Page 39 of Mysteries, Menace, and Mates

“Of course.” Seth sat up. “What’s on your mind?”

“I just wanted to make sure Aric was okay about shifting and going into the castle.”

Aric blinked. “It was your idea. Of course I’m okay with it. And I’ll be fine. I’ll be your everyday moggy, strolling through the hallways, hunting for mice.”

“Moggy?” Brick frowned.

Aric laughed. “I got that from Eve. It’s British slang for a cat.” Then he slipped his hand around Brick’s hardening cock. “Andthismoggy wants to take a ride.”

Brick shivered at the thought of thrusting up into Aric’s tight body.

“And while he keeps your dick busy….” Seth shuffled across the bed and straddled Brick’s head. “I’llkeep your tongue occupied.” He grinned. “Can polar bears multitask?”

Brick was going to give it a damn good try.

Yeah, I could be knee-deep in preparations for the mission, but right now being balls-deep in my mates is more important.

There was always a shadow that hung over missions, a cloud of uncertainty about the outcome. And while it mightnotbe his last mission, he was going to make sure he came out of it alive.

Chapter Eleven

EVE KNEWshe wasn’t walking into Thurland Castle naked. Okay, so she had no tech so the team could listen in, but she had Hashtag and Roadkill to relay everything Theron said.

That’s if he’ll see me.

Hashtag’s voice was warm.He’ll see you, honey. But remember, stick to the story.

She walked at a brisk pace along the road that led to the castle. Before she reached the imposing gray stone archway across the moat, she paused at the statues of two lions that flanked her way. She patted the head of one of them.

For luck, okay?

Eve hadn’t been worried about this part of the mission, but she’d woken up with an unexpected case of the jitters.

This could all go horribly wrong.

She shoved the thought from her mind. Negative thinking wasnotgoing to help the situation. She marched up to the gateway, shoulders squared, back straight as she crossed the moat.

It’s a beck. Give it its proper name, Roadkill quipped.

And who taught you that?Eve demanded.Now isnotthe time for a geography lesson.Then she caught herself and realized what she had just done.I’m sorry. I guess I’m really nervous.

We’re always with you,Hashtag reminded her.

That helped calm the tremors. She shoved the thoughts from her mind once more and did her best to breathe evenly. A guard appeared, and she knew from the bulge in his jacket that he was armed.

“Can I help you? The castle isn’t open to the public.”

One sniff told her the guy was a shifter, and Eve recognized the moment he got a whiff of her.

“I’d like to see Theron, please.”

The guard blinked. “There’s no one here by that name.”

She smiled. “I think we both know that’s not true. So let’s cut to the chase. Call the castle and tell Theron I was with Fielding when he died. Trust me, he’ll want to see me.”

The guard gave her a doubtful glance. “What’s your name?”

“Eve Duncan.”

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