Page 69 of Act of Passion

“Bethany?” askedBrooke.

Edee smiled wider. “She’ssafe.”

“Auberi?”

Edee glanced away. “He’sbetter.”

“Where are we?” asked Brooke, looking around. “Did I fall down a rabbit hole and land in the Prince of Persia’sbedroom?”

Pursing her lips, Edee sat on the edge of the bed. “In a sense, yes. We’re at Malik’s house. He insisted on having you transported here once he had you checked over fully by some guy named James. He took care of Gramtoo.”

Brooke grabbed her friend’s hand. “Gram washurt?”

Nodding, Edee glanced downward. “It was pretty bad. Brooke, Gram isn’t doing so well. He’s at that headquarters place and James is staying close to him. He swears Gram will be fine but that he needs extra time to heal. James says that Gram must have wrapped his body around Bethany’s and protected her from the explosion, taking the full force of it. I overheard the guys whispering that it’s amazing helived.”

Brooke covered her mouth with her hand as she teared up. Gram had been hurt severely? “I have to see him. I need to be there withhim.”

“Malik just got back an hour ago. He’s been checking on him daily,” said Edee softly. “From what I can gather there was a lot of bad blood between them, but Malik has set all that aside. I guess nearly getting killed protecting Bethany made Malik see the guy in a newlight.”

Brooke sat up. “Was anyone elsehurt?”

“Auberi was pretty banged up, but was too worried about everyone else to stay in bed like a good little vampire. He’s healed now. Claims the blood of virgins fixed him,” she said with a snort. “He’s something else. And can I just say that is one fine-looking dead guy. And Striker was hurt trying to keep me safe, but manly pride kept him from admitting as much. He’s finenow.”

“I’m so sorry,” said Brooke. “I hate that they keep huntingus.”

“Me too, but I think things will be different now. These people have sort of closed ranks around us, like we’re family to them or something. I swear to you at least fifty different men from PSI have shown up here to check on you, and to let Malik know they were there for anything he needed while his matehealed.”

“I still have a hard time understanding the entire mating thing,” confessedBrooke.

Edee leaned and hugged her. “Go take a shower. I’ll grab you someclothes.”

“How long have I been here?” askedBrooke.

Edee stood. “It’s been five days since everythinghappened.”

Brooke turned and put her feet on the floor. “Ohmygod, my poor baby! She has to be freaking out. I need her. Where isshe?”

Edee laughed softly. “She’s currently hosting a tea party. Go shower. She’s fine. I promise. Let her have this time withhim.”

“Him?” askedBrooke.

“Her father,” confessed Edee as she walked in the direction of a different door. “He dotes on her. And she’s already got him and all the other alphas here wrapped around her little finger. They’re kind of hopeless. The kid works them all with ease. Now clean up, you’re starting tosmell.”

“I need to see Gram,” saidBrooke.

Edee sighed. “Honey, James and Auberi both told me he’s going to be fine. He just needs some time. And there isn’t anything you can do right now. They’re keeping him knocked out. Armand is there a lot. Did you know he’s technically a doctor? He’s been keeping me updated. We’re trying to notify Cody but he’s gone radio silent. Might be an Outcastthing.”

Their time with Cody in the facility had taught them a lot about what went on the supernatural world. They learned that some supernaturals were natural born, some were man-made, and many were hunted. Such was the case with Cody and the other Outcasts—considered failed experiments in the eyes of thegovernment.

Brooke nodded and went in the direction of what she hoped was a bathroom. It wasn’t. It was a closet that was bigger than her first apartment. She came out of that room and entered another, only to find it was another closet; this one with rows and rows of women’s clothing and shoes. Edee walked out from around a corner in the hugecloset.

“You’re supposed to be in theshower.”

Brooke stared around. “I can’t find it. His house is like a palace. He lives with awoman?”

Edee lifted a brow. “No. Why do youask?”

Brooke motioned around the room at all the clothing. “I doubt he cross-dresses.”

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