Page 18 of Act of Passion

No,returned theBrit.

She can’t be my mate. Humans aren’t mate material, returned Malik, his body tense.The suppression drug is having adverse effects onme.

Then exercise extreme caution around the human,addedCorbin.

Malik nodded, wrapping his arms around Brooke’swaist.

Edee tapped the table. “I’m hungry. Let’s order. You can listen to your heart and never let her go later. Foodnow.”

She’d heard him whisper to Brooke too?How?

Brooke took his hand and led him back to his seat before taking her own. She then put her hand on his thigh as the waiter came to take their order. Malik couldn’t tear his gaze away from her profile as she laughed at Duke and Rurik, who started calling each other various country-specificinsults.

The antics continued and the tone at the table lightened. Striker began telling dirty jokes and Corbin lookedtired.

“Would that I could fire you,” saidCorbin.

Edee offered a joke that made Striker’s sound tame, making the entire tablelaugh.

Brooke cringed. “I really can’t take heranywhere.”

“It’s okay. We have Striker. We understand,” said Duke with his version of asmile.

Before long the food arrived and everyone ate, having fun, something they’d all been in short supply of as oflate.

Edee and Boomer were the first to stand. Boomer ran a hand through his long black hair. “We’re going over to the nearest club. We heard they have a DJ and dancing. Our goal is to watch Duke and Rurik try to bust amove.”

Edee laughed, and it was good to see Boomer letting loose with someone he clearly clickedwith.

Striker stood fast. “I’min.”

“Of course you are,” said Edee with a sideways glance at theScotsman.

Duke shook his head. “No dancing for me. Malik is the one who does that shit. Not me. He also likes that hip-hopcrap.”

“My taste in music is not crap.” Malik finished off the last of his wine. It was true, he did enjoy dancing in clubs. And he did like hip-hop music. Something that got on Duke’s last nerve. When Malik broke out the old-school rap, Duke normally hightailed it out of theroom.

Rurik stood and pushed his chair out, his shoulders back. “Russians are not afraid todance.”

“I’m not afraid,” protestedDuke.

Edee laughed. “Dance-off! The bear versus theeagle.”

Rurik stared at her. “How is it you know I’m a bear? And he’s not an eagle. He’s awolf.”

Corbin rubbed his brow, expelling a long breath. “A bullhorn announcing all our secrets would beeasier.”

Rurik’s brow furrowed. “What? What did she mean by bear versus theeagle?”

Garth touched Corbin’s shoulder. “I’ve got thisone.”

Malik put his hand over Brooke’s. “Up for going to theclub?”

She nodded. “But I’m not much of adancer.”

Chapter Six

Brooke satclose to Malik in the oversized booth that they’d all claimed as theirs. They’d been at the club for two hours and she couldn’t remember a time she’d laughed more in her life. All the men were funny in their own ways, even when they weren’t trying to be, and they all seemed to care greatly for one another. Likebrothers.

---