Page 69 of Brock’s Mate

He didn’t recognize the voice, but he did recognize the one that answered. DiSantos. “You better not let anyone else hear you call him that, Rookie,” he snarled. “There’s plenty more soldiers where you came from. He can unmake you.”

Brock didn’t know what ‘unmaking’ was, but he was pretty sure he’d be happy to have it happen to this guy and DiSantos both. Especially if it was painful.

DiSantos went on, “Once the additional drugs take full effect and the dragon is disabled, we’ll be able to transport him.”

Brock suppressed a growl. They did have DB, the fuckers. But he could make sure they encountered a hell of a lot more trouble than they anticipated, taking him away.

Very quietly, he flicked his knife open and slashed the nearest tire on the van.

The first guy said, “Can’t happen soon enough for me. This place gives me the creeps.”

DiSantos said, “Maybe it’s just because you got your ass kicked here a few nights ago.”

The man said resentfully, “You got shot almost as many times as I did.”

DiSantos ignored that comparison. “Yeah, but I’m the one who thought of going after the Draken. He’s way more valuable than any of the women we’ve found.”

The rookie said, “Yeah, but is he more valuable than Brock Reilly? With all those weird mental powers? If we get the woman, we can get him. The bosses would love to get that fucker in the lab. And I’d pay to watch them work him over.”

Oh, hell no fuck you, Brock thought. He slashed the other tire.

Then, just to make sure, he slid underneath the vehicle to cut a few wires and maybe some hoses.

Mistake.

Because when he slid back out, a man in a black robe was standing there, his face shrouded by a deep hood, so Brock couldn’t see his face. With him were three wolf warriors, holding automatics.

Shit. It was like they’d just teleported in. Hell, judging by the other night, maybe they had.

Brock got slowly to his feet. “Weapons down,” one of the warriors barked.

Brock dropped his knife. “Guns too,” the warrior said.

He might as well, considering the number of bullets it took to take even one of them down. Brock pulled the handgun out of the back of his pants and laid that down too. Why the hell hadn’t he texted Brandon the minute he saw the van?

DiSantos strolled around the front of the van. “Well, look at this,” he said, smirking. “I believe we have a two-for-one special today. And by the way, you’re under arrest.”

Brock cocked his head at the warriors. “See how they keep the proper distance? I hope you’re taking notes, DiSantos.”

DiSantos sneered.

The sorcerer spoke for the first time, his voice deep and hypnotic. It gave Brock the shivers. “I think if we play our cards right, we can make that a trifecta.”

“Let’s not,” Brock said.

The sorcerer went on as if he hadn’t spoken. He said to Brock, “Take out your phone and contact the female.” He turned to DiSantos. “What is she calling herself now?”

“Desi.”

The sorcerer turned his shadowy hood back to Brock. “You will send a message to Desi, and tell her you need her to come here right away. It will be personal and compelling, and there will be no tricks.”

Brock said, “And if I don’t?”

The sorcerer said, “Then we’ll kill the dragon.”

Brock said, “I don’t even know if you have the dragon.”

That blank dark hole gazed at him, and then the sorcerer said, “Bring him forth. Onto the porch.”