Standing, Niles breathed deeply for a minute then went upstairs. He had a date to get ready for.
"So, you're being blocked, Hunter?"
Hunter leaned back in his chair, his fingers scratching his stubble. A frown covered his face, and he shrugged slightly. "I'm not sure if I am, Chester. Whoever is playing cat and mouse with me definitely knows I’m trying to access their systems. He or she lets me in a little then blocks me again. It's almost like a game, but I think whoever it is, is trying to help us."
"Why do you think that?" Jared asked.
Hunter grabbed his bag from the floor, and after searching inside it, pulled some paper out. Placing it on the table he said, "Details of where the blood slaves from Graham's mansion are being held."
"What?" Chester picked up the papers and passed them around the table where the team were gathered.
"He or she led me to this. I was trying to hack the wrong system. I would never have found that information. It could be a trap. We won't know until we've scoped the area."
"What does your gut say?"
"It says to trust this. If you look at the rest of the pages, you'll see that they don't know where Jacques is or where this Elizabeth Selby could be. I thought you'd want to know that, Miguel."
"I do, thanks, Hunter. One question, though, is how did Etienne find him?"
"I think they had the information at some point and my, let's call him inside man, erased it. Didn't Alessio say he knew someone who worked with the council? Could it be the same person?"
"Sacha's going to call him now," Jared murmured as he read the papers in front of him. "He'll let me know what Alessio says."
“Well. Maybe we could get more answers from Etienne when the police question him again. I’m certain he won’t be enjoying the human prison they have for vampires, “Hunter mused. “Hopefully the solitary confinement will cause him to answer this time in the hopes of alleviating his discomfort.”
Chester nodded. "We can hope, although maybe one of us should pay a visit.” Chester shook the papers in his hands. “This sheet has food items listed."
"Well, if you're preparing to cut the power, you need to have plenty of food to see you through. They're prepping.” Miguel stared at the papers.“Jacques thought this would happen after he saw the details of a solar company they had bought shares in."
"Thinking it and seeing it are two different things, M,” Donnie muttered, running a hand over his face.
"I agree. When Jacques and Sacha first came up with the idea, we all followed through, but even I hoped they'd got it wrong. It’s clear they were right.” Ale sighed. “We need to find out when they are hoping to implement their plan."
"I'll dig further, Ale, but it's gonna take some time."
"At least we know where the blood slaves are. I think our first priority is to break in and get them out. God knows what's happening to them," Miguel muttered. "It's something Jacques is heavily invested in."
"Understandable and let him know it's the first thing we're going to do. We need to scope the place out and look for any weaknesses, then we can plan.” Ale spread the papers out across the table.“I know Troy wants the same thing as Jacques."
Miguel nodded. "He saw it."
Ale gave Miguel a nod. "And Jacques experienced it. We won't let him down."
"Was anything left at the hospital? Maybe Dodge could pick up a scent around this building," Tank muttered. "I can't do much until my leg has fully healed, but you know his commands and he knows all of you, so he could help."
"I'll be back up anyway, so you can stay with me, while the team are out with Dodge."
"We need to get in and place some surveillance equipment." Hunter stared at the map. "Me and Donnie could do it. We have the most experience in this type of operation."
Donnie nodded. "Been a while but I haven't forgotten what I was taught."
"This map accurate?" Chester asked. "The last thing I want is for you two to go in and things get fucked up because the Intel is out of date."
"We could go in and have a look around," Jensen said, looking at everyone around the table. "Mich could do the whole damsel in distress thing. They haven't seen you recently."
Michaela flipped him off but nodded. "I'll do the car thing and then take some photos of the area."
"I know we're the new guys, but Euan and I can help," Dean added.
"Yeah, just catch us up to date with all the Intel you have, and we'll dive in," Euan agreed.
"Shit, I'm sorry," Ale said. "I keep forgetting you're new. You've fit straight in."
"Could have done with you a couple of weeks ago," Tank added, a small smile on his face.
"Alessio's man didn't give us the information about the mansions. The overall plans only," Jared said, glancing at everyone at the table.
"Could we have two people working inside," Ale mused, rubbing his chin.
"Or more?" Chester said. "There's Romeo, who we know Alessio has been talking to, the IT man who has let you have the information, but could there be someone Romeo knows?"
"Ask him, Chester." Leaning on the table, Ale said, "In the meantime, let's plan."
Tank let the others plan and sat back thinking about his situation. Niles or his family. He'd sent Niles his blood because he knew he would need it. He had a demanding job saving lives and Tank didn't want to be the one responsible if something happened to him.
He rubbed a hand over his face, ignoring the look Ale and Chester threw him. Niles might need his blood, but he didn't need him. He was out with Brody. Even thinking the name had Tank clenching his fists. Not like he had any rights to Niles now. He well and truly fucked things up and Niles was right when he'd said he'd given Tank enough chances.
It didn't matter now. Niles was moving on and so should Tank. Easy to think but hard to do. Still, he was young enough to go out and pick some woman up and spend the night with her. Once this meeting was finished, that was what he'd do.
It was time to move on.
He wasn't feeling it. Brody was great, a wonderful man who was funny and charming, but Niles couldn't get his mind or body to move past his mate. Maybe it was too soon. They'd broken up a couple of weeks ago, so maybe he needed more time to adjust and move on.
He laughed at the right times and said all the right things. but his reluctance must have shown.
"I like you, Niles, but I don't think you like me as much."
"I'm sorry, Brody. I think it's too soon."
"Have you recently broken up with someone?"
"Yeah. I thought I was ready to move on, but I guess I'm not."
Brody winced in sympathy. "I'm sorry. I broke up with someone before I moved out here. We can still be friends and who knows what the future will bring."
"Brody, I'm sure there's a wonderful man out there for you."
Brody winced again. "Ouch."
Niles reached across the table, holding his hand. “I didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry. I just meant, you're a genuinely nice person and deserve to find happiness too."
"Thanks. So, want to tell me about him?"
Niles sipped his wine, looking around the restaurant. With a sigh, he said, "He doesn't want me. There's not much more to add."
"I see. He cheated on me, so I left and moved here. It wouldn't have been so bad if the man he cheated with didn't work on the same team I did."
Wincing, Niles said, "Shit, Brody."
"Yeah. Lucky for me, this opening came up at the same time and I was able to transfer here. Good riddance. I've heard that things aren't going well for them. Karma."
"Damn straight. What's that saying? You don't shit where you eat."
Brody laughed, nodding his head. "Well, I hope they'll be very unhappy together."
They clinked their glasses together and Niles took a sip. Niles sat back in his chair, smiling. Brody might have arrived too soon, but at least he was sure he had a friend.
Picking up the menu, Brody asked, "Dessert?"
Smiling, Niles said, "Ab
solutely."
Chapter Thirteen
Spencer stared at the data in front of him, understanding the information presented to him and the trap that had been programmed. He frowned then handed the tablet back, looking confused. "What am I looking at?"
"The trap. Should they try again, I'll be able to trace them back to their location."
"And then we'll have them."
"Yes."
"Good. He'll be happy to know we have a plan in place. Have you figured out how much information was taken?"
"No. Whoever it was hid their tracks well. I wouldn't have spotted them if I hadn't noticed a slight—"
Spencer's cell rang and he checked the screen, grimacing when Garrick's name appeared. "Shit. What does he want?" he muttered.
"I'm glad it's you who has to deal with them and not me."
Spencer stood, staring down at their IT man. "Let me know as soon as they spring the trap. I want to be the first person you contact."
He walked from the room and listened to the voicemail Garrick had left. More demands about housing. The precious elite didn't want to live in cramped homes. Like the mansions they had were cramped. They were too used to living in luxury and expected the same now. They needed to understand that sacrifices had to made by all if their plan was to succeed.
Spencer jogged down the stairs to where Garrick was and walked in, finding him staring at the map.
"Sir."
"Spencer. These houses we're offering simply won't do. These families are used to much better living conditions."
"I understand, Sir, but with what we're trying to accomplish, we all need to make small sacrifices. Our funds are for weapons and defenses plus ensuring we can survive the chaos that will surround us. I think they would be willing to settle there, considering what they'll gain after."
"You don't get to decide how or where they live. Make sure they get what they want. No matter what it is, or you'll suffer for it. I won't have them disappointed."
Garrick stormed from the room and before Spencer had time to sigh, his cell rang again. Romeo, the lawyer.
Walking over to the door, Spencer checked the hallway and seeing it was clear, quietly closed the door. "Romeo, I can't talk right now."
"I'm sorry. Alessio has been in touch. He wants to know about the mansions.”
"I've given you all I can, Romeo. I can't risk them finding out about me. They'll kill me."
"Get out, Spencer."
"You know I can't. I'm close to the leaders now, I have access to the majority of the information. I just need to find out when they plan to act and then I'll leave. There is also my father."
"Rescue Inc has some information about the plans."
"I know. I altered some of the security on our systems so they could access it, but I can't do it again. The guy in IT is smart. He'll realize what's going on at some point."
"I need to see you. When can you get out for a few hours?"
"I'll try and get out soon."
"Spencer..."
"I know." Spencer muttered.
"We're mates. We need to—"
"I know. Once we're mated, it'll be easier to communicate."
Romeo sighed. "I wish we'd met before all of this."
"Me too," Spencer agreed.
"You'd still be there, inside, and I'd be out here, waiting for you."
"Only we'd need each other more."
"I hate you being there. I know the danger you're in."
"There's always a risk, but we can't let them get away with it. I need to stay here and do what I can."
“I wish I’d known about this sooner. Maybe stop things escalating to this point.”
Spencer snorted. "This has been going on for more years than anyone knows." Spencer tilted his head, hearing footsteps approach. "I need to go. Tell them, Romeo. Love you."
Spencer hung up and tucked his cell in his pocket. Taking a deep breath, he opened the door and left. He needed to pass on more information, so he could end this before it began. He didn't want more deaths on his hands. Too many people, both human and vampire, had suffered already. Spencer needed to find a way to stop this all now before it was too late.
Niles jogged down the corridor, white coat flapping behind him. An emergency case, possible myocardial infarction — heart attack — was being rushed in. The paramedics rushed in and Niles met them, pausing when he saw the patient.
Evelyn, Targon's mother.
"911call. Feeling unwell, sweaty, clammy. Central chest discomfort..." The information was relayed quickly and efficiently.
Everyone jumped in, inserting the IV and attaching the EKG to monitor her heart. Bloods were taken, and within thirty minutes, she was being prepped for surgery.
"Niles, diagnosis?" Max asked when he entered the room.
"She needs to have an angioplasty performed. I'll know more when I open her up. We're taking her down now."
Max grabbed his arm. "Can you do this?"
"She's a patient. I can put aside my personal issues, Max."
"She's your mate’s mom. His parents are the reason you and Targon aren't together."
"I know, and I'm fine." Niles looked at Max. "I can do this. It's my job, it's what I've trained for."
Max nodded slowly. "If you're sure."
Niles gripped his shoulder. "I am. I can do this. It will be this black, gay vampire that saved her."
Max chuckled. "She won't be too impressed with that."
Niles grinned. "I don't think any of them will be. Look, I've got to get scrubbed up. I'll speak to you after."
Max nodded, and left the room, leaving Niles and his team to prepare for surgery.
Tank paced the room, waiting for news on how his mom was doing. As soon as he'd heard the news, he'd rushed to the ER, meeting his dad and sister there. Now he was pacing the waiting room while they could do nothing but wait as some unknown surgeon tried to save his mom's life.
God, he'd never felt so helpless in his life. He may have differences with his parents, but he loved them and didn't want his mom to die. He tugged on his hair, grimacing when he realized what he was doing. Something Niles teased him about.
What the fuck was he doing? He missed him. There was this empty space in his life that Niles filled, and he'd walked away from him. He was so stupid, but this was his family and he wanted to have both even though he knew that would never happen.
The door suddenly opened, and Max stepped into the room, dressed in scrubs. He closed the door behind him and smiled at the three of them.
"Well, how is she?" Acton demanded.
"She's in surgery right now. Dr. Conway is performing the operation. Once he's finished, he'll be able to report to you on her condition."
"And how long will that be? I want to know now!"
Max stared sternly at Acton and even Tank felt the coldness in his glare. "That's all the information I can provide at present. She's in the best hands. Dr. Niles Conway is one of the best cardiothoracic surgeons in the country. We're very lucky he works here." Acton went to speak again, and Max held his hand up. "As soon as the surgery is over, he'll come in here and update you."
Max left the room and Acton paced. "Why is that name familiar? Niles... Niles."
Tank stared at the closed door. Niles was saving his mom's life. After everything, Niles still went into that room to operate on his mom.
"Targon. Niles, where have I heard that name before?"
"He was in my room the day you visited me in hospital."
"When you were injured?” Acton glared at him. "That thing? He's operating right now?"
"He's an excellent surgeon-"
"Who cares who is operating?” Bronwyn said, spreading her hands wide. "As long as he saves her, I don't care."
"Me either." Tank agreed. "As long as she survives, that's all that matters."
"He's black, and a vampire." Acton stuttered. "He should be nowhere near her."
"Who cares, Dad? I want Mom to live. I don't care if he's green with
pink rainbows coming out of his ass!"
"I agree. Let's wait and see. We'll know more once they've finished operating."
A few hours later, the door opened again, and Niles stepped into the room. Immediately, Acton said, "You operated?"
"Yes, this black, gay vampire saved your wife."
"Niles, thank—"
Niles cut him off. "She's in recovery where she will be monitored until she is moved to her room."
"How do you know she'll recover?" Acton demanded. "I think we need a second opinion." Acton looked Niles up and down, his disgust clear on his face.
"I'll have my colleague come in and speak to you."
Are you going to let him speak to me like this?
Niles, thank you. I'll speak to him.
Really, because you're doing a great job right now.
Please, Niles, it's complicated.
Complicated? After this, it's still complicated.
Turning to Tank, Niles said, "Good bye, Targon."
"What? Wait, Niles."
Niles opened the door to leave and Tank rushed over to stop him, but Acton grabbed him and spun him around. "Let him go. I can't believe he's had his dirty hands inside my Evelyn." He stabbed a finger at Tank. "You need to leave your job. Look at the... people you associate with. No more blacks, or gays, or vampires, Targon."
"We've had this conversation before, Dad. I'm not leaving my job and that vampire saved Mom's life."
"I don't care. We'll need another surgeon to fix her, no doubt."
"Niles is a damn good surgeon."
"Why can't you stop defending him? He's a vampire and gay and black. What good is he?"
"He is good, Dad. He's the best man I know," Tank muttered. "He's far better than me."
"What? He's nothing but a—"
"He's my mate, Dad. My mate."
"Oh, shit," Bronwyn muttered.
Acton stepped back, a hand on his chest. "He's what?"
"My mate, Dad. We've mated."
"You and him? That doctor?"
"Yes, me and Niles."
"You've had sex with that? What is wrong with you? How could you lower yourself to fuck something like him?" Acton screamed, his face turning a mottled red.
Rescue Inc Collection Vol 3 Page 19