Blue Blooded

by Shelly Bell

  Logan stepped inside, most likely to keep her from saying anything else. “Now we’ll just take the elevator and meet them at the theater.”

  “Elevator’s broken,” the guard said. “Maintenance is repairing it now, but as I told your comrades, it will be working by the time the senator finishes his speech.”

  She wouldn’t panic. This was why they had the guys on standby. She and Logan were each wired for communication to and from them.

  Not blinking, Logan stayed cool. “So which way do we go?”

  The guard pointed. “You’ll have to follow the hallway through the double doors, which will take you into the back of the house by the offices. You can use that elevator to the tunnels that lead to the theater. As I told your friends earlier, we’ve emptied the offices of all employees except for those executives who have already gone through security clearance with your firm. A couple of your guys have stayed behind on the off-chance anyone should try to follow the senator.”

  Her stomach dropped to the concrete floor. There’s no way they could go that way if anyone from Banks Security was stationed there. They’d know right away she and Logan weren’t part of their company.

  “Great,” Logan said, his expression neutral.

  Waiting until they were out of earshot of the guard, she remained silent as they began making their way down the hallway.

  “Hunter,” Logan said quietly, “tell me there’s another elevator that will take us down to the mechanical room.”

  Hunter’s voice replied in her ear. “There is, but you’re not going to like it. It’s just off one of the hotel’s kitchens. Plenty of witnesses, but if you act like you’re supposed to be there, no one should bother you.”

  It wasn’t great, but it was better than the alternative.

  “Which way?” Logan asked.

  “Before you get to the double doors, make a left,” Hunter said. “No, I mean a right.”

  As she spotted the hallway Hunter had spoken of, Logan stopped. “Which is it, Hunter?”

  “It’s your right. Sorry,” Hunter muttered.

  They turned right down the hallway, walking for what seemed like forever. Where the hell was it? Finally, after a few minutes, they heard the sounds of dishes clinking and people speaking. Off to their left were swinging doors that would lead them to the kitchen, but she still didn’t see any elevator.

  “Hunter, we’re just off the hotel kitchen and there’s no elevator,” Logan said through gritted teeth.

  “Yeah, about that,” Hunter said, guilt evident in his voice. “You have to cut through. The elevator’s off the other side of the kitchen.”

  Logan pinched the bridge of his nose between his fingers. Then he dropped his arms and turned to her. “Ready to do a little more acting?”

  She smiled. “Ready. I’m sure it will be a piece of cake.”

  She pushed her way through the swinging doors, Logan right behind her. Holding her breath but trying to act as though they belonged, she walked with her head held high and her gaze straight toward the opposite door.

  Everyone in the kitchen wore the hotel’s uniform of black pants and a burgundy blazer, so the movement of someone dressed in all black caught her attention. Her neck itched from the intuition of danger. She snapped her gaze toward the side of the room and spotted Fink headed toward the same door as she and Logan.

  “Logan!” she cried as Fink whipped out his gun. “Run!”

  They fled through the kitchen. Logan swerved away from her, bumping into a man carrying a stack of dishes. As the plates crashed onto the floor, she realized he’d done it intentionally to block Fink from catching up to them.

  Logan grabbed her hand. “Guys, you need to find us a way out of here. We just bumped into Agent Fink, and he’s got a gun.”

  Oz’s voice sounded in her ear. “You need to go into the casino. The guy can’t afford to shoot you in there.”

  “I’ll find you another way down to the basement level,” said Hunter.

  They raced down the hallway toward a door she prayed would take them out into the public. Logan threw it open and they ran out into the busy casino, greeted by bright lights and the ringing of slot machines. The casino stayed within the theme of Tuscany, Italy, appearing as if it were set in the middle of a vineyard, with vines wrapped around columns and pictures of grapes on the carpet. Another time, she would’ve loved to inhale the ambiance of the room. Right now, though, the only thing she could concentrate on was finding somewhere they could hide from Fink.

  “Come on,” Logan said, tugging her toward the right, into a crowd of businessmen.

  “Well, I guess Evans and Fink know we’re here,” she said, catching her breath. She checked over her shoulder, relieved to see the FBI agent headed in the opposite way. “Where are we going?”

  “Tuscany Wedding Chapel,” Oz said.

  Logan growled. “Oz, now’s not the time to joke—”

  “There’s an elevator in there that will take you to the basement. It’s located in the back of the chapel.”

  She stopped, looking around for a sign for the wedding chapel. Above them, an arrow pointed for them to go left for both the chapel and the theater.

  When they’d studied the blueprints, she had noticed that the chapel was right next to where the senator would be speaking. That meant the area was going to be swarming with security.

  “There,” she said, pointing toward the back of the room. “That way.”

  She walked quickly, knowing running would only draw more attention. She removed her ID and kept her head down as they approached the chapel. Logan opened the door and ushered her in.

  A smiling little old lady with short gray hair and dressed in all pink stood behind a desk.

  Logan strode to the desk. “Hi, I’m wondering if you can help me, see I—”

  “Of course,” the lady interrupted, her smile growing larger. “It’s eight hundred and fifty dollars for the license, flowers, and ceremony. You two make a lovely couple. We have an opening right now if you’d like to follow me into the chapel.”

  “Cash okay?” Logan asked, shocking the hell out of Rachel when he pulled a wad of bills from his pocket. He whispered into her ear. “Sawyer gave me a bunch of cash in case we ran into any problems.”

  The woman put the cash into the register and handed them a marriage license. “Fill this out. I’ll just go get everything ready for your ceremony. I’m Jane, and if you need anything, please let me know. After all, this is the biggest day of your lives and the Tuscany Hotel and Casino would like it to be one you’ll cherish forever.”

  When Jane left, Rachel grabbed Logan by his arm and turned him toward her. “What are you doing?”

  He took both her hands in his. “What does it look like I’m doing?” His lips tugged up into a grin. “I’m marrying you.”

  Marrying? Was he serious? She had never imagined herself getting married in Las Vegas. Hell, she’d never imagined getting married period. She wasn’t one of those women who secretly hoarded bridal magazines.

  She folded her arms across her chest. “I don’t want to get married.”

  Logan laughed. “Relax, Rachel, it’s just pretend.” He picked up the pen and started filling out the application. “We won’t file the license. But we need a way to get closer to the elevator.”

  Jane came barreling through the door and must have seen the apprehension on Rachel’s face. “Oh, honey, don’t be nervous. You make a beautiful bride.”

  Logan handed Rachel the pen, and she completed her section of the license.

  She couldn’t believe they were doing this. In a few minutes, they’d actually be married. Would it really be so bad? Yes, she’d never seen marriage as an option for herself, but then again, she’d never imagined trusting a man as she trusted Logan.

  Never imagined she’d love the way rope felt on her naked skin.

  Never imagined she’d make love to two men at once.

  Never imagined herself falling in love.

 
But Logan had changed the impossible into the possible.

  She signed her name beside Logan’s, a bevy of butterflies taking flight in her belly.

  Jane took the marriage license and thrust a bouquet of daisies into Rachel’s hands. “If you’ll follow me, everything is ready for your special day.” She spun on her heels and led them through the doors of the chapel.

  The chapel was much larger than she expected, with several rows of seats parted by a long aisle with a white runner that would take them to the front of the chapel. A man stood at the end of the runner, underneath a canopy adorned with grape vines. Pachelbel’s Canon in D played over a speaker in the ceiling. Not having anyone to give her away, she and Logan strolled down the aisle together, stopping in front of the man who’d be marrying them.

  The scent of alcohol permeated from him as he opened his binder. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join Logan Bartholomew Bradford and Rachel May Dawson in matrimony. Do you have the rings?”

  Logan glanced at her. “Oh, we didn’t—”

  Jane smiled and presented a ring-sized box to Logan. “Right here.”

  Logan flipped it open and took out a simple gold wedding band.

  The officiant nodded to Logan. “Put the ring on Rachel’s finger and repeat after me. I give you this ring as an eternal symbol of my love and commitment.”

  Logan turned to face her, his expression as serious as she’d ever seen it. “I give you this ring as an eternal symbol of my love and commitment.” He slipped the ring on her finger.

  Jane handed a box to Rachel, and the officiant motioned to her with a wave of his hand. “Now you.”

  Her hands shaking, she opened the box, the gravity of the commitment hitting her. She took out the ring and grabbed Logan’s hand. In that moment, everything felt right. “I give you this ring as an eternal symbol of my love and commitment.”

  “Would you like to say your own vows to one another or would you like to use ours?” the officiant asked.

  Logan looked at her. “If you don’t mind, we’d like to skip them.”

  The officiant chuckled. “Of course. Then by the power vested in me by the state of Nevada, I now pronounce you married. You may kiss the bride.”

  Logan gathered her into his arms and kissed her chastely. “I’ll take the license,” he said to the officiant after the man signed it.

  Jane snatched it from the officiant. “Oh no, we file that for all our couples.”

  She glanced at Logan. If their marriage license was filed, did he really want to stay married? Did she? She’d always maintained she’d never marry. Never allow herself to be tied down. Yet in the past week, she’d done both. Literally. And she wasn’t panicking. If she had to be married, there’s no one she’d rather spend the rest of her life with than Logan. Would it be so bad if they tried to make it work?

  Logan didn’t look worried. If they decided not to stay married, maybe he could hack into the county’s records and delete it.

  “Do I have time for a break?” the officiant asked Jane. “I’m a bit parched, if you know what I mean.”

  Jane frowned. “I know exactly what you mean. Go, things are quiet right now with the senator’s speech next door.”

  The officiant congratulated them before exiting the chapel for what Rachel guessed would be his liquid lunch. Now how could they get rid of Jane?

  After shooting Logan a warning to get ready, Rachel fluttered her eyelids and let her body grow lax, crumbling to the floor.

  Logan kneeled beside her, smoothing her hair off her face. “Rachel?”

  Jane stood over her. “Is she all right?”

  Rachel opened her eyes and faked grogginess. “I haven’t eaten since this morning. I don’t suppose I could trouble you for something to eat.”

  Jane’s lips smashed together. Did she suspect she was lying?

  The woman gave her a tight smile. “I’ll tell you what. I’ll just call the kitchen and see if they can deliver a burger for you.”

  Rachel sat up. “That would be great. I’ll just stay here and wait.” As soon as Jane left, she hopped to her feet. They rushed down a hall, passing the restrooms, until they finally made it to the elevator. She pressed the button to go down, cursing under her breath. What if they were too late to stop the release of the virus?

  The elevator doors slid apart. She darted inside just as a hotel security guard arrived. He pointed his gun at Logan’s chest. “Freeze.”

  Logan’s held his hands in the air. “Go,” he mouthed to her.

  The doors shut and the elevator descended.

  Even though they had just gotten married, she remained right where she’d always been.

  Alone.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  HER HEART BANGING against her breastbone, Rachel stepped off the elevator. She looked to see if anyone was waiting for her in the hallway before speaking into the mike hidden on the inside of her shirt. “Guys, can you hear me?”

  “Yeah, Rach. What the hell happened?” Oz asked in her earpiece.

  “Security caught Logan before he could get on the elevator.” She laughed nervously. “It’s all up to me. And I have no idea where I’m going here.” Not to mention, security knew she was down here. She had only seconds to get to the mechanical room.

  “Okay,” said Hunter smoothly. “I’m going to walk you through it. Sawyer’s on his way to the hotel. You’re actually close to where you need to be. The fifth door on your right is the mechanical room.”

  She shot down the hallway, counting doors along her way until she came to the fifth. She turned the knob and slipped inside, closing the door before anyone could see her. The dim room looked endless. “I’m in. What am I looking for?”

  “You’re looking for a tall piece of sheet metal. It’s down about one hundred feet on your left,” Hunter instructed.

  The room was filled with different shapes and sizes of pipes, some in orange and some in white. She had no idea what the pipes were for.

  She spotted the sheet metal in front of her. “I see it.”

  “Okay, good. Look around it for the tank. It might already be attached to the unit,” Rowan said.

  She circled the air supply unit, easily finding the tank. “It’s here. And it’s not attached. It’s just leaning against the metal.” Where were Fink and Evans? Was this a trap? Or what if she was too late and they’d already released it?

  She bent down and grabbed it, surprised at how light it was.

  “FBI,” shouted a voice from behind her. “Put down the tank and lift up your hands where we can see them.”

  She spun around. Both agents aimed their guns at her.

  Instantly, she knew she wasn’t going to get out of this alive. But the reporter in her couldn’t die without knowing the truth. “Just tell me why. Why are you going to release a virus that will kill thousands, if not millions of people?”

  Her throat thickened with regret. It wasn’t fair that she’d finally made the decision to live her life to the fullest and now she was going to die. She had so much to live for, and the thought of leaving Logan tore her heart into pieces. Would he mourn her? Would he know that she’d loved him?

  Fink’s hand trembled, a perfectly round burn on the middle of it. “A sacrifice for the greater good.”

  It didn’t make sense. What did he mean by a sacrifice? “Why the senator? Why infect him?”

  Fink opened his mouth to answer, but Evans interrupted before he could speak. “Why do anything? Money. Power. No one is going to stop us, especially not you or the currently detained Mr. Bradford.”

  Evans knew Logan was being held by hotel security and that he had her trapped. Her only chance was to keep him talking. “And Rinaldi? He changed his mind, didn’t he? He wanted to stop you from releasing the virus.”

  Evans narrowed his gaze. “It didn’t matter what he wanted. The minute he was released from prison, he was a dead man. You and your boyfriend made it too easy to pin the murder on you.”

  �
��Too bad we made it so hard to kill us, huh?”

  Evans sneered, his eyes as black as midnight. “Originally, I was going to make your death quick and painless, but since you’ve given me so much trouble, I’ve changed my mind.” He lowered his gun slightly. “I’ve decided to shoot your kneecaps first, so you can’t escape. Maybe then I’ll shoot you in the stomach so you’ll slowly bleed out. And then of course, you’ll become infected with the virus. By the time anyone figures out where the virus originated and finds you, you’ll be long dead.”

  Fink’s face turned white, and he brought his gun down to his side. “Evans, maybe we shouldn’t do this.”

  “You know,” Evan’s said, “you’re right.” He spun toward Fink and shot him in the throat.

  Blood sprayed, droplets hitting Rachel’s cheeks. Surprise was etched on Fink’s face as he covered his neck with his hand. Frozen in terror, she could do nothing but watch when Evans shot Fink again, this time in the head. Brain matter and blood splattered onto the air vents behind him as he slumped to the floor, the gun still in his hand.

  The back of his skull had been completely blown off, and his eyes stared up at her as if pleading her to save him. Her stomach churned at the smell of blood, urine, and excrement. She fought the urge to wipe the blood off her face, keeping her hands up in the air. He may have been dirty, but he didn’t deserve to die in such a horrific manner.

  It was too late to save him.

  But she’d be damned if it was too late for her.

  Evans turned back to her, an evil smile on his face. “Now when they find your body with the canister it will look like you not only released the virus, but killed the FBI agent who tried to stop you.” He kicked Fink in his stomach. “The stupid little man will die a hero, like he always wanted. But the real hero is the manufacturer of the vaccine that’s going to save the lives of people all over the world. For a price, of course.”

  There was a vaccine? What did that have to do with Rinaldi? There had to be another player.

  “That’s who hired you? You’re working for a pharmaceutical company?” she asked, catching a movement in the corner of her eye.

  He tsked. “You’re not as smart as you thought you were, Ms. Dawson.”