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Seth let out a snort. “Excuse me? Thatwasyou who told Crank not to have another cookie because his shirts were looking a little tight around the middle?”

“Hey, he thanked me for that,” Aric remonstrated. “He said it was a reminder to use the gym more.” He turned toward Brick, batting his eyelashes. “And I can take part in missions too. I’ve done it twice now.”

Brick coughed. “Can I remind you that first time was you disobeying me?”

Seth laughed. “Strolling into Thurland Castle has given you a taste for it, huh? Aric—spy kitty.”

“Hey, I was good,” Aric protested. “Aelryn said so.”

“Horvan suggested you and Seth could talk to people. You were captives, so you have firsthand knowledge.” Brick smirked.

Aric narrowed his gaze. “Whatelsedid Horvan say?”

Brick grinned. “He said I’d need to be okay with it, but it beat you stowing away in my gear. And Seth would be there to keep an eye on you.”

Aric folded his arms. “And what didyousay? Because you kept us out of that meeting.”

Brick coughed. “I said a fly shifter wouldn’t have enough eyes to keep on that little bastard.”

He gave a mock gasp. “Little bastard? Were you referring tome?”

Brick’s grin wouldn’t quit. “Well, what wouldyoucall someone who stows away in your pack and barfs on your gear?”

Aric moved to sit astride him. “Take that back.”

“Nope.”

“Now.”

“Nope.” Brick’s eyes twinkled. “Whatcha gonna do about it, kitty cat?”

A heartbeat later Aric shifted and stretched out his claws, holding them above Brick’s chest. Brick flinched.

Seth laughed his ass off. “Now I’ve seen everything. The big bad polar bear is afraid of murder mitts.”

Brick rolled his eyes. “Duh. I’ve seen what damage he can do with them.”

Aric shifted back, buffing his nails on his chest. Then Brick flipped him onto his back and pinned him to the bed, his arms above his head on the pillow.

“You’ve been abaaadkitty. You need to be punished.”

“What did you have in mind?” Aric replied breathlessly. “And does it involve your dick?”

Judging by the weighty cock rubbing against his own stiff shaft, Aric was about to be fucked through the mattress.

I need to be bad more often.

HORVAN BARGEDinto the living room and flopped onto the couch. “Ignorant idiots.” His Zoom meeting with one of the Italian leaders had not gone the way he’d hoped. He knew he shouldn’t let himself get so riled up, but honestly,some people….

“I’m guessing it didn’t go well?” Rael asked from the other end of the couch.

Horvan shrugged. “It could’ve been better, but then again it could’ve been a lot worse. Remember what Vic told us about his meetings with the Fridan leaders when he tried to gather support? He said most listened, and many joined the cause, but some flat out refused to hear him. Well, that’s what I’ve experienced so far.” He held out his arm. “Get your ass over here. I need to hold you for a while.”

Rael moved closer and cuddled up to him. Horvan inhaled his scent, and as always it calmed his senses. Rael tilted his head and peered up. “What’s really the problem?”

Horvan let out a chuckle. “I love how you can see right through me.” He sighed. “I’m going to be honest with you. I don’t know if what we’re doing is going to help us or hurt us.”

Rael frowned. “Explain.”