Page 74 of Echo and the Homicidal Sea Panda

Tempest pointed to a large cargo-type box on the deck with the lid open. “That should give you some privacy.” Echo eyed it, estimating it would cover him from armpit down. Tempest glanced over her shoulder. “Stay on this side of the crate while Echo changes.”

A few grunts of recognition came their way.

“Thanks.”

“Welcome.” Tempest rounded to the other side of the box. “I was so busy last week that I never texted you for that juicy gossip, either. Anything else to share on that front?”

Echo kicked off his shoes and pulled off his shorts and underwear. “Not really.”

“I can smell a lie a mile away,” Tempest said. “But since you’re protecting a friend, I’ll forgive it.”

Echo stepped into the wetsuit and dragged it up to his lips. “Go easy on them. I know how confusing it is when you come face-to-face with the person you’re supposed to—” He froze, realizing he’d almost revealed what he’d told himself not to.

Mael’s head whipped toward him. “Go easy onwho?”

Echo winced, wishing he’d kept his damned mouth shut. “Never mind me… I don’t know what I was trying to say.”

He turned his back to them while he wrenched his t-shirt over his head. He hoped no one notice him pull off the sports bra before he pulled the wetsuit up over his arms. After zipping it up to the neck, Echo turned.

Mael was the only one watching him, eyes narrowed. Echo turned to avoid Mael’s intent stare, looking anywhere else.

“Go easy on who, Echo?”

“No one,” Echo said. “Forget it.”

“Are Diego and Havoc mates?”Mael asked.

Echo shrugged, still refusing to meet Mael’s gaze. He feared his mate would see through him if he did. “I don’t know… Are they?”

“Your pain-in-the-ass friend might end up mybrother-in-law?”Mael asked, his brow deeply furrowed.

“I wouldn’t go that far,” Echo said, finally turning to look at Mael.

Mael sighed, clearly seeing the truth in Echo’s eyes. He shook his head and returned to help his brothers.

“Who the fuck are we talking about?” Storm asked.

“Echo’s best friend Diego,” Mael said, pointing at where Diego lay on the boat. “He and Havoc couldn’t stop staring at one another on Sunday.”

“I believe the term iseyefucking,”Tempest said. “And they were both doing quite a bit of it.”

“Anotherdolphin?” Storm asked, wrinkling his nose. He shook his head and muttered something under his breath.

Echo tensed. His gaze flicked to Mael, who was glaring icily at Storm.

“Do you have a problem with my mate?” Mael asked Storm, hackles rising.

Everyone froze, their gazes turning to Mael. A tremor rose up Echo’s spine hearing the lethal tone in Mael’s voice. Goose bumps skimmed over his arms under the wetsuit.

Storm’s brows knitted together. “No, I don’t have a problem with your mate.”

“Sounded like you do,”Mael said, stepping closer.

Echo rushed around the box and pushed himself in front of Mael. He attempted to capture Mael’s gaze, but he was too busy glaring at Storm.

“Overnight, we’ve gone from‘we hate those fucking dolphins’to‘oh, hey, let’s bring a couple into the family’.” Storm sighed, scowling at Mael. “I think we’ve done a right good fucking job trying to be open-minded about this, Maelstrom, butJesus, you can’t expect us to completely change our mindset in a matter of a week. We have to unlearn some shit. Gimme a fucking break.”

Mael didn’t reply, but the tension didn’t leave his body. Echo pressed both his palms on Mael’s bare chest, finally getting his mate’s attention. The scowl that turned his way was terrifying—but it immediately softened the moment he looked into Echo’s eyes. He shook his head, warning Mael not to push any farther.

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