Page 82 of Act of Brotherhood
Striker turned slightly and then faced Garth again. “Auberi seems to be taking this assignment seriously. That’s rare for him.”
It was.
Auberi tended to dismiss most everything. Now he seemed almost on edge. He held the tablet Edee had given him and stared down at it, confusion coating his face.
Rurik snorted, and he stared at the tablet he held. “She is a very attractive American. I would even let her share my bed.”
Auberi snarled and was up and out of his seat in seconds, charging the werebear.
Boomer and Duke intervened, pushing the vampire back.
Duke paled. “Everyone take a deep breath and calm the fuck down so we don’t roll the plane. I’d like to go home to my wife when this is done.”
Boomer gave him a side-eye look and then focused on Auberi. “What’s with you?”
Auberi glared past Boomer at Rurik. “Continue to look upon Landros’s niece in such a manner and I will tear your eyes out!”
Edee sighed. “Alpha males basically leak testosterone, don’t they?”
Garth nodded.
“Could be worse,” said Striker with a smirk. “The vampire could have been starting another fight with the Viking. Then the entire flight we’d be stuck watching them growl at each other. Turns out they can do that for hours and nae tire.”
Edee grunted. “Men.”
Boomer stayed in front of Auberi. “Listen, I get Landros is your friend. We all like him. And we’re all here to help his niece and the other missing women.”
“Auberi, I thought you said you didn’t know he evenhada niece. You’re taking this really hard, friend or not,” said Duke, taking his seat once more, looking a bit shaken.
Auberi jerked slightly. “Idon’tknow her.”
Duke lifted a brow. “Could have fooled me with the way you’re acting right now. The Russian made one comment and got your knickers in a twist.”
Rurik held up his tablet so the operatives near him could see it. “I’m not wrong. Sheisa very attractive American female. So is her friend.”
Edee shook her head, laughing softly under her breath. “I hope when he finds his mate that she’s American. It would serve him right.”
“I hope she’s Russian with his temper,” added Striker. “And hot. I’m nae gonna shy away from admitting I think all the men are mated to hotties. Makes for great viewing at gatherings. I never miss a barbeque because I know it will be full of hot chicks.”
Edee sighed before giving Striker a quick once-over. “Men are so stupid.”
Striker opened his mouth to protest and then closed it again. He gave a slight nod, indicating he agreed with her assessment. “Aye. We’re nae that bright.”
“Speak for yourself, Scot,” snapped Rurik from his seat.
“I’m with Russia,” interjected Duke. “You’re a fucking moron but the rest of us aren’t.”
“Och, at least I can work a cell phone and a DVD player.” Striker gave the other man a haughty look.
Garth offered nothing profound on the matter. He knew he was a total dumbass when it came to the opposite sex, and he knew his temper often caused him to make poor decisions. No point in denying it. Besides, he didn’t feel like joking around. Not when Nicolette was missing.
“Garth, I know you’re thinking about your special someone. We’ll be there soon. For now, how about you get up to speed on the other two women?” Edee thrust the tablet at him more, her actions saying she wasn’t going to let him refuse to take it. He eased it from her grip.
Glancing down at the tablet, he found a picture of the single-most beautiful woman he’d ever seen in all his life. A woman he knew in the biblical sense. A woman he’d spent the entire day, from the moment he retook human form, trying to get back to.
He stood fast, clutching the tablet, his mind racing. He looked to Edee. “You said you hadn’t asked Brooke and Laney to look for anything on my woman yet.”
“I didn’t,” she said with wide eyes. “Why?”
