Page 33 of Echo and the Homicidal Sea Panda

Mael shook his head, the corners of his lips rising. “It’s yours. For now.”

“Only temporary, hmm?” Echo asked, grinning.

“Just until my scent wears off,” Mael murmured lowly. “Then I’ll trade you for another one.”

He stole another kiss before backing away. Echo wrapped his arms around himself, and Mael struggled not to march back over, pick him up, and carry him upstairs to finish what had been interrupted.

Thatwould make him forget that night.

His little dolphin was too tempting in his too-big sweater. Having Echo under him again might chase away the memories, but he wasn’t sure he could control his emotions. Echo was likely sore from the night before, and Mael wouldn’t harm his mate. Making himself go up the stairs, he glared down at the creaky boards, shaking his head.

10

Echo spun to face Diego, anger mounting again.

“Youknewwho he was and hadn’t bothered asking about his brother?” Diego asked.

“It came up…”

Diego’s eyes widened. “It came up…? That’s it?” He shook his head. “If you slept with him without asking the hard questions I’m more concerned about you than I was ten minutes ago. You’re too smart to be this dumb, Echo.”

“Dumb?”

Diego sighed. “Even the best of us makes stupid choices on occasion. You… are the best of us, Echo. Think about what you’re doing here.”

“I am thinking. I can’t do anything but think.” Echo released a shaky breath, fearful Mael would overhear them argue. “I know this isn’t going to be easy. I have concerns about him and what a future together might look like. The pod isn’t going to be on our side. Once they find out who he is, it’ll only get worse. No matter what we tell them about the fight with his brother, the rumor is still out there. He’s a monster in their eyes.”

“He might still be that monster. We don’t know if that’s what really happened.”

Echo frowned. “You couldn’t feel his pain? I sure as hell did.”

“You’re in theI’ve-just-been-fuckedafterglow. The rose-colored glasses are in full effect.”

Echo took a step back. He’d seen the look in Maelstrom’s eyes. There had been anguish there. “Why are you being such a hardass?”

“Because I don’t want you hurt,” Diego said. “You’re my best friend, and that man is a predator who’s already destroyed multiple lives. He’s the one who left Pete scarred and broken. Did you ask him about that?”

“No,” Echo whispered. He’d forgotten about Pete in the chaos of the night before. He’d forgotten a lot of things. He’d been fully focused on what he felt.

“I don’t want you to be the next person he destroys, Echo.” Diego winced. “Mate or not, I need you to keep your eyes and ears open—and pay attention.” Tears shone in Diego’s eyes. “I don’t want to lose you. Promise me you’ll keep both feet on the ground and use that big, analytical brain I know you have.”

Echo held Diego’s gaze. He nodded. “I’ll pay attention. I promise.”

Diego let out a long, slow breath. “Look, if it means anything, he’s either an incredible actor or we got his story wrong. I’m leaning slightly toward we got it wrong.” He lifted a hand to stop Echo from interrupting. “But psychopaths are amazing actors—and the things we’ve heard about Maelstrom Marino sound like psychopathy to me—so I’m reserving judgment.”

“I think it might be a bit premature to label him a psychopath.”

“When I rounded that corner last night and saw him pinning you to the wall, I was terrified. You didn’t see what I saw. I saw fear inyoureyes. That’s why I went on the offensive. I was trying to protect you.” Diego shook his head. “I couldn’t understand why you got so mad at me last night and, to be honest, it pissed me off. I didn’t want to be pissed at you, so I came to talk it out—to understand—but there he was again. He’s digging his claws into you.”

“I wish you’d give me just a little credit. I told you I could handle him.”

Diego paused, searching his face.“But can you?”

Echo wasn’t sure, but he needed Diego to back up and let him breathe.“Yes.”

“The fact remains that the rest of the pod isn’t going to like this, even if we find out he’s not quite the beast we thought he was.” Diego’s frown deepened. “And what’s this investigation you’re doing?” He rolled his eyes. “Is that code for fucking?”

“It’s not that…” He froze, his secret still hidden—but plausible deniability was likely well past considering Diego knew about Maelstrom. “Mael and I met… when I crossed into orca territory.”

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