Page 63 of Act of Passion

Bethany touched Striker’s cheek. “Promise you’ll watch over Aunt Edee. She’s not as tough as she looks. She cries a lot in hersleep.”

Malik went to Bethany and lifted her into his arms. “You don’t have to worry, princess. Striker will make sure she’ssafe.”

“Aye. Though I do nae want to be gelded so I’ll stay righthere.”

Brooke smiled at Striker. “There are two queen beds in there. I know you’re taller than a queen bed is long, but it’s better than trying to sleep out here. And Edee will pretend she’s mad at you come morning, but she’ll be very grateful to know someone she trusts was there to make sure she was safe. Armand sometimes holds her at night so she cansleep.”

Striker stood and stretched. “Okay, but if I’m missing vital parts come morning, I’m blamingyou.”

“What does that mean?” askedBethany.

Malik grunted at Striker. “Nothing, princess. Let’s go get somesleep.”

Brooke took Malik’s hand in hers, and he recognized the act as the olive branch it was. He squeezed her hand gently as she led him towards the bedroom. He went in expecting two queen beds, but found just a king there. He paused in the doorway. “Brooke?”

Her hand went to his chest. “I’mtrying.”

He lowered his gaze. “Thankyou.”

She ran her hand up his chest to his neck, as she tearedup.

Bethany put her lips near Malik’s ear and whispered, “This is where you kiss her,Daddy.”

“Princess, I don’t think Mommy would like it if I didthat.”

His mate eased up against him and then did a grouphug.

Bethany kissed Malik’s cheek and then leaned and kissed her mother’s. “See, we’re afamily.”

Malik couldn’t help but squeeze his girls tighter to him, desperate to make it a reality. To be a real family. The next he knew, he was staring into his mate’s eyes. He wanted to kiss her, but he understood she wasn’t ready for thatyet.

Brooke nodded to the bathroom. “You’ve got dried blood on you. Go on in andshower.”

He touched her chin. “Brooke.”

She bit her lower lip and stepped away. “I’ll get you something to put on. Don’t take this wrong, but I think you and Gram are the same size. He and Armand make sure all the safe houses have clothing in them for all ofus.”

Malik sat Bethany on the bed and she stood, hugging him more. “Mommy is right. You smell like old blood. It’s kind ofgross.”

Malik chuckled and tapped the tip of her nose. “Then by all means, let me clean thatoff.”

“Good call,” said Bethany, climbing under the covers in the center of the largebed.

Brooke went to the dresser and found Malik a pair of pajama bottoms. She handed them to him, her hands lingering overhis.

He hurried into the bathroom and took the fastest shower of his life, fearful Brooke would change her mind about permitting him to be close to them. When he came out, he found Bethany was sound asleep but she was no longer in the middle of the bed. She was all the way over on the left with Brooke in the middle, curled around her, sleeping aswell.

Malik couldn’t look away from them. His girls. His chest began to burn with the idea that he’d missed so much time with them. He walked around to the other side of the bed and climbed in behind Brooke. He didn’t intend to touch her, but he couldn’t stop himself. He put an arm around her, his hand coming to a rest on Bethany’s arm. He gave a tiny squeeze and buried his face in Brooke’s hair, feeling totally and completelywhole.

He lay there thinking of all the ways he wanted to try to make things up to Brooke. And how he wanted to make sure Bethany knew how important she was to him. How he didn’t plan to miss a day with her again, let aloneyears.

Brooke moved slightly and put her hand over Malik’s. “I’m glad you’re notdead.”

He kissed her shoulder. The very one he bit five years ago. He spoke softly, in his native language, telling her how she was his everything. And thanking her for such a beautiful, preciousdaughter.

As he drifted off, he held his girls to him tighter, afraid they’d vanish if he dared letgo.

Chapter Nineteen

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