Page 69 of The Incubus and the Bodyguard

Navarro cuffed him and read him his rights while another agent arrested Manuel.

“Boss,” someone called out.

Vlad turned. One of theBlack Devilswas jogging toward them, the rest following in his wake.

“What’s our men’s status?” the incubus asked tensely.

“Some broken bones, a few scratches and bruises.” The guy shrugged. “Nothing that won’t heal.”

Vlad breathed a sigh of relief.

The DEA agents eyed the nanorobot vests theBlack Devilswere wearing with envious looks.

“Those must have cost an arm and a leg,” Navarro muttered.

“I called in a personal favor with Gideon,” Delphine said dismissively.

The DEA agent made a face. “How come he doesn’t do those for the US government?”

“Because you guys can afford to be bled dry,” the super soldier said succinctly.

“Ouch.” Navarro eyed the tiger circling the warehouse before glancing guardedly at the dark sword in Vlad’s hand. “So does this mean you have your powers back?”

“I do. And I have you to thank for that, even though you were actually responsible for me losing them in the first place.”

Navarro sighed. “You’re never gonna let that go, are you?”

Vlad arched an eyebrow. “And lose the chance for the DEA to owe me a favor?”

One of theBlack Devilsapproached, his cell in hand and his expression mystified. “Hey, boss? There’s a crazy lady on the phone asking if you got your juju back yet.”

The sound of enthusiastic yipping issued from the speaker.

“That’s gotta be Mrs. Son-Ha,” Cortes muttered.

Vlad took his cell out of his back pocket. It was smashed to pieces.

He frowned. “How did she even get that number?”

Another guy put his hand up warily and showed them his phone. “Er, boss? Someone claiming to be the head of a coven is saying you’ve got ninety minutes to sunrise, so how about you get your ass into gear and break that curse pronto.”

Cortes snorted. Vlad muttered something under his breath.

“Your friends are charming,” Navarro remarked.

Delphine’s phone buzzed. She checked the screen. “It’s Yuliy.”

CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR

The sun was risingover Brooklyn when they drove onto the grounds of the mansion.

Gustav and Lena were at the front door, their expressions anxious. Relief brightened their eyes at the sight of Vlad and Tarang emerging from an SUV.

Yuliy was waiting in the foyer, tension evident in the tight lines framing his eyes. TheBlack Devils’ boss crossed the floor and squeezed his nephew to his chest wordlessly.

Vlad shuddered and hugged his uncle just as tightly.

“I’m back,” he whispered.

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