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.
"There's nothing wrong with him, and guess what, Dad? I love him."
"You love him! I forbid it."
Tank tugged at his hair, growling as he stared at his Dad. "You can't forbid a mating. It's an unbreakable bond."
"You've mated with it. You've had sex with it. Can't you see what he is?"
"Yeah, I can. He's the person who saved Mom's life."
"He's a black, and a vampire, and he's gay!"
Tank rolled his eyes as his Dad repeated himself. "So what, Dad? He's my mate. We're mated now."
Acton's eyes bulged from his head and if looks could kill, Tank would be ten feet under. "You disgust me!" he screamed.
The door opened and a nurse stepped in, shooting them all a stern look. "Please keep it down. We have patients here. If you can't, then please take it outside."
"No, it's fine," Action said. "He's leaving and won't be returning."
Tank gasped. "Dad—"
"We're through, Targon. Leave, now. You're no longer welcome anymore."
Tank’s mouth opened and closed. "You can't really mean that, Dad."
"I do. Get out and never come back. You want that thing, you can have it."
"Dad, please—"
"Get out," Acton screamed.
Tank glanced at his sister, seeing the look of horror on her face. "Please—"
"Get out or I'll call security and have you removed."
Tank stared at his dad who pointed at the door. When he realized he wasn't going to change his mind, he stumbled over to the door and stepped through. Once he'd made it to the parking lot, he fell against the side of his truck and slid down until he sat on the ground. He never thought his dad would actually do it, but he had. He'd disowned him. Now he had no mate and no family. What was he going to do?