Page 57 of Act of Passion

“Boy oh boy, are the rules hard to follow. Don’t be mean, Bethany. Okay, be mean, Bethany.” She tossed her hands in the air. “What’s a girl todo?”

A large hand fell upon Brooke’s shoulder and she stood, expecting to find Gram there. When she realized it was Malik, shestiffened.

He went to one knee before Bethany. “Hellothere.”

Bethany eyed him cautiously. “Hello.”

“Can I show you something?” heasked.

Shenodded.

“Don’t be scared, okay? I just want to show you so you know that we’realike.”

“We are?” she asked, her eyes widening. “You make people fall out of windowstoo?”

“Sometimes.” Malik chuckled softly and lifted a finger, letting a claw emerge from the tip of it. He then closed his eyes and opened them again, showing the amber in them. He opened his mouth and Brooke saw his teeth do what Bethany’s had done. He then closed his eyes and when he opened them again, they were back to dark brown. His teeth returned to normal and the claw receded into hisfinger.

Bethany sniffed the air and then squealed. “Mommy, he’s just like me! Smell him? He smells like me! Not like adog.”

Brooke bent as well, unsure what Malik might do or say. “Yes, sweetie. That’s neat, huh? Someone else is just likeyou.”

Malik picked up the stuffed toy lion from the porch and smiled at it. “And who might thisbe?”

Bethany grinned. “Nas. He’s my bestfriend.”

“Nas?” asked Malik. “Interesting name. And he’s your best friend? Doesn’t seem like he’d be much fun in aconversation.”

Bethany giggled. “He doesn’t talk, silly. He’s notreal.”

“Oh,” said Malik, holding the lion out toher.

“And his whole name is Nasser,” said Bethany, taking the lion and holding it close to her. “He makes me feel safe atnight.”

Brooke felt faint when she heard Bethany’s full name for the lion. A name she’d never heard her daughter say before, but a name she’d heard said tonight more than once. It was Malik’s last name. She swayed and Malik reached out, catchingher.

“Nasser?” asked Malik, his voice tight. He glanced at Brooke. “You said you didn’t tell her aboutme.”

“I didn’t,” said Brooke, shaking her head. “And I didn’t know your last name untiltonight.”

“How come you smell like me?” askedBethany.

“I think that is enough excitement for one night. Let’s get some sleep and we can talk more in the morning. Sound good?” Brooke lifted Bethany, and Malik stood aswell.

Bethany twisted and looked at Edee. “She wants me to go to sleep so she can talk to you and figure out what to tell me. I’m a big girl and she doesn’t need to worry about me. I can handle a lot. We women alwayscan.”

Edee laughed. “Yes, we women can handle quite a bit. And you’re right. I think Mommy needs to talk with the men here. Then Mommy has to tell me every single word that was said because I’m dying to know how she ended up bringingthisgroup home with her. And why Uncle Gram looks less than pleased. Better yet, she should just have me in the room with her. Saves time later if I know it allfirsthand.”

Bethany yawned. “I’m nottired.”

“Sweetie, you were woken up from a dead sleep tonight and had quite a scare. It’s very late and I know you’re very tired. Come on with me and we’ll get some sleep.” Edee reached forher.

Bethany dodged her grasp and looked over at Striker and Boomer. Her eyes widened. “Mommy, you brought home more giants. One of them has makeupon!”

Boomer laughed. “You are a trip,kid.”

“Uncle Cody says that to me too,” she returned,smiling.

Striker walked up to the porch, his focus on Edee to start. “Lass, yer even hotter than I remember youbeing.”

---