Page 78 of Act of Brotherhood
Striker sat up straight in the chair, flung the bowl at Gram, and then began to rub his beard in an attempt to free the kernels from it. He glanced at Hans and lifted his chin. “Better?”
Hans grunted. “Yes, but since the beard is still attached to you, that’s as good as it will get.”
Striker chanced a glance in Edee’s direction once more and set about adjusting his clothing to look less like he’d slept in it (which he probably had), and the act wasn’t lost on Garth. The giant Scotsman seemed to be on better behavior around the woman and he acted as if he cared what she thought of him.
Interesting.
Corbin motioned with his hand and looked at Striker’s shirt. Striker did the same and spotted some popcorn still stuck to his shirt, right above the word “Sparkle.” He flicked it off quickly.
Malik leaned in towards Edee. He lowered his voice. “You love popcorn.”
She winked. “I know but messing with him is too much fun. And it was all over his beard and his shirt. Was he in that same shirt yesterday?”
“Knowing Striker, yes.” Malik shrugged.
“Is it me or is he actually sparkling? Is that glitter on him?” she asked, a well-defined brow arching.
Striker’s cheeks reddened. “Och, no. Okay, maybe. I do nae know how it got there.”
“Strip club,” said Jannick, doing a fake cough as he did.
Edee shook her head.
Striker bit his lower lip. “I’ve no idea what they’re talking about. I’d never go to a strip club.”
Auberi’s cell rang once more. He answered and tipped his head, listening as the other person spoke. “Why do you want to know the Viking’s whereabouts? He’s here with me. We were, um, having a friendly discussion about our differences. No. We were not fighting again. I swear. Would I lie to you?”
Garth quirked a brow.
“Landros,” said Auberi to Garth, before concentrating on the phone call once more.
The vampire fell silent as he listened to what was being said. Tension began to radiate from Auberi, so much so that Malik noticed.
Malik slid closer to his friend and put a hand on the man’s shoulder.
“You have my word. The Viking and I will grab the jet and head to Georgia now. I suspect the others will want to assist. We’ll stay in contact. Yes. Send the information to Laney here at Division B. We will keep this among those I trust. Of course, old friend.”
Auberi hung up the phone and looked directly at Garth. “Landros requires our assistance.”
“What’s in Georgia?” he asked, not really caring. He’d go regardless because it would give him a chance to get to Nicolette and check on her.
Auberi tipped his head slightly. “His niece and her friend were abducted.”
Malik drew back. “Landros has a niece? Since when?”
“Apparently so. This is news to me as well,” said Auberi.
“Yes, he has a niece,” said Blaise from the back of the room. “He pretty much raised her. And before anyone asks, no. She doesn’t know what he really is or about any of this stuff. He has gone out of his way to appear human to her, wanting her far from this life.”
“He has ahumanniece?” asked Edee. “Isn’t Landros a vampire who’s like, old as dirt? No offense, Malik.”
Malik, whowasold as dirt, snorted. “None taken.”
Auberi nodded. “Yes, Landros is a vampire. And from what he just told me, his niece means the world to him.”
“I’m confused.” Edee looked to Malik.
Malik shrugged. “You and me both.”
