He was hoping to find Mortimer in there, since that was where the head of the enforcers had been when Dante had gone upstairs. However, he wasn’t, and the first person he ran into on his quest for condoms was Mortimer’s wife, Samantha. The sight of her made him pause abruptly several feet into the room.
“Oh, hello, Dante,” the slender woman said with a smile when she glanced up from the pot she was stirring and spotted him. “How is Mary? Is she hungry? I made some soup.”
“Er . . . no,” Dante murmured, backing toward the doorway. When her eyebrows went up at his strange behavior, he added, “I was looking for Mortimer.”
“He, Bricker, and Lucian went into his study,” she said, and then added, “I’m sure they won’t mind you interrupting. Although if there’s something you need that I can help with—”
“No!” Dante barked with dismay, and then forced a smile and said more calmly, “Thank you, but it is better I talk to Mortimer.”
“Okay,” Samantha said easily, glancing down into the pot she was stirring. But as he left the room he could have sworn he heard her murmur, “No glove, no love, huh?”
Assuring himself that he must have misheard her, Dante hurried along the hall toward Mortimer’s study. He could hear them talking before he reached the door, but was distracted enough he didn’t bother really listening. He also didn’t wait for a response after knocking at the door, but simply opened it and walked in.
Mortimer, Lucian, and Bricker were all there, as Samantha had said. They were standing around Mortimer’s desk, looking at a map of some kind. All three glanced up with mild curiosity at his entrance.
“Sorry to interrupt,” Dante muttered and then focused on Mortimer and began, “I just wanted to ask if you have gloves.”
“Gloves?” Mortimer asked with surprise. “Sure. There should be some—”
“Oh, sorry, not gloves,” Dante said with a frown, realizing what he’d said. His mind must still have been on what he’d thought he heard Samantha say.
“He means condoms,” Bricker said with amusement, apparently reading his mind where Mortimer obviously hadn’t. Grinning, the young hunter said, “No unwrapped stags between Mary’s legs, huh?”
“What?” Dante asked, his voice choked with shock.
“She wants you to cuff your carrot, before you share it?” Bricker suggested and when Dante just stared at him blankly, he added, “You have to sock that wanger before you bang her?”
“Bricker,” Mortimer said with exasperation.
But Justin just added, “Got no protection? Can’t use your erection?”
“The internet?” Lucian asked dryly.
Pausing, Justin Bricker grinned at the man and said, “Yeah. They have loads of sayings: hide old Harry, then take her cherry. Wrap that pickle, then slip her a tickle. If you can’t shield your rocket, leave it in your pocket. Don’t make a mistake; cover your snake. Cover your stump before you hump. Don’t be a fool—”
“Truly, Justin,” Lucian interrupted grimly. “The subject of your internet searches really worries me sometimes.”
“What?” Bricker asked with surprise. “Why?”
“The fact that you have to even ask me that question also worries me,” Lucian said dryly. “First cocks, now condoms. What is next?”
“Well, I did come across this site that has—”
“I do not want to know,” Lucian interrupted shortly, and then glanced to Dante. “You said Mary was a psychologist before she retired?”
Dante nodded, surprised and a little confused by the question until Lucian said, “Then perhaps you could ask her to have a session or two with Bricker while she is here.”
“Ha ha,” Justin said dryly.
Lucian ignored him and added, “I shall pay for them out of my own pocket just to ensure he is well enough to be on the job . . . and carrying a weapon.”
“I shall mention it to her,” Dante said, amusement replacing his dismay.
“Hardy har, har,” Justin said dryly. “I drag myself away from my hot and sexy Holly to help out around here, and this is the appreciation I get?”
“Mary is a new life mate,” Mortimer pointed out as if Justin hadn’t spoken. “It might be better to call Lissianna’s husband, Greg. He is a psychologist, is he not?”
“Good thinking,” Lucian decided, pulling out his phone. “I shall call him now. In the meantime, Justin, drive Dante to the nearest store that would carry condoms.”
“Sure,” he said, rolling his eyes. Leading the way to the door, he added, “I’ll check the sense of humor aisle while I’m there and see if I can get you both one.”