Page 64 of Act of Passion

Striker kicked awake,his wolf agitated and alerting him to danger. He moved off the bed in record time and checked on Edee. She was still asleep. Unable to shake the feeling that something was wrong, he made his way to the window and looked out. It was stilldark.

At first, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Still, he remained. He saw it then, men moving around the house next door, all armed, all headed towards the safehouse.

We’ve got company, he pushed out with his mind to his teammates, knowing they’d all hearhim.

He went to Edee and bent, touching her shoulder lightly. “Lass.”

She came awake with a start, fright in her eyes. When she looked up at Striker, she calmed, but looked confused. He put a finger to his lips and she grabbed his hand, hurrying out of thebed.

The door to the room opened and Duke was standing there with extra weapons in his hands. He tossed one to Striker, who caught it with ease with onehand.

Striker looked to his friend. “Get her out ofhere.”

Edee squeezed his hand tighter. “I can’t go. If Elm is with them, you guys won’t stand achance.”

“Lass, this is nae up for discussion. Go with Duke. Now,” said Striker, looking around for her shoes and something warmer to put her in. He found a pair of slip-on shoes and bent, letting go of her hand long enough to grabthem.

The redheaded she-devil took off and pushed past a stunned-lookingDuke.

“Brooke!” sheyelled.

Striker cursed and ran after her. She made it to the door of the bedroom Brooke was in just as it opened. Malik was there, holding his daughter and ushering his mate into thehallway.

Brooke and Edee grabbed each other, hugging before they looked at the men. It was Brooke who stepped forward. “Go. Get Bethany to safety. We’ll hold themoff.”

The men all shared a look that said what they werethinking.

Like fuckinghell!

Gram and Auberi were up the stairs in seconds. Striker had heard Auberi, Duke, Corbin, Garth, and Rurik arrive before he’d drifted off. They had more than enough men to take a stand and protect thewomen.

“Does she listen to you?” asked Striker, pointing to Gram, but motioning toEdee.

Gram grunted. “Och, she does nae listen toanyone.”

Malik held Bethany to him with one arm and touched Brooke’s cheek. “My sweet, go with Gram and Auberi. They’ll get you all somewheresafe.”

Bethany began to cry and Malik kissed her cheek. “No tears, princess. I won’t let anything bad happen to any ofyou.”

She clung to Malik, cryingharder.

The sight broke Striker’s heart. “Tut, take yer family and the she-devil there with you. The rest of uswill—”

A huge explosion rocked thehouse.

Bethany practically scaled Malik while Duke and Striker threw themselves over Edee and Brooke. It was instinctive, protect the women at allcost.

Gunfire erupted frombelow.

Brooke eased out of Duke’s hold, but kept her hand on his arm. “Go! Edee and I will slow themdown.”

Auberi twisted and shot at someone coming up thestairs.

Smoke began to filter up the stairs, and Striker knew the house was on fire. It wouldn’t be safe for anyone soon. There wasn’t time to argue with the women. “Och, we’re wasting time. Women, you will listen to me onthis!”

Brooke and Edee leveled gazes on him that made his manhood tuck and run. He grabbed Duke by the shoulder and shoved him in front of him. “I mean you two will listen tohim.”

Auberi shot someone else. “Whatever we’re doing needs donenow.”

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