Secrets of the Sapphires

by T. Sue VerSteeg

Levinson stood in the doorway, his huge .357 Magnum aimed out into the main room. “I keep them handy for just such an emergency.”

  Nia released a huge breath. “Thank God you’re Mr. Johnny-on-the-spot.”

  Garrett jumped to his feet, joining his boss. “You need to get Nia somewhere safe. Leave me to fight these ass-hats.” He peered out into the room and his jaw dropped. There stood, at the very least, twenty seething, drooling vampires. “I hope you brought more silver bullets.”

  Levinson glanced at his gun, his face puckering in a scowl. “I had hoped I wouldn’t have to do this.” He waved the gun at the vermin slowly inching toward their prey and steeled his spine. “Back!” he bellowed.

  The bloodthirsty group paused, looked around at one another then broke into laughter.

  Tara stepped forward from the group, her face contorted in a mask of evil rage. Garrett found himself comparing her to the beautiful partner he once knew, the realization hitting hard that she never was the woman he remembered.

  She stopped in front of Levinson, allowing the gun to settle on one of her breasts. “Old man, I know you don’t have enough bullets in there for each one of us. You might as well let us have what we want. We might let you and your friends leave with your lives if you cooperate.”

  Laughter filled the room again. Everyone, Garrett included, knew that would never happen.

  Levinson turned his face toward Garrett, his eyes never leaving the woman standing in front of him. “Give me the sapphire and get Nia out of here. We know the hospital isn’t safe. The central CIA office has secure hospital rooms and staff. The area is reserved for high-ranking officials, so have someone contact Will Jensen. Tell him the situation. They’ll make room for her.”

  “Sir, you’re more vital to the agency. Take Nia. I’ll stay here.” Garrett reached for the gun.

  Levinson smacked his hand away. “That wasn’t a request.” His eyes narrowed, jaw set.

  Even in the short time he’d worked for the man, Garrett knew it was futile to argue. He pulled the sapphire from his pocket, placing it in his boss’s free hand. He hated leaving a man behind, especially one he’d come to admire as much as he had Levinson. But when he turned to Nia and scooped her in his arms, he felt a rush of newfound purpose course through his body. He was going to get the woman he loved to safety.

  Levinson grabbed Tara by the arm, pushing the group back with a wave of his gun to allow Garrett and Nia safe passage to the stairs. As he stumbled on the darkened staircase, he heard Tara screeching and hissing in protest. When he looked back, Levinson still held strong to her arm.

  Garrett made it to the safety of the dark alley, one foot past the doorway when a familiar, unearthly voice shook the ground beneath his feet.

  “Back!”

  He leaned back. At the bottom of the stairs he saw his father. Garrett had to squint into the dark room, but the scene burned into Garrett’s mind. The man who raised him, the man who he hadn’t seen in years, hovered in front of the stunned crowd before him, arms outstretched, his force keeping them at bay. His wavy, dark hair glinted in the candle light, eyes glowing red, much like Caine’s had earlier.

  Garrett tore his gaze away. He peered down at the shivering, passed out face of Nia and chose her safety over finding out what the hell was going on. Besides, confronting his father would only mean putting them both back in harm’s way. Garrett prayed he would keep Levinson safe, too. Muttering expletives under his breath the entire time, he carefully jogged back to his car and got her safely situated in the back seat. He wrapped her in his sweatshirt and retrieved an emergency blanket from his trunk, swaddling her in the crinkly metal looking material. His cussing streak resumed as he flopped behind the wheel and drove her to CIA headquarters.

  Covered head to toe in various people’s blood, carrying an unconscious woman in his arms, he was stopped before he could even make it up the front stairs to the massive glass structure. Darkness and cold had settled on the city. His disheveled presence had brought a stylishly suited man from the front doors, nonetheless. The dark haired agent had one hand tucked inside his suit coat—undoubtedly gripping a gun—the other stretched out in front of him in an effort to keep them from entering.

  “I’m sorry, sir. This isn’t an emergency room. You can get to St. John’s Hospital by taking that road, getting on highway M.” He gestured behind them with his free hand.

  Garrett resisted the urge to toss Nia over a shoulder and deck the idiot in front of him. “Director Levinson sent us. Get Will Jensen on the phone. I’ll explain everything to him.”

  The agent clamped his chin to his neck, staring at Garrett in disbelief. “Did you not hear what I said?”

  After Garrett shifted Nia into one arm, he used the other to poke a finger into the annoying man’s chest. “Call Jensen.”

  The agent pulled his gun from his suit and clicked the hammer back. “Please leave the premises.”

  Garrett snorted in disgust, pulling out his own gun, which happened to be nearly twice the size of the other man’s. “Check mate. Call Will Jensen, now.”

  He put his free hand out between them palm first. He used it to dig his phone out of his inside pocket and dial, leaving his gun aimed at them the entire time. “Mr. Jensen? This is Agent Carlson. I have a situation here… Yes, but he won’t leave. He says that Director Levinson sent… Yes, sir.” He handed the phone to Garrett, a mixture of contempt and awe on his face.

  The agent led them into the building while Garrett rattled off the situation and circumstances to the man Levinson had said they could trust. After handing the phone back, he scanned the entryway of the building. It was open to the first three stories. The glass and metal architecture was carried inside for the lobby. Large twisted trees grew in even larger planters, towering nearly all three stories.

  Garrett reluctantly laid his gun in a basket as he was led through a metal detector. When they were in an elevator heading up, Nia opened her eyes and confusion puckered her pale face.

  “Where are we?”

  “CIA headquarters. You’ll be safe here.” He cuddled her closer to his body.

  Conflicting emotions battled for dominance. He wanted Nia to feel safe; he also knew he’d eventually have to explain everything to her. That scared him. With the fact that his father saved them, he feared she would undoubtedly hate him for having vampire blood in his veins when she found out.

  The agent led them into a windowless, dimly lit room with a hospital bed. The room was crisp, clean, and basically everything the other hospital hadn’t been. The blankets and sheets Garrett tucked Nia into were pristine white, and all of the equipment seemed to be new.

  Nursing staff invaded the room, proceeding to poke and prod Nia, hooking her back up to an IV and heart monitor. Garrett took the opportunity to slump into a large rocker recliner and dropped his head into his hands.

  The murky image of his father hovering in front of the group of vermin taunted him. He threw his head back, banging it against the headrest a few times for good measure in an attempt to knock the image loose and forget what he saw.

  It didn’t work.

  When he opened his eyes again, Levinson stood in the doorway, his clothes tattered and torn.

  Garrett stood, happy to see his boss alive. “Thank God you’re okay.”

  Nia addressed Levinson, “You saved our lives. I don’t know how you got out of there, but I want to hear all about it.”

  Garrett dropped his gaze to the floor then looked at Nia’s drooping eyes as she fought to stay awake. “We’ll go in the hallway so you can get some rest. I’m sure he’ll tell the story twice.”

  “They have me hooked to the good stuff again. That shouldn’t be a problem.” She offered a weak smile as her eyes drifted closed.

  Garrett walked out of the room with his boss. When they reached the waiting area at the end of the hall, Garrett started pacing the floor as Levinson sat down.

  So many things rambled through his mind. He had no idea where to
start. He merely came to a stop in front of his boss. “That was my father who saved you. I heard his voice. I know I should have kept going, but I looked down the stairs and saw him. I shouldn’t be pissed. Why in the hell didn’t he show himself before then? Why didn’t he save me and Nia before you got there?” He stopped his rant, already feeling like a disgruntled teenager.

  Levinson turned away for a moment before returning his gaze to Garrett. “Uh, yeah, I guess he saved my life. He actually saved us all.”

  Garrett shrugged and spun away in disgust.

  “You’re acting like a two year old.” Levinson stood and turned Garrett to face him. “No, I’m willing to bet you acted more maturely than this as a toddler. Do you trust me?”

  Garrett stared into Levinson’s eyes. Sincerity and compassion were all that lay in their depths. “Yes, sir.”

  “Then believe me when I tell you that he showed up there when he did for a reason. He has the sapphire now, which should keep you and Nia safe.”

  “He’s one of them! You gave them what they wanted; that’s how you got out.” Garrett shook his head, unsure of his own statement—even more unsure of his father’s allegiances.

  “No.” Levinson’s grip dug into Garrett’s arm. “He’s definitely on our side. I can’t give you much more information than that right now.”

  “Fine, can I at least be the one to tell Nia that he was there?”

  “When the time is right, you can. There’s too much at stake at this point.”

  “It’s not like I have a choice then.” Garrett turned on his heels and walked slowly back to Nia’s room.

  His head swam with all the different aspects of the situation, what they all meant. When he walked into Nia’s room and she smiled brightly at him, it all faded in comparison to the feelings he held in his heart.

  “Hey, you,” she whispered as he walked next to her bed.

  “How are you feeling?”

  She inhaled a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “Better, now that you’re here.” Nia patted the bed. He wasted no time stretching out next to her, nestling her in his arms.

  “I’m falling in love with you,” he whispered into her hair, the words tumbling from his lips.

  Nia looked up at him. “Are you sure?”

  Garrett couldn’t help laughing. “Yeah.”

  Giggling in return, Nia said, “I bet you say that to all the girls after they kill off the competition.”

  Garrett’s face grew somber. He slid a finger under her chin. “Actually, you’re the first woman I’ve ever said this to. Well, other than my mother, of course.”

  “Not even to get into a girl’s pants?”

  He shook his head. “Never had to,” he boasted, a mischievous grin crawling across his face. His features quickly fell serious. “Are you avoiding the subject?”

  Nia pulled her face away from his hand, shaking her head before resting back in the crook of his arm. Her gaze never left his. “No, not at all, it’s just going to be difficult. You know, balancing our feelings with our duties. Maybe we need to take different partners at the agency.”

  “Well, that’s where we differ. I’d rather know right where you are and be there to protect you. Hell, remaining partners is the only way I would be able to keep my sanity. Unless, of course, you were willing to quit and get a normal job.” Garrett crooked a brow.

  “Not likely. There are people out there who still have to pay for what they’ve done, people who pose a threat.”

  “Okay, well, then you’re stuck with me.” His mouth set into a stubborn grimace.

  “I wouldn’t want to be stuck with anyone else.” She smiled and he returned it before closing his eyes. “And Garrett…”

  He opened one eye, looking down at her.

  “I’m falling for you, too.”

  Garrett felt happiness and warmth course through his body then a weird realization hit him. He reached down, tilting her face back toward his. “I just bared my soul to you, and I don’t even know your middle name.”

  She offered a sleepy smile. “My middle name is Francis.”

  “Family name?”

  “I was named after my great-aunt, Francis Cox. She and my mother were very close. She passed away before I was old enough to remember her, though.” Nia’s eyes held a whimsical, faraway look for a moment. A smile quickly lit her face as she raised her head. “True story though, she was a founding member of the CIA.”

  Garrett was impressed. “Well, I guess you could say that the CIA is in your blood, then.”

  “Huh, I guess so,” Nia muttered while snuggling back against him. “What’s in your blood?”

  Garrett sputtered, nearly choking on her words. “That’s a story for another time, my love.”

  A word about the author...

  Sue lives in the beautiful Missouri Ozarks with her Super Hubby. She's been blessed with two wonderful children, the best sister in the world, and truly amazing parents.

  While her career is in banking, writing has always been a passion in her life. Her most sincere wish is that you will find as much enjoyment in reading her stories as she did in their creation.

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