Page 35 of Act of Passion

“Yes,” said Duke, his bottom lip jutting out in a pout, making him appear about as far from alpha as one couldget.

James grinned. “I told you before. This will pass. And whatever you changed recently does have a different scent to it. I’m guessing she’s sensitive to it. So isbaby.”

“I haven’t changed anything,” said Duke, his browsmeeting.

Malik continued to lean in his chair. “That’s not exactly true. You ran out of deodorant about a week ago. Striker had an extra one in his gym bag. He gave it to you and you put it on. I’m pretty sure you tossed it in your bag and have kept using it each daysince.”

Duke’s eyes widened. “Holy fuck, my woman has banned me from our bedroom because I smell like Striker!” He headed for the door so fast that he nearly knocked overJames.

James caught him and held him in place. “What are youdoing?”

“Going to shower and throwing away that damn deodorant. My balls are practically blue and I want to feel my mate underme.”

Garth slapped his knee. “This is toomuch.”

Duke pointed at him. “You wait until you’re mated. I’ll be having the last laughthen.”

Garth’s eyes widened and he sobered quickly, his laugh fading. “Don’t go cursing me with your Americantongue.”

Duke flipped himoff.

James closed his eyes, appearing tired of all theirantics.

Malik remained in place as Duke stormed out of the bullpen, clearly a man on a mission to getlaid.

Garth righted himself as Auberi Bouchard entered theroom.

The Viking and the vampire had a longstanding history of not liking one another. Auberi curled his nose at Garth. “I thought I smelledsomething.”

Garth eyed the man. “I heard there was a Jerry Lewis movie on television. I figured you and your other French friends would be glued toit.”

Auberi leaned against Malik’s desk, sitting partially on it. “Tell me again why you permit such trash to be part of yourorganization?”

“We work for the same place,” reminded Garth, standing slowly, a challenge in hiseyes.

Malik eased his feet from his desk, preparing to break up the two alpha males should the need arise. To this day, Malik wasn’t even sure what had caused the animosity between the men, but time had only caused it to growworse.

Auberi licked his lower lip, his posture saying he was more than prepared for an attack. “Is there not a village in need ofpillaging?”

Garth made a move to go at Auberi and Malik leapt up, putting himself between the men. The shifter growled and the vampiresnarled.

Malik groaned. “Guys,really?”

James moved in quickly to lend an assist. He touched Garth’s shoulder. “He baits you because he knows you’ll takeit.”

Garth narrowed his gaze on Auberi. “Vampires have no business here. Go back to yourdivision.”

Malik pressed closer to his longtime friend, knowing the vampire well enough to know he’d rise to a challenge. Malik caught Auberi’s gaze with his own and shook his head. “Enough.”

“Cool. A fight,” said Boomer as he came in from the direction of the training rooms. He had a towel around his neck and was only wearing a pair of workout pants. “Did I miss any goodstuff?”

James grunted. “No, Garth was heading out for thenight.”

“I was?” asked Garth, sounding unhappy that he was being forced togo.

Boomer shrugged and towel dried his long hair. “I miss all the action. Hey, James, did you have that file on that girl you wanted me to lookfor?”

All men present turned their attention to thedoctor.

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