she asked, and I shook my head.

“We’re checking the place out and sorting out payment today. If we think it’s safe enough, then training can start this week. Take it easy though, okay?”

Her whole face lit up with excitement, and I could’ve watched her all damn day. She was gorgeous, especially when she smiled like that.

She downed her coffee before heading to her room to get ready for the day, the rest of us doing the same thing once we decided it was time to get moving.

Penn

Excitement bubbled inside me as we pulled up at the gym in Stoneleigh, the guys on full alert as they looked around. The place was run-down, but it felt like home to me. I climbed out, ignoring Knox as he told me to wait, hearing him curse as I headed for the front door. It had been months since I’d been in here, but nothing had changed.

“I told you to fucking wait,” Knox bit out behind me, but I was too focused on the familiar face I’d spotted.

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