Page 51 of Act of Passion

“Did he just call the American girl his mate?” askedRurik.

“Aye,” said Striker, eyeing Boomer. “You wereright.”

Boomer put his hands up. “Malik, stop. Auberi didn’t know. We kept him out of this because we know how close you two are. We know you can read each other’s tells really well. If he knew what we were doing, you’d figure it out, and if we were too late and Brooke was already taken or dead, we would have never gotten you back from your lionform.”

Auberi offered Malik a soft look. “Had I known, old friend, I would have insisted you be brought in. I may not understand why anyone in their right mind would want to tie themselves to one woman for eternity, but I’m not a totaldick.”

Malik released the man and reached for Brooke, who backed up more, staring around at the men, confused. “Brooke?”

She narrowed her gaze on the men. “I don’t understand. Why are you all helping me yet working with a guy who is really well connected in The Corporation? Elm’s bestfriend?”

Striker scratched the back of his head. “She thinks we’re in cahoots with a tree’s best friend? I do nae understand women in theleast.”

“What do you mean?” asked Malik. “Who is Elm’s bestfriend?”

She pointed to Garth. “He’s one of the men who torturedEdee.”

“Wait, you were actually taken by The Corporation?” asked Boomer, his gaze hardening. “Our intel only said you were recently targeted by them. We knew you went missing in Egypt but we didn’t know who wasresponsible.”

“Och, lass, you must be mistaken about Garth. He’s nae working with them. He hates them as much as we do,” said Striker. “And I do nae think he’s friends with a tree, but Vikings are nae the smartest lot so anything ispossible.”

She shook her head and then paused, really looking at Garth. “Where’s the scar? The one above your righteye?”

Garth gasped. “She’s talking aboutGrid.”

Malik tipped his head. “Grid, the brother you haven’t seen incenturies?”

“Yes,” said Garth, his expression hardening. “Rumors reached me that he was running with unsavory people, but I didn’t want to believe it.” He looked to her. “I’m sorry he hurt you. Please know I had nothing to do with it. No one here did. We dedicate our lives to protectinginnocents.”

Boomer touched his earpiece and then spoke. “We’re with Brooke now, so are Malik and Auberi. From the number of dead bodies littering the area, I’d say one hell of a retrieval team was sent forher.”

Brooke’s pulse raced as she realized Boomer was right. They had sent a large team after her and this wasn’t even all of them. The ones from the club would be coming soon aswell.

Boomer locked gazes with Brooke, his expression grim. “Corbin says they’re at your house. There are signs of a big-time struggle and blood all over the place. They haven’t found any bodies. Is there somewhere else Edee might go? Somewhere she’d take thechild?”

His words sank in and she felt her knees getting weak. “They foundthem?”

Boomer touched his earpiece. “She’s in shock. I’ll try to get the information from her.” He paused a second. “Yeah. Iknow.”

“What?” demanded Striker. “Did they find Edee and herbabe?”

“No. But they did find two bags that looked to have been packed for a woman and child. The bags were on thestreet.”

Brooke’s legs went out from under her. She fell to theground.

Malik was to her in an instant. He went to his knees next to her and hugged her from the side, rocking her gently as she cried. “Shhh, my sweet, we’ll find Edee and herchild.”

Boomer made his way to her and bent. “Brooke, I saw the pictures of the little girl. She’s not Edee’s, isshe?”

“No,” whispered Brooke. “She’s my daughter. She’s so tiny…and they haveher.”

“Daughter?” asked Malik, shock in his voice. He released his hold on her and stood fast. “You had a child with anotherman?”

“Take a calm breath, Tut,” said Auberi. “It’s been years since you last saw her. You explained to me that suppression drugs were in play then. Your wires probably got crossed. It would explain how she could have a child with another. Clearly, she found hermate.”

Malik stormed away from her. He punched the side of the brick building and roared. Garth, Rurik, and Striker all went at him, pulling him back from thebuilding.

Boomer stayed close to her. “Brooke, how old isshe?”

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