Page 36 of Act of Passion

James stepped back and grunted. “Stop looking at me like I’m cheating on my mate. I’m not. That isn’t even possible and you all know it. And beyond that, I would never do that to Laney. You know me better thanthat.”

Boomer raised his hand. “Erm, Doc, only I know it. I’m the only other guy standing here who’s mated. They don’t get that their dick will have one desire and one desire only when they meet the woman meant forthem.”

Garth shuddered, as did Auberi. The pair shared a look and seemed surprised to be of equal opinion on the act ofmating.

Malik instantly thought of Brooke and had to force her from his mind. He turned his attention to James. “Is this something I can helpwith?”

“Sure.” James walked to Malik’s desk and pointed to the laptop on it. “MayI?”

Malik waved a hand, granting permission for the man to do as he pleased with the laptop. Had it been Duke, Malik would have grabbed the laptop and ran, for the laptop’s safety ofcourse.

James turned the laptop in a way that Malik couldn’t see it. He went to work on something and then pointed to the screen as Boomer leaned near him. “I just got a call from Laney telling me that she thinks this should be looked into. I don’t want to sleep on the sofa, so how about we make sure this isn’t somethingimportant.”

Boomer’s face paled. He glanced behind him at Garth, and the Viking went over to stand near him. He too paled, his gaze flickering to Malik before he lurched forward, grabbing the laptop and flingingit.

The laptop hit the wall and broke in severalpieces.

Malik stood fast. “What the hell, Garth? I’d have let Duke use it if I wanted thatresult.”

Boomer pressed a fake smile to his face. “Hey, Auberi, didn’t you mention you had something cooked up for Malik’s upcomingbirthday?”

Auberi licked his lips. “Ido.”

“You two should get going then,” said Boomer, shaking his head at James as James started tospeak.

Garth eyed Auberi. “Nowwould be the perfect time to take him tocelebrate.”

“You are all so fucking weird,” said Malik, walking over and picking up the pieces of his laptop. “IT is so going to think I let Duke touch this. Want to tell me why you went postal on mycomputer?”

Garth shook his head. “Nope. Go enjoy yourbirthday.”

“It’s not my birthday. It’s not even close to my birthday,” said Malik. “Auberi just picks a day of the year each year and decides that’s when I shouldcelebrate.”

“Because you won’t tell us your actual birthday,” said Auberi. “Let’s go,Tut.”

“I’m going to lend James a hand with something Laney wants us to look into,” saidMalik.

Boomer lifted his hands. “Garth and I have it. Rurik can help. And Striker will lend a hand if we call him. You go. Have fun. You’re just coming off leave and we don’t want you pushing too hard oranything.”

Malik stared at his friends. “What’s goingon?”

Garth shook his head. “Nothing. Go. We’ve gotthis.”

“Yeah, this will bore you,” said Boomer, clearing his throat. “Have fun. We’ll call if we needanything.”

Giving in, Malik shrugged and put the broken pieces of his laptop on the desk nearest him. “Fine, but Garth, you take your ass down to IT and explain what happened. Get me a newcomputer.”

“Sure thing,” said the Viking. “Go. Have fun,Malik.”

“I will make sure he has nothing but fun,” said Auberi with alaugh.

“This is going to end with a lot of naked women, isn’t it?” asked Malik, already knowing his friend’s idea of a goodtime.

“And maybe some naked men,” supplied Auberi with awink.

With a groan, Malik followed behind Auberi, thinking of ways he could bow out early on whatever it was he had cookedup.

“Let’s go find you the perfect woman or women to spend the night with,” saidAuberi.

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