Page 44 of The Dragon's Mate

“Exactly – you’re learning,” Bren said. “Youdon’t know enough yet to protect yourselves. Until you do, the security detailstays.”

“But -”

“This conversation is finished,” Bren said.

“Fine, whatever,” Tyler said.

Bren’s phone rang and he fished it out ofhis pocket. He glanced at the screen before turning away and answering thephone. “Matthews.”

“Hey, Kaida,” Tyler bounded up the stepsand grinned at her. “How’s it going.”

“Good. Did you have some trouble today?”

“Yeah.” Corey joined them on the porch,studying Sika for a moment before leaning against the porch railing. “Jeff andhis friends tried to jump us a few blocks from school.”

“But apparently my brother hired a securityfirm to protect us,” Tyler said. “He doesn’t think we can handle ourselvesyet.”

“You can’t,” Kaida said bluntly. “And itwas my idea that he hire someone to watch out for you.”

“Oh.” Tyler scuffed at the wood of theporch with his sneakers. “What are we learning tonight?”

“Ty?” Bren was standing near the vehicleagain. “I’m sorry, but we have to go. I need to get back to work.”

“What? We just got here,” Tyler said.

“I know, but I have to go. Sorry, Kaida.I’ll text you and see what will work for next week.”

“Can’t you pick us up when you’re finished?”Tyler asked.

“I’ll be late. Too late for you to stayhere until I’m done,” Bren said. “In the car, Ty.”

Tyler stared at Kaida with ado somethingexpression.

“I can drive the yearlings home after our trainingsession,” Kaida said.

“Awesome,” Tyler said. “Problem solved. Later,Bren.”

“Are you sure?” Bren asked. “Tyler’sstaying at my place this weekend and I don’t live close to here.”

“It’s no problem,” she said.

He hesitated. “Okay, well, thank you. Tyler– don’t even think about drinking the beer in the fridge.”

Tyler raised his hand in acknowledgement beforelooping his arm around Corey’s neck. “See you later, Bren.”

Bren waved distractedly and climbed intothe vehicle. He drove off without looking at her and her dragon poutedangrily.

Don’t let the human leave.

“You ready, Kaida?” Tyler asked.

“Yes.” Ignoring her disappointment thatBren was gone, Kaida followed Sika and the boys down the porch steps.

* * *

Bren shut the apartment door. Despite thecool weather, he was hot and sweaty. And despite the coveralls he’d worn over hisown clothing, he could almost see the stink of garbage coming off of him in tinylittle waves. He grumbled out a curse, toeing off his shoes and shrugging outof his jacket.

Anyone who assumed that being a detective wasglamorous work had never spent four hours combing through an overflowingdumpster looking for a goddamn murder weapon. He cracked his neck, tensionmaking his shoulders and upper back stiff.

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