Page 20 of Act of Passion

Duke opened his mouth to speak but Rurik covered it with one hand as he took another shot of vodka with the other. “Americans are shit withsecrets.”

“Fine one to talk, mister I’m a bear and he’s a wolf,” saidGarth.

“We should probably cut them off,” added Corbin. “They’ve had more thanenough.”

As the words left his mouth, the song changed from club music to “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor. It was so grossly out of place that everyone took note. Brooke nudged Malik when she saw Boomer and Edee near the DJbooth.

Boomer looked over and waved. “In honor of IvanDrago!”

“Why is he honoring the Russian character from theRockymovie?” asked Brooke, making Malik and Garthsnort.

Rurik eyed her. “Does everyone know of this IvanDrago?”

“Is he for real?” askedBrooke.

Malik’s lips twitched. “Afraidso.”

Duke removed Rurik’s hand from his mouth and stunned Brooke by belting out the words to thesong.

There was a giant pregnant pause at the table before Garth, Corbin, and Malik whipped out their phones and began recording Duke as he sang toRurik.

Rurik put his arm around Duke and rocked back and forth with him as he poured them more shots. He began trying to sing along too but didn’t know the words so he basically just repeated what Dukesaid.

Striker walked up to the booth and raised a brow. “What the hell is in that vodka? Also, was anyone else aware Duke could carry atune?”

“No, and I had no idea he had a thing for ’80s soft rock,” addedGarth.

Striker looked to Malik. “I want a copy of that videolater.”

“Of course,” said Malik, smilingwide.

Duke pointed at Garth, and Brooke was fairly sure that the only reason he and Rurik were still upright was because they were supporting one another. “Shut up, SwedishChef.”

As much as Brooke tried to avoid laughing at the insult, she couldn’t help it. Garth’s accent did kind of remind her of the Muppetslightly.

Garth kept his phone up, recording Duke and Rurik as they launched back into the song. “Laugh it up, Marlow. I feel an Asshole of the Week two-way tie comingon.”

“For sure,” said Malik, putting his phone away and taking a sip of his drink. He then focused on Brooke. “Are you having a nicetime?”

She beamed. “Iam.”

Edee hurried over. “Come on, Brooke, let’sdance.”

Brooke put her hands up. “No way. I have two leftfeet.”

Edee snorted. “Right. I’ve seen you play all those sports. And you have crazy-fast reflexes. Like a friggin’cat.”

“That doesn’t mean I can dance,” said Brooke. She didn’t want to embarrass herself in front of Malik on the dance floor. “And I do not have fast reflexes. I fell into Malik earlier in the hotelroom.”

Edee grinned. “Because he makes you nervous. I’ve seen you, Brooke. And I’ve seen you dancing while doing that kickboxing workout you love somuch.”

“Kickboxing?” askedMalik.

“Name a sport and Brooke probably has done it. I swear Sporty Spice is my best friend. It’s all I can do to get her out of yoga pants and cross-training sneakers. She makes me tired just watching her work out. I don’t see the point, and I’ve explained that sex done right can give her just as good of a workout if notbetter.”

Striker flashed a wide smile. “Aye! We should test that though. Especially if it will improve our health and all. One can never be toofit.”

“In your dreams, big boy,” returnedEdee.

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