"We want to eat and then shop for clothes to wear. Where would you suggest?"
They discussed several different options and agreed on a small outlet mall near where they were. Alec didn't want to be around a bunch of people in case somehow he or Steven were recognized, but he didn't want to be isolated either and provoke another attack of some sort.
They arrived at the mall and Jon parked the car. Before they exited, he advised Alec to pull some of the money out of the envelope and put it in his wallet. It wasn't wise to flash that much money around. He also explained there was a safe in the car and that Alec could choose his own combination on the keypad. Alec took a thousand dollars out, placed in in his pocket and locked the rest up.
Alec wasn't really worried about being robbed, but he was worried about having to kick someone's ass and others witnessing it. It was really odd. Alec had never felt confident before. Now he didn't even worry about muggers or thieves. He could handle pretty much anything. It was a very unsettling feeling when he stopped and really thought about it.
The two young men ate at a fast food burger place, shoving food in their mouths as quickly as they could to assuage their hunger. Alec offered to buy something for Jon but he declined. Alec and Steven went to several different stores in the mall, trying on clothes and choosing what they each wanted to wear. Alec wasn't really sure what one wore to a confrontation but he chose his usual cargo pants and shirt. Might as well be comfortable.
They arrived back at the car and Jon opened the doors for them. Alec just thought that was weird, he could open a door for himself, but he didn't say anything. Alec pulled out a small thumb drive that he had bought and handed it to Steven.
"We need to back everything up, just in case." Steven nodded and opened his computer up in his lap, and he realized his computer battery was about to die.
Steven pressed the red talk button.
"I need to stop and find a place to charge my computer. Preferably somewhere with Wi-Fi."
The driver's voice came over the speaker. "Pull down the tray in front of you, underneath the partition." Steven did as told and found behind it a place where he could plug in his computer and instructions on how to connect to the car's Wi-Fi. This was awesome.
Steven plugged in his computer and got online quickly. He put the thumb drive in the USB port and started transferring information over.
"This is odd," he said after a moment.
"What?"
"It seems our friend the Senator has changed the criteria for his revealing email. He did have it set on a cycle of every twenty-four hours. Now it's set for every eight hours."
Alec looked at the time on the computer. That meant that the email was set to release at midnight if the password wasn't typed in.
"He must have a meeting tonight with Silas and VonBell. If necessary he can threaten them with releasing the information if they try anything or hold him," Alec said thinking.
"Are you sure that the program has been disabled and won't send the information out?"
Steven checked just to make sure nothing had changed. "Yep, we're good."
Alec nodded. They talked then about a plan and discussed their options. Should they reveal what they knew to everyone, or try and get Silas and Marcus alone so they could talk privately? They decided that if they could get Silas alone they would do it that way. If not, they'd just have to deal with it and tell everyone at the same time. Silas and Marcus wouldn't be prepared if Taylor, or god forbid, VonBell attacked them, but Alec would be. He just didn't like being at Von Bell's mercy while all this was going on.
They told Jon to drive them around Chicago as they made their plans. Alec wasn't sure what else to tell him. All the driver said was, "Yes, sir."
Steven eventually got Alec's attention and turned the screen of the monitor to where Alec could see it.
"Seems like the incident I walked up on with Chris and vampire chick wasn't the only time that's happened. Look."
Alec read what was on the screen of the computer and realized it was an email to VonBell. Since he was emailing a vampire, his language didn't need to be as guarded, although he was still careful with what he said. The gist of the message was loud and clear; keep that woman away from my son. There were several back and forth where VonBell explained that Chris was not under any duress, but had voluntarily allowed Nia to feed on him. He also told the Senator that if he didn't want anything mysterious to happen to his son he would stay in line.
"This is insane," Alec said sighing. Steven popped in the thumb drive and copied the additional information over.
"I've been thinking about it. Do you think VonBell found out about the Senator stealing money and the payments are his share?" Alec asked, looking at Steven.
"I don't know. Maybe. It doesn't seem like it's a percentage, like half and half. It's just the same amount every month."
Sooner than they liked, Alec was sure they would have their answers.
Alec had the driver take them to a park that was close by so that he could get out and stretch his legs. He and Steven talked some more as they walked. Neither was sure what was going to happen but figured it couldn't be much crazier than what they'd already experienced. At least Alec hoped it wasn’t. Steven finally wilted and sprawled in the back seat of the car to sleep a couple of hours, leaving Alec alone with his thoughts.
The sun was just starting to set as he gave their driver the address for Vincent VonBell's. He was trying to time it so that they would arrive just as Silas and Marcus were up, so that they wouldn't have to deal with security on their own. Alec wasn't sure what VonBell had told his staff and didn't want to find out without some sort of back up. The sun was down when they arrived in front of the huge mansion. Alec had instructed the driver to pull up in front and let them out. He had the man roll down the window and tipped him several hundred dollars.
They pulled their stuff out of the car and watched as the red taillights disappeared into the gloom. Alec sighed and walked up to the gate and pressed the button.
"Can I help you?" a man's voice asked.
Alec took a deep breath.
"Alec Carson to see Vincent VonBell. I'm with Silas Montgomery and Marcus Roma." Alec never knew what to say in these situations. The gate buzzed and swung inward.
"We've been expecting you Mister Carson. Please come in. Someone will be with you shortly."
Alec and Steven stepped through the gate and walked down the driveway to the front door.
"Listen, I don't know what's going to happen, but if things go all crazy in there, just get behind me." Steven nodded and swallowed nervously. Alec had stopped burning blood sometime during the day, but after a few tries that feeling of being more came back and he felt refreshed and energized.
"Alec, thank you for saving me from Vic and his insanity. Things could have gone a lot different than what they did. I just wanted to say thank you…just in case."
“Hopefully, it will all turn out okay." Alec had his doubts, but, hey, it could happen.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
The Confrontation
The servant that opened the door led them inside and walked left down a long hallway to a single wooden door that was guarded by two gigantic men whom he spoke with briefly. One of the men nodded for them to enter and opened the door. The servant informed them that they were expected and left.
Alec and Steven walked into a large open office. The floor was covered with plush red carpet and the walls were paneled in dark wood. There was a large marble fireplace to their left, but it wasn't lit. Ahead of them was a huge wooden desk with two large windows behind it, showing the night sky. Seated at the desk with his fingers steepled was Vincent VonBell in a dark gray, expensive-looking suit.
To Alec's relief he saw that Marcus and Silas were seated before the desk, with their backs to him. Standing beside the desk, on Alec's left was Senator Taylor and his son. Chris had his arms folded over his chest and looked angry. Senator Taylor looked
like he was about to hit someone. All eyes turned to Alec and Steven as they crossed the room.
Marcus stood up quickly and hugged Alec with one arm. In his ear he whispered, "I'm glad you're okay. I was worried." Alec hugged him back and Marcus sat back down. Silas nodded to him, but Alec could see relief in his eyes.
Senator Taylor's eyes hardened. "What is he doing here?" he asked jabbing two fingers at Steven. Steven was standing very close to Alec and was licking his lips nervously.
"I brought him," Alec said simply.
"I want him arrested. No, I want him killed," Senator Taylor spat. Chris smirked at them both. Alec really wanted to reach over and smack both of them.
"Did you not hear me?" Senator Taylor growled when no one made a move.
"Silas, can we speak with you and Marcus privately?" Alec asked before anyone else broke out yelling.
Silas opened his mouth to answer but VonBell spoke first.
"You may not. I agree with the Senator. Steven Reynolds needs to be in a cell not walking around freely. He helped with the kidnapping of Senator Taylor’s son."
"Wait a minute," Alec interrupted.
VonBell's eyes hardened and he glared at Alec.
"As a matter of fact, why don't you join your new friend in a cell? You willingly helped him escape knowing he was a wanted criminal."
"I can explain all that," Alec said trying to speak calmly so that VonBell would listen.
"I don't think so. You are an abomination and your presence here is an insult to my house." He pressed a button to summon the guards. When they entered he said, "Take these two to cells," and motioning towards Alec and Steven and then dropped back into his chair.
Alec was stunned for a moment. And then he got angry.
"Hold on a second. I can explain everything," Alec said, heat coloring his words.
"I'm sure you can," VonBell said condescendingly. Senator Taylor looked triumphant and Chris just looked smug and said, “Told you I had powerful friends”.
"Maybe it would be more accurate to say you have some explaining to do," Alec said raising his voice and glaring at VonBell.
"How dare you, I will rip your head…"
"Enough!" Silas's voice echoed through the room. Everyone froze. Silas looked at the guards that were rounding on Alec and Steven. "Out," was all he said.
"How dare you order my guards around? You are in my protectorate now. You would do best to remember your place." VonBell was almost shaking.
"And I am a council member. You'd do well to remember yours." Silas glared at VonBell until he dropped his eyes to his desk.
"Did you have something to say Alec?"
Alec cleared his throat. "Yes. I do." He ignored the glares from around the room.
"Last night I found out some interesting information from Steven here." Poor Steven looked like he might wet himself.
"As you know, last night Victor told me that Chris was aware of the vampires and that one had fed on him."
"I can explain all that," Senator Taylor said angrily.
"Yes, and you will," Silas said calmly, looking at the man. "But right now, Alec is speaking." The Senator snapped his mouth shut and glared daggers at Alec.
"Victor wanted to know what was going on. Once he saw the vampire with Chris, it created this vacuum in his head from where his memories had been erased.” Alec glared at VonBell. “So he hacked into Senator Taylor's computer."
Senator Taylor was livid and started shouting insults and threats. Before Silas could say anything Alec spoke again.
"Yes, Senator Taylor, I'd be scared too if I were you. We found a lot of interesting documents and information. Some you attempted to encrypt but we managed to open those as well."
Senator Taylor was instantly quiet. He turned as white as a sheet and looked unsteady on his feet as it hit him what Alec had said.
"Go on," Silas said quietly.
"When all this happened Victor couldn’t hack into some of the files, so he abducted Steven here as well and forced him at gun point to hack the files. He’s an excellent hacker and opened up the encrypted files easily. Seems the Senator over there has been stealing federal money from the funds that were supposed to go to the blood pathogens labs that were set up, you know the cover for the blood banks." Silas's head turned slowly to glare at Taylor. The man was trembling now.
"You have proof of this?" Silas said without looking at Alec.
"Show them," Alec motioned to Steven. To Steven's credit, he didn't hesitate. He opened his computer and showed Silas what he'd shown Alec.
"That's not all," Alec said glaring at VonBell. "He's been giving money to VonBell as well."
"Oh, this is ridiculous," VonBell burst out. "You are going to take the word of a wanted fugitive and an abomination? I want you all out. Now!" He reached his hand forward to press the button for the guards.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Silas said dangerously. VonBell's finger froze and he licked his lips nervously.
"Show me," he said quietly to Steven. Steven pulled up the documents and Silas read over them.
Silas turned to look at Alec. "Anything else?"
"Yes. It seems that Senator Taylor has been keeping detailed notes of everything you guys say or do. He's even collected the documents to show that the pathogen labs are really blood collection facilities and details how they’re distributing to the vampires. He has names, locations, everything about where the blood is taken and to whom. He's set it all up in a huge email file."
"That's right," Taylor finally said, coming back to his old self. "If anything happens to me, that email will be released to everyone, and your kind will be hunted down and killed." His smugness was starting to return. "If I don't input a password in at a certain time, then it automatically sends the email."
"Uh, actually," Steven said interrupting "no it won't. I've deactivated it."
The Senator almost fainted when he realized what that meant.
Steven pulled up the email for Silas who read it quietly.
"How can you sit there Silas and let this abomination lie to you like this? This information is obviously forged." He glared at Alec.
Alec stepped forward then and put one hand on the desk and leaned in towards VonBell. "Call me an abomination, one more time," he said quietly. "I dare you."
VonBell looked like he was going to say it, the look in his eyes was defiant.
Silas didn't even look up from reading. "I wouldn't do it Vincent. He's stronger than you think. And I won't stop him from ripping you apart."
VonBell thought about it and then shut his mouth. Alec stepped away.
"I want my lawyer," Senator Taylor said into the silence.
"That's not how this works," Marcus told him. "We are vampires, not the government. You don't get a lawyer." He smiled darkly.
"I also found where he's been siphoning off money from other projects as well," Steven said and pulled them up on the computer to show Silas. Alec was surprised.
"I just found these right before we got here," Steven said in way of explanation.
“These are all lies. This information is obviously forged,” VonBell smirked.
"There's a simple way to verify what Steven and Alec have shown us. We can search the Senator’s computer and his records. Should be simple enough," Silas said looking up.
VonBell glared at Senator Taylor.
"Vincent, please call in security," Silas said standing.
VonBell narrowed his eyes and then pushed a button under his desk. The door to the office opened and about twenty security guards poured through, guns drawn.
"Kill them," VonBell said. Alec was ready to move but before anything happened he heard a familiar voice.
"I don't think so." Dorn, Silas's head of security walked through the door.
"Seems you guys have had a busy couple of days." He winked at Alec who looked relieved.
"Dorn, would you please have former Senator and Mi
ster Taylor cuffed?” Silas asked politely.
Dorn nodded and then called two of the security guards over.
“Where are your powerful friends now?” Alec stage whispered to Chris.
"I'm afraid Vincent that I'm going to have to relieve you of duty. As of now you are no longer Protectorate of Illinois until the council can hold a hearing. I will have to have you put in restraints and detained until questioning, and you will be moved to a cell in my mansion." VonBell looked ready to kill someone.
Silas called another officer over who looked nervous at the prospect of cuffing the pissed off vampire.
"Please give Alec your silver handcuffs." The man looked relieved that he wasn't going to have to be the one to cuff VonBell. He handed the cuffs to Alec.
"If you don't mind," Silas said motioning to VonBell.
Alec approached him, ready for anything. VonBell stood there defiantly with is arms crossed.
"We can do this the easy way or the hard way," Alec said shrugging.
Without warning the hilt of a leather wrapped silver dagger dropped from VonBell’s sleeve into his hand. With a snarl he lunged at Alec who easily side stepped the thrust. VonBell looked surprised that Alec had moved so quickly. He drew back and stabbed at Alec three more times, each time missing as Alec easily dodged. As VonBell was pulling his arm back for another strike, Alec grabbed his wrist and easily twisted the dagger out of his grip. VonBell looked completely stunned.
“Now, about those cuffs…” Alec said nonchalantly.
"I will not be cuffed like a common criminal," he growled and spat in Alec's face.
Before anyone knew what happened, Alec backhanded the man in the face. His head snapped around hard and he hit the ground where he lay groaning. The room was completely quiet. Alec wiped his face, walked over, turned the man onto his stomach and put the handcuffs around his wrists. Alec leaned down and whispered, "Be thankful I pulled that punch or you'd be healing some broken bones and teeth." VonBell's eyes widened in surprise at the admission. Two security guards came over and picked VonBell up off the ground and sat him in a seat.
Shadow Born: Book 1 of the Shadow-Borne Chronicles Page 23