Summit at Sunset (Sunset Vampire Series, Book 3) (26 page)

“Okay, so the major is securing the briefcase. Securing it where, exactly?” he asked.

She frowned at him. “Who’s asking the questions here, tiger?”

He threw up his arms with exasperation and stormed across the small room towards the door.

“Well, crap! I can’t even –”

She darted out with her hands to grasp him by the shoulders and steady him in one place.

“Okay, okay, just chill. I’ll play, if you’ll just take a deep breath.”

He focused upon her with a flat, unimpressed stare.

“Probably the vault,” she said. “Before the conference, they installed a really secure, bank-sized vault on the basement level. Then they walled off that section of the basement so that the primary controlled access is through the lobby elevator. But you still need a code for the car before it even stops there. There’s a fire escape, but it’s only a one-way exit in the stairwell. Kind of overkill in my opinion, but then, nobody asked me.”

He pondered that for a moment.

“Can we get into the vault?”

“Dammit, Caleb!” she snapped with a bright flash of her blue eyes.

She took a deep breath and deliberately calmed herself before planting her hands firmly atop her hips.

“Kiddo, you’re killin’ me here. No, nobody but the major and the hotel manager can get in the vault. And no, I’m not asking for access,
or
for a tour for
you
.”

His shoulders slumped.

I sure hope Dori’s having better luck than I
, he lamented. Of course, the Frenchwoman hadn’t said much to him the past day or so.

“Can’t you just play nicely for once?” she wearily implored. “I’m going crazy trying to keep up with things around here as it is. Hell, I haven’t even had time to do more than drink a cup of warm blood now and again, much less get any rest.”

“Look, please just check out what the major’s doing in the vault –” he urged before being cut off by Paige’s holding up her hand for silence.

She cocked her head to one side and moved so quickly that the air whirled around him. The door to the room swished open, and she stood outside pivoting her head so fast that she seemed to view all directions at once.

She froze, cocked her head to one side again, and listened. Finally, she shrugged while reentering the room and closed the door behind her.

“Did you hear somebody?”

“See? Now you’re making
me
paranoid,” she chastised.

“I’m sorry.” The last thing he wanted to do was make her angry with him.

I’m already pressing my luck with Katrina.

Her aggravation seemed to dissipate in mere seconds as she stared into his gentle eyes.

It’s so damned hard to stay angry at him
.

Her graceful, pale hand reached up to caress the side of his face, and she appreciated the rough, masculine stubble forming on his cheek. She lightly patted him, and then playfully pinched his cheek with her fingertips.

“Twerp,” she muttered. “Try to stay outta trouble, will ya?”

He reached up to caress her hand. “I’ll try, just for you,” he promised.

His warm touch sent a small tingling wave through her, as a lover’s touch might. She snatched her hand back, as if lingering there might burn it.

“Good boy,” she said. “Now get outta here. I’ve got real work to do.”

He walked past her as she held the door open for him. However, as soon as he departed, she contemplated the fleeting sensations that he had just sparked in her.

Then she forced her thoughts to other matters, specifically how urgently Caleb had pleaded his concerns about the major and Dubravko. She shrugged and made a mental note to try and pay more attention to them.

“Yeah, in all my plentiful spare time.”

*    *    *    *

Once the active session ended, Katrina and Alton met at length with Talise Penbroke for a private meeting in the conference room after the other attendees had departed. Alton hoped that Talise’s expertise in contract law could be leveraged for mediation of some agenda topic disputes. Katrina suggested that an arbitrative role instigated by Talise might help appeal to the negative, extremist elements in the room. While dubious, at least Talise seemed sincere and promised to try.

By the time Katrina returned to the suite, it was late evening. She found Caleb lounging on the couch watching a movie on television. He sat up and grinned at her over the back of the couch as she entered, which quickly warmed her heart. For the first time in a few days, and despite his still-evident physical injuries, her mate appeared more relaxed and settled. It brought a wan smile to her lips as she crossed the distance between them to kiss him.

“You’re late tonight,” he casually observed. “How did everything go today?”

She shrugged. “Pretty much the same as the day before. I’m just glad that nobody has walked out. That must say something about our efforts, I suppose.”

He took her by the hand and led her to the front of the couch, pulling her down to sit next to him. Turning her away from him slightly, he massaged her shoulders and neck with his strong fingers.

The sensations were both soothing and welcome and evoked small moans of pleasure from her. She concluded that it was the perfect physical greeting after such a long, trying day. Moreover, she resolved to get some real sleep that night for a few hours.

“You’re precisely what I need,” she complimented as his fingers continued their ministrations against her taut muscles.

He’s definitely in a better mood
.

He kissed her neck in response to her compliment and murmured, “I love you.”

Best of all, he kept massaging. It was the first night since their arrival that things felt more like they were supposed to between them.

She only hoped that it would last.

*    *    *    *

Chapter 7: Hidden Places

By midmorning the following day, misery seemed to prevail throughout the conference. Once again, Katrina was stuck in a room full of vampires who were either disgruntled with the agenda or frustrated that their peers bickered over minor details. She glanced sidelong at Alton, noticing the stately vampire’s jaw was firmly set as yet another disagreement between two participants threatened to turn personal. It took everything she had to curtail the weary sigh building inside her.

Meanwhile, Caleb sat alone in the lobby, upset that his trip to Europe was neither memorable nor enjoyable, even as his fellow visiting humans seemed to be blissfully engaged in what he coined “tourist mode.” His body still felt quite sore and achy, though the affects of Katrina’s blood had done him justice, and he felt much better than the day before. His mood wasn’t helped any by an email he had read in his college mailbox from the President, Dr. Patrick Beaumont, regarding the upcoming fiscal year’s budget.

Dr. Beaumont suggested that by the first of July there was a real threat of employee furloughs and layoffs for the upcoming fall semester. The email mentioned that final budget information was forthcoming later that week. Caleb hoped it didn’t come to layoffs. He was one of the newest faculty hired at the College and might find his position on the cutting block.

By midafternoon, Dori stopped by to inform Caleb that she was collecting additional information, which she hoped would be helpful to their investigations. However, she was still very hedgy about the nature of her sources. It wasn’t long before he grew frustrated sitting in the lobby trying to distract his dark thoughts by thumbing through a biography on James Madison, waiting fruitlessly for something noteworthy to occur. He popped up off the couch and proceeded outside for a walk, hoping the scenic surroundings and fresh air would improve his disposition.

*    *    *    *

Paige sat in the security office feeling bored while taking a shift at the video surveillance monitoring station. Upon spying the lobby camera view of Caleb going outside from his perch, she smirked.

That’s right, kiddo. Get outside into the sunshine for a while
.
Being a spy isn’t so glamorous, is it?

Part of her hoped that he would give up his unhealthy fixation with Baldar Dubravko. As she lamented her own situation, her favorite vampire physician walked in the door to the office with an inviting smile and bearing two large Styrofoam cups.

“Greetings, fellow servant of the people,” Ethan grandly offered with a sparkle in his eyes.

He placed a sealed cup onto the desk before Paige while sipping from his own. The aroma from his coffee wafted her direction as she studied the sealed cup before her.

“What’s this?” she asked, popping open the plastic lid. The smell of warm blood quickly assailed her sense of smell, making her mouth water slightly.

“Just thought I’d stop by and say hello,” he said. “And I didn’t want to come empty-handed.”

She sipped at the warm blood, savoring the flavor. She hadn’t fed regularly in recent days with all of the additional duties the major had foisted upon her.

“Oh, that’s good,” she complimented with a satisfied tone. “Thanks for
not
bringing me coffee.”

He inclined his head and idly chatted with her for a few minutes. In fact, she could have sworn that he was openly flirting with her. Not that she minded, of course. But while she appreciated the company of such a charming and attractive vampire, she momentarily considered her stuffy supervisor.

“You’re sweet, but I’m not really supposed to have visitors dropping by,” she noted.

“Me? I’m not a visitor,” he countered. “I’m a peer, a fellow employee. This is just your run-of-the-mill water cooler chit-chat.”

She appreciated his quick wit and raised an apprising eyebrow. His lean-muscled body was sculpted in a manner that any woman could appreciate. She absently imagined tracing her finger across and down his bare chest.

Ethan idly chatted for a few minutes about his day, albeit with the sound of a man who wasn’t quite sure of how to broach a topic. Paige couldn’t help thinking that he was working on an angle to ask her out.

Would I or wouldn’t I say yes?
she wondered.

As if on cue, and with the poor timing that only she could have predicted as of late, the major stalked through the office door. He quickly panned the room, only to adopt a stern expression as he noted the doctor’s presence. She had seen that look before.

“So, I’d appreciate your consideration of a sturdier lock on the prescriptions cabinet in my examining room,” Ethan spoke up as if finishing the topic. “Not that we’ve had any problems, mind you, but I’ve worked in hospitals where even some of the staff were tempted. And what with the increasing prices of prescription drugs today...”

“Sure, sure,” Paige smoothly replied. “I’ll look into that for you.”

She admired Ethan’s quick thinking.

The major suspiciously regarded them.

“Well, I’ll be going then,” Reynolds said. “Have a great day,” he offered with a friendly tone to Major Pietari as he walked past him to exit.

“Problems?” Pietari queried.

“I think I can handle it,” she said.

At least, I’d sure as hell like to try
, she slyly entertained as the major continued into his office.

She studied her monitor as one of the surveillance windows displayed the handsome Ethan Reynolds walking back to his office. She couldn’t help but smile.

*    *    *    *

Later that afternoon, Caleb’s mood had improved slightly as he appreciated the beautiful forested mountain scenery around him. He discovered a couple of small walking trails leading into the nearby forest and took one on a whim. After only ten minutes, his cell phone rang, and he noticed that the number was from his college.

“Hello?” he asked.

“Caleb? Hi, this is Paul,” the friendly voice offered.

Dr. Paul Wright was Dean of Social Sciences, namely, Caleb’s division. He got along great with Paul and appreciated the casual, first-name basis they were on since he had first started. Paul was a favored person around the College, and a great dean. However, given the earlier email Caleb read that day, he had a sinking feeling that the call wasn’t strictly a social one. A queasy feeling formed in the pit of his stomach.

“Hi, Paul. What’s up?” he offered in a friendly tone despite his misgivings.

“Uh, Caleb, I know you’re in Europe and everything,” Paul began with a rueful tone. “I would’ve waited to see you in person, but I felt that I needed to let you know as soon as possible. You may not have seen a message from President Beaumont that went out two days ago –”

“Yeah,” Caleb interrupted, “I just saw it this morning when I was checking messages. Doesn’t sound too good for budgets this year, does it?”

“Well, uh, no, not really, Caleb,” Paul hesitantly replied in an uncharacteristic manner. “Actually, that’s why I’m calling. Listen, there’s still a lot that could happen between now and fall, but...”

Caleb thought he was going to throw up. “Looking like layoffs, isn’t it?”

The pause that followed was nearly painful to him.

“Yeah, Caleb, I’m afraid it is,” Paul conceded. “Each division had to select some potential staff for layoffs based upon seniority, you see, and well, I had to add your name for our department. I’m really sorry, Caleb. Listen, it’s not for certain yet-”

“But likely, isn’t it?” Caleb pressed.

“Yeah, it’s looking that way,” Paul said. “Believe me, it’s nothing personal and certainly not a reflection on your performance. You’re one of my best, Caleb; your enthusiasm’s made quite an impact on the students, as well as your peers. It’s just, well, it’s just a damned shame. And, hell, I just thought you deserved to know where things stand.”

Caleb’s mind raced as he felt his future spiraling into uncertainty.

“Any idea when you’ll know for sure?”

“Probably the next couple of days, I think. Listen, I probably shouldn’t have called you about this.”

“I won’t tell anyone, Paul. Besides, it means a lot that you’d warn me. You’ve been really great, so no matter what happens I’ll always appreciate all you’ve done for me.”

Paul swallowed aloud.

“Dammit with this seniority crap. Believe me, there’s a couple of burnouts around here that I’d much rather see retire instead of letting fresh talent go.”

“Ah, the tenure conundrum rears its ugly head.”

Paul chuckled. “You’d valiantly jest in the face of a hurricane, wouldn’t you?”

Caleb’s tight-lipped expression demonstrated otherwise. He just hated the idea of Paul’s being riddled with guilt over the situation.
It’s not his fault, after all.

“Someone once told me that even if you don’t have control over what happens to you, at least you have control over how you choose to react to it,” Caleb offered.

“You’re wiser than your years,” the dean quietly offered.

Caleb shrugged. “I dunno about that. But listen, will you do me a favor?”

“Sure, if I can,” he replied.

“Call me the minute you know something for sure, okay?”

“You got it. It’s the least I can do,” Paul promised.

The two said goodbye, and Caleb fell into a daze as he contemplated how both the trip and his personal career seemed to be going to hell all at the same time. His mood quickly grew dour, and he wandered into the forest while considering a host of prospective options for his uncertain future.

As he walked through the serene forest appreciating nature’s own form of silence, the surroundings complemented his reflective mind. However, it also seemed lonely and added to his sense of melancholy. The sun had nearly set, and all that remained was a reddish-orange spectrum on the horizon, which seemed analogous to the sun’s setting on what was his burgeoning career in academia.

Though the light was fading, it was still ambient enough to see where he was walking. He wondered what alternate paths he might soon be compelled to walk in life, as well.

Will they be lit well enough for me to see them?

After a time, he stopped in the middle of a small clearing. A couple of large trees appeared to have fallen against some of their neighbors, creating the small open area. It was peaceful, and the fallen trees reminded him of how things seemed to be going in his own life lately.

I’m practically ignored by Kat given the conference issues
, he bitterly determined. Now,
the career I’ve barely started might be cut short just days from now. Damn.

He stood as still as a statue, shallowly breathing in an almost trancelike state and contemplated the situation he might face upon returning home from the Slovenian conference. He felt so powerless over his circumstances, having no influence over the fiscal conditions affecting his college or the final staffing decisions to be made. While his confidence in the leadership at the College was strong, he also realized that unsavory decisions sometimes couldn’t be avoided, no matter the good intentions of the decision makers.

What will be, will be
, he conceded with resignation. It wasn’t the first time that he had faced undesirable prospects.

His mind snapped back to the present upon hearing a shuffling sound behind him, like some animal walking past a bush. Then a small, snapping sound followed, and his muscles tensed. He slowly turned to his left while gazing around the area with a frown. After turning nearly completely around, his eyes settled on Paige.

She wore a pair of faded blue jeans and short-sleeved Interpol rock concert t-shirt. Curiously, the shirt had a black and red image of a deer in a forest being watched by a camera. As she casually leaned against a tree trunk staring at him while snapping a thin length of tree branch into smaller pieces, he found the image on her t-shirt somewhat ironic for his circumstances. Of course, he was playing the part of the deer.

Her bright blue eyes stared back at him with a piercing intensity, which he found slightly unnerving.

“Trying to be subtle. Didn’t want to scare you,” she offered.

“You? Subtle?”

“Whatcha up to, tiger?” she asked, ignoring his sarcasm.

“Just taking a walk and thinking,” he replied while folding his arms before him.

“Saw you take a walk on the video cameras earlier. But then you disappeared from around the complex, and nobody knew where you went. Kind of worried me,” she said, noting his body language. “So, I had just enough time to change outta the stupid khakis and sport coat before sunset and figured I’d come looking for ya,” she added.

“Thanks,” he replied.

Of course, the fact that Paige is here and not Kat means my mate is blissfully unaware of the development
.

Paige noted his dark mood and absently dropped the remaining pieces of branch to the ground.

“Shouldn’t be out in the woods alone,” she mildly chastised. “It’s almost dark, and there are wolves around, you know.”

He’s seriously troubled over something
.

“Yeah, well I haven’t seen any. So, I’m feeling pretty safe right now.”

The edges of her mouth upturned slightly as she adopted a fully-upright stance and playfully corrected him, “No wolves? I’m a bit of a wolf, remember? In fact, after I acquired a general idea of where you went, I tracked you here by your scent, Mister Rabbit.”

He smirked at her comment, recalling a happier time just months ago when they had analogized her as a wolf and him as a rabbit.

“Ah, but don’t forget, you’re a friendly one, Miss Wolf,” he fondly recollected. Then the fleeting moment faded as the recent, disappointing phone call replayed in his mind.

Paige’s eyes flashed for a second before returning to their previous state, and she took two subtle steps in his direction.

Time to have some fun with him
.

“Me? I’m not a friendly wolf, kiddo. I’m only friendly to you because I want to be,” she clarified in a deliberately ominous voice. “We’re predators, remember? I get really unfriendly when the mood strikes me.”