
Vampire Government Protectors
Presidential Heat
Kira Jackson, former Marine and vampire, is close to achieving her goal of becoming a Government Vampire Protector---or she will be if President Gareth Hayes drops his attitude toward women agents. It's a good thing he has no clue what he does to her body. Her physical attraction to the sexy widower is just the enamel off her fangs when Kira discovers Gareth could be her soul mate for eternity.
Gareth is forced to have a protective agent after terrorists target him. But no way will he allow the sexy Agent Jackson to fill that position. However, he changes his mind when White House security is breached. Now Kira is ordering him around, and when Air Force One goes down, she proves she's more than capable of doing her job. But what is he going to do about his growing fascination with her?
Circumstances and the media toss Kira and Gareth into a shady limelight and into matrimony to save their reputations. Kira's secret comes out and both he and Kira must decide if love will be enough to overcome "death do us part" with a vampire.
Genre: Paranormal, Romantic Suspense, Vampires/WerewolvesLength: 81,168 words
PRESIDENTIAL HEAT
Vampire Government Protectors
Faith V. Smith
ROMANCE
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A SIREN-BOOKSTRAND TITLE
IMPRINT: Romance
Copyright © 2011 by Faith V. Smith
E-book ISBN: 1-61034-296-8
First E-book Publication: May 2011
Cover design by Jinger Heaston
All cover art and logo copyright © 2011 by Siren Publishing, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.
All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
PUBLISHER
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DEDICATION
To my darling angel husband Rick! Another one for you, my dear! And to my beloved daughter, Amanda, who is my publicist and assistant, you are my heart!
To all my critique partners, thank you! And to God be the glory!
FAITH V. SMITH
Copyright © 2011
Chapter One
Somewhere in the Middle East
The hot sun caused Kira's eyes to bleed blood-red tears, the liquid dripping onto her uniform. It was a total shame Grandpa Jackson's serum, the one that helped vampires walk in sunlight, couldn't stop the other side effects. She found this one particularly annoying. As she waited for the sun to crawl over the horizon, she swiped a camouflaged sleeve across her forehead. No matter what she did, she couldn't get the gritty sand to come unglued from her skin.
Time seemed to inch by before the blazing Middle Eastern sun was just a memory.
Patience, Kira, just a bit longer and your target will be in range.
Still she waited.
A shadow suddenly broke off from the sand dune a hundred yards straight ahead. The dune was slightly smaller than the one she hid behind. A few furtive steps and her target, a terrorist with orders to light a signal fire for his cohorts, would be in range. Kira was assigned to take him out by any means to prevent him from achieving his goal. The signal was key to launching an attack against visiting dignitaries from the United States, an act of war within a war, one that could wield horrific repercussions.
Kira allowed her body to dissolve into molecules of mist. She floated closer to her target and then attacked. The knife at the man's throat seemed to appear out of thin air when she regenerated her body back into physical form.
A quick slash. and he sagged against her. She allowed his body to drop slowly to the sand.
The sweet scent of fresh blood tempted her. The hunger caused her fangs to descend, but just as quickly, she resisted the thought of drinking her fill. Her injection, a mixture of blood and meds, was long overdue. She usually took it once a month to help keep her need for blood at bay. However, her hunger was always harder to control while on a mission. So many scents---blood, human pheromones. They all made her antsy to unleash her vampire nature. She would be thankful for the vaccine when she returned to base. She was tired, and relieved this was her last assignment.
This Special Ops Marine was going home to finally fulfill her life's mission. She'd earned her place as a Vampire Government Protector.
Washington, DC
Kira Jackson folded her body into one of the chairs lining the hallway outside the Oval Office, her fingers drumming a rhythm against the armrests. She quickly retracted the claws she'd subconsciously released. Sheesh! She wanted this job. Somehow she had to convince the president she was more than capable of serving as his Secret Service agent without divulging what she was.
Nerves rode her butt, so she stood and started to pace the hallway.
"Kira."
Malachi King stepped into the hallway and closed the Oval Office's door behind him.
"Any luck?" She stopped and waited.
"Don't hold your breath. That man is as stubborn as a goat, but for the moment, he's agreed to talk with you."
"Well, that's something, I guess. Does he know about the VGP?" The organization called the Vampire Government Protectors had been protecting high-profile government officials and their families for decades.
The man opposite her leaned his impressive way-over-six-foot height closer to Kira. "No. And I don't want you to tell him either. The VGP is known to only a few. We can't do our jobs if the populace knows some of the elite offices in the world are being guarded by vampires."
Malachi dropped an arm over her shoulders. "I really want you to have this job."
"So..."
Malachi sucked in a breath and let it out. "So now it's up to him. You ready to beard the lion in his lair?"
A knot of apprehension formed in Kira's stomach. Ready or not, she had no choice if she wanted to further serve her country.
"Sure, it should be a piece of cake compared to Marine boot camp."
Soft light from the desk's lamp turned Gareth Hayes's hair into spun gold, but the man sitting behind the desk didn't look up as Kira eased the door shut. Shoulders, broader than his photographs depicted, stretched the white dress shirt he wore. His tie, shoved to the side of the desk closest to Kira, looked like it had lost a fight. Rolled-up shirtsleeves revealed a plain silver watchband on one wrist, and a jagged but faded scar on the other tanned forearm.
No doubt about it, Hayes---one of the youngest presidents in history---not only signified dignity and strength, but to Kira's sharpened senses, he exuded an underlying essence of sensuality. Knowing she shouldn't, but unable to resist, she inhaled slightly, taking in his scent.
A rich, spicy blend of sandalwood, amber, and citrus blended with the aroma of hot blood. Kira shook her head and prayed her eyes were not glowing red. She mentally checked the date. She had a few more days to go before she was due for another injection. The last one had been less than a month ago, right before she shipped stateside. The serum must be wearing off faster because of her anxiety.
"Have a seat, Agent Jackson. I'll be with you in a moment."
His almost bland tone set off Kira's inner alarm. The president had never been shy on speaking his mind on all types of world topics. She had no doubt he would soon vent his spleen about having an agent.
She eased away from the door, moved into the room, and then seated herself on the edge of one of the chairs in front of the impressive mahogany desk. Looking around, she canvassed the numerous windows on the back wall. Several settees and lamps decorated the Oval Office. The presidential seal, as well as the American flag, added to the official capacity of the room. A room, in her opinion, that was way too accessible to an assassin.
The president continued to read the document in front of him. It was as if he had forgotten she was even there. She'd love to be a cell inside Gareth's brain, but most myths about vampires, spouting her kind could read minds, were untrue, except in certain intimate circumstances---an exchange of blood, or if she encountered her chosen mate. Of course, she'd heard older vampires, like Malachi, could also pick up on mortal thoughts.
Kira tapped down her nerves, angst and resigned herself to be patient.
So intent on wondering what he would do, Kira almost missed what he did do. The pen hit the desk with a slight slap. Gareth raised his head, and she was struck by the stormy green of his eyes, among other things. Brows that were dark compared to his hair rose above his hawk-like gaze. A slightly crooked nose rested above sensual lips pulled together into a straight line. All the photos in the world could not recreate the sexy and edgy look of Gareth Hayes up close and personal.
"Who are you?"
Chapter Two
"I'm Agent Jackson, Mr. President, sir."
"That's impossible. Jackson is a man." Gareth schooled his features to keep from portraying the punch he'd just received in his gut. The woman seated across from him was stunning. Shoulder-length chestnut hair accentuated the porcelain shade of her neck and face. Finely arched brows, a shade lighter than her hair, drew attention to blue eyes that changed to the shade of a sunlit ocean. Lips that were small but more than adequate, he'd hazard a guess, to provide kisses that would probably bring a man of any size to his knees. Devoid of all but a pale peach tint, they were pulled together in a moue. Although she'd never do as an agent, he certainly appreciated the view of the woman's front. The face and body he'd love to explore more, but in another time or place.
For the moment, he had business to take care of---a mess his old friend Malachi would answer for as soon as this interview was over. The head of the agency must be out of his mind to send a tiny thing like Kira Jackson to guard him. On his worst day, he could take her down. What good would she be in a fight? He wasn't worried about her protecting him, he could do that himself, but the woman could get hurt.
Malachi knew his stand on women agents. He would not risk their lives---end of story. Judith's death, as well as Agent Emily McCord's had done a number on him, and he could not live with that guilt again.
As he watched, Malachi's latest offering stared him straight in the eyes, as if she wanted to throttle him or someone else.
Kira resisted the urge to clench her fists. Neither would she follow through on her first thought to kill Malachi, although, he did deserve to have his fangs pulled out with a pair of pliers. No wonder he hadn't bothered to come in and introduce her.
"I assure you, sir, I am Agent Kira Jackson."
The president shook his head, sending the hair resting on his collar into disarray.
"You won't do---not at all."
"Sir, if you would just---"
"I'm sorry, but the decision I made to talk to you was based on my belief you were a man. Since you're not, there is nothing further to discuss."
Gareth's gaze went from stormy to icy. The chilly, resolute stare made Kira want to scream. She would bet her last incisor this man was not a sexist. Then again, a lot of men were closet chauvinist piglets.
Malachi might rant and rave, but she wasn't giving up this position without a fight.
"I disagree, Mr. President. Your life could be in danger. I'm trained to save it even if you don't think I'm capable of doing more than sitting around filing my nails."
"I never said that." Hayes's brows arched higher, and his mouth dropped open slightly. "I am not a chauvinist, Agent Jackson. What I am is a man who has no time to waste. You are wasting it."
Of all the things he could say, this one made Kira livid.
"No, what you are doing is allowing the past to dictate the future."
Kira stood to her feet.
The president did the same.
Bully for him. He had manners, but he also had an attitude she'd like to rearrange. If only she could tell him what she was. Maybe show him a thing or two about how a VGP could make him change his mind. Still, his impressive height made her feel fragile. Not something she was used to.
"Ms. Jackson---"
"That's Agent Jackson, Mr. President." Kira's words sounded as if she'd spit them out.
"All right, Agent Jackson. Tell me why you should be the one to guard me."
The iciness in his gaze turned into what looked like curiosity. Did he really care about her credentials? Surely he had already looked them over.
"I would have thought my résumé and military record would be sufficient."
"Nevertheless, as a former military person myself, I know you have skills that were formulated into your training, but so do a lot of aspiring agents. Why do you really want this job?"
Before Kira could enlighten Gareth Hayes, her cell phone went off. She snatched it from the waistband of her pants, glanced at the incoming number, and then flipped the phone open. "Yes, sir."
"Get Gareth out of there now. There's been a death threat." Malachi's usually calm tone sounded almost frantic. Not good.
"Where would you suggest?"
"Somewhere off the immediate grounds. Kira, hurry!"
She slammed the phone shut and slid it back in place.
"Mr. President, we need to table this conversation until later."
Kira gave him no time to respond. She walked around the desk, snagged his arm, and tugged.
"What's going on?"
"That was Malachi. There's been a threat against your life. We need to get you out of the White House and off the grounds."
Instead of arguing, Gareth responded to her repeated tug. "I'll take you to one of the tunnels, you'll be safe there, but first I want to check on the agents and staff on duty."
Kira couldn't believe he was trying to protect her. And although it was kinda sweet, it was ludicrous.
"I'm sure Malachi will take care of the threat and the staff. Right now, it's my job to take care of you."
Gareth stopped Kira's forward stride by pulling back on her arm. For a mortal, his strength was surprising.
"I don't think you understand. I'm not leaving until I check on my people."
Kira rolled her eyes. Although she applauded his devotion to those who worked for him, now was not the time. She closed her eyes for a moment, concentrated, and came up blank. She tried again. Nothing. For some reason, she couldn't get the stubborn man to do as she wanted. It was as if he didn't even hear her thought commands.
"Sorry, that's not an option, sir. Now, I suggest you move your butt, or I'll have to move it for you."
Chapter Three
Whether he believed Kira or not, or if he was just astonished at her threat, Gareth did as she asked. His bodyguard stopped in the hallway outside the Oval Office. She looked up and down the corridor, her hair swinging with her every movement. Gareth watched her blue eyes widen for a second before she started forward in the wrong direction.
The view of her backside, encased in leather pants, sparked the first ember of sexual desire he'd felt in more time than he cared to count. And now was not the time for it to be resurrected.
"Mr. President, we have to get to that tunnel."
Gareth bit back a smug grin. "I agree, but there's a problem."
"What?"
Gareth remained silent for a moment, enjoying how her eyes sparkled with her frustration.
"Mr. President?"
Her question pulled Gareth from all sorts of scenarios.
"You're going the wrong way."
Kira's inhalation sounded remarkably like a hiss. Her nostrils flared for a second before she seemed to shrug it off.
"Come again?"
As much as he'd like to do just that with Kira, Gareth blocked his mind from tangled sheets and her warm body beneath his.
"Agent Jackson, the tunnel isn't that way."
This time he was sure the sound coming from her lips was a hiss. Reminded him of a cornered cat.
"Okay, point me in the right direction, and then get behind me."
Gareth chuckled under his breath. If she was expecting an argument, the sexy aspiring agent was out of luck. He'd love to get another glimpse of her delectable backside.
Kira waited as Gareth moved aside the cabinet, blocking what she hoped was the tunnel entrance. It had taken them five minutes to get to their goal. If she'd kept her mind on the job, she would have asked where the tunnel was instead of taking off like a lady Rambo. Or better yet, used her vampire senses to sniff it out. Two of those minutes were spent with the president speaking to staff and telling them to vacate the premises. If she'd been a nail biter, her closely clipped nails would be nubs.
Finally!
Gareth's white shirt showed the determination of his labors. Dirt from the back of the wooden monstrosity he'd shouldered aside also streaked his tanned face.
Kira's offer of help, of course, had been politely declined. If she wasn't banned by following Malachi's orders to not exhibit any of her creature traits, she would have moved the darn thing herself---with a flick of her finger.
She'd give the man his due. Over a decade out of the military, and he wasn't even breathing hard. Not an easy feat for most men, let alone a president who normally spent his days in meetings.
"I thought you were in a hurry?"
Gareth's sexy baritone played over Kira's ears, turning her blood into a mixture of putty and mush. While she'd been lusting over him, he'd keyed in a code on the ID panel situated in the center of a metal door. One tug and he had it open.
She brushed past Gareth, snagging his arm as she stepped over the threshold into the tunnel. The corridor was a gloomy pit of darkness. Kira scanned the passageway, her vision going red while the president closed the door behind them, but found nothing to alarm her. She quickly dimmed her vampire vision and was prepared to proceed when lights on either side of the tunnel beamed on.
A glance sideways revealed a wide-toothed grin from Hayes.
"You were expecting cobwebs and ghosts?"
Kira wanted to smack him. Instead, she gave him a smile of her own---minus the fangs. "Actually, vampires are more to my taste."
Gareth's deep chuckle caused her knees to dissolve for just a second. She had to get a grip. This was not the time to fantasize about playing sheet roulette, especially with the president of the United States. Concentrate, girlfriend. The man's life was being threatened. Malachi would skin her alive and threaten her within an inch of her life if she didn't get her head on straight and get Gareth to safety.
"Well, I can't say I agree with you about vampires, but I can show you how to get off the grounds."
"Right, sir, but I'd prefer if you just stayed behind me."
Another deep chuckle and for the life of her, she couldn't understand what was so amusing.
"Okay, Agent Jackson, you take point, and I'll be right behind you."
"Fine, let's move out, shall we?"
The tunnel extended forward in a maze of turns. By Kira's watch, they had been walking for at least ten minutes. After the first two, the president had moved up by her side. So much for Gareth staying back and letting the little woman protect him.
"Any idea how much longer?"
"I'm sorry, Mr. President, but I've no idea." Kira glanced at him briefly before turning back toward the continuing void, "I take it you haven't been in the tunnel before?"
"I was in the tunnel once, for about a minute. It was my first tour of the White House. Malachi showed me how to key in the code, and we stepped inside, but that was it."
Gareth's tone, which had waxed from cold, obstinate, teasing, and serious from the moment she met him, sounded a bit sorrowful. "It was right after I took office. Things were still a bit strange for me."
Of course they would have been---he'd just lost his wife a month prior. It must have been hell for him to go through steps that normally would have included a First Lady.
Kira slowed her pace, reached out, and touched Hayes's shirtsleeve. Bad mistake---she could feel the blood flowing under her hand. Jerking back, she finally got her tongue past her fangs to speak. "That time had to be terrible for you."
Gareth's smile was slight, but he seemed to have accepted her unmentioned condolences for his loss.
"Thank you, Agent Jackson. I'd like to---"
Kira's cell went off. It had to be Malachi, hopefully with an update.
"Yes, sir."
"Kira, where are you?"
"In the tunnel."
"Good, stay there." Malachi's tone sounded less tense. "The White House has been secured, and we're checking the grounds now. When all is clear, I'll send Caleb to get you."
She turned her body just a hair before replying to her boss, "I can handle this myself, Malachi."
"I know you can, but Caleb will be stepping in as an agent if Gareth proves stubborn about you being a woman." His words were a bit hesitant over the last part of his sentence.
"You know, it might have been helpful if you had clued him in beforehand. And why, Caleb? He's not even a VGP." Kira whispered that last part.
"Ahem, well, if he is put on nights, it won't matter." Malachi cleared his throat. "And as to the other, not your business. Just see that you keep Gareth safe."
Kira would have laughed if circumstances were different. Malachi always changed the subject when he didn't know what to say. He'd been that way ever since she'd known him, which was all of her life. His physical description notated a man at the beginning of his forties, like Hayes, but Malachi had seen several more decades of life.
The serum he'd injected as a youth, after his parents, Kira's great-aunt and uncle, had perished in a fire, slowed down the aging process. By the time he'd entered high school, the head of the VGP was in his forties. Only after her grandfather had fine-tuned the serum had her boss enrolled at Hayes's high school. A few quick strokes of a computer, and he had transcripts and an ID listing the age he looked.
She admired Malachi's determination to get his diploma and then his years at college. A vampire his age could have winged it, but even years ago, he knew the semblance of normalcy would aid him in becoming a protector.
"Kira?"
"Yeah, I'm here. I'll do as you asked."
"Good girl. See you in a bit."
Malachi clicked off, and Kira turned back to the president.
"Sorry about that, Mr. President."
"I take it that was Malachi?" Hayes's sorrowful gaze had disappeared. In its place, Kira saw a glimpse of hardness.
"Yes, sir."
"Are my people safe?"
"The White House is secure, and Malachi didn't mention any injuries."
Gareth's exhalation stirred Kira's bangs.
Respect traced a path through her brain. Again, the man had proven to be more than the leader of a country. He was endowed with one of the traits she most admired---concern for others.
"Good. So, do we start back now?"
"No, sir, we are to stay put. Malachi will send another agent when it's safe to return. It shouldn't be much longer."
Chapter Four
Kira and Gareth made themselves semi-comfortable on some crates set against the tunnel walls. A few packages peeked out between the slats. MREs, or meals ready to eat, for military personnel were in abundance. Someone had made sure if the president ever had to make the tunnel a safe place during an attack, he would not starve to death.
Kira searched for any topic that might lighten the silence that occurred after telling Gareth they were to stay in the tunnel. She glanced sideways.
The icy expression still filled the president's green eyes. His facial expression had also tightened. His nostrils flared just a bit, and his lips were once again pulled into a grimace.
Yep, he was ticked off royally. Forget lighten---she might as well just meet his attitude head-on.
"Mr. President, I know this is not easy for you. I understand that, but with the death threats coming more often, it is imperative you remain safe. That is why---"
"Agent Jackson, do not patronize me. You cannot possibly know what I think. If you did, you would realize I want nothing less than to find the son of a...making these threats and beat the hell out of him."
Gareth lunged to his feet and began pacing. "Do you know how many threats I have received since I began my candidacy for president? Thousands, that's how many." He shoved a hand through his hair.
Kira couldn't help but wonder if the disheveled locks mirrored the image of a man just waking in the morning, or after making love. She shook her head, trying to dislodge an image of a nude Gareth Hayes.
Still agitated, he stopped in front of Kira. "Can you not understand? It's not me I'm worried about." His previous gruff tone had softened.
"It's the men and women who work here and the ones who put their lives on the line every day for me and for this nation. If this deranged terrorist, or whatever he is, succeeds in his goal, this country will be subject to a panic not seen since 9/11."
Kira nodded her head. She agreed completely. Her heart swam further out in dangerous waters as she thought about someone actually killing Gareth. He wasn't just the figurehead for the United States, but also a man. A man who had known heartache and who had conquered adversity. He was also a man Kira would like to know better, if given the chance.
"Yes, sir, I do understand. That is why I will do my utmost to ensure your safety."
"Then let's get the hell out of this tunnel and find out who is trying to kill me."
Kira hated to squash the expectant look in the president's eyes, but Malachi would kill her if she allowed Gareth Hayes out of the tunnel before an all clear was given.
"Sir, as much as I would love to do just that, Malachi would kill me if I disobeyed a direct order."
"Malachi can bite my ass."
Before Kira could close her opened mouth, Gareth let out a chuckle.
"I'll let you in on a little secret, Agent Jackson. Malachi doesn't scare me as much as he thinks he does." The president leaned in a bit closer. "No, your boss isn't as frightening as he acts. If he gives you any guff about disobeying, I'll pull those fangs he calls teeth."
Kira let out a slow exhalation. Surely, the president was joking. There was no way he could know Malachi was a vampire. Could he? Before she could string together a question that wouldn't give away any unknown secrets, her ears picked up the sound of footsteps entering the tunnel. The slight thuds were fast and getting closer all the time. She closed her eyes, inhaled, and let out a grunt.
"Mr. President, we are about to have company. As much as you might not want to, please have a seat on the crates and stay still until I see who it is, sir."
She didn't wait to see if he did as she asked, but started forward. No way could she tell Gareth she knew who approached. With her fangs strapped, so to speak, she had to behave like a normal mortal.
"Kira?"
The voice came from around one of the bends of the tunnel. Caleb Dalton, a vampire Kira could most certainly do without. A dislike for the fanged creature had begun years before, when he'd wined and dined her in an effort to become the son-in-law of one of the most powerful vampire and protector legends of all time. He'd also wanted to be chosen to inject the serum. Not all vampires were offered that chance. Her dad and grandpa had been most specific about who could partake of Grandpa's discovery.
Kira had kicked Caleb's double goals to the curb. The handsome but slimy wannabe-bridegroom had not taken her rejection gracefully. And for that reason, she couldn't understand why Malachi would send him as backup.
"Yeah, I'm here."
"And glad I am, sweetness."
Caleb's form followed his words. The slightly-above-her-own-height agent slid to a stop in front of Kira's intentional spine-straight get-out-of-my-face stance.
"Cut the crap, Caleb. We have a job to do."
"Always one for duty, weren't you, Kira? You haven't changed one bit since college."
Kira flashed a full smile of fangs. "You got that right. Now, if you're finished with the amenities, I suggest you follow me back to the president."
"That won't be necessary, Agent Jackson. I'm right here."
Gareth hadn't been privy to all of the agents' conversation, but he'd heard enough to know Kira didn't care for the other man. Although he still wasn't sure about her being capable of presidential duty, her instincts seemed fine. If she disliked this Caleb agent, he'd bet there was a good reason for it.
"Mr. President, you were supposed to stay behind until I made certain it was safe."
"I'm aware of that, but I am not used to sitting on my ass while others work. Shall we go?"
Gareth could have told Kira he'd been concerned about her safety, but in the time he'd spent with her, he knew that would have gone over like a shark in the Potomac.
Another thing he knew for certain, Kira Jackson had dented the indifference he wore like a tie around his neck when it came to women. Fascinating, sexy, and a miniature weapon of lust, the agent just might be what he needed to get through the next three years of office.
Once again, Gareth sat behind the desk in the Oval Office. Malachi King stood across from him, and Kira was seated in the same chair he'd first seen her in.
"All right, Malachi, out with it."
For the first time in a long time, the head of the Secret Service looked disgruntled. "I don't know what you mean, Mr. President."
"Drop the formality. I'm not buying it."
"All right, you want the truth?" Malachi's tone took on a rumbling sound. "I purposely didn't tell you Kira was a woman."
"And why was that?"
"Why? Because I knew you would explode. Gareth, you are one of the most hard-headed mortals I've ever met."
"Mortals? Don't you mean humans, old friend?"
Kira watched in amazement as Gareth put Malachi on the spot.
"Of course I meant humans, Gareth. What else could I mean?"
"Probably nothing at all"---the president leaned back in his cream-colored desk chair---"unless you want to tell me why you omitted pertinent details of your life."
Malachi's mouth opened and closed, as did his eyes, a couple of times. Kira leaned forward, holding her breath for what would happen next.
"What details? We have been friends since high school. You know all you need to know about me, Gareth."
Gareth's form jutted forward, his fist slammed on the desk, and his words exploded like gunfire as he spoke. "What about the fact that my oldest friend, not to mention the head of this nation's Secret Service, is a fang-toting vampire?"
Her breath escaped at the same time Malachi stumbled back to sit in the chair next to Kira's.
"Maybe I should wait out in the hall." She injected.
"Why? I'm sure you already knew about Malachi's unique nature. Didn't you, Agent Jackson?"
Kira glanced at Malachi. His slight nod forced words from her mouth. "Yes, I did, sir."
"Well then, since we all know what is going on, let's chat for a bit, shall we?" Gareth's question was couched more like a command. His expression was not the least bit reassuring.
"How and when did you find out?"
"Let's just say I caught you sucking neck when we double-dated one night. The glimpse of fangs was enough to convince me, even if the red eyes hadn't put the exclamation point on what you were. Didn't really matter to me, you were my friend. However, at the moment, I'm just a bit pissed, so if you don't mind, I will address the breach of confidence you issued when you omitted that portion of your life in just a bit, Malachi. For now, I want to know what you know about who is sending these threats."
Malachi cleared his throat. "Are you sure you wouldn't rather get the inquisition over with first?"
"No, I'd rather see you sweat, if you can, old friend."
"We'll do it your way, Mr. President." Malachi's words seemed to be pulled from between clenched teeth. "There's nothing more to report than what I told you earlier. The first threats were called in from different phone booths. By the time our agents got to the addresses, the suspect was long gone, of course."
Malachi's jaw twitched with the aggravation she knew he had to feel at not being able to find the man responsible.
"Today's threat initiated right here in the White House. We found a disposable cell phone in one of the living quarters' closets. No prints on it." His body slumped forward. "That's it. I have no other information, Gareth. Lord, I wish I did."
"Thank you. I know you hate to give me all the details, but my friend---and yes, you still are---remember I am a former Ranger. I have been in undercover ops, and I'm not a pansy ass. If you would get the stick out of your butt and get rid of the pigheaded idea you have to keep me in the dark to protect me, then I might be able to help catch the guy."
The reverberating refusal Kira expected to hear from Malachi didn't happen. Surely he wasn't going to let Gareth take part in the investigation?
"Gareth, I'm not going to ask you to leave this alone. You won't anyway. What I am going to do is insist, if you persist in this line of thinking, you have an agent by your side twenty-four-seven."
Kira's breath lodged in her throat. Would the president agree to an agent, and would he allow her to be that agent?
For the first time since they'd congregated back in the Oval Office, Gareth smiled. "All right, Malachi, I will agree to that."
His smile now seemed a bit smug to Kira.
"I just have one stipulation I'd like to make pertaining to the agent."
Oh no! Kira knew what was coming. Gareth was going to pull presidential rank. No way was he going to allow her to be that agent.
"What is it, Gareth?"
"I want a man guarding me---"
Kira and Malachi spoke at the same time.
"Gareth, Kira is an---"
"Mr. President, I assure you I am capable---"
Gareth's hand sliced the air, his eyes glittered with some type of emotion Kira couldn't pinpoint, and his smile grew into a grin.
"If you two would allow me to finish."
Both Kira and Malachi fell silent.
"Thank you. Now, what I was going to say is I will allow Agent Jackson to come on board as my agent on a trial basis. To ensure she is not right on the firing line during the day, she will work the graveyard shift."
Chapter Five
Kira scanned the back of the White House and the immediate vicinity. Good. The guards were making rounds. She bent her knees in preparation for the jump to the roof.
Sure, she could just go up through the attic, but she wanted to keep as low a profile as possible. Even though she would not have to show her credentials---she'd already made the acquaintance of the night guards and the early morning ones who patrolled inside and outside the White House---she'd rather not have anyone know she was on the roof.
The advantage of being able to get there under her own steam would allow her to scan more area than from the ground.
Adrenaline pumped through her veins, her feet flexed inside her boots, and one...two...three. Yes!
Kira landed softly near the flagpole holding the American flag. For a moment, she allowed the night breeze to caress her face before she did a 360-degree turn. Her vision honed in on every scrub, tree, and car lining the property, and a few that didn't. Excellent vision was a given for her family, although there had been a few instances when second or third-generation protectors needed spectacles. She, however, was blessed with a bit more than the perfect twenty-twenty vision doctors loved.
So far, her job had been peaceful, leaving her with nothing to do but double-check the grounds. Gareth had been almost absent after the little episode in his office when he'd agreed to hire her a few days before. Several top-secret meetings between the U.S. and a Middle Eastern country kept him under her radar since they took place during the day. With her handling the night hours, she wasn't sure she'd even get a glimpse of him outside the private quarters unless he had an evening meeting.
Malachi had pretty much glued himself to Gareth's side since the president dropped the bombshell concerning her boss's nature. Her efforts to find out what had happened afterward had gone unanswered.
She'd been dismissed from the rest of their meeting, and only after a nail biting, grueling hour waiting for Malachi to come out of the lion's den did she discover Gareth agreed she could have the job. Sure, the president had spit out the part about her taking the graveyard shift, but in the mood he'd been in, there was no way to know if he meant it or not.
All Malachi would tell her was she had the job, don't mess it up, and for all that was holy, don't tell Gareth she was a vampire. He said something to the effect about not muddying the waters any more than necessary, and left it at that.
Kira did a series of stretches and then scanned the perimeter again. The president should be sound asleep soon, and she'd do a quick dissolve and rematerialize inside the private quarters to make sure all was well.
Gareth ducked his head under the hot spray of the shower. It'd been a long day. Meetings had kept him pinned inside the White House without a chance to walk off some of his frustration. Ha, frustration, his ass. It was more along the lines of unsatisfied lust for one sexy-as-hell agent. Thank God for the meetings. The tedious protocol of his office had stopped him from smacking something or someone.
He'd not glimpsed a sign of Kira anywhere since their first and last meeting, but he couldn't stop thinking about her. By the time she came on duty, he was sequestered in his room, preparing for the next round of meetings. Tomorrow should conclude the peace talks, and then he would hopefully find some time to chat with his agent.
Chat? Oh yeah, Gareth, you know you want to do much more than talk.
His arousal strained toward his belly, putting lie to the belief he could live without sex in his life. His life with Judith had been just a parody---a marriage of convenience. Yes, they'd been peers in college. Yes, he'd dated her because she was pretty, and yes, even then, in the back of his mind, he knew her sophisticated blonde looks would make her a good trophy wife for someone interested in a political career, as he was even then. But she'd been as guilty, wanting him for the prestige his political office would bring.
Bedroom activity with Judith was a duty. Even colder than her ice princess looks was her role as a bed partner. She'd been frigid and stiff when he tried to make love to her. The few times they managed to actually consummate their marriage had been about as satisfying as having a root canal.
Even so, Gareth had never looked outside their marriage for fulfillment. His only regret was he hadn't married for love, and there'd been no child conceived to bear witness to the long and lonesome ten years of his marriage.
He shut off the water and dried himself before stepping from the shower stall. With the towel draped over his shoulder, and still nude, he padded to the bedroom. He poured a generous snifter of brandy from the glass decanter and sipped.
God knew, he hated what happened to Judith. With all her faults, and heaven knew he was not faultless himself, she still did not deserve to die. Yes, he'd wanted a divorce, but he hadn't wanted her dead.
Gareth tossed back the brandy and poured another. Thoughts of Judith always caused him to want to anesthetize his brain. The second snifter followed the same way as the first. He leaned forward to set the glass on the table and watched the snifter's slow descent to the marble floor. The crash coincided with the arrival of his previous train of thought.
"How the hell did you get in here?"
Kira bit back the moan threatening to escape. When she heard glass shattering, she'd given no thought to whether or not she should just pop in and assure herself Gareth was safe. Now, with an eyeful of Gareth's naked body, she could see he looked more than all right.
His chest was just as broad as she believed it would be without a shirt, lightly furred with golden hair, and his upper arms rippled with muscles.
Try as she might, she could not keep her eyes from glancing downward. His blatant arousal impressed her, and she was just a bit daunted by his size. Kira, who'd witnessed siblings in various stages of undress, and bivouacked with the cream of the military, had never experienced the much-revered art of lovemaking firsthand.
Between her dad and Malachi, no suitor stood a chance of getting anywhere near her long enough to get down and dirty, as her brothers referred to the sex act. Even in the military, most men gave her a wide berth, probably because she scared them spitless. Or possibly her dad may have put the word out he would kill, without compunction, anyone who touched his baby girl. Baby girl, what a laugh. Kira, in mortal years, was thirty-five, and a few more in vamp years.
"I asked you a question, Kira, uh, Agent Jackson."
Kira scrambled for a reply. Something that would suffice under the circumstances. "I was doing a quick surveillance in the private quarters and heard glass shattering. If you're okay, then I will just make myself scarce, Mr. President."
Casually, as if he were used to being butt-naked in front of an agent, Gareth moved to a dresser on the far side of the room, pulled open a drawer, and withdrew a pair of jogging pants. Again, just as much at ease, he stepped into them, and then drew the material Kira envied up his lean, sinewy legs, muscled in all the right places. The waistband caught on his still-lengthening member. Kira turned away and could have sworn she heard a low chuckle behind her.
"You can look now, Agent Jackson, not that you didn't look before."
This time she was sure she heard the president laugh at her. Now what? Play it nonchalant, or give him a glimpse of the desire she felt? Brave when it came to military missions, or up against most vampires, and even her brothers when need be, Kira found her courage deserting her like the sun on a stormy day in the face of her desire for Gareth.
Slowly she turned back to Gareth. "Again, my apologies, Mr. President. I should have knocked first, but with all that's been going on, I wanted to make sure you were safe."
"And you are to be commended for that. For now, though, why don't you have a seat and some brandy...or anything else you like. Let's chat for a few minutes."
Hmmm, anything she liked. That could and should be listed as off-limits, since she wanted his body so badly she could taste it.
"All right, I have a few moments before I need to do another perimeter check."
Gareth held up the brandy decanter, waited on a response from Kira. She shook her head. "Just water, thank you."
Gareth poured a good-size amount into the glass. Her hand trembled ever so slightly as she took the offering. "Thank you, sir."
The overly-quiet agent, not at all the mouthy woman he'd hid in the tunnel with, took a seat on the love seat---if you could call her buttocks barely touching the edge of the cushion sitting. Something had Kira off her stride, and he'd bet it was the same thing that had him battling a healthy state of lust, even with his pants on.
"So, how are you finding your job so far?"
Kira's eyes flickered closed once, twice, before opening to reveal a blue gaze shining with apprehension. Surely the woman didn't think her answer would cause a problem with her employment? Why so nervous about answering a simple question?
"I'm finding the job more than adequate, Mr. President. It is an honor to be part of your service."
"Come on, Agent Jackson, that sounds like an answer you'd give in an interview. Tell me the truth."
Gareth watched her slender throat move as she swallowed before answering.
"Truth? The truth is I'm bored out of my mind. I mean, the graveyard shift is okay, but usually you're in the PQ, and that makes my job just a look and see to make sure you stay safe."
"I assume by PQ you mean private quarters?"
"Yes, sir. Sorry, sir."
"Agent Jackson, this might seem strange since you're used to military protocol, but do you think we can dispense with the sir and Mr. President when we are alone?"
Kira's gaze, the one she had lowered to study her feet, swung up to meet his.
"Well, I guess that would be okay. What do you want me to call you?"
"How about Gareth? And I'll call you Kira, like Malachi does, if that's okay with you."
"Of course, Mr. Pres---Gareth."
"Great, so why not taste the brandy? It's vintage and goes down quite well."
"I'm on duty."
"Right," he said, and as he watched, Kira finished her water and handed him the glass.
"Thank you."
"So let's go back to your job. Do you need anything, or is there anything we need to talk about, etc.?"
Kira's gaze mellowed. "I wanted to ask you the same thing. Is there anything I could do without interfering with your private time? I feel kinda useless."
Gareth hid his elation about her wanting to talk to him, too. His sense of the agent's probable, and necessary, concept of keeping people at arm's length would be something he'd have to conquer in order to get closer to her. And he definitely wanted to get closer to Kira.
"Well, what if you...I take it you use a computer?"
"Yes, I do."
"Okay, then if you're bored in between surveillance rounds, why not use the computer in the den? Or, there are a lot of books in the library, some I brought, and even some romance novels left over from previous First Ladies' sojourns."
For the first time since she'd literally popped in, he caught a bit of humor in her gaze, and a twinge of interest. Could his do or die agent be a closet romance reader?
Kira pushed a lock of hair behind her ear, gave a slight grin, showing off her extraordinarily white teeth. "Actually, I would love that, Gareth. Reading or using the computer would make the nights less long."
"Good, then it's a done deal. Feel free to use the library or the den at your convenience whenever you are working."
Kira tapped down the chortle of delight, wanting to shout out her exhilaration. The one thing she'd really missed on desert missions was her books. She was addicted to romance novels---not the fluffy kind, but a good vampire, shape-shifter, or dragon book was right up her alley. Of course, there probably weren't any titles here by some of her favorite authors, Angela Knight or G.A. Aiken, but she could now safely bring one from her freshly-bought cache at home.
"Thank you again, Gareth. I, uh, guess I should go check the grounds again. I could come back in later, if that's okay?"
Gareth stood to his feet when Kira did. "Yes, sure. That'll be fine. I'll probably call it a night soon, but you can make yourself at home."
Kira turned to go.
"Kira?"
"Yes?"
"If you find the computer and books aren't enough, wake me up. I'll be more than happy to keep you company."
The heat stinging her cheeks was nothing compared to the liquid fire singeing her feminine core.. The man had no idea what he could be getting into.
"I'll do that." She reached out to grasp the doorknob and felt a set of strong but gentle hands at her waist. She resisted the urge to turn back and look at the one man who made her heart beat like a time bomb.
"Just one more thing."
To not look this time would be rude. After all, he wasn't just Gareth the man, but the head of her country.
"Yes?"
"I've never felt this strongly about any other woman before, and I don't understand the irresistible attraction I feel toward you. Right now I have an uncontrollable urge to kiss you, but I don't think it would be ethical."
"Well, then I'll kiss you."
Kira leaned in and lightly caressed his bottom lip with her tongue. Gareth pulled her to him, and his lips slid onto hers in a movement so smooth, butter would be envious. Her body heated as he took his time exploring the outer rims of her lips before seeking the inside of her mouth. His tongue teased hers and sent a fresh flood of liquid to her sex. Kira's eyes closed as she gave herself up to the seductive inferno of their kiss. Never before had she experienced anything like this. Despite her virginal status, she'd enjoyed her share of kisses and some foreplay, but had never felt anything the magnitude of this.
He deepened the kiss, and Kira's vision went red under her closed lids. She heard the rush of blood through Gareth's veins---something that shouldn't be happening. Why now? Why him? She should not be wanting to latch on to his neck and suck for dear life. She'd tanked up on her injection a few days before and shouldn't be feeling the hunger.
Yet bloodlust coursed through her body, heart, and soul.
"God above, the woman ignites my blood like a firecracker on the Fourth of July."
Kira shook her head. Had Gareth spoken out loud? Impossible, his tongue was still deep inside her mouth. So why had she heard his words? A bolt of disbelief forged a river of chill up her spine. The only way she could have heard his thoughts was if he were her mate. A fated mate---something she really never believed she would have. But oh my heavens, he was the president of the United States.
No way could this happen.
Kira forced herself to release the hold her hands had on Gareth's shoulders. She had to get out and get out now.
Gareth eased back from his kiss, allowing Kira the chance to clear her throat before she blurted out, "I have to leave, Gareth. I'll talk to you later."
She gave him no chance to reply or to stop her. She dissolved into mist and shot through the door like a stealth bomber taking to the air. Tomorrow, she would think of a plausible explanation for her disappearing act, but for now, she had to put as much distance as possible between her and him.
Chapter Six
Gareth dragged his body from bed when his internal clock went off. Years of military service had tagged him to always wake before sunrise. However, this morning he wished he could just go back to sleep. He'd stayed awake for hours after Kira disappeared like magic. One minute she was there. The next she was gone. Why, he didn't know, but it was something she would be explaining to him when she came on duty tonight.
He still wasn't clear how she'd gotten into his bedroom in the first place. His body's response to her had put that question on the back burner, but something was off, and he'd get to the bottom of it before he kissed her again.
Ahhhhh---that kiss! Hotter than a Tennessee summer night, and filled with enough electricity it would keep the lights on for the next month without any help from the local power company. He'd swear Kira felt the same way. So why had she run? Had he done something wrong? She'd left so quickly, he wasn't sure. He'd been out of the dating game a very long time.
Whoa---slow down, boy.
He shouldn't even be thinking about dating Kira. She was his agent, on the government payroll, just like he was. Even a friendly outing would start the press on a frenzied feed for scandal. Gareth couldn't afford a scandal, not with the peace talks almost wrapped up, and certainly not in the middle of picking a list of men to interview for replacing the vice president---who'd resigned after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. Besides, he didn't want to put Kira in a negative limelight, either.
Gareth walked into the bathroom, scrubbed a hand across his morning bristle, and stared at his visage in the mirror. Slightly-puffy lids emphasized the frown between his brows. He wasn't happy with the idea of never kissing Kira again, never taking her to his bed, and never getting the chance to explore a possible relationship with her. A pulse-throbbing erection surged to life as he thought about having Kira in all the ways he wanted her. Skin to skin, deep kisses, caressing her breasts before moving down to taste her female essence. He forced the thoughts away. Duty was a bitch at times, but one he'd sworn to uphold.
"Well, that's the last of them. I put the prime minister on the plane myself. Looks like you have a few days of grace before you have to fly to Camp David."
"Thanks, Malachi. It's been a long few days for all of us. Any chance you can take some time for yourself?"
Malachi stretched his arms over his head before clapping a hand on Gareth's back. "You know there's no rest for the weary, so probably not. I need to get with Kira and go over the details of your trip, but then I might go fishing. You want to come with me?"
Gareth grinned, although the mention of Kira had ripped off the invisible bandage he'd put over his sexual needs, and he felt his groin stir. "I would love to, but I doubt we could sneak off without someone finding us out. You go, my friend, and catch one for me."
Two staccato raps on the door of the Oval Office interrupted Malachi's deep chuckle.
"Come in."
A fall of chestnut hair fondled Kira's shoulders when she entered the room. "Uh, sorry to disturb you, Mr. President, but Malachi asked me to meet him."
"Not a problem, Agent Jackson. I'll just leave you two alone for your talk. Malachi, I'll get with you later."
Malachi saluted Gareth with a smirk on his face, and the president acknowledged it with one of his own. For Kira, he only had a brief nod before he left the room.
Oh Lord, he must regret the kiss. Or he could be wondering about her quick arrival and exit from the night before. Which reminded her, she still had to come up with a good excuse. Although, with his present attitude, they might not even have another personal chat.
"Kira?"
Lord, what was she going to do?
"Kira!"
Malachi's bark pulled her from her thoughts. "Yeah, sorry."
"You seem to be saying 'sorry' a lot lately. Is there anything I need to know?"
Kira forced herself to look Malachi straight in the eyes. The vampire could spot a lie a mile off. Maybe she should just tell him what happened. Or, God forbid, maybe Gareth had already done just that. Surely not. If he had, Malachi would be chewing a strip off her ass.
"That depends. Did you talk to Gareth?"
"Gareth?"
"The president...I meant the president, Malachi."
"Yeah, I talked to him, but he didn't say anything about you. What's up?"
Kira's breath exploded with such force it blew the bangs off her forehead.
"That bad, huh?"
"Do you mind if we sit down, or better yet, what if we go out for something to eat, and we can talk then?"
Malachi's brows pulled together in a V-shape. She could almost see the wheels turning inside his excellent brain. Anytime now, he'd realize she was stalling.
"I take it you would be more comfortable off grounds for this chat?"
"Yes, I really would. I know it sounds strange coming from me---you know, the vamp who never lets anything get to her---but there's something I need to tell you, and I really don't want to do it here."
"All right, I'll meet you in the parking area in five minutes."
Kira took a bite of her medium-rare steak, swallowed, grabbed her iced tea glass, and guzzled the refreshing drink. Although the spring temps were chilly, her inside temperature was high. Sexual stress had a way of doing that to a woman or vamp.
She cut another piece of meat and prepared to pop it in her mouth when Malachi interrupted. "Enough stalling, Kira. What's going on?" His hand gently guided her fork back to her plate.
"I kissed Gareth! Not only that, I think he saw me dissolve into particles."
Her boss and mentor released her wrist, sat back in his chair, and opened his mouth---only to close it immediately.
Kira waited---she knew it would only take him a moment to compose his thoughts and words. Then she would know if she still had her job. Something she should have been thinking about all day instead of mooning over that kiss.
"What type of kiss? A gentle peck on the cheek, a friendly good-night kiss, what? And who initiated it?"
"Uh, I would say it was a kiss to die for, and before you ask anything else, I think you should know I heard his thoughts in my head while it was happening. Oh...and I sorta initiated it."
Malachi's breath gushed out with such force it stirred the candle flame on their table.
"Kira, you know what that means."
"That I'm about to find myself unemployed?"
Malachi's chuckle reminded Kira of a slow-moving freight train.
"No, unless Gareth wants you fired, I'm content allowing you to stay on as his guard."
Kira's shock must have shown on her face.
"What? Did you think I would axe you for finding your mate? I've known for way over a decade Judith wasn't the right woman for Gareth. He did too, but that's his story to tell. What we need to do now is minimize the damage your disappearing act may have caused."
"I don't understand. I thought you would be angry."
"No, baby girl. I love you and always have. Of course, as your boss, I should be reading you the riot act, but you have always done what you needed to do for your family and your country. You've stayed out of trouble, were never afraid to take on new duties, and you did it all pretty much by yourself. Still, and your dad knew the same thing, you've always had a speck of loneliness in your eyes."
Tears stung the back of those same organs. She'd always wanted Malachi's respect. She'd always felt like they had been closer than cousins, but to have him admit freely he was proud of her and loved her was enough to unman her, if she'd been a man.
"Malachi, I don't know what to say. You know you're like one of my brothers. That's always been my thinking when it came to you. When Dad died, you were the one keeping me going---not just me, but Mom, Granddaddy, and the boys as well. You know we could never have done it without you."
Her gaze, when it met his, saw a bit of moisture in his silver eyes. Yep, he knew.
"Thank you, Kira. Without your granddaddy and dad, I would never have made it past my own parents' deaths." He cleared his throat. "Now, enough of this teary-eyed crap. We need to talk about what you're going to do about Gareth, and how to fix what you did last night."
Kira's laughter sounded hollow. "What to do about Gareth? I really don't think he'll be an issue. I think he regrets what happened already. If he brings up anything else, I'll just tell him he was mistaken."
"Honey, I wish it were that easy. Gareth looked like hell warmed over this morning. Whether he admits it or not, your kiss got to him. And knowing him, he won't rest until he knows all about you. It's going to be up to you to decide how much you tell him, and how soon."
"I can't tell him I'm a vampire. He'll hate me for hiding it and fire me in a heartbeat."
"Kira, he didn't fire me. In fact, as you heard from his own lips, he's known what I was for years. Why do think he would react any differently with you?"
"I don't know. I'm scared, Malachi. I'm frightened to death of having a mate, especially one like Gareth. For pity's sake, he's the president!"
"Shh! Keep your voice down."
"Sorry. I am so not used to this."
"No, you're not, but I will help you get through it. For the moment, we need to just figure out what to tell him about last night and then talk about the upcoming trip to Camp David."
Kira slapped her nerves back inside her innermost soul. Malachi was right. There was nothing to be done at the moment. She needed to think about if she would tell Gareth the truth now or wait. Wait for what? She'd see if he felt the same way as she did, and if things became serious between them. Just because he was her mate by vampire creed did not mean he would feel the same way.
Gareth moved through the den. No sign of Kira. Why he thought she would be there, he didn't know. He'd barely seen her in almost a week---seven long days since they'd experienced that incredibly seductive kiss. Yet, in the few instances they had met, his attitude was like an arctic blast. Even Malachi had taken him to task for his behavior.
Nothing like having a vampire flash his fangs in warning to mellow a person's attitude. Of course, he knew he was wrong, and that was the crux of the matter. He'd taken out his fears for his reputation, and hers, and decided Kira would feel the same way. Then he'd treated her as if the kiss was her fault, when, in fact, Gareth initiated the kiss by his telling he wanted her. Kira was totally blameless.
He moved to one of the windows and glanced out. The sky was dark, storms had moved through earlier, and as he watched, a shadow moved from the edge of the garden. His inner alarm did not beep, so whoever was making their way toward the balcony doors wasn't a threat. His time in the military, along with the many life-and-death situations he'd experienced, had more than primed him to know when a threat was imminent.
Kira, however, was a threat. One he would have to decide what to do about and soon. God knew he wanted someone in his life, but the press would crucify them both. If only...
The balcony doors eased open, and Kira slid inside. Gareth had not bothered to turn on the lights when he made his way to the den. On the right side of the doors, he waited for her to realize he was there.
Kira knew she wasn't alone as soon as she entered the room. One quick sniff and she realized Gareth was the other occupant. His cologne tantalized her senses, and the earthy musk smell of man sent a ripple of desire straight to the V of her thighs. She shook her head to clear her thoughts---there were more important issues that needed to be addressed. She might as well get on with it. She was sure he would grill her about last week. They planned to leave for Camp David tomorrow, and a few of the press corps would accompany them on Marine One. Tonight would be the only time he would have to speak privately to her for another week or so.
"Good evening, Mr. President." Kira moved further into the room and went straight to where Gareth stood. "I hope that all is well. We leave quite early for Camp David."
"Yes, I know, Agent Jackson. I hope being on duty tonight won't keep you from being on your toes tomorrow."
"No, sir, I will be just fine. Might I suggest you need your sleep also?"
"You're right---sleep has been elusive for the last few nights. I'm hoping to make up for it when we get to Camp David. Malachi seems to think I need some relaxation."
"Well then, I'll just do a quick walk-through and allow you to get to it."
"Kira, I, uh...I want to apologize for my behavior last week."
Kira's heart did a slow thump, thump.
Please don't let him be sorry about the kiss.
Gareth took her hand and gently raised it to his lips, giving a brief caress to the underside of her palm. Kira's knees threatened to buckle. How could such a small gesture send her soaring into the beginnings of ecstasy? The man was a lethal weapon, and one that could send her over the edge, or kill her, with the wrong word.
"Forgive me for being such an ass. My only excuse is the volatility of the kiss we shared took me by surprise. I haven't felt that way in a very long time."
Kira looked up and met his gaze. Inside the depths of green, she saw the truth of his words. "I wasn't expecting what happened either, but..."
"I hope you don't regret---"
"No, Gareth, I could never regret our kiss. It was beautiful and..."
"Filled with passion?"
Her cheeks heated at his words. Passion was an understatement. The explosion of lust and emotion rocked her to her foundation.
"Yeah, you could say that."
His chuckle caused a similar response from her. Laughter was not something she was familiar with, but sharing this moment with him would be something she wanted to do more than once. A lifetime would not be long enough.
He stepped closer and tugged on a lock of her hair. "Kira, I can't promise much at the moment. The press hounds me day and night. Always looking for anything to print about my life as the president and a widower. Just having a female agent guarding me is fuel. If they even get wind of our kiss, both our faces will be plastered all over every newspaper, television station, and tabloid in this country and beyond."
She knew he was right, but her heart still ached. Any type of relationship they had would have to be kept under wraps like some cheap affair.
"I know. Being president has some drawbacks, doesn't it?"
His laughter sounded hollow as he echoed her earlier words. "Yeah, you could say that."
"So, I guess we just agree to be friends, as well as boss and employee?"
"For the time being. I hate this, Kira, but my hands are tied."
She reached up, removed his hand from her hair, and stepped back. "Go to bed, Gareth. I'll see you in the morning."
Kira left through the den doors and made her circuit of the PQ before dissolving into mist. She re-formed on top of the White House, making sure only the wind heard her sobs while she cried for what she knew she could never have. No way would Gareth ever be able to rationalize a relationship between them to the press. Not to mention the White House staff, Congress, and the nation. Well, at least he hadn't brought up her Houdini act.
She sat cross-legged near the flagpole and waited for the night to pass. They were scheduled to leave for Camp David at 0700 hours. Marine One's pilot would have the helicopter in the air almost as soon as the seven o'clock hour hit. Kira wouldn't be able to scrounge any sleep before having to be on the grounds for transport. And none at all on the short flight. Gareth's daytime guard would be with him, but she would still need to be alert.
The first rays of sunrise touched the horizon. She stared at the mingled pinks and oranges until the light begin to hurt her eyes. Time to go home. After checking in with John, the day agent, she transported to her apartment. The one-bedroom basement flat was all she needed. Or at least it had been, until she met Gareth.
Chapter Seven
Kira arrived on the South Lawn several minutes before takeoff, only to be told by Malachi that they would be doing a short hop to Andrews Air Force Base. From there, they would take Air Force One to Camp Pendleton in California to welcome home returning troops from overseas.
"This will be your first flight aboard Marine One and Air Force One. I know you've read all the stats on both. Do you have any questions?"
"No, except how long will we be there, and is the president still going to Camp David afterwards?"
"Yes, afterwards." Malachi's brows pulled together. "Kira, will you be okay doing this?"
"You mean my job or handling Gareth? My job, yes, no problem. Gareth, however, I don't know." Kira curled her hands into fists. "Strike that. Yes, I'll be fine. Gareth, pretty much, told me last night there could be nothing between us. How did he word it? Oh yeah, for the moment, because of all the hoopla. My word not his, concerning the nation and the press and stuff."
Malachi dropped his hand on her shoulder before snarling, "I'm going to give him a piece of my mind."
"No! I don't want you getting into any trouble."
"It's Gareth's ass that is going to be in trouble. I can't believe he told you that."
"Well, if it helps any, he didn't act like he liked it any more than I did. Hey, some things are just not meant to be. That doesn't mean I won't find another mate out there." Kira argued but didn't believe her words for a moment.
"All right, I'll grant him a reprieve for the moment, but only because y'all need to be getting on board."
"Where's Gareth? Is he down yet?"
"Yeah, he boarded about five minutes before you got here. Looked like he didn't get any sleep either."
Kira rubbed her arms against the early morning chill. Although mostly immune to cold weather, the light breeze carried a bit of ice with it. She should have grabbed her leather jacket, but she'd barely had time to brush her fangs before she had to turn around and come back to the White House.
"That bad, huh?"
Malachi grinned. "Let's just say, be glad you can't look in a mirror."
"So funny. You know we can see our reflections and even have pics made. But I'm so not talking to you about how bad I look. You need more sleep yourself."
"And I plan on getting some tonight...after I go over some details about our would-be threat."
"Anything you can share now?"
"Not yet, but I will be calling a meeting with you and Gareth after you get back from Camp David."
"Okay, see you then, boss." Kira gave Malachi a cheeky grin before saluting the Marine in dress blues waiting at the steps of the helicopter.
Kira refused to gawk at the size of the military aircraft with the call sign Air Force One. She had read the stats, but nothing prepared her for the sheer size of the plane. Different sections for press, onboard personnel, the flight deck, and the conference center. Not to mention the surgical suite, the president's quarters, and so much more.
She made her way to the president's office, where one of the staff told her Gareth would be. A quick knock on the door awarded her a brisk "Come in."
"Good morning, sir. Hi, John." Kira grabbed a seat next to the day guard and sat down.
"Morning, Kira."
"Good morning, Agent Jackson."
Gareth barely looked up as he acknowledged her before he continued to survey the pages in front of him. Looks like it would be all business. Pretty much what she thought it would be, since she'd spotted the reporters seated in the press section as she did a quick walk-through.
"You want some coffee, Kira? I know you didn't get much sleep before you came on board."
"Thanks, John. I'd rather have a diet cola chased with a glass of juice, if that's possible. I actually got no sleep."
"You want any food? They should be serving up something soon. You can place a special order."
John, built like a bear and over six-foot-four, looked like he could store food in his legs for winter and still be hungry.
"No, I'm fine. Thanks anyway."
"Okay, I'll be back." John eased his frame off the sectional and left.
Kira waited to see if Gareth would say anything now that they were alone. Silence was her only company. After about ten minutes and no John, she decided to break the quiet.
"Mr. President, is there anything I can get you?"
Gareth's head jerked up, and his gaze targeted Kira's own. Before he spoke, he looked around as if just noticing they were alone. "Sorry, I was memorizing my speech for this afternoon."
He gave her a slightly pensive grin. He looked adorable, if that would be an okay adjective to use for the president of a nation.
"No problem. I just wondered if you needed anything."
His gaze darkened to a molten green, and his lips took on a sensual cast. "That's a loaded question, Kira. Are you sure you want me to answer it while we're on board Air Force One?"
Kira felt heat glide over her face, but willed it back, as well as the sexual heat riding the V of her jeans. The man needed a hazardous label.
Her hearing picked up the sound of John's approaching footsteps. She needed to corral her own feelings and Gareth's.
"I was talking about breakfast, Mr. President." She ended her sentence just as John opened the door and stepped over the threshold.
"Thank you, Agent Jackson, I already had coffee when John and I boarded. I'll grab a bite for breakfast after we take off."
"Here you go. You might want to wait to open the bottle. The pilot said we're fixing to take off. Mr. President, time to strap in. You too, Kira."
Kira fastened her seat belt as Gareth and John fastened theirs. Her stomach actually fluttered. Strange, since she'd flown in all types of aircrafts. It could be the fact it was Air Force One, the culmination of her dreams. Only now, she wondered if the zenith of her wishes was actually the man, not the role he played as president.
The engines started their warm-up, first with a low rumble and then a high-pitched sound. When all four were in full throttle, she felt the plane begin to taxi forward. Soon, they would be touring the clouds. The trip should take only about four hours or so, if the weather held.
Shortly, the pilot's voice came over the intercom. "We've reached cruising altitude and are now on our flight pattern. You may now feel free to move about the cabin, but when seated, please keep your seat belts fastened." The voice cut off, and then the phone rang on Gareth's desk. He hit a button, and the pilot's voice spoke again. "Mr. President, I will keep you apprised of our flight logistics, the weather, and will let you know before we approach our landing site. In the meantime, Mr. King said you were to stop whatever you are doing and eat."
"Thank you, Commander. I appreciate you letting me know." Gareth clicked off the speakerphone and then grinned at both Kira and John. "Malachi is worse than an old mother hen. Still, I think it would be best to do as he says." Gareth unfastened his belt and stood up. "Anyone else ready for breakfast?"
Kira followed Gareth and John from the office. They exited left, walked down the wide corridor, and then turned into the galley, also on the left.
"Mr. President! I wasn't expecting you."
"Relax, Claude. I thought I'd stretch my legs a bit before going back to my speech. I also wanted to introduce my night agent to you. This is her first voyage on Air Force One. Kira"---Gareth motioned her forward---"I want you to meet an old friend of mine, Claude Powell. We served together during Operation Desert Storm in January 1991. He's one of the best mess cooks to ever boil water."
"You make me proud, Mr. President." Claude's round, bronze face gleamed with color.
"Drop the formality, Claude. We've been friends too long to stand on ceremony unless we are on display." Gareth slapped the man on his back before continuing, "Now, let me introduce you to Agent Kira Jackson. She will be traveling to Camp David with us, also."
The chef wiped his hands on his apron, and Kira reached out to shake one of his meaty paws. The man was built like a bulldozer. Good thing he had the height to carry it off.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Powell."
"You better make that Claude, Kira, or Gareth will have both our heads."
"You got it. We wouldn't want to make the president angry." Kira ignored the smirk Gareth sent her way. Instead, she glanced at the pots and pans on the commercial-size stove. "What are you cooking? It smells heavenly."
"Saucisson, jus de viande, petits gateaux, and le fromage pousse." Claude reeled off the menu with a flourish of his hand.
"In layman's terms, that would be fried sausage, gravy with biscuits, and eggs and cheese, Kira." Gareth laughed out loud as Kira's eyes grew round.
"Are you actually going to eat all this?"
"Well, not by myself, but I do plan on making considerable inroads into Claude's offering. Like I said, he's an outstanding cook."
Gareth caught Kira's arm and tugged her closer to the stove. He took a plate from one of Claude's mess crew and began to fill it to the brim with some of each of the four items. "Here you go. You need to eat also. It wouldn't hurt you to put on a few pounds, although I don't think any amount of food will make you taller than a flea."
The luscious sight of her open mouth made Gareth glad they had an audience. Otherwise, he'd have her in his arms and fill the spaces between her luscious lips with his tongue. Something he couldn't do, no matter how much he ached to.
"Mr. President, I hardly think---"
Gareth handed her the plate before responding, "Relax, I was just kidding. Now, as my mama would say, eat up." Taking another plate, he filled it full and handed it to John before he filled his own plate. Instead of going back to his quarters or office, he took a seat at the counter with Kira and John.
John shoveled food into his mouth like a lumberjack starved for four days. Kira's pace was a bit slower. She sampled each type of food on her plate before taking a sip of OJ. Soon, she was packing in as much food as the men.
"Oh wow, Claude, this breakfast was to die for. If you ever want to take up cooking for a lowly agent, I'd hire you in a minute." Kira dabbed her lips with a linen napkin.
Gareth laughed. "It won't do you any good. I've tried to get him to cook for me at the White House. He refuses."
"Why, Claude?" Kira's question caused another burst of color on the chef's face.
"Well, it's like this, Kira. I like working on this plane. No one bothers me. I only have to work when we're airborne, and the rest of the time, I spend with my daughter and her kids. It's a good life."
"I understand. Family is important."
"Yes, it is, but keep this on the low side." Claude dropped his voice several decibels. "If I ever decide to become a personal chef, I'll put your name at the top of the list."
"Claude!" Gareth's exclamation was laced with humor. He loved the smile his old friend's words put on Kira's lips.
"Fine, I'll put her second on my list."
Gareth ushered a laughing Kira and John out of the galley. He threw a mock salute at Claude before turning to Kira. "I know this is your maiden voyage, so would you like to see the rest of the plane? I give great tours. You can ask John."
Laughter still prevalent in her gaze, Kira responded, "I would be honored, Mr. President."
Two hours later, Kira collapsed on the sofa, back in the president's office. Gareth had taken her on an unbelievable tour---the lower deck of the plane, housing cargo and communications, to the middle deck, where the official offices were, as well as the presidential suite. Of course, that wasn't all the second portion of the plane consisted of. A huge conference and dining room, almost the width of the Boeing 747, was a fraction of its makeup.
Gareth had shown her everything, even the retractable staircases and the upper deck where the control cabin, crew lounge, and communications resided.
Kira stifled a yawn with her hand. Nothing like seeing how the president handled affairs of the nation to make her realize just how truly different they were. Each time he stopped to explain how things worked, even though as an agent she already knew, he'd treated her more like a guest than an employee or anything closer.
Gareth was now in his suite, taking a short break from answering questions from the press, while John stood guard right outside his door. Both men told her to get some rest, and that was what she planned to do. If she could just forget about feeling she was nothing to Gareth but an agent. It was one thing to treat her like that in front of the press, but the longer the tour went on, the more distant he became.
She stretched out and dragged a cushion under her head. Regardless of how Gareth treated her, she had a job to do, and she needed to get some sleep to be alert. Thank God John was on duty now. The big morning meal, the tour, and Gareth's attitude all served to make her feel even more tired. Another yawn and she closed her eyes. Maybe, if she was lucky, she could nap the rest of the way to California.
Chapter Eight
Boom!
An explosion rocked the plane, jolting Kira awake and tossing her to the floor. Another boom sounded, and a wrenching, tearing noise made her flinch. A second later, she was on her feet, running for the presidential suite.
As she flung herself out into the corridor, she spotted John's body lying on the carpeted surface of the plane. Crimson dotted his hairline, and a streak rolled sluggishly down his face. She stopped, checked his pulse, and scooped him up in her arms.
"Kira?" he asked.
Thank God, the agent was still alive. "I'm here, John. It's going to be okay." She opened the door and stepped into the room. Her gaze lit on an already mobilized Gareth. He had the phone up to his ear, barking questions.
"I'm going to put you on the couch, and then I'll see about getting you some help." Kira could have taken John to the medical suite, but until she checked out how things were in there and found out what had happened, she preferred not to move him too far. Although John's wound was no longer bleeding out, he was groggy, which meant he could not guard Gareth. Which meant her plans to talk to the pilot and make a circuit of the plane---preferably in her immaterial vampire guise---would have to wait.
"Kira!"
She turned to find Gareth's eyes on her. "Yes, sir, Mr. President."
"Are you all right?"
"Except for being tossed off the couch, I'm fine. What about you?"
"Me too, but not sure about the plane. The pilot said we lost two engines. One of them tore off a piece of a wing tip."
As if to prove Gareth's words true, the plane started to tilt to the left.
"Is there anything we can do?"
"I don't know. I'm going up to talk to the pilot in person and hopefully scope out the damage."
"Mr. President, you need to stay here. Yes"---Kira held up her hand---"I know you don't want to hear it, but I need you to be where I can get to you in a hurry if need be. And I need to scope out what's going on."
She motioned to John. "He may have a concussion and would be horrified if something happened to you, so please do as I ask. Just stay here."
Gareth watched Kira in her agent mode. She seemed to be more sure of herself than when they were in the tunnel. Her face was etched in determination, and her stance signaled she would do what she had to do to keep him safe. Considering she had carried John into the suite without breaking a sweat, he had no desire to test her abilities. Still...
"No. I'm the commander in chief. We will do a round of the plane and check with the pilot together. I have to know what is going on, Kira. I have to have a visual. There are lives at stake, and I know you are familiar with this phrase: 'No one is going to die on my watch.' Now"---Gareth shot her a look that he hoped was commanding---"move your ass. The quicker we do this, the quicker we can get back."
A snarl erupted from her lovely lips, but he paid her no never mind. Gareth walked over and laid a palm against John's shoulder. "Hang in there, John. Now rest. It's not your watch. That's an order." He smiled down at the man who would die to keep Gareth safe, and wanted to curse. He meant what he told John. No one was going to die.
"Agent Jackson, at my back."
Gareth knew Kira was mad enough to spit grenades, but Air Force One was his command, and he would take charge. Not because he was bullheaded, but the men and women on board needed to see he was calm. They would take their cue from him. He needed to be a presence they could lock on to. So his agent would have to get over her mad spell.
"Sir, I don't---"
"This is not up for discussion. We have a job to do, so move out."
The corridor looked secured, and so did the medical suite. He stopped for a moment. "Dr. Shelton, is everyone okay?"
"Yes, Mr. President. Other than a few items, all encased in unbreakable packages, hitting the floor, nothing else is out of place. I hope the situation is under control."
Shelton served with Gareth's dad during the Vietnam War. He was a medic, and then got his doctorate in medicine. He was the first on Gareth's list when they were looking at applicants for his medical team.
"I'll know in a bit, Sheltie. I need you or one of your personnel to check on John. He's in my suite. He took quite a fall and banged his head. Just keep your people calm, and be ready for anything." Gareth dropped a hand on the older man's shoulder. He'd hate like hell to have anything happen to this man.
"Will do, Gareth. You be careful."
The doctor nodded at Kira and then grabbed a black bag and headed toward the suite.
They checked on Claude, who told them all was fine, and then moved to the dining and conference rooms. There the damage was more prevalent. Chairs and tables were overturned, and the stemware that had been set out lay in shards of glass on the laminated floor. After making certain the wait-staff and the senior staff next door were without injuries, Gareth paused.
"Okay, where to next?"
Kira's question jarred Gareth. She'd been silent up to now. He could have said he'd forgotten she was with him, but that would be a lie. Even in the throes of a possible crash landing, he could not ignore the way her perfume teased his senses. The light fragrance shouted, I am woman. Take me. And if he followed up on that thought, she would probably hurt him, as mad as she was at the moment.
He cast a glance to the side and saw his assumption was correct. "Now we check in with security and the office staff. I'm really surprised no one from security has tried to find me."
The same story applied to those sections. Everyone was okay, but shaken. Security Officer Niles Beaumont shook hands with Gareth. "You saved me a trip up front, sir. I was on my way to see if you were okay or needed anything."
"I'm fine. John seems to be the only one mildly injured so far. Dr. Shelton is checking him out. I'll give you an update on what's going on as soon as I know."
"Thanks. I'll see if I can be of service to the doc. John is a good guy."
Gareth and Kira continued to canvass the plane until they made it to the press section. Reporters and television crews were talking into their cell phones. For the most part, they seemed to be okay. Gareth made his way to a tall blond male who turned as they approached.
"Mr. President, are you okay?"
"Yes, thank you, Ryan. Agent Jackson and I are doing a sweep of the plane to see about any injuries."
"Other than being a bit shell-shocked, everyone here is okay. As you can see, they are already calling their contacts."
"And you didn't?" Gareth allowed a brief smile to surface as he watched one of Washington's television anchors squirm.
"Well, I sorta did. Just a quick summary."
"That's what I thought. I will be giving a statement in a bit, when I have more details. In the meantime, why not make yourself useful and get these men and women back in their seats? It wouldn't be remiss to have them fasten their seat belts."
"Yes, sir." The man's face blanched as he started around the room.
Gareth turned and looked down at Kira. "Now we go see the pilot."
Their trip back to the front of the plane was not as steady as the previous one. The plane, which had stabilized from its tilt, dropped like a rock. Kira grabbed for Gareth at the same time he grabbed her. They both went down in a tangle of limbs near the front stairway for the upper deck.
Gareth freed himself first and stood to his feet. He then offered a hand to Kira, who, much to her surprise and his, took it. The man might not be a vampire, but the president was no lightweight. The floor continued to tilt, but braced against one another, they were able to get the stairway to descend.
A slightly dizzy ascent, and they finally made it to the cockpit. Gareth keyed in a code, and the panel slid back.
"Commander Bartlett, I need a status report."
The pilot, a man in his middle forties with a bit of gray in his sooty hair, looked up as they stepped inside. "Mr. President, I have been going over the techs. As I told you before, we did lose power to two engines, and as you know, that will allow us to stay airborne, but the last explosion tore off the tip of the wing we need to help balance us when we land. We are also losing fuel from that wing's storage tank. The light for the landing gear works, but when I tried it, the gear would not completely engage."
"So are you telling me we are in for a rocky landing?"
Bartlett looked at Gareth and then Kira. "Yes, sir, and a possibly deadly one if we hit anything major on our way down. I've alerted Malachi about what is going on. We have also been in touch with Camp Pendleton about your delay in flight.
"Our coordinates put us close to McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas." Bartlett took off his cap and scrubbed a hand across his forehead. "I'm going to try to put her down there. Your cargo planes with the limo and helicopter on board can land there, or go on to California. Your call on that one."
Gareth looked pensive to Kira. His brows drew together, and his eyes were shuttered for a moment.
"Can you get Malachi on the phone for me?"
"Yes, sir, he on a fishing trip, but said he could get to wherever you needed him."
Yep, Malachi could just transport himself to whichever base they landed at or went on to. And she could transport the president off the plane also, but that would filter in so many questions, it wouldn't be realistic. The fewer people, including Gareth, who knew what she was, the better. She had to talk to Malachi herself. But first, she wanted a look at the plane's wing.
"Ugh, Mr. President, I, uh, need to visit the ladies' room for a moment. I'll be right back." Kira despised the looks of disbelief and disgust on Bartlett's face, as well as the copilot's and navigator's. Gareth just looked a bit shocked. Oh yeah, like he never expected her to have a nature call. It stunk to high heaven to have to act like a girl, but hard times called for humiliating measures.
Without waiting on them to say anything verbal, she stepped out of the cockpit, made her way into the deserted crew lounge, and then dissolved into molecules. She stayed in that element until she examined the wing. A jagged strip remained of the two-foot section sheared off, and the Commander was right. They were losing fuel, by the looks of it, and a lot more than he was aware of.
A few seconds later, she materialized back in the lounge and pulled out her cell phone. Malachi answered on the first ring.
"Kira! I expected to hear from you before now." She could hear the fear and anxiety in her boss's tone.
"I know, but Gareth, being Gareth, had to tour the plane to make sure everyone was okay."
"Why isn't John guarding him?"
"John has a head injury from a fall he took when the explosion happened."
"Any news on what caused it?"
"No, I've been out on the wing in molecular form, but I haven't found anything yet. The only way I got away from the president was to tell him I had to go to the bathroom. Don't worry, he's in the cockpit at the moment, but I need to get back. Before I go, do you want me to check out the bowels of the plane to see if I can find where the explosion initiated?"
"No, go get with Gareth. The TSA will check out the cause after y'all land. Kira, make sure you do what you have to do to keep him safe during the landing."
"You want me to teleport him off the plane?" Disbelief was apparent in her voice.
"No, but keep him covered at all times. This is something I should have foreseen happening, but Lord knows, this was a last-minute trip. Who could have known about this in time to set up an attack?"
"I don't know. I'd say it could have already been in motion, but they always check out AF1 before it leaves the hangar. I guess you know we're going to try and land at McConnell?"
"Yes, I spoke with Gareth and Commander Bartlett right before you called. I'll be there before you arrive, which, if nothing else delays it, should be in about fifteen minutes."
"Okay, I'll get back to Gareth, then help secure for a crash landing. I'll see you on the ground, Malachi."
"Right, and Kira, you be careful with you."
"You got it, boss!"
Chapter Nine
Kira arrived back in the cockpit to find Gareth ending his conversation with the pilot.
"Oh good, you're back, Agent Jackson. I spoke to Malachi, and he will meet us when we land. Undoubtedly, he has a sixth sense for trouble. He's already en route."
"That would not surprise me, sir. I spoke to him also by cell, and we need to get you buckled in."
"First---"
"Sir, Commander Bartlett will announce what is going on. Isn't that right, Commander?" At Bartlett's nod, she gently grasped Gareth's arm. "We need to get back and make sure John is strapped in also."
The president's eyes opened wide for a second, allowing Kira a clear view of green. She also spotted anxiety riding the curve of his irises. The man certainly kept a cool air about him, not letting anyone see his inner thoughts. Gareth must be going nuts wondering if anyone else might get injured or even killed during the unavoidable crash landing.
"You're right. John needs our help."
Gareth walked with a steady but determined step as they descended the stairway and moved back to his suite. John lay sleeping on the small love seat. One of Dr. Shelton's med techs sat with him.
She watched Gareth's eyes touch on the tech's scrub top. "Thank you, Private Waters, you are relieved of this duty. Please let Dr. Shelton know we are going to have a rough landing. He'll apprise you about what to do next."
Gareth accepted the private's salute and returned one of his own as Kira bent over to check on John. His color looked good, but his breathing was a bit rapid for her liking. She hoped the ambulances would be standing by when they landed. John needed an X-ray and possible hospitalization.
"Sir, we might do better to move to your office. We can buckle up in there better."
"All right, I'll get---"
"Already got him, sir. You lead the way." Kira boosted John onto her shoulder and followed Gareth. Once the president and John were strapped in, side by side on the sofa, Kira removed all objects that could turn into flying weapons. All possible projectiles went into desk drawers. She then punched in the number for the cockpit on the phone.
"Commander Bartlett, the president is secure. I will leave the intercom open for any instructions or information from you."
"Thank you, Agent. Now, I suggest you strap in also. We are about five minutes from landing. I have already informed the rest of the crew and the press by the intercoms in those quarters."
"Okay, and God bless us all, Commander." She checked John's pulse. "You okay?"
"I've been better, Kira. Thanks for doing what you did."
"Like you wouldn't have?"
"Sure, but you picked me up, and I've had grown men that couldn't. I'd love to know how you did that."
Kira resisted the urge to chuckle. If the man knew her trick, he'd probably run for the hills. Vampiric strength was a bonus for her, but something she preferred not to use around others unless she had no choice---like today.
"Plenty of exercise and vitamins, John. Now brace yourself." Kira slipped into her seat and buckled her belt. Her acute hearing picked up the nauseating rate at which they were dropping.
"Assume crash positions, everyone." The voice coming from the intercom was calm, but Kira picked up on more than a bit of hidden anxiety. She hated that her hands were tied by the fact that she couldn't show any of her vampire traits. The only thing she could do was try to get Gareth and John off the plane as quickly as possible, in case of an explosion. The fuel streaming from the hole in the wing had soaked the left side of the plane, and the least bit of friction could cause a fireball.
Kira closed her eyes and sensed her surroundings. They were coming in at an unnatural angle. Probably due to the damaged wing. A vicious crack impacted her hearing. Her heart sped up. They had probably hit a tree near the edge of the landing strip. Not good, but it didn't have to be fatal. A sudden dip, and the plane veered to the left before hitting the ground with an earthshaking thud. Kira was out of her seat before the plane stopped shaking, and was thrown immediately backward as it flipped onto its side.
Sirens sounded in the distance, and she could hear the shouts and screams coming from the press section. Located in the back of the plane, it should have been the safest place to sit, but at the moment, Kira wasn't laying any bets that any of them were safe. The sickening smell of petroleum combined with the sweet scent of blood assaulted her nostrils. Someone was hurt, hopefully not badly.
The desk in the office careened forward, jerked loose from cement floor anchors, and slid toward the sofa. Gareth's head jerked up, and his gaze met Kira's before he glanced at what was coming toward him at an incredible speed.
Kira threw herself at Gareth and John, almost lying across their laps as she prepared to take the brunt of the desk.
"Kira, no!"
The impact took her breath away, and one edge of the desk cut into her back with a sickening rip. As she held the desk back, the lights in the cabin blinked off, the sirens sounded louder, and smoke began to filter in through the vents.
Not good.
Kira pushed back, and the desk reversed directions, gliding back to its original position. She eased to her feet. "Are you all right, Mr. President?"
"Are you crazy? What possessed you to fling yourself in front of that desk?"
So much for a thank-you. "It's my job, Mr. President. Now, I have to check on John. We need to get off this thing before it explodes. And forget about making sure everyone else gets off. This is not a ship. You have to survive to lead the country."
"We'll discuss this later, but I agree we need to get off."
Kira's breath whooshed out in an exhalation of relief. Thank God, she didn't have to pick Gareth up and tote him off, too. It would be stretching a mortal's imagination that she had gotten that much strength from exercise.
"I'm ready. Please stay behind me, Mr. President."
The corridor outside the president's office was dark. Smoke filled the passageway with a thick gray fog. Kira inhaled. The gasoline smell was stronger. There was not a lot of time left to get off the plane before it blew.
She fought her way through the smoke. "Mr. President?"
"Right behind you, Kira."
Good, the man was stubborn, but not stupid. The stairway to the cockpit wavered in a smoky haze. Maybe they should go up and hope the rescue team could get them out that way.
Kira used her free hand, the one not holding John, to feel for the iron banister. She should have been right at the spot where it should be. The cloud of smoke obscured her vision, even with her vampire senses. Her hand struck something hard and jagged. She followed the length and wanted to cry. The staircase was a twisted mass of metal.
Gareth almost plowed right into Kira as his agent stopped so quickly. She must have eyes like a cat. He couldn't see a foot in front of him. "What's wrong, Kira?"
"Our closest escape is gone. The stairway took more than a hard hit when we landed. We have to keep moving if we're going to get out. I just hope they can get the cockpit crew to safety. It's quite a bit of a jump to the ground level."
"Maybe I should---"
"There's no way you can get up to the upper level. The metal is not only warped but beginning to warm up, which means we have a fire somewhere. So, for now, we have to keep going forward and try to get out by way of the stairs near the security and press section."
"Kira?"
"What?"
Gareth ignored her snappish tone. For heaven's sake, the woman was toting a two-hundred-pound man on her shoulder, and it was damn hot and uncomfortable.
"I just wanted to say thank you."
Gareth came even with her, and Kira whispered. "I'm sorry."
Her blue gaze glistened, probably due to the smoke, and the irises and the rims of her eyes were red. He expected his looked the same way. "It's okay. Let's just get the hell out of here."
The smile she gave him made Gareth want to shout, but he'd save that emotion for another time---if there was one.
"Why don't you let me take John for a bit? Give you a break."
"I'm fine, sir. It shouldn't be much farther."
Kira moved forward once more, and he followed her---not a position he liked or was used to. Always, he'd taken point in battles and in his presidential campaign.
They passed by the staff section and other compartments. All were empty. Knowing Sheltie, he'd already ushered everyone to the next exit. They continued to the guest section of the plane, moving at a snail's pace. Gareth's shirt stuck to his back with sweat, and his eyes burned like the devil. He tried his best not to inhale by holding his dirty shirtsleeve close to his mouth and nose. Poor Kira didn't have that luxury.
"It's here, sir." Kira stopped and waited on Gareth to close ranks with her. Members of the press were exiting down the stairway as fast as the smoke would allow. Some still spoke into their cell phones. A few helped others traverse the almost invisible steps, and one or two stopped to stare at Gareth, Kira, and John before exiting.
Before they could move forward, Commander Bartlett and the rest of the crew from up top came to a halt behind Gareth.
"How did you get down?"
"Well, to tell you the truth, sir, we took a fire extinguisher, slicked the rails, and then slid down until we hit bottom."
Gareth's chuckle was raspy as he slapped Bartlett on the back. "Okay, everyone, off the plane now."
"Not until you go, Mr. President. We are pulling up the rear."
"No, you're not. What you can do is get John off and give Kira some rest, since she won't allow me share the load. Get her off, and yourselves, and I'll be right behind you. I assume the football is already off and safe?" Football was code for the satchel that the president always had with him, and which contained a nuclear war plan.
"Yes, it and its keeper were the first off. Just as you've always ordered in case of an emergency."
"Good! Kira, give John to the commander, and get the hell off this plane."
Kira handed John off to two of the cockpit crewmen who stepped forward. She smiled briefly at John before turning back to Gareth. "I believe I am still agent on watch, and if you don't want me to pick you up like I did John, I suggest you move your butt, sir."
Bartlett guffawed at her words, and Gareth saw red. No way in hell was he going to let his agent carry him anywhere. "Fine, have it your way, Agent Jackson. Commander, if you will lead the way, Kira and I will bring up the rear."
Gareth kept pace with her as they moved quickly down the stairs to the open hatch door and the evacuation slide. He gave Kira a stern look, one she must have understood, for they both jumped at the same time. A moment later, they were being hauled to their feet by an almost ashen-faced Malachi and Commander Bartlett.
As a unit, all four of them moved away from the plane. They'd barely cleared the tarmac perimeter when a whooshing sound came from behind them. It was all the warning they had before the plane ignited and blew up, tossing Gareth, Kira, and the rest of their entourage fifty yards forward onto patchy brown grass.
Chapter Ten
Kira pushed herself to her knees and shook her head. The ringing in her ears hopefully would subside. It might take a bit longer for the various cuts on her arms and legs from flying glass to close up. Not to mention the spot where the desk took off a piece of her hide. But for the moment, she was thankful to just be in one piece. The very real circumstance of having her head severed by flying objects had been way too close for comfort.
She gained her feet and spotted Gareth, several yards in front of her. Malachi was there also, lending the president a hand to get to his feet. As she scanned the immediate area, her gaze found Commander Bartlett, who looked to be dazed but okay.
Forcing her legs to move, she limped toward the rest of the unlucky four who'd caught the brunt of the explosion.
"Mr. President, are you okay? Malachi? Commander Bartlett?"
Malachi inhaled and exhaled quickly before answering. "We're fine. The president may be a bit bruised but---"
"Your boss tackled me. Something we will discuss later."
Gareth moved closer to Kira. "You're bleeding, Kira. We need to get you to a medic."
The concern in his voice tugged at Kira's heart. So unfair for him to care and worry for her, and they were prohibited from doing anything about it.
"Don't worry about me. I heal really fast. We need to get you checked out and aboard a new Air Force One."
"We'll do that in a moment, but first..." Gareth raised his hand and slid it along the path of Kira's cheek. His touch was gentle as he caressed the sudden ache right below her left eye. Shoot, she must look like crap. If her face was as messed up as her previously pristine leather pants and tank top, then she must look like a poster child for bruised agents. No way could he be looking at her with anything but disgust or pity in his eyes. So why did she want to grab him and kiss the daylights out of the man?
Gareth leaned forward, Malachi cleared his throat, loudly, and Kira jumped out of her daydream. How stupid could she be? They had to get out of here.
Less than an hour later, they were airborne again. Gareth showered in his new quarters and changed clothes. Kira ducked into the lavatory, waved her hand, and bim-bang-boom, she was clean again, and clothed in her favorite garb. Only this time, she opted for a long-sleeved black top with her black leather pants.
Malachi sequestered himself with Gareth in his office, which meant Kira could relax for a bit. It had almost taken an act of Congress to convince the president she did not need medical attention, and then he had to make the rounds of all the military brass at McConnell before they could board the plane to finish their flight to California. Luckily, the troops arriving back on U.S. soil had been delayed due to rerouting for a thunderstorm. If all went well, they would be at Camp Pendleton in plenty of time to welcome them home.
Kira decided to head for the galley. Breakfast seemed like a long time ago, and just maybe Claude had a late lunch ready for the passengers and crew.
"Hi, Agent Kira, you doing okay?" The chef's gaze held a bit of concern within its brown depths.
"I'm fine, Claude. Just hungry. I don't suppose you have---"
"For you, anything you want. I heard how you got Gareth and John off the plane. You were amazing. So anything your little heart or stomach wants, I'll fix."
Kira actually giggled. "You are now at the head of my most awesome friends list. I would love to have just a sandwich. That'll do me until tonight."
Claude's anticipatory expression fell at her words.
"I mean, if that's okay with you. Or anything you want to fix will be fine with me."
She found herself pushed down into one of the galley's chairs, a glass of iced tea in front of her, and then a plate with a piece of Key lime pie slid to a halt within hand's reach. A knife and napkin appeared immediately beside it, and Kira looked up to see a smiling Claude.
"You start with this while I grill you a steak with all the trimmings."
"Thank you, Claude, but how did you know I liked Key lime pie?"
Claude stopped marinating a steak the size of Texas. "Well, I could say Malachi told me, but truthfully, Kira, I'm a fang-toting, proud-to-be a part of the VGP."
Kira bit down so hard on the pie she'd shoveled in her mouth, she almost broke one of her fangs on the fork. Shock radiated all the way to her toes. How had she not known?
"Claude! Why didn't I know?"
"I'm sure you would have figured it out, but Malachi wanted to keep it on the down-low. Gareth has no idea, but I wonder about that. Malachi told me about the bomb he dropped on y'all the night you got hired on as an agent."
Kira took a sip of tea. "Yeah, that was a bit of a revelation. No way did Malachi see that one coming, and I thought my boss knew everything."
"Talking about me, are you, my dear?" Malachi's wicked tone did nothing to help the bite of pie she had just swallowed to go down. She waited a moment before looking up at her boss and Gareth, who now stood in the galley.
"Strictly compliments, I assure you, Malachi. Now leave our lovely Kira alone so she can eat." Claude moved back to the counter, took the steak from its container, and tossed it on the now hot grill. "I'm fixing our heroine a steak. If you gentlemen want one, you better be nice."
Kira's laughter caressed Gareth's ears.
God above, it was a miracle she was alive. The truth, it could have only been a divine intervention that all on board had escaped with only cuts and bruises---bar John's probable concussion. It could have ended tragically. The thought that anyone could have died was abhorrent to Gareth, but the thought of losing Kira scared the hell out of him. How he'd fallen so quick and hard for a woman he barely knew, a woman who housed a host of secrets inside her seductively beautiful exterior, he didn't know.
One thing he did know, he didn't want Kira putting herself in danger again---not for him, and not for anyone. He would have a hard chat with Malachi about removing her as his agent. Maybe give her a nice out of harm's way desk job. The moment that thought occurred, Gareth discarded it.
Kira would never go along with that idea. If he had her bounced from the Secret Service, no telling what she would do next. He'd read her service record. It was impressive and downright frightening. The woman had been in places and performed duties for her country's sake that would cause men with a decades of war experience to shudder.
No, his Kira would never agree to being a desk jockey. The only thing he could do would be try to limit her time away from the White House. She should be safe there. For now, he'd have to suck it up and keep his thoughts to himself.
"Gareth? Gareth?" Malachi's voice broke into those self-same thoughts.
"Sorry, what did you say?"
"Claude wanted to know if you wanted a steak." The head of the Secret Service's tone dripped with amusement.
"Yes. Make mine medium, Claude, if you would." Gareth leaned closer to Malachi. "And what is so funny, my friend?"
"It'll never work."
"What won't?"
"Trying to get Kira to step down, stay safe, whatever."
"How did you know...I forgot, you have talents that come with those fangs."
Malachi chuckled. "It doesn't take a vampire to know what you were thinking. I read it on your face at the crash site. I just hope no one else did." He slung an arm over Gareth's shoulders. "Just don't hurt her, Gareth. I've been like a godfather to Kira since she came into the world. I would not be happy if you break her heart."
"Believe me, it's the last thing I want to do."
The rest of the trip was uneventful, thank God. They arrived in plenty of time to greet the returning troops, and the ride back to Andrews Air Force Base was a quiet one so far. The press, for the most part, opted to discontinue their trip back at McConnell Air Force Base in Kansas, except for a couple of die-hard never-give-uppers. Ryan, the television anchor, was one of the ones who decided to continue.
Gareth took a turn around the plane to relieve some of the stiffness in his abused body. It beat all he'd ever seen. Kira, a mere handful soaking wet, knee-high to a grasshopper, acted as if she'd taken a walk on the South Lawn. He must be getting old. At one time, he would have been able to haul ass with a man on his shoulder, too.
"Mr. President, if I could have a moment of your time."
Ryan interrupted his train of thought. Just as well, it was more than a bit depressing.
"Sure, what can I do for you?"
"Well, first off, I wanted to see if you were really okay. Yeah, I know you have to say yes, but truly, how are you?"
Gareth had always tolerated Ryan. His television station in the heart of DC had played a major role in covering the election. The spotlight on Gareth had been a plus to get his views across to the American public.
"Truly, I'm all right. I think, at the moment, you could say I'm relieved no one was seriously hurt, the incident is over, and we need to move on."
"Do you mind if I quote you on that, sir?"
"No, go ahead. Is there anything else I can do for you?"
"Well, I was wondering. This is really the first time we, the press, have actually seen Agent Jackson. I think that was her name. Can you tell me anything about her? She is really going to be a heroine in the public's point of view. I'd like to---"
"Get a jump on your competition?"
"Yeah, you know how it is." Ryan's tan features held a bit of a hangdog expression.
"I can imagine, but there's not a lot to say about Agent Jackson. She was hired a short time ago and has an impressive military record."
"I understand she is your night guard. Doesn't that make for a bit of speculation? I mean, a hot babe like her guarding a president who is single."
Gareth clenched his fists to keep from knocking the shit out of Ryan. The man was digging, and to hit him would just make him want to find any type of dirt he could on him and Kira.
"Actually, I rarely see Agent Jackson. She makes specific rounds, but her duties, except for checking in before I retire, are limited to guarding the perimeter of the private quarters and the outside of the White House."
"Well, there are some who would question the fact she's there at all in the nighttime hours. Would you care to give me a quote about your relationship with her?"
"Quote, unquote, Agent Jackson is one of the best in the business. We have no relationship other than employer and employee. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to check in with Malachi King."
His strides, as he almost stalked away from Ryan, were tense, just like his entire body. The anchorman needed a lesson in manners. Of course, he knew this wouldn't happen. Still, hopefully, he had cut Ryan off at the knees. Kira did not need her name in the limelight or her reputation in tatters.
"Gareth?"
He looked up to see Malachi approaching. "What is it, Malachi?"
"Commander Bartlett says we'll be landing in just a few minutes. You need to buckle in."
"Where's Kira?" His question sounded raspy. He hadn't seen her since their late lunch in the galley. She'd taken him up on his offer to stretch out in the presidential suite. Of course, the woman was so stubborn, Malachi had to pull rank to get her to agree to the idea. Now, he found himself missing her. Even several hours after the crash, his insides still felt like a jackhammer when he thought about what could have happened.
"Kira's up and already buckled in, buddy. It's you who is running behind. I'm surprised you didn't hear Bartlett's announcement."
"I got into a conversation with Ryan Simmons about Kira."
"Why in the hell did he want to know about Kira?" Malachi's question came out as a snarl.
"He said he just wanted some background info. But then he went on to ask me how I felt about having a woman as an agent at night. Said she had a hot bod. I'm beginning to not like the guy."
"As of this moment, neither do I. Just say the word, and I'll tear his head off."
Gareth grinned. Malachi meant that literally.
"I palmed him off with her military record, so I'm hoping that's the end of it."
"Let's hope so."
Glass shattered against the fireplace marble. Whiskey droplets fanned the almost dead flames into a riotous mixture of orange and red. Hayes had escaped the revenge he'd spent months planning. Revenge long past due. And although he couldn't blame this second missed hit on anyone but himself, it still rankled. Gareth Do-Gooder Hayes, never a step out of place had triumphed once again.
He poured more than a generous dollop of whiskey into a glass to replace what his anger had destroyed. The liquor burned a path down his throat but didn't burn away the hate eating at his insides. Next time, he would not fail in his quest for revenge. Gareth Hayes would die.
Chapter Eleven
Kira sniffed the air outside the main lodge at Camp David. The scent of pine and flowering shrubs filled her nostrils with the fresh fragrance of nature. It was awesome. No smog, no car fumes, no underlying smell of thousands of people; she loved it.. The spring weather since they'd arrived the evening before had been gorgeous. The president planned to spend the entire week at the retreat, and they would return to Washington late Sunday night. That gave her almost six days to enjoy the bounty of nature.
After another loop around one of the walking trails, she turned to head back to the main lodge. A slight rustling sound came from behind her. Kira pivoted, dropped into a slightly bent-knee stance with her arms up and her hands poised in an attack mode. She barely pulled her punch back in time when Malachi sauntered into the open glade.
"Malachi, that's a good way to get your butt kicked."
His laughter soothed her anxiety about whether or not Gareth's retreat was being breached, but his smirk afterward made her wish she'd decked him anyway.
"Down, kitten, I've got fangs and claws older than you are."
She accepted the arm he threw over her shoulders as a silent apology. "Well, make sure next time you announce your arrival." Kira shot him a grin that belied her warning. "What's up, is there any news about John?"
"Yes, he's going to be out for a bit, but will recover." Malachi looked as relieved as Kira felt. "Now, what about some dinner?"
"Great, I'm starved. After going to bed early last night---by the way, thanks for taking my watch---and then missing breakfast this morning, I'm more than ready for some food."
"Thought you might be. Gareth talked Claude into staying with us, after you went to bed. He told him you wouldn't eat unless he cooked."
Kira laughed. "Dirty pool, but I don't care. Lead me to the grub."
"Race you!" Malachi took off like a bullet out of a gun.
Kira swallowed her giggles and hit the path running. A few moments later, they both arrived back at the lodge and sat on the steps, though neither one of them was out of breath.
"I've got to hand it to you, kiddo. You're fast becoming unbeatable when it comes to speed."
"Thanks, I had a good teacher."
The tips of Malachi's ears turned just a tinge of red. But before she could tease him about blushing, Gareth stepped out onto the wide front porch.
"Claude said for you two to get in here or he's going on strike."
Kira jumped to her feet and held a hand out for Malachi. "You want a lift up, old man?"
The fangs he shot in her direction caused another avalanche of laughter from her, as well as the president.
"Enough, you two, let's eat." Malachi didn't snarl, but he didn't wait around for Kira to tease him again.
"I missed you."
Gareth's words were like a balm to her heart. She hated missing her shift last night, hated missing time she could have spent talking to him, but she'd been almost comatose by the time they'd landed and then helicoptered over to Camp David. Blessedly, Gareth had put down her extreme fatigue to the day's events. As much as she hated him to think she was a weak female, it was better that he not ever find out she was a vampire.
She turned back to meet his green gaze. "I missed you, too. I never got to tell you how scared I was when I thought you might die." Kira couldn't believe those words popped out of her mouth. "I mean, the country would be devastated if something happened to you."
"Kira, don't..."
"Don't what?"
"Lie to me or yourself. We both know we're feeling things that have nothing to do with this country."
"Maybe so, Gareth, but because you're who you are, we can't act like we care about each other at all. We're not even allowed the time to see if we actually do care."
"I know, I know. I just don't know what to do about it at the moment. Yesterday's crash put you in the public's eye, not to mention taking ten years off my life. The press are already asking questions about what you are to me. I don't want to give them any fuel to ignite a flame that won't burn out without repercussions."
"I know. I'm just not sure I can---"
"Kira, you can't quit. I won't allow it. I'm not sure I could survive the next three years in office without at least seeing you."
"I feel the same way, but it would be---"
Chapter Twelve
"Son of a bit---"
Malachi's cutoff shout jerked Kira away from her forward momentum toward Gareth's open arms and broad chest. Both she and Gareth fast-walked into the lodge.
Malachi stood in front of the flat-screen television. His facial features were drawn into a grimace. He glanced their way and tried to pull himself together.
"And there we have it, America. Gareth Hayes, who became a widower before he took office, has an agent named Kira who could be on the cover of Playboy, she's so hot. I ask you, what does that say about his squeaky clean image now? Andrew Carter signing off for Down and Dirty Secrets Of Those In The Public's Eye."
Malachi clicked the off button so hard, the remote control exploded into bits and pieces of plastic and metal.
Kira stood rooted to the carpet, her body a frozen ice-cube of disbelief and horror. How on God's green earth had they come up with that garbage? What would it do to Gareth's image? What about yours? Kira decided to ignore that small voice. She just couldn't deal with what it might mean for her.
Shaking off her paralysis, she opened her mouth to ask just how they got that info, but Gareth beat her to it.
"How in the hell did they come up with that? The only one I talked to was Ryan, and I made it perfectly clear Kira was my agent---nothing more."
"I don't know, but I'll be finding out."
"Can't we do something? Stop them, put a gag order on the publishers?"
"No, honey, it's not that simple. Freedom of speech, remember?" Malachi clenched his hands into fists.
"And if we try to shut them up, it makes us look guilty, Kira." Gareth's tone was solemn, but she couldn't mistake the anger flashing in his green eyes.
"So, again, what do we do?"
"We wait. This Andrew guy isn't known for telling the truth. His followers are mostly people who like to read scandal mags. Hopefully, the real newspapers will forgo malicious gossip."
Claude stuck his head out from the dining room. "Come on, eat. It'll help you think better."
Kira started for the dining room, Gareth and Malachi just a step or two behind her. Food, which had sounded so tantalizing a few moments before, was now just a means of restocking her body. She needed the fuel, and although her shift didn't start for several hours, she planned on finding out what she could about the explosion on board AF1. In all the melee since it had happened, her long nap, and now this media crap, she had not talked to Malachi about what they had found.
A while later, with empty plates pushed to the center of the dining room table, glasses replenished with iced tea, and Claude having taken a seat, they all looked toward Malachi.
"The TSA's, along with our own military experts, are taking the plane apart starting with the wing that was damaged. Whoever planted the bomb, and yes, we do know that much, knew if they took out that section of the wing, it would be almost impossible to land the plane. The direct loss of fuel was also something our saboteur would be counting on." Malachi turned to Kira. "You said you heard two explosions."
"Yes, the first one woke me up. A second one occurred almost immediately. It was then I heard the ripping sound."
"From what we have been able to piece together so far, the first bomb must have taken out the landing gear, since Bartlett said it would not descend all the way, and the second one, got the wing." Malachi took a sip of tea, grimaced, and then turned to Claude. "How about breaking out that bottle of Tennessee white lightning you've got hid?"
Claude grinned, jumped up, and headed to the kitchen. He returned a few moments later, with four shot glasses on a tray, and the requested bottle of whiskey.
After everyone had full glasses, Malachi continued. "Whoever did this had to be counting on the fact the plane was flying over some pretty desolate countryside. I'm not sure if they wanted the plane to go down immediately or not. I am sure someone in Gareth's employ leaked the information about our flight change. They had to. Because Air Force One wasn't supposed to fly anywhere yesterday. I just got the word myself the night before and informed Gareth, as well as you two, the next morning." He nodded to Kira and Claude.
"Did you tell anyone else?" Kira knew Malachi blamed himself for what almost happened, but no way could he have known.
"No, that's just it. I didn't." The frown digging into Malachi's face intensified. "Wait a minute, I did notify Commander Bartlett and the crew at Andrews Air Force Base. They had to get AF1 ready."
"Is it possible someone tampered with the plane at the base?" Gareth, who had remained remarkably quiet, tossed the question out into the silence Malachi's words brought.
"Impossible. The plane was checked out before and after it taxied out to the runway. It had to be done after y'all were on board."
"But wouldn't that mean it had to be someone on board already?"
"Yes, Kira, and that makes the hair rise on my neck. Someone we trusted to make sure the president was safe committed treason."
"But whom and why?"
"I don't know yet, Gareth, but excluding Commander Bartlett, who I don't think could be bribed with any amount of money, the four of us here at this table, and Doctor Shelton, everyone else will be on my list of suspects."
"I suppose you already have the list of everyone on board?"
"Yes, the list was compiled and then checked off as everyone boarded. With close to seventy, counting crew, guests, and sundry, we'll have to go through each of the names, their backgrounds, and finances, to determine who might have been open to a bribe. Also, who might have a grudge against the president."
Kira took a sip from her glass. She welcomed the slow burn of whiskey as it blazed a path down her throat to her stomach. It was minute in comparison to the anger she felt considering someone had tried to kill Gareth.
"Kira, we'll find whoever did this, and they'll be punished to the fullest extent of the law."
"Well, just don't let me find them first." Kira's words were low, but edged with such retribution, her male companions actually sucked in their breath.
"Kira, I think that---"
"Forget it, Gareth. I'll find who did this, and they'll pay, and if they know what's good for them, they'll pray it's a quick and merciful death."
A hand touched her chin, forcing her head up. Her gaze lit on Malachi, who leaned down for one millisecond. "Get yourself under control, Kira."
At his words, Kira realized her vision had become interspersed with red. She also realized her fangs were almost completely extracted. Malachi was right. She had to get a hold of herself. Now was not the time to allow her temper full reign---not if she didn't want Gareth to find out she was a vampire.
"Sorry." She swiped a hand over her eyes, forced her incisors to retract, and then looked at Claude, who wore a commiserating expression on his face, and then finally at Gareth.
The man looked a bit stunned at her vehement statement, but not horrified. Good, her secret would remain safe, and she would make sure she followed through on her promise to kill the person responsible for trying to kill her mate.
The sun crossed the tree line and started making its way to bed on the western horizon as their meeting adjourned. Kira stepped outdoors and made her way back to the glen she'd found earlier. She needed some perspective.
Actually, she just needed some space. The what-ifs of why and who'd set the explosives had gone on for the rest of the afternoon.
It was Claude who suggested Kira take off for a bit. She still wasn't quite sure how old the vampire was, but he was fast becoming one of her favorite people.
Not that she had a lot of favorites, for she pretty much kept to herself when not working. Her mom called her on a weekly basis, unless something came up, which meant she could probably expect a call anytime now if Elizabeth Jackson had seen that newscast---just what Kira needed. Her mom had never understood her craving to do something instead of waiting for Prince Vamp to show up. And she certainly wouldn't understand Kira's attraction to Gareth Hayes.
Hopefully, her brothers would leave her alone. The six of them ganging up on her was more than she could handle at the moment. It sucked being the baby of the family at times.
She found a bench, half hidden by a leafy bush, and sat down. Should she quit the VGP? Would that help Gareth or make it worse? Was she even willing to give up something she'd wanted for most of her life---all for the love of a man?
"Kira?" Gareth's soft tone announced him before he stepped into the glade.
"Hi."
"I thought we could talk." He stood still, watching her, almost as if he expected her to cut and run.
"Sure, why not? I'm not doing anything important."
His slight chuckle lacked amusement as he moved to the bench. "Care if I sit down?"
"No, make yourself at home. I should be getting back, but I guess if you're by yourself, I need to stick around as your guard."
He lightly stroked her arm, which she promptly pulled away.
"Don't be that way, Kira."
"What way? Mad because of what's going on? Hurt because you put yourself close to me and then told me we have to be friends? You know, Gareth, I'm tired of this game. I'm a good agent. I never planned to fall...I hate this as much as you apparently do, but life sucks at times. So I guess we'll just have to keep going as we are."
Kira followed her words with action by jumping to her feet and heading back to the house. She only gained a couple of steps toward her goal when an uncompromising grip caught her arm and spun her around.
"Fall what?"
Gareth's gaze shone with intensity. He wanted and planned on getting an answer, but she couldn't tell him she had fallen for him. It would just put more of an anvil around his neck---at a time he needed to concentrate on more important matters.
"Nothing. Now let me go."
"Please, don't just walk away."
Kira tried to pull away, but Gareth held her fast. She couldn't use her creature strength without him being suspicious. "Why not? Our situation is the same. I don't see how we can change it." She resisted the overwhelming urge to push a lock of hair out of his eyes. Her hand trembled, warring with her determination not to touch him---no matter how much she wanted to.
Instead of answering, Gareth ducked his head and pressed his lips against hers. She melted into his body like a piece of candy in the sun. His arms wound around her waist and pulled her flush against his chest. Kira moved her hand upward to touch the hard muscle beneath his navy short-sleeve shirt. It wasn't enough. As she allowed his tongue access to her mouth, she pushed even closer. The hard bulge of arousal beneath his jeans touched her belly. She wanted it lower, inside her---deep as it would go.
Gareth's hands caressed her hair and face before moving downward to dip inside the tank she wore. His fingers found and teased her nipples until they were hard pebbles of ache.
Her moan echoed in the glen. She pulled his shirt out of his pants and returned the favor. His flat nipples hardened with her frantic caresses. Still she needed more, and slid her hands downward to grasp the zipper of his jeans. Gareth's groan as she grazed his erection through their denim barrier, pushed her lust to higher levels. Her incisors lengthened, her blood pumped harder throughout her veins, and the blood hunger she kept hidden leapt to the surface.
Kira pulled her lips back from Gareth and nibbled a path up the column of his throat. She could smell the blood pulsing beneath the skin. She opened her mouth, her incisors barely an inch from his jugular vein.
"Kira! Gareth!"
Malachi's booming baritone restored her common sense and her call to duty. My Lord in heaven, she'd almost made the president of the United States an appetizer. Although still appalled at her imminent action, she reluctantly pulled away from his neck, then his body.
"Kira, I..."
"Don't you dare apologize, Gareth. If you do, I swear I'll hit you."
His laughter teased her ear as he leaned forward. "I was going to say I'm sorry we were interrupted."
She felt the heat of embarrassment sting her cheeks. When would she learn to think before she blurted out the first thing on her mind?
"Well, in that case, so am I. I guess this means we're back to where we started?"
"No! I don't think I could ever just be your friend or pretend you are nothing to me. Somehow, we'll figure out a way to handle any negative press."
"Oh good, you're together." Malachi looked a bit flushed, something unusual for her boss. He may not have been close enough to view their terminated love play, but Kira was sure his hearing had picked up on their sound effects.
"Malachi, I presume you came out for a reason." Gareth's tone now turned a bit icy as he waited for the head of the Secret Service to speak.
"Yes, I did. There's been a few more developments."
"In what, the crash?"
"That and the press's comments, Gareth. One of the Washington super-papers has a front-page article, and I turned on the television manually since I destroyed the remote control. Ryan Simmons has an exclusive of us exiting the plane. There's a picture of you and Kira you need to see."
Moments later, Kira stood with Gareth and Malachi as they watched a replay of their faces and reputations displayed across the national, and probably world news.
"So the agent President Hayes said was just an agent seems to be a bit more to him than he is letting on. I took this picture as they recovered from being hurled fifty feet through the air. It blatantly shows our own president displaying a most definite personal attitude toward the woman who guards him at night. Will there be further developments in this relationship? I'll be waiting and watching, as will the rest of America. Ryan Simmons for Washington's finest network."
Kira's knees threatened to buckle. She searched for and found a chair. How in God's almighty name did the man get that picture? It was just a millisecond. He must have had the camera in his hands just waiting for anything to happen. But why? As far as the press or the media knew, she was a nonentity, someone who guarded the president. Why would they go for this type of scandal when they should be focusing on the crash itself?
She accepted a glass of wine from Claude and then looked at Malachi. At the moment she didn't think she could stand to look into Gareth's eyes. He must have been feeling all kinds of emotions. Regret, guilt, anger, and so much more. All because he showed a shred of kindness.
Get real, Kira. You know it was more than that. His hand shook when he touched you. He, as well as you, were scared spitless over what could have been lost.
And now it looked as if they would have to go back to square one. No way, no how, could they be anything more to each other. Gareth would just have to understand that. And she would have to step down from being his agent.
Tears burned the back of her eyes as she watched Malachi slap Gareth on the shoulder. Had she missed something?
"So, what do we do now? I can tender my resignation. I guess we can tell them it was just a moment of lunacy after almost dying."
"No, I'm not accepting your resignation, no matter how much you want to give it, Kira. We'll find a way to fix this." Malachi hissed his answer.
Kira set her glass of wine down on an end table, stood, and walked over to Malachi. She still couldn't look Gareth in the face. "How are you going to fix this? The only way is for me to step down. You know it, and I know---"
"But I don't know it, Kira!" Gareth's arm slid around her waist. Her breath caught in her throat even as she struggled to dislodge his hold.
"Gareth, let me go. You do know it, or at least you would if you weren't so damn stubborn. You have almost three years left in office. This would be political suicide for you if the press thinks you're having an affair."
His laughter was the last thing she expected in the way of a response. Now she knew he was certifiably off his rocker.
"I should at least get to enjoy an affair if we're having one. Not just be accused of it. And since I'm not married it wouldn't be one."
"Would you be serious? It's not just about you. It's about this country. The people look up to you. They opened their hearts to you when you lost your wife. How is this going to look to the regular people?"
"Kira, this is not up for discussion. I'm not going to be forced into choosing the Oval Office or you. It's not going to happen."
"Children, children, if I could have your attention for a moment." Malachi's eyes twinkled with something Kira wasn't sure she wanted to know.
"Go ahead. Kira and I are finished with this conversation."
Before Kira could open her mouth to say anything else, Gareth dropped a kiss on her lips. "Now, hush up, and listen to what the man has to say."
With both men daring her to disobey, she clamped her teeth together so hard her jaw ached and her fangs almost locked.
"All right, from where I stand, there's only one thing that will fix this particular problem. In fact, it will probably make things easier to keep you contained, Gareth, while we track down the terrorist."
"I'm all ears, Malachi. What's this great solution?"
"Simple, you and Kira will announce to the press, and to that idiot Simmons, you're engaged and will be married within the next month. You'll also tell him you lied about your relationship to protect your fiancée, and you're sorry you did so. After that, you'll tell them you and Kira fell in love at first sight, which is what I believed happened, and she'll continue to be an agent because she'll give her life to protect her husband and her country."
Chapter Thirteen
"You've got to be out of your mind, Malachi. No one's going to believe that drivel. Also, you can't possibly expect Gareth to be locked into a marriage that may or may not work. I refuse to do this."
Malachi, the devil, actually grinned at Kira. "I not only expect it, I command it, Agent Jackson. You're still an employee of the Secret Service, and I'm your boss."
"And I'm yours, Malachi. This is not fair to Kira. Maybe she doesn't want to get married. Maybe I don't."
Kira's heart shattered. So, all his protests about it being the media keeping them from having a relationship were nothing but a bunch of crap. Well, at least she knew the truth now. If she couldn't get out of her job, then she'd guard Gareth like no agent ever before had guarded his assignment. While she was at it, she'd lock up the pieces of her heart and guard them as well.
"I wasn't finished." Malachi glared right back at Gareth without even sparing her a glance. "The marriage will be performed by a friend of mine. He's a former judge. He no longer has the power to marry anyone, and that's what makes this plan ingenious. You two will be married in the eyes of the public, but when Gareth leaves office, you can go your separate ways if you desire to, or sooner if the press hounds let up. Of course, I can always get a real minister to do the job if you'd rather."
"No, I think the first suggestion is the best. This way, neither one of us has to make a commitment if we don't want to." The words poured off of Kira's tongue, leaving a bittersweet taste behind. So much for fairy tales and happily ever afters. They certainly weren't for her. But at least Gareth would be able to do what he wanted once the gossip died down.
This time when she made a move to leave Gareth's embrace, he released her. "Look, it's been a long few days. Malachi, would you mind too much standing guard? I really want to go to bed."
"Sure, hon, get some rest. Gareth and I will just have a nightcap."
"Actually, I think I'll turn in, too. I'll speak with you both in the morning. I'm sure we have to put together a press release to do damage control."
With her heart trailing behind her, she avoided eye contact with Gareth and headed to her room. Once in bed, Kira pulled the covers over her head and cried like there was no tomorrow. For her, there wasn't. Acting as the wife to the man she loved without love being involved for both of them would make every day of the rest of her life a deep cavern of emptiness.
Kira went for a twenty-mile run the next morning to clear her mind before returning for breakfast with the men. It was the only way she could stay sane at the thought of their proposed plan. The mere thought of having to marry Gareth, and then stay married to him for an undetermined amount of time, made her fangs hurt.
Breakfast for the most part was a silent affair, and after a powwow about damage control, she went back to her room to nap, and then got up in time for dinner. Malachi refused to stand guard again. He said it was her job and to do it.
Kira's schedule remained the same, and each night she would walk the perimeters of Camp David until she saw the lights go out in the lodge. Only then would she ease back inside to spend a lonely night of playing solitaire or reading. Tonight was their last night at the camp. They would be heading back to the White House early in the morning.
Kira finished her circuit of the grounds and then teleported to the roof of the lodge. Tomorrow would be a day she would always remember and wished she could forget. If she was lucky, Gareth would retire early, and she could pack up her gear and then settle down to play watch-vamp.
Malachi said they would finalize what they would say to the press before leaving in Marine One. Just as well, she'd need a script to get her through the interrogation. Her mom had not been happy, either, with everything going on. Just thinking about the phone call she'd gotten the day after the news hit the press made her cringe.
"Kira, this is your mom. We need to talk." The irritating tone she expected from her mother was absent, something she wasn't sure was a good thing or not.
"Okay, Mom, spit it out. I know you have a lot to say."
"Honey, I do have a lot to say, but first, I love you."
Tears formed in Kira's eyes and threatened to escape onto her cheeks. "I love you, too, Mom. I just don't know how I ended up in this mess."
"Do you love him?"
"What? Why would you ask me that?"
"Because I talked to Malachi first."
"Well, hell!"
"Kira, you know I hate when you curse." Her mom's tone took on a reproachful attitude.
"I know, I'm sorry, but Malachi should keep his mouth shut."
"Malachi loves you, sweetie. He only wants what's best for you."
Kira inhaled and exhaled rapidly. "Yeah, but marrying the president of the United States? Come on, Mom."
"But do you love him?"
"What does that matter? I have to marry the man anyway."
"It matters a lot. If you love him, you can make things work."
"I wish it was that easy, but Gareth doesn't want to get married any more than I do. Besides, it won't be for..."
Kira wasn't sure if Malachi clued her Mom in on the fact it wasn't going to be a real marriage or not. This would be a good time to just shut up.
"Listen, Mom, I have to go. I love you, and I'll look forward to your call next week."
Kira didn't give her mother time to say good-bye. She slapped the phone shut and slid it back in her pocket.
Remembering that conversation reminded Kira she'd only put off the inevitable. Sooner or later, she would have to talk to her mom about the upcoming farce of a wedding. At least she didn't have to worry about another unplanned call from family until after their meeting with the press.
The moon came out from behind a cloud, and Kira decided to take a look at Camp David from the air. The trip over in Marine One was a blur of sound and images. Memories and reflections of the crash prohibited her from seeing much of anything except the inside of the helicopter. Tonight, she could enjoy the view.
Walking back several feet from the edge of the roof, she launched her body skyward. The breeze lifted her higher, and she welcomed the comforting caress of its kiss. It'd been ages since she'd utilized this particular skill, and she planned to enjoy every minute.
Kira joined the men bright and early for breakfast. Her eyelids drooped with fatigue, and her body begged for sleep.
"Morning Kira, I hope you're hungry. I've got pancakes with strawberry syrup and bacon."
She didn't have the heart to deflate Claude's expectant and happy expression. She also didn't have the heart for what was coming, but when there was no choice, you had to dig in.
"Sure, why not? I'd love some breakfast and a big glass of juice, Claude." Her response garnered a huge smile from the man holding the spatula and an upraised brow from Malachi.
"What? A condemned woman can't enjoy a hearty meal first?"
Instead of complete disapproval, she got a laugh from her boss and Claude. Gareth looked like he had a stick stuck up his ass. Oh well, two out of three wasn't bad. The morning might not be a total washout.
"Glad to see you've regained your sense of humor, wife-to-be. Malachi says the wedding is in ten days." Gareth's tone positively bit with animosity, and the icy green glare he sent her way was worthy of a ten on a one-to-ten scale.
"Well, I thought that was the program anyway. Aren't we supposed to keep the press and public happy?" Kira quipped.
Kira took the glass of OJ Claude handed her, took a sip, and then met Gareth's stare with one of her own. "The way I see it, we're going to be tied together for quite a while. I've made my peace over this farce of a marriage, and I suggest you do the same."
"Kira, you're actually okay with this?" Malachi asked the question, but Gareth looked like he awaited her answer with bated breath.
"Hell no, I'm not okay with this. You know, I thought marriage, if I ever married, would happen because I wanted it, not because I'm forced into it to satisfy a bloodthirsty press." She followed her statement by taking a seat at the kitchen table.
Claude placed a heaping plate of food in front of her. "Thank you." She dug in without giving the other two men a second glance.
"It seems we need to come to an agreement, children. Kira, I expect you to treat Gareth with the respect his office deserves. Gareth, I expect you to earn that respect." Malachi cleared his throat before continuing. "We arrive back at Andrews around ten thirty. The press secretary has already called a conference. We'll meet in the Rose Garden at noon."
"I guess there's no way out of it, is there, Malachi?"
"No, baby girl. Like I told your mama, the only way to stop the rumors is to address them. That's what we'll be doing. You won't be alone. I'll be right there with you and Gareth."
"Thanks. At least maybe the morning can't get any worse."
"Oh, Kira, there is one other thing."
Kira inwardly cringed.
"I need you to put on a dress for the conference. Wear something that makes you look a bit more fragile and not so..."
"Agent-like? That's what I am."
"Yes, but as far as the public knows, you're going to be the next First Lady. You need to set the stage for this meeting."
Her face twisted into a grimace. The morning just got worse. She hated dresses.
"Cheer up. You can change right after the conference."
"Fine, and just where am I going to get a dress?"
Malachi's mouth fell open, and one look at Gareth proved he was following the conversation with an avid interest.
"Close your mouth, boss. It's not like I needed one as a special op, or as an agent."
"Ahem, that's true. Maybe we can get you something after we land."
"Whatever. And just so you know, I'm not paying for the dress. You are. And that means all the things that go under it. I'll also need a pair of heels, some stockings, and a purse. Oh Lord, I can't believe it, me toting a purse!"
Gareth's laugh spilled forth a second before Malachi's, and even Claude joined in. Kira was glad they thought it was funny. She sure as heck didn't. Just for that, she was going shopping at the most expensive boutique in DC.
Kira finished her food, stood, and prepared to hightail it out of the room. Men! No matter if they were vampires or mortals, you could put them all in a bag, shake them up, and they would all come out the same.
"Kira, do you have a moment?" Gareth's tone now contained no amusement. She could almost hear a pleading note in his question.
"Do I have a choice?"
"Yes, but I wish you'd spare me just a few minutes before we have to leave."
"All right. I'm already packed, so I've got a few."
Kira tried to ignore the heat that caressed her when Gareth placed his palm on the small of her back to guide her into the main room of the lodge. He escorted her to the couch and then took a seat beside her.
"Look, Kira, I don't know how we got to this point, but I'm tired of fighting with you. I wish we could reach some type of compromise. If we can't, this entire thing is going to blow up in our faces."
Kira fiddled with the fringe on the crocheted cover on the couch. "Let me get this straight. With all that's happened in less than a week, you're truly worried about the press?"
"Yes, but not for the reason you think. I need the press on my side. There are some important bills coming up for vote in the next legislature session. I need all the help I can get to have them passed. They're important to our security, health care, and retirement. If the press sniffs out a lie on my part, they'll unload all their guns against anything I stand for."
Kira understood where Gareth was coming from. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to act the part for something that could help the country.
"Fine, I'll be good. Just try to keep the conference short. And for pity's sake, do not let them ask me any questions."
"Thanks, I'll do my best to keep them off your back."
"Great, I appreciate that."
Gareth stood in the private quarters and wished he could drain the decanter of brandy dry. Kira was late. They needed to be in the Rose Garden in less than ten minutes. Both he and Malachi had warned her it was important to be punctual.
"Settle down, Gareth, she'll be here."
"But on time?"
"Yes, Kira's always been a punctual person. Just give her another minute or two and stop driving me crazy."
"Sorry, Malachi. I guess I'm more nervous than I thought."
"Why don't you sit down for a minute?"
Gareth sat opposite Malachi in one of the deep-seated chairs. He drummed his fingers on the armrest.
"I told you to relax. She'll be here any---"
"If you don't get out of my way, I'm going to hurt you."
"Miss, you can't go into the private quarters. No unauthorized persons allowed."
"What? Did you just get hired? I'm a Secret Service agent."
Gareth's mouth dropped open, as did Malachi's. Neither one of them moved a muscle.
"So, if you're an agent, where's your badge?" The young man's voice sounded strident in his quest for an authoritative tone, and a bit smirky.
"Look, I'm trying to be reasonable here. You must be the agent taking John's place. I don't have my badge on me, but if you call Malachi King, you know, our boss, he'll vouch for me."
"I don't know about that. I've heard Mr. King can get awfully riled when disturbed."
Gareth glanced at Malachi, who at first frowned and then bit his lip. The twinkle in his eyes told Gareth he was about to laugh. Laughter was something he was having a hard time holding in also.
"Oh, pleeeease. Now move, before I turn you into a pretzel." Kira's voice was getting higher with each word she almost shouted.
Malachi looked pained. He probably didn't want Kira taking out his newest recruit. It might actually be worth watching if Gareth wasn't tied up in knots about the press announcement.
Thud! The door to the PQ hit the interior wall and then closed with a softer click. Hopefully, the press wouldn't hear about Kira's actions. A moment later, he forgot all about the press as Kira, dressed like he'd never seen, stalked into the room.
Gareth didn't have to look at Malachi to know his mouth had fallen open again. He knew his had, right along with a tongue that felt glued to the recesses of his mouth. God above, he wasn't sure if he'd ever get a word out now. He'd swallowed all his spit.
"Why are you two sitting there? We have five minutes to get to the Rose Garden."
Entranced and more sexually aroused than he'd ever been in his life, Gareth watched Kira pace back and forth. She looked like sin on a pair of stilettos. The black dress she wore was sleeveless, showing the delineation of trim muscles in her arms and emphasizing the fragile circumference of her wrists. The thin black belt highlighted a slender waist, and the skirt, riding just above her knees, showed a length of leg that was impressive considering the woman barely came to the middle of his chest. Although with the four-inch heels she was wearing, her lips just might meet his without him having to break his back to bend over. The little bag thingy she was carrying looked more like a weapon than a purse, but Gareth valued his life too much to say anything about it.
"Uh, right, we need to get going." Malachi pushed himself up from the chair and looked at Gareth, who had no idea what to say to him.
"Yeah, we should go, but Kira there's something I need to give you before we do. As my fiancée, the press is going to expect to see a ring. I'd love it if you wore my mother's. Judith never liked it, wouldn't wear it, and said it looked old-fashioned."
As he watched, what looked like stress, anxiety, and anger seemed to drain right out of Kira. She moved toward him and then stopped. "I think that'll be good. I like antiques."
Gareth took the ring box out of his inside jacket pocket, popped it open, and held it out for Kira. Her eyes went wide, and a slight smile tugged on lips coated with a deep peachy color.
She took the ring out, but instead of sliding it on her finger, she held it out to Gareth. Lord, had she changed her mind?
"Would you put the ring on my finger? This might be make-believe, but..."
"Of course." Gareth did as Kira asked, and the two-carat solitaire emerald gleamed as if it were made especially for her.
"Okay, I think we're ready to go now."
Chapter Fourteen
Kira stood next to Gareth at the podium, with dark-rimmed sunglasses on her face. Her toes pinched inside her shoes, her fangs hurt from smiling, shouted questions, photos etc., and they were all giving her a headache.
They had been under fire since they walked into the garden. The press sharks didn't even give Gareth time to say anything in the way of a greeting before they launched their attack. It had only gotten worse. The feeding frenzy, led by Ryan Simmons and the jerk from the newspaper, Andrew something or other, got ugly.
"Mr. President, you've done a remarkable job in stating what Agent Jackson did to help during the crash. But why not quit sidestepping and tell us the truth about your relationship with your agent?"
She applauded Gareth's control. Only she and Malachi saw his clenched fists behind the podium. His command over his anger was admirable.
"Ryan, I believe you've already asked your quota of questions, but I'm feeling a bit triumphant today, so I'll answer this last question from you. After I do, then I'll be taking questions from the rest of the press corps and media who have been patient in allowing you to play front man.
"My relationship to Agent Jackson is really no one's business. However, I'd like to put to rest any rumors that may have made their rounds. I'd also like to address the consequences of slandering someone's reputation for no reason other than gossip.
"The American people deserve to know the agent you are maligning is innocent of any wrongdoing. The agent has been nothing but professional in discharging her duties as a Secret Service agent."
Kira let her breath out as Gareth paused. The media vultures were as silent as an empty coffin. She would never have believed it if she hadn't seen it with her own eyes. Instead of making excuses and offering apologies, Gareth had the entire circus hanging on to his every word.
"Now, having said that, my status as a widower is going to change. Agent Jackson, or Kira, as I call her, has graciously consented to becoming my wife. In essence, she'll be this country's First Lady, an office she'll excel at, I have no doubt. Now, having said all that, just a small suggestion. Those here who can't treat my future wife with the dignity she deserves will be banned from any further press conferences."
Kira clamped her fangs together to keep her mouth from flying open. Not only had the man drawn blood, he'd gone for the jugular. She could almost kiss him, she was so proud.
"Mr. President?" The query came from a young man standing in the front row about twenty feet from the podium. Kira noted he had remained silent when all the questions were being tossed out.
"Yes, Mr....I'm sorry, I normally know all of our media's names, but I don't recall seeing you at a conference before."
The freckle-face, sandy-haired, and lanky reporter grinned. His white teeth beamed out a warmth missing from the proceedings so far.
"That's okay, sir. My name is Arthur Harrison, Mr. President. This is my first press conference here in Washington. I'm here for my hometown paper. I just wanted to ask if Agent Jackson would be willing to answer a question for me."
Kira's heart did a slow slide toward her feet. Sure, the innocent-looking man could be as nice as he looked, but what if he was waiting to nail her coffin shut? She so hated being in the spotlight. And she was so grateful Gareth had promised to keep them from badgering her. Now, she would just wait on him to tell the guy no.
"Well, Arthur, I'm sure that my bride-to-be will be most happy to answer one question from you."
If looks could kill, Gareth would be a pile of ash. She looked at Malachi, but a quick shake of his head, and Kira knew he'd be no help at all. The weasel ass!
"Kira, my dear, if you wouldn't mind?"
Gareth's outstretched hand left her no choice. She moved in closer to the microphone. With the extra inches her shoes gave her, she could actually speak directly into it. For lack of anything else she could come up with, Kira spoke one word. "Hi."
"Hi, Agent Jackson. I just have one quick question. The president's already stated you'll continue as his agent. Is it true you, as well as all the agents who guard him, are willing to die to protect him?"
Although a bit odd, Kira had this question. "Yes, I can say without a doubt I'd lay down my life to protect President Hayes or any other president in office."
The young man grinned, reached into his pocket, and pulled out a gun.
"Good, I was hoping you would say that."
In the blink of an eye, the man aimed and fired point-blank at Gareth. The pop-popping sound sent a scorch of terror inside her heart. Kira wasted no time. She pushed Gareth out of the way and turned to make sure the others standing behind him were safe. A burning pain seared her arm, and she could smell the sweet, metallic scent of her own blood.
Now she was pissed. The blood dripped down the Michael Kors dress and puddled on her Jimmy Choo stilettos. The man was going to pay for this, and in a hard way.
One moment she stood there, the next she flung herself out from behind the podium and lunged at the man.
She took him down with the first strike of her body, disarmed him, and then a bit weak from the gunshot wound, she sat on him.
Sounds began to fade, and Kira looked up to see a shocked crowd staring at her. She didn't understand why they all looked so strange. Hadn't they ever seen an agent in action before?
"Kira, honey, look at me."
It sounded like Malachi, but where was all the concern in his voice coming from? The man should be patting her on the back for a job well done.
"Kira, hang on. The ambulance is on its way." Gareth's tone rivaled Malachi's, but he sounded so hoarse.
Ambulance? The idiot she was sitting on didn't need a medic. She hadn't hurt him that badly. She felt Gareth and Malachi grip each of her arms, raise her gently to her feet, and then they held on to her as if they thought she was going to fall.
What on earth had gotten into them? Their behavior made her think of someone cosseting a person on his deathbed. The crowd that had thinned out when she took her lunge surged forward.
"Did you see that?"
"Bob, did you get that on camera?
"My boss isn't going to believe this."
The pressmongers' chattering made her head hurt. Come to think of it, she was hurting all over. Her arm burned, her legs felt scraped raw, and her chest hurt as if she'd landed on a grenade.
"Kira, the ambulance is almost here. Everything's going to be okay."
Finally, she looked up at Malachi. Every bit of color had drained from his face. His eyes actually glistened with blood-red tears. What on earth was wrong with him? Next, she looked into Gareth's gaze. His green eyes were also wet. He lifted his hand and cupped her cheek, but didn't say a word.
Kira heard the approaching ambulance. The siren sounded shrill, desperate in its need to arrive. Who was hurt? Gareth and Malachi looked fine.
The siren did one last round of screaming before it cut off. With its cessation, the crowd once again fell quiet.
"Okay, honey, here we go. Just a bit longer and you'll be on your way to the hospital." Gareth's words came from a distance. The spring air suddenly turned cold. Her heart boomed loudly in her chest a couple of times before settling back into a weak rhythm. Funny, she'd never had a problem with her heart being erratic.
Both men maintained their grip. The ambulance attendants rushed out the door, into the garden. Why were they running? She didn't see anyone hurt. She wanted to ask them who the victim was. She took a step forward. Her legs trembled and then buckled beneath her.
It was then Kira saw what everyone else had already seen. A knife protruded dead center from her chest.
Damn, years spent in the Marines and Special Ops and she'd never been injured. Now, she had a bullet and knife inside her body. Way to go, Kira. Your first day of being the fiancée of the President of the United States, and you bleed all over the press conference.
Laughter bubbled up in her chest, but before it could make its way up her throat and past her lips, a crushing pain shot through her heart. She barely heard Gareth and Malachi's shouts before she fell into a dark void of nothingness.
Chapter Fifteen
Kira regained consciousness in the ambulance, with an IV needle stuck in her arm and the other end attached to Malachi's. "What happened?" Her voice sounded weak, her limbs felt boneless, and her chest ached, although not as badly.
"Welcome back, hon. You scared the crap out of me." Malachi's tone sounded gruff, but the tears she felt sure she'd imagined earlier were no longer in evidence.
He cleared his throat. "Not to mention the years you took off of Gareth's life. And he can't afford to lose any."
"Gareth!" Kira tried to sit up, but was too weak to force the belt restraint across her chest open. "Is he okay?"
"Yes, don't you remember? You saved his life and almost lost yours."
Kira shook her head slightly, closed her eyes, and allowed the memories of the past hour to scroll across the inside of her eyelids. Every second, from the time she pushed her way past the sentry agent at the private quarters, the press conference, the would be assassin, to now. Shoot, the outfit she had on was probably a total loss. Not much you can do to disguise a dagger-size hole in a dress bodice. And she actually liked the new shoes.
"What are you thinking?"
"About how pissed I am someone ruined the first decent dress I've had in years, and my designer shoes."
Malachi laughed. The sound was welcomed due to the fact he didn't do it often. She would have joined in but decided to wait until her chest wound healed a bit more. Thank God for her vampiric traits---which brought to mind, how would they explain this to the press and to Gareth?
"I take it this is one of those special ambulances we keep on staff for problems like a vampire with a knife in his or her heart?"
"Yes, and we have a doctor on call at Bethesda Naval Hospital who will know how to treat you and make it look like you are recovering as a mortal does. Of course, that means you'll have to do what he says for a couple of days."
"And who's going to guard Gareth while I'm doing just that? And where is the man? You'd think with his fiancée injured, he'd be right at my side." Kira hated that she sounded petulant, but hey, she'd ruined her clothes, got shot, knifed, and Gareth was AWOL.
"Kira, we had to play it by the book. Gareth wanted to be here, but with the attempt on his life, we put him under strict guard with several agents. He's fine. Or he will be, once he calms down." Malachi scrubbed a hand across his face.
"Gareth was fit to be tied when I told him he couldn't ride with us in the ambulance. He almost hit me when I told him he couldn't come to the hospital at all until we checked it out to make sure it's safe."
Kira giggled. Lord, she hurt, but she couldn't help herself. Poor Gareth, he was probably standing on his head. Not to mention a bit miffed that his "fiancée" and agent saved his butt. "How's his ego?"
"Well, since you asked, he's acting like a cat with a twisted tail. Remember, he doesn't know you're almost unkillable. So, it grated quite a bit on him that you were quicker to respond than he was. Of course, I had no doubt you were the best."
Malachi leaned closer. "But if you ever scare me like that again, I'll take you over my knee and beat you senseless."
"Well, gee, boss, I didn't know you cared."
Moment by moment, Kira began to feel better. "How far to the hospital, and what happens next?"
"We're about five minutes out. Bethesda Naval Hospital is only thirty minutes away from the White House. I think next you're going to pretend to be unconscious. Then Dr. Marlowe---yes, he's one of us---will take you into surgery with a team of GVPs, and you'll eventually be assigned a room in ICU. Then, Gareth will visit you. Until you find the moment to actually tell him what you are, and we get a chance to question this Arthur guy about who put him up to the assassination attempt, we'll act like you're under guard for your own safety."
"Okay, so will I get a chance to question this freak?"
"No, you won't. You'd scare the man to death. I have a feeling whoever paid him to do this, since I don't think he'd have had the balls otherwise, will have conveniently hired him under a bogus name. If we're lucky, maybe we can get Arthur to describe what the man looked like, if he even saw him."
"Do you think this is part of the death threats Gareth's been receiving, or something totally separate?"
Malachi's brows pulled together. "I'm thinking the man responsible for the threats and this attempt on Gareth's life is probably one and the same. I'm also thinking he may have orchestrated the attempt on Gareth's life that resulted in Judith and those agents being killed."
"Wow. If it is the same guy, then he must have one hell of a huge vendetta against Gareth."
"Yes, and that means he's not going to give up until we catch him, or Gareth is killed."
Kira closed her eyes. Today had been way too close for comfort. All events led to one totally smart and unglued mastermind. "Malachi, do you think this same guy might have engineered the explosions on Air Force One?"
"Good question. I'm inclined to believe it, but I'll have to wait until we get more facts in. I know that's going to be one of the things I'll be questioning Arthur about."
"Yes, and it might help to go over the flight manifest. See if Arthur might have been on board. He could have been in disguise."
"Good idea. If he did set those explosions, it's possible he did it between checking in and the time we took off. A quick trip to the bathroom, and he could sneak off the plane. We'll know more when we find exactly where the initial detonation device was located."
The wail of the sirens began to slow. Kira's ears picked up the sound of massive but controlled chaos. They must be almost at the hospital. Although the naval facility had seen its share of assassination attempts, some failures and some successes, this was a hospital that would do all it could to heal while keeping its patients' privacy safe.
"Okay, we're here, honey. Close your eyes and rest. To make sure we're convincing enough, one of the techs is going to administer something to make you sleepy. Just relax. When you wake up, you should be in the ICU."
The paramedic pumped a syringe to get the air out and then inserted it into Kira's IV. Malachi pulled the needle out of his arm, slapped his wrist over the puncture wound to stop any bleeding, and his face settled into features oozing concern.
Kira had to admire the man. He knew what to do and when to do it.
Four to five hours later, Kira awakened to find a roomful of people gawking at her. Lord, had she slept with her mouth open? She didn't recognize any of them, but they wore medical scrubs, so she assumed it was an influx of curious nurses and medical residents.
She resisted the urge to say, "Boo." Malachi would skin her if she caused a scene. Instead, she pulled on her acting panties and strived to sound realistic.
"Where am I?"
Her words, although low, caused a panic.
"She's awake. Call Dr. Marlowe," echoed from a dozen voices.
A bare moment later, the said doctor arrived with Malachi in tow. After shooing away the sea of scrubs, he pulled closed the ICU cubicle's door, pulled up a chair, and sat down.
"Well, young lady, I don't have to tell you how lucky you are. The knife could have broken off inside your chest and caused some severe damage before you healed."
Kira just nodded her head. Truth be told, she still felt a bit groggy from the sedative.
"This is what I'll be issuing as a press release. The knife missed your heart by a few centimeters. You're recovering, but will need to be hospitalized for a few days, and then complete bed rest after that."
The doctor looked at Malachi. "With the situation as it is, and since we know she's well enough to continue her duties, I think you should have her continue her recovery at the White House."
"My thoughts exactly. Besides, I can't see Gareth having it any other way."
"Hey, don't I get a say?"
"No!" Both voices almost shouted the word.
"Fine, but I'm the one getting shot, knifed, married, and it just seems I should have a bit of input."
"You input what you want to get married in. Leave the rest of it up to me, Kira."
Kira actually saw red. Her vision turned crimson, and she was more than ready to release her fangs to snap Malachi's neck.
"If you think for one minute I'm going to start playing the part of the little woman, you're out of your fang-toting mind, Malachi."
"I know it goes against the grain, but yes, that's exactly what you're going to do for a time. We need you to look as if you're so consumed with recovering and getting ready for your whirlwind wedding you'll have no time to worry about Gareth."
"That makes no sense. I mean, wouldn't whoever planned this wonder about that? I mean, one moment, I'm saving Gareth's butt, the next I'm Ms. What-Type-Of-China-To-Pick-Out? It's not credible."
Dr. Marlowe exchanged a look with Malachi. "She does have a point. I know you want to keep her safe, too, but---"
"Oh please, tell me this is not a ploy to keep me out of trouble. Malachi, you know that's so not going to happen. This is my job. It's what I do. I can't just quit cold turkey because you're worried."
Kira caught Malachi's hand in one of hers. "Look, I know you care, truly care. But, if you don't let me do what I was trained to do, you might as well pull my fangs. I can't just sit around and wait while you and others do my job. I promise I'll be careful, okay?"
Malachi literally growled, his fangs peeked out, and he inhaled and exhaled a couple of times before speaking. "All right, young lady, but the next time you come this close to dying on my watch, I'll pull you off the presidential detail so quick you'll be dizzy. I'll not have your death on my conscience. I promised your granddaddy I'd look out for you."
Kira's eyes burned with tears. Grandpa Jackson was getting some age on him for a vampire. She didn't want to do anything to cause him distress. He'd almost gone off the deep end when her father was killed.
"Okay, I understand, and I'll be extra careful."
"See that you do. Now, if my ears don't deceive me, I believe I hear Gareth headed this way. By the sounds of his footsteps, his patience is at an all-out end."
Gareth strode down the hospital corridor, his steps determined. He had to see Kira. Malachi's reasoning for not allowing him to see her before now made sense, but he didn't like it, and he certainly wouldn't be commanded again. Not if it meant he had to be separated from Kira. The woman was his life. Words couldn't describe how he'd felt when he'd seen the knife in Kira's chest.
"Mr. President, how is Agent Jackson?"
Ryan Simmons's question hit Gareth right between the eyes. How the hell would he know? Malachi called and said Kira was out of surgery and her condition was guarded. What in the hell did that mean?
"I have no time for questions now, Simmons. The hospital will be releasing a statement shortly." He never slowed his pace, but kept walking.
"Sir, but if I could---"
That stopped him in his tracks. "Could what? Take back all the shit you mouthed off about my fiancée? Would you do that, Ryan? All you've done is make a mockery out of a relationship that's none of your damn business. Now, a woman's lying in a hospital bed because she did her job. Does that answer your question as to why she's allowed to guard me at night or anytime?"
"Sir...I...uh..."
"I suggest in the future, you stay far away from me and Kira. If you don't, I'll be making a call to your television network. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Mr. President." Ryan's eyes were wide open in shock..
Good, about time the press discovered he had a temper. Maybe it would keep them off his back, and Kira's, for awhile. Awhile? Lord, he hoped there would be awhile. He just needed to see her. To make sure she would survive.
Two agents stood outside Kira's room. Gareth nodded at both of them before he reached out and pushed the door open. The sight greeting him almost brought him to his knees. Kira lay motionless as death, her features pale as a new moon. His steps slowed. Did she breathe? Did her chest rise and fall, ensuring life inside her fragile body?
"Malachi?"
"She's going to live, Gareth. Dr. Marlowe"---Malachi waved toward a man Gareth hadn't noticed when he entered the room---"will tell you more about her condition before he makes a statement."
"Dr. Marlowe?"
"Mr. President, your agent was severely injured, but she's going to be fine, as Mr. King said. She'll need to stay here a couple of days and then be monitored after she goes home."
Gareth looked toward Malachi. "Agent Jackson will be staying with me. Our wedding's in less than two weeks. I don't think the public can say any more than some of the reporters and network people already have."
"I agree, despicable lot, some of them."
"Yes, and one in particular is dogging my steps. I told him I'd call his network if he kept on, but please make sure no one enters this room unless it's okayed by myself or Malachi."
"Of course, sir, we'll make certain your fiancée isn't disturbed."
"Thank you. Now, gentlemen, if you wouldn't mind, I'd like a few minutes alone with Kira."
Gareth accepted the hand Dr. Marlowe offered, and returned the slap Malachi bestowed on his back. Only after the door closed behind them did he move to the head of the bed. Kira's face looked normal, but for the pallor he'd already noted. A bandage covered part of her right arm, and a matching one wrapped around her torso.
His knees buckled, and he sat down hard in the bedside chair Malachi had vacated. Such courage, such dangerous daring, such stupidity. God above, the woman could have died.
And all because of him.
"Oh God, Kira, why did you do it?"
Kira heard Gareth's agonized question, but didn't dare open her eyes. She had orders from both Malachi and Dr. Marlowe to play sick for the next couple of days.
"Do you know how much it killed me to see you injured? To know you almost died because of me? How on earth I'm I supposed to live with that day after day? I know you won't ever willingly give up being my agent, but Lord knows, at least my heart might stand a chance of not exploding every time you're out of my sight."
The stark anguish he conveyed did harsh things to her own heart. How on earth could she just lie here? But if she acted all normal, he would know something was up.
"I don't think you know just how much I do care about you. How I love you, Kira. How I wanted to plunge a knife in my heart when I thought I lost you. As a former Ranger, I know the risks of serving this country. As the president, I have to sign orders sending men and women into danger day after day.
"I hate it. I ran for office to try to make things better. All I've succeeded in doing is getting Judith assassinated, good agents killed, and you... You almost died."
Kira wanted to moan out loud. Gareth's self-torture became her own. He loved her, and she'd treated him like dirt the last few times they'd been together. Where were her vamp senses when she needed them? She should have been more receptive, more open, maybe less kick-ass agent with him. Lord knew, Malachi and her family had preached about her unforgiving attitude in the past.
"The horror of what happened to Judith, watching her lie there in her own blood, the agents who died trying to save me, all of those things made me so adamant about never having anyone close to me again."
Gareth must have stood up. She could hear him pacing.
"I felt so helpless, then and now. I should have done something, anything, to protect those who were close to me."
Kira couldn't stand it any longer. She moved her body just a bit, and the moan erupting from her throat wasn't entirely faked. The doctor had removed the knife and bullet while she was awake. Not the mortal way, with anesthesia, but the vampire way. A quick tug of the blade by Dr. Marlowe and the knife had come free. The blood previously trickling from around the knife hilt had immediately stopped. The wound had also begun to slowly diminish, but still stung like a bear's claw marks.
The air stirred around the bed as Gareth moved back to her side. Kira allowed her lashes to flutter and then open. She found Gareth leaning over her, his green-eyed gaze wide and hopeful.
"Kira, don't move. I'll get the doctor."
Before she could utter a word, he was gone. She hated the deception they were practicing, but it was for his own good. A second later, he was back, with Dr. Marlowe as well as Malachi. Just great, now she'd catch heck.
Dr. Marlowe moved to the bed, picked up her hand, and proceeded to check her pulse. After a full quarter of a minute, he placed her hand back on the bed. "Well, Agent Jackson, welcome back."
His slight wink went unnoticed by Gareth, but not by Malachi, who hung almost perpendicular over the bed. Almost in her face. Yep, he wasn't happy with her ad-libbing her lines.
"Thank you, I think. What happened?"
"Well, as I understand it..."
After listening for the second time about her almost deadly fate, Kira developed an annoying case of nausea. Just what she needed. Or maybe she needed a fix of serum.
"Mr. President, I humbly request you limit this visit with Agent Jackson. She needs her rest, and I need to issue that press statement. They've been hounding the hospital by phone, personal appearances, and the Internet. It's becoming extremely irritating."
"Yes, I know exactly what you mean. I'll keep my visit to less than five minutes. I need to get back to the White House anyway. Malachi, I assume you'll be staying here?"
"Well, yes, I thought I would until Kira can get back to sleep." The look Malachi shot her promised a scolding.
"So, you won't mind if I have an additional moment or two alone with Kira."
"Of course not."
Kira held her breath until the room cleared. She waited, wondering what Gareth would say now that she was truly awake.
"Kira, I think we need to straighten some things out. I've allowed my trepidation of the press to underscore what I know is right. I wasn't expecting love, didn't really want it, but the fact is, I don't think I can live without you in my life."
Her breath stalled somewhere between her solar plexus and throat. Why did she have the horrible suspicion there would be a but coming somewhere before this conversation was finished?
"Are you sure it's what you really feel, Gareth, or just gratitude for me saving your life?" The moment the words left her mouth, she wanted to call them back. Why open up a can of crap if it needed to stay closed?
"Yes, of course, I'm thankful you saved my butt, but one thing has nothing to do with the other. I started falling for you the minute you bossed me around in the Oval Office." Gareth grinned slightly before continuing. "No woman has ever stood up to me before. Judith tried to wrap me around her little finger, but she actually liked it when I used a firm hand."
Firm hand? She could think of a lot of things his hand could do to her, but no way would she allow him to tell her what to do or not do. Nope, wasn't going to happen.
"Well, I'm pretty much used to doing my own thing, so I'm not sure how I'll take to a firm hand. I do know you mean the world to me. I didn't see the president of the United States in danger. I saw the man I fell in love with."
"Good, so we're agreed?"
"On what?"
"To make this a real marriage with a bona fide preacher and not Malachi's friend?"
Gareth sounded confident, but his gaze held a bit of anxiety. Something she wished she could put to rest.
"I'd love for our marriage to be real, but I think we both need to think about this. There are things we haven't discussed. You might not want anything to do with me."
"How can you say that? I just told you how I felt. Why would you think I'd change my mind?"
"I have my reasons. I really think until we can catch whoever is trying to kill you, we need to keep our marriage a pretend one."
"I disagree. Nothing will change my mind about you, but we'll talk about this when you're out of the hospital."
Gareth dropped a quick kiss on her forehead and then stood up. "I've got to get back to the White House. The doctor said you'd be laid up for a couple more days. I doubt I'll get back here tonight, but will try to be here in the morning. He also said you needed to be looked after. I want you to stay with me."
Although she already knew this was what he wanted, Kira needed to hear it again.
"Are you sure? I mean, we could stir up a hornet's nest with the media."
"I don't give a rat's ass about the media. At the moment, I just want you where I can keep an eye on you. Regardless of your hesitation over a real marriage, I don't want anything to happen to you ever again."
Kira felt tears burning the backs of her eyes. She didn't dare let them fall---Gareth would go totally unhinged if he saw the blood-red droplets. She just hoped he would understand when she told him she was a vampire.
"I assure you, I'll be fine no matter where I stay, but I'd love to spend the time between now and our pretend wedding with you."
"Good, it'll give us time to talk about what you'll be doing after you become the First Lady. There'll be a lot of changes for both of us."
Gareth's words weren't the but she feared, but she experienced a kernel of trepidation about the changes he wanted to talk about, even if they were only for a short duration.
"Now, get some rest. I'll see you tomorrow."
The television screen showed the press conference in vibrant and maddening detail. Gareth escaped death once again. Damn that agent for interfering. His revenge on Hayes would be enacted, even if he had to kill the agent first. Nothing would stand in his way of making Gareth a totally dead-in-the-grave president.
Chapter Sixteen
"No! No! No! It's not going to happen!"
"Be reasonable, Kira. You'll have more than enough to keep you busy without being an agent."
Kira seriously considered slamming Gareth into the nearest wall. The man had done a complete one-eighty on her. He was an ass of the first order. His concern, sweeter-than-pie attitude, and his sensual kisses when he thought it wouldn't hurt her as she recovered were just a boatload of crap. He only wanted to maneuver her into a situation where she would say yes to all his plans like a mindless Stepford wife. She didn't care if it would help placate the predatory press. So what if they thought she was going to be a real First Lady? This was so not going to work!
"Look, I understand playing the part of First Lady is important." Kira slid off the divan she'd been reclining on, giving the overall picture of a recovering patient, and moved toward Gareth.
"At the moment, though, I have no plans to do anything but guard you. I mean that. It's not up for debate." She shot a look at Malachi, who stood near the door. The fanged coward. He could at least try to reason with Gareth.
"Well, I'm sorry, there is a way. I'm not going to let you put your life in danger."
Kira saw red and not from her vampire senses. Her temper shot up to 212 degrees Fahrenheit. "Back up your jets, Mr. President. Unless you plan on firing me right now, and I'm not sure you can"---she shot another glance, oozing with menace, at her boss---"I'm not going to give up my job."
Gareth looked like he'd seen a two-headed dragon. It might interest him to know she actually had friends who were scaly and could eat him for breakfast.
"Now, as for all your plans of ever making this a real marriage, let me tell you I refuse to tie myself to a man who doesn't trust me enough to take care of myself."
Gareth stopped his pacing, stood dead center in the room, and cleared his throat. "All right, we'll do it your way."
Oh Lord, had she heard him right? Could he actually be ready to concede the argument? Kira didn't even want to hope. It meant that much to her.
"My way?"
"Yes. Malachi's friend, the fake preacher, will marry us. After all the turmoil dies down, we can go our separate ways."
Kira materialized on top of the White House. She'd missed being up on top of the symbol of the highest office in America. The last couple of days she'd pretty much stayed off the radar, to continue the appearance she was mending. Tomorrow, however, she and Gareth were scheduled for a command performance for the press. An event sandwiched between fittings for a wedding gown and other dresses, and a state dinner that had been on the books for months.
Malachi verbally delivered Gareth's directives that she be at the conference and the dinner. He, in turn, issued a warning for Kira to keep her cool.
"I know you're ready to kill Gareth. I'm angry with him also, but you need to remember our ultimate goal---find the man or group trying to kill him." Malachi slid his hands into his black dress pants.
"If he really gets pissed, he can fire you." He held up a hand to prevent Kira from butting in. "He can go over me. Remember, he's the president and holds the power of veto over a lot of things. Just do the best you can. I know that Tennessee Coonskin has to be hurting as much as you are over this. Just give him some time, hon."
Kira blew out the breath she'd been holding. "I'll try, but I don't think he'll ever change his mind. It goes against his male ego to think he needs me in an agent capacity. I hate it, Malachi. I really do!"
"I know. Just trust me. Everything's going to be all right. I promise."
Malachi glanced at his watch. "Sorry, kiddo, I've got to make sure our security knows exactly where they need to be for the events tomorrow. For the public's sake, and Gareth's, you'll have two agents with you when you go to try on dresses."
"But I..." No point in arguing, he was right, they had to make it look real. "Okay, but I refuse to have that little twerp who didn't know I was an agent as one of the two."
Malachi laughed, a rich sound breaking some of the tension in the room. "Don't worry, I wouldn't dream of saddling you with him. Just go with the flow, baby girl. Your daddy would be so proud."
"Thanks, Malachi. I'll do my best to not let you or his legacy down."
Malachi dropped a kiss on her cheek. "You could never let me down. You've already outshone any expectations I had of your skill as an agent, and they were already sky-high. I'm proud to be your boss."
"Your not just my boss, Malachi. I want you to walk me down the aisle. Since Grandpa Jackson's too ill to do it, I can't think of anyone else I want. I know it won't be real, but would you please give me away?"
He swiped at the tears threatening to overflow his eyes as Kira tried to blink back the moisture coating hers.
"I'd be honored. Now, pretend you're sick, and get some rest. As of tomorrow night, you're back as an agent."
Kira did as he ordered once Malachi left. Maybe she could fall asleep and forget about Gareth for a little while.
Gareth stood at the Oval Office window and looked out at the garden. Kira had left earlier that morning, after sending a terse message she would not be joining him for breakfast. He hated she was upset with him, but he had the right to protect her. Didn't he?
His mind swirled with the reasons he wanted her safe, but then he couldn't help but touch on her hurt, disbelief, and total angst over his order she quit her job. Malachi tried to smooth it over, said she needed time.
Time was running out. Their wedding would be here in a few days. Gareth despised himself for causing the sadness in Kira's eyes, and for shoving a knife into his own heart. His first wedding was a mockery. This one he wanted to be real. To celebrate the blessing of love he'd found with Kira.
Gareth began to pace. Maybe he could rectify the situation before it got out of hand. Yes, he'd talk to Kira after the state dinner tonight. He could not, would not, allow her to continue to be upset. Of course, he wasn't planning on backing down completely, but he wouldn't turn down a compromise. Maybe she could be his agent while in the security of the White House, and then someone else could go with him when he left the premises. Of course, she would have to be at some of the functions, but she would be guarded as any First Lady before her.
Yes, that would work. Gareth grinned. Tonight he would fix their problem, and all would be fine. Kira loved him and would be willing to oblige him with his excellent suggestion.
"Knock, knock." Malachi's words pulled Gareth out of his thoughts. "You ready for our meeting?"
Ready or not, it was something that needed to be done. "Sure, come on in."
His old friend strolled into the Oval Office, seated himself in Gareth's chair, and grinned. "You know, for someone who's supposed to be one of the smartest men in the world, you can act dumber than dirt."
Gareth positively bristled. He knew what was coming. A chewing out due to what he'd said to Kira.. If it were anyone else but Malachi, he'd tell him to go to hell, but not this man. He owed a lot to the tall vamp.
"Okay, let's hear it. Tell me what I did wrong, if you're so smart."
"Mighty nice of you to admit you're wrong. It'll make what I have to say so much easier." Malachi spun once in the swivel desk chair before getting up.
"Why don't you have a seat? I want you comfortable for what I have to say."
He did take a seat, but drummed his fingers on the desk. The glint in Malachi's eye made him a bit wary. This could be a lengthy chat.
"Go ahead."
"First off, Kira's one of the best agents I've ever worked with. She comes from a long line of men who've served our country. She's proven her worth time and time again. I don't have to remind you of a couple of those times."
Gareth snorted. Yeah, he was in for it big-time with Malachi. "I know she's excellent, but dammit, I love her. I don't want her dying because of me."
Malachi's features relaxed from stern to commiserating. "Neither do I, and as much as I call you friend and brother, I love that girl more than I do you. And because I do, I'll be watching her like a hawk to keep her safe." His chest rose and fell with probably the same type of emotion ripping Gareth's insides apart. Gut-wrenching terror.
"Understand, if you take away her job, you'll be killing off a part of Kira anyway. She needs to be needed. She has to know she's worthy. She'd never tell you herself, but being the only girl except for her mom in a seven-male household, eight if you count her grandpa, was rough. I know. I was there, so make it nine. I've known her since she came into the world. There's nothing I wouldn't do to keep her safe or make her happy."
A bit of fang peeked out between Malachi's lips. "You make her happy, and I plan on that continuing. I'm begging you, Gareth, don't make her choose between you and her job."
How could he have been so blind? Of course Kira felt that way. He'd have to do some major rethinking on the compromise he wanted to talk to her about. So deep in thought, he barely registered when Malachi left.
Back to square one. He agreed with Malachi. Did he have the right, just because he loved her and because he could, to order her to quit? No, he didn't, but scratch a cat if he knew how he was going to fix this and live with the terror icing his veins whenever he thought about what could happen. Regardless, he would talk to Kira tonight. Just maybe, he could convince her to get married for real.
Kira pulled on a pair of nylons, crammed her feet into a new pair of Jimmy Choos---this time, five-inch gladiator sandals---before pulling the sleek satin sheath over her head. Crimson red matched her mood. She despised Gareth's caveman attitude, but she'd tried to see it from his point of view. It still didn't gel for her.
However, she couldn't fault the man for worrying some about her well-being. He had no idea she was a vampire, so he would continue to go on thinking she was a frail---yeah, right---mortal woman. At least until she got the courage up to tell him the truth.
A quick smear of lipstick to match her dress, a couple of silver bangles on her wrists next to a more elegant watch than she normally wore, a quick flip to pull her hair up and anchor it on top of her head with a matching clip, and Kira stepped back. She might not be cover-model material, but she washed up pretty good, if she did say so herself.
A good thing too, she needed every bit of courage she could bolster for tonight's dinner. England's prime minister and his wife were the guests of honor, and although she'd toured England with her dad years ago, she sucked at making small talk. Hopefully, she could just nod and smile. Now, another quandary, should she or should she not wear the matching jacket? She really hated having her arms restricted unless they were encased inside leather.
A quick rap on the door of the guest room in the PQ caused her to jump just a bit. Lord, she needed to get her nerves under control. It was going to be a long evening. Not to mention the next few days were going to be fraught with media hounds, more fittings, and finalizing the last of the wedding plans.
"Come in."
"Evening, Kira." Gareth's sexy baritone turned her knees into mushmelons and heated her blood.
"Evening, Mr. President." She deliberately kept her tone on the icy and aloof side.
Gareth moved further into the room. The previously renovated Queens' Bedroom was huge, but it seemed to shrink with his overwhelming male presence.
A coal-black tuxedo jacket pulled tight across his shoulders. Matching pants cupped his thighs and emphasized the masculinity she'd craved before and even now. The almost blinding white dress shirt showcased the tanned column of skin above the collar, and the dark green tie he wore highlighted the vibrancy of his green gaze. His blond hair touched the back of the tuxedo coat, almost as if thumbing its nose at the formal attire.
Lord, how she'd love to strip off the trappings of his office and toss him butt-naked on the bed. Get a grip, girl. You're mad at him. Remember that!
"Please, can't we talk? I don't want to fight. And I hate it when you call me Mr. President in that snooty tone."
Well, what did he expect? He'd been just as formal at the press conference. The only time his demeanor thawed from glacial proportions to something resembling warmth was when he talked about how much he was looking forward to welcoming the prime minister.
Of course, it could be he wanted to keep their wedding on a more professional level for the press, but it bit big-time. She didn't expect him to fawn all over her, not after his compliance to a bogus minister, but damn, she missed the laughter they shared, the sizzling looks when his gaze would light on her, and she missed their talks.
"I'm sorry. It's just with everything going on and the wedding coming up so fast, I feel like I'm going crazy. I'm not used to this, Gareth."
His approach, closer to where she was standing, resembled a veterinarian with a skittish animal.
"Look, I just want some peace between us. I'd like to discuss a compromise."
"What type of compromise? So far, you've been wanting me to do all the giving."
Gareth reached out his hand. "I know. I'm sorry. Just give me a few minutes tonight after the dinner. Please?"
Kira didn't know if she wanted to cry or kick something. It was so unfair of him to come to her like this. She'd told him she loved him. Now, although he may not realize it, he was using her love to make her feel guilty if she didn't talk things out.
"Fine, but not here, we'll do it in a professional setting. The Oval Office works for me. What about you?"
His expectant gaze looked crestfallen. The green of his eyes dimmed a bit, but she hardened her heart. She couldn't afford to throw herself into his arms and tell him she would do anything he wanted. Kira's family's legacy of being Vampire Government Protectors meant the world to her. She would not give it up lightly---no, not even for love. Callous, maybe, but she just couldn't do it. There had to be a way to have Gareth and her job.
"Okay. Now, I think we best get downstairs before Malachi sends out a search party."
Kira allowed herself to take the arm Gareth offered, but resisted the compelling urge to stroke his tuxedo-clad sleeve. She was so totally in trouble.
Chapter Seventeen
A few moments later, they stood at the top of the Grand Staircase. The Marine Band began the first strains of "Hail To The Chief." Gareth squeezed her hand lightly before starting down the stairs.
Kira cast a quick glimpse around. Not as many people as she would have expected stood at the bottom of the stairway. She recognized a few plainclothes agents mingling in with a few dignitaries. The entire State Floor looked bright as day. The chandeliers positively glowed with iridescent crystal drops, enhancing the evening wear of the guests.
The colors were a collage of raven black, froufrou pastels, and a few deeper jewel tones for the ladies. The men were all decked out as Gareth, but none of them, with the exception of Malachi, did justice to their tuxedoes like Gareth did. Wow, being a part of pomp and circumstance wasn't her strong point, but there was something compelling about gliding downward with the beat of the music. For the first time, Kira allowed herself to think about what being the First Lady meant---even in make-believe.
The responsibilities were awesome and a bit daunting. Even for the few months she would pretend to be Mrs. Gareth Hayes, she would have to make decisions that could change people's lives. It was more than daunting. Downright frightening described it better.
No way could she do this.
She felt the pressure of Gareth's hand over hers. His smile, which could or not be for the sake of the prime minister and his wife, gave her back a bit of courage. She straightened her shoulders even more, lifted her chin slightly, and then smiled at Gareth before beaming a smile at their guests.
Once they and the prime minister and his wife were seated, the other guests also took their seats. Malachi seated himself about halfway down the table.
Kira took her cue from Gareth, who smiled and nodded at the other guests before turning to Prime Minister Babcock. "Leland, it's a honor to have you here. I'm hoping we can fit in some fun during your stay."
"My idea exactly, Gareth. Maybe we could adjourn to the library after dinner and discuss this more."
Evelyn Babcock leaned closer to Kira. "My dear, in case you don't know, that's my husband's code for wanting to play poker. The last time he and Gareth got together, Gareth pretty much cleaned him out. I think that's how you'd say it."
Kira liked the auburn-haired woman. Her blue eyes glinted with merriment. Maybe this dinner wouldn't be a disaster after all.
"That's one way, Mrs. Babcock. There are a couple of others you might like."
"Call me Eve, and if you don't mind, I'll call you Kira. What a lovely name."
"Thank you. As the only girl with a slew of brothers, my mom wanted something that couldn't be slightly associated with the male population."
"Your mother sounds like a lady I'd like to meet."
Kira waited a moment to respond as the serving staff placed bowls of chilled leek soup in front of them. The gold-rimmed edges on the china looked suspiciously like the real thing. Lord, she hoped she didn't break anything.
"I believe my mom would like you too, Eve. You both have several things in common." She took a sip of red wine from a crystal goblet. Another item she would have to be careful with, when she picked it up. No telling how many paychecks one glass would cost.
"What would those be, my dear?"
"Well, you both married strong-minded men, and you both have a sense of humor."
Eve laughed outright, causing some of the guests, as well as Gareth, the prime minister, and Malachi, to glance their way. Gareth carried a slight crease between his brows, the PM looked quizzical, and Malachi positively beamed.
Okay, maybe she hadn't committed a faux pas. So jubilant over that bit of discovery, Kira wanted to laugh too. Instead, she ignored the men and smiled at Eve.
"My dear, if I'm not mistaken, you're going to be a carbon copy of both your mother and myself one of these days. Just don't let your handsome Yank boss you around too much. Men"---Eve leaned closer---"can positively be idiots when left unsupervised."
The sip of wine Kira swallowed almost went down the wrong way. If all the dignitaries she met were like Eve, then it would be a piece of pecan pie. But then, she would only be doing this job for a few months, and then she was out.
Sorrow rocked her to the soles of her feet. Life without Gareth would not be much of a life.
"Are you all right, Kira? You're a bit pale."
She didn't know what to say and rejoiced when the waiter removed her untouched bowl of soup and placed a salad in front of her.
"Yes, I'm fine. It's probably just everything that's gone on in the last few days and the upcoming ceremony."
"You should rest as much as you can. What you did to save Gareth made the world news, and you need more time to recover."
"Yes, ma'am." Kira smiled back at Eve, picked up her fork, and prepared to dig into the crispy salad greens. Before she could get the first succulent mouthful to her lips, a waiter stopped by her seat.
"Agent Jackson, I hate to disturb you, but one of the agents asked me to give you this note. He said it could be important."
"Thank you. I'm sorry, I don't know your name."
"Mike, ma'am."
"My thanks, Mike." She accepted the folded paper he offered. Only after he retreated back to the kitchen did she open the note.
I know who's trying to kill the president, but you must meet with me alone and do it now. Time's running out. I don't know how long I have before they discover I've betrayed their confidence. I'll be in the library on the ground floor until eight forty-five.
Kira folded the letter, making sure her hands were steady and her actions would not convey the adrenalin running through her body. She slid the missive into her jacket sleeve. Good thing she decided to wear the jacket after all. It would be a bit too obvious if she tucked it inside her bra.
A quick glance at her watch showed the time to be eight thirty. Soon, they would be serving the main course. She needed to make a move now. Whoever the note writer might be, he would not wait much past the appointed time---not if he indeed feared for his life.
As much as she hated falling back on a feminine excuse, she went for the tried and true, and she leaned closer to Eve. "I'm not sure if I'm committing a sin of protocol or not, but I really need to run out for a minute."
Eve hid a laugh behind her napkin. "Go. I'll be fine. Take care of whatever you need to. If Gareth asks, should I tell him you've gone to the ladies' room?"
Kira must have looked a bit shocked.
"My dear, trust me. I'll just say you needed a moment to freshen your makeup or something."
"Thanks, Eve. I shouldn't be gone long."
She hazarded a glance toward Gareth and Malachi. Both men were occupied with speaking to their tablemates. Just maybe she could get out and back before anyone missed her.
She slid her chair back, waved off the approaching waiter, and turned as quietly as possible to exit the dining room. A regular mortal Secret Service agent moved to her side.
"Hi, Danny, just gonna run to the ladies' room."
The agent had the audacity to smirk. "Well, I thought you were beyond the rest of us agents. Never figured you'd to have to do such mundane things."
"Can it, before I hurt you. Listen, if anyone asks about me, tell them I will be right back, okay?"
"Kira, what are you up to? You know we've been ordered by Malachi, at the risk of death, I might add, to make sure you're guarded at all times."
"Well, frick-frack the old goat. I thought that wasn't going to happen until after the ceremony."
"Not the word we got, sugar. We're supposed to be on you like a duck on a June bug."
Kira wondered if she could get Danny to cave. If he followed her to the bathroom, then she'd never get downstairs in time to meet with the man. She knew it was probably lunacy to not alert the staff, but she was a vampire, for pity's sake. No way would she give the guy a chance to do more than tell her what she needed to know, and she would politely escort him to another agent so he could be questioned further.
"Okay, fine, come with me, but I just don't know what Vickie would say if you followed me into the ladies' room."
Whatever he was thinking about his wife caused the agent to lose a bit of color in his face. "Okay, you win, I'll just stand guard right outside the door."
"Great, come on. I need to go now."
Danny's face turned an interesting shade of red, and she bit back a big chunk of laughter wanting to escape. The closest facility came into view, and she scooted through the door in the guise of a woman on a mission. She was---just not on a bathroom break. Okay, she needed to dissolve and materialize outside the library. She prayed no one would see her reappearing act.
Her body turned in on itself as bones, muscles, and organs, transformed into mist. A second later, she rematerialized outside the library door. She closed her eyes, inhaled, and found no sign of anyone inside. A quick glance at her watch showed one minute until the deadline. Whoever it was probably stood watching her, but she couldn't feel him or her.
Kira had only been gone a few minutes from the dinner, but she would need to hurry if she planned on getting this done before Malachi or Gareth missed her. It would be her bad luck to have both men go ballistic.
She gently turned the knob, pushed the door open, and stepped inside. Once she closed the door, she inhaled again. Crossing the floor to an oval table, she looked to see if her missed appointment had left another note. Zilch. Well, the letter could have been a ruse, but for what reason? Gareth! Of all the stupid things she could do, leaving his side took the cake.
Kira spun on her heel and stopped short. A man---no, wait, a vampire---stood in front of her. Why hadn't she smelled his scent? What was he doing here? A better question would be, what was she going to do about it?
"Who are you?"
"Darling, Kira, you don't know me, so there's no point in giving my name. I'm here because someone paid me to do so. I personally don't like the idea of hurting one of my own kind, but money's money, darling."
The suit-clothed vamp smiled, his fangs proudly on display. Crap. If he got in here, he could get to Gareth. She had to stop him. She'd left her gun in that stupid purse back in the dining room it. She should have brought it with her. It probably wouldn't kill him but might slow him down.
"I suppose you sent the letter, and I also suppose you aren't going to tell me who wants Gareth dead."
"How right you are."
"So what do you want?"
"I told you." The vampire withdrew a knife from his jacket pocket. "I'm here to do a job. You're a nuisance someone wants gone, so...what's a vamp to do?"
Kira kick-started her frozen brain. "Well, I'll tell you what this vamp's going to do. I'm going to kick your ass."
"I was hoping you'd say that." The vampire, who stood as if he had no care in the world, opened his left palm, pressed a button, and a dart hit Kira right in the chest.
Her legs crumbled beneath her. Her arms felt like leaden weights. If she could have used her tongue, which seemed to be cardboard, she would have cursed. Instead, she lay there on the hardwood floor, an area rug the only pillow for the back of her head.
The vampire advanced, and Kira lay there helpless. He knelt at her side, placed her limp arms across her chest, and tilted her head back. Then, with one swipe of a serrated blade, he cut her throat.
Chapter Eighteen
Gareth listened with half his attention as Leland talked about hunting quail in England. Kira had been gone a good ten minutes. Eve had passed on her reason for leaving, but he wasn't buying it. Yes, she looked like a sexy wet dream in the red dress she'd worn, and yes, the high-heeled sandals with matching toenail polish made him want to play This Little Piggy and the Big Bad Wolf, but he would never believe she left to fix her makeup.
The itch he usually got when trouble was around, and one that had been missing lately, was back, slithering up and down his vertebrae, warning him something wasn't right. He continued to smile at Leland's remarks and, as inconspicuously as possible, looked down the long table toward Malachi.
As luck would have it, Malachi looked his way at the same time. His gaze troubled, he motioned to Kira's empty chair. Gareth nodded back. He should have known Malachi would notice Kira was gone, but where had she gone?
As he watched, the vamp took out his cell phone, tapped in a number, and placed it to his ear. A moment later, he stood up, rounded the table, bent down, and whispered to Gareth, "Kira's disappeared."
Gareth forced himself not to jump up from his seat. No need to alarm the guests. Maybe she'd gotten cold feet about the dinner? No. She and Eve looked as if they were getting alone fine. Could she have gotten sick? It had only been a few days since she was stabbed. What was he thinking? He should never have put the pressure of this dinner on her.
"Gareth, I'm going to see if I can find her."
"I'm coming with you."
"No, you can't leave the dinner unless it's a national emergency. It's a flagrant violation of protocol, not to mention rude."
Gareth stewed on that for all of a second. "I don't care."
He pushed his chair back with just enough force it made a slight creaking sound, silencing the chatter around him.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it seems my fiancée needs me for a moment. I'm sure you'll all recognize the fact it's only been a few days since she got out of the hospital. I'll be back, hopefully before dessert is served. Now, carry on and enjoy."
"Gareth, do you want me to go with you to check on Kira?"
Eve's concern warmed his chilled heart. He hoped it was just a case of her feeling under the weather. "That's kind of you, Eve. Please, stay here and, if you wouldn't mind, act as my hostess until Kira and I return."
"It would be my pleasure. Please tell Kira, if she needs me, I'll be happy to come to her."
"I will, and again my thanks."
Gareth followed Malachi out of the dining room.
"Okay, give it to me straight. Do you have any idea where she is and if she's in danger?"
Malachi didn't break his stride as he and Gareth continued through the State Floor of the White House. "Danny said she told him she had to go to the ladies' room. She refused to let him go inside with her. After she didn't come out, he went in, and she was gone. I have other agents searching this floor."
"Any idea where?"
"Not yet, but I want to check out the bathroom myself. I'm hoping to pick up her scent."
Gareth didn't question Malachi's ability to do just that---the man's talents would probably boggle the human mind.
A bare second later, they rounded a corner to see Danny standing guard outside the ladies' room.
"Danny, you're sure she went in?"
"Yes, sir, Mr. King. And I know she never came out."
"Okay, stay right where you are. We're going in for a moment." Malachi motioned to Gareth, who followed him inside the bathroom.
Once dead center in the middle of the floor, the vampire closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. A second later, he released his breath and opened his eyes. "She can't be gone more than a few minutes, but I can't get a fix on where she went."
Malachi strode from the room. "Danny, thank you. You may go." He turned back to Gareth. "The other agents will be here in a moment."
The seconds seemed to stretch like eons, until they returned and while he waited on the agents to report. Not one of them had found anything. Malachi had taken a brief invisible trip, which boggled Gareth's mind, to the PQ to see if she may have returned there. His findings were the same---no Kira.
"Let's try the first floor." They proceeded at a fast pace toward the elevator.
"Mr. President, Mr. King!"
They both stopped and turned back. One of the waiters who served dinner stood there, slightly out of breath.
"Mike, we're busy. Can't this wait?"
"I don't think so. I heard you were looking for Agent Jackson. I delivered a note to her from another agent. I didn't mean to look at the note, but I dropped it. I saw one word, 'library.'" The young man fidgeted in his embarrassment. "I don't know if it'll help or not, but thought you should know."
"Thanks, Mike, I'm in your debt." Gareth looked at Malachi.
"We need to hurry. I've got a bad feeling about this. No agent would have called Kira away from this dinner without talking with me first. Let's get to the library."
Both men turned again toward the elevator. "Listen, Malachi, I know you can get there faster and cover more ground than I can, so go."
"I can't leave you unguarded. If this is part of a plot against you, then leaving you alone could be just what they want."
"Yes, and while we argue about this, we still don't know what's happened to Kira."
Gareth took Malachi's indecision and drove home his point. "We're wasting time. Go, I'll be right behind you."
"See that you are, old friend."
Malachi dissolved right before Gareth's eyes. If he were not so worried about Kira, he would be more fascinated with the science of teleportation. Instead, he entered the elevator, slapped the button, and waited for the doors to close. The moment the bell signaled ground-floor status, Gareth held his breath. The doors finally swooshed open. He sprinted down the hall toward the library. The door stood open. He hit the threshold at a full run, only to skid to a stop.
Malachi knelt by Kira's body.
Gareth hit his knees. "Is she..."
"No, but she's barely hanging on." Malachi looked as pale as death.
"Do something!"
"What do you want me to do? He cut her throat!" Malachi's cry was anguished. Tears streaked a blood-red path down his face.
Gareth noticed for the first time the blood soaking into the rose-patterned carpet. Yet he couldn't believe there was nothing that could be done.
"For God's sake, man, you're a vampire. There has to be something you can do."
"There's one thing, but I'm not sure it'll work. My healing powers couldn't stop the blood." Malachi held up his red-coated hands. "The only other thing I know to do is give her some of my blood. We'll have to work fast, and then I just don't know."
"What will that do to Kira...I mean, if it heals her? Turn her into a vampire?" Even as he asked the question, Gareth could not believe that it was actually a possibility.
"No, it won't turn her into a vampire..." Malachi looked down at Kira and then back at Gareth. "She's already a vampire."
Gareth's mind reeled, but he didn't show any outward sign of his shock. It would do no good, and his main concern was Kira.
"All right, let's do it."
"Okay, but first we need to get her somewhere more private than this. I can teleport her and then come back for you."
"I guess that's what you just did to get here."
"Yes, wait right here. I'll be back in a second."
Malachi gathered Kira up in his arms, stood to his feet, and then bam, they were gone. Before Gareth could assimilate if he was crazy or not, the vampire returned and grabbed his arm.
"Hold on, Gareth, and close your eyes."
The library fell away from view before Gareth could get his lids closed. A vortex of pressure assaulted his body, and then his feet felt flooring beneath them. He opened his eyes and found he was in Kira's bedroom. She lay on the bed, motionless as death.
Malachi stripped off his suit coat. "Lock the door." Once Gareth complied, he took out his cell. "Alex, it's Malachi. I need you to get a message to the prime minister. Tell him Gareth's detained but will see him in the morning." The cell phone slapped closed.
"You don't think they'll question the fact I'm not returning?"
"No, Alex's actually one of us, a Vampire Government Protector for England. He's the PM's agent, and yes, the man knows he has a vampire guarding him and his family. Alex will make certain everything runs smoothly for the rest of the dinner and get them settled in their guest room. Unless you prefer to go back and do it yourself."
"What in the hell does that mean? Of course I want to stay. I'm not leaving Kira."
Malachi flashed him a full-fanged smile and pushed up the sleeves of his dress shirt. "I was hoping you'd say that. Now ditch your coat. This could get a bit messy."
Gareth did as he asked, and when told, he moved to sit on the bed next to Kira.
"Hold her head in your lap. Although she's losing blood at a fast rate, she might try to fight the blood I give her. I need you to hold her down."
A moment later, Malachi used his fangs to slice a laceration in his wrist. He then placed his arm directly over Kira's mouth. Blood soaked her lips, but none filtered in where it was needed.
"See if you can open her mouth more."
Gareth tilted Kira's head back a fraction, and with his thumb, he pushed her lips apart. "Is that enough?"
"I hope so." Malachi pressed more firmly against her lips, and as they both watched, a drop flowed onto her tongue. Then another and another.
"This is a good thing, right?"
"Yes, at least we're replenishing what she's lost. If I had time, I'd used an IV hang, but the fewer questions asked, the better."
"I agree." Gareth caressed Kira's hair. The rich chestnut color he loved looked red with the infusion of blood from her throat wound.
"So, how do we get her wound to close up?"
"Once we get enough blood in her system, her vampire instincts will kick in, and she'll start to heal. I'll also be able to help the healing along then."
"Okay, so how long before that can happen?"
Malachi frowned. "I'm not sure. First, I don't know for certain the blood I'm giving her will prevent her from dying."
"Why is she dying? I thought you people had to have your hearts and heads cut off to die."
"Well, for some that's true, but I need to explain some things so you'll understand."
Gareth wondered if his brain could hold many more shocks. Finding out Kira was a vampire had almost taken out his heart. He'd fallen in love with what he thought was a mortal woman to find out she was something else entirely. What would it mean for their relationship? At the moment, he didn't even know if they had one. Kira had lied to him, maybe not an outright lie, but one by omission. They had spoken of love, and she'd kept her origin a secret.
"I'm listening."
"Okay, short version. Kira's granddaddy, who's pretty much older than dirt, invented a serum that allowed us vampires to be able to be photographed and also to go out in the sun."
Gareth kept his eyes on Kira as Malachi continued.
"What we do as Vampire Government Protectors is top secret, pretty much. Of course, the powers we protect usually don't know unless they find out, like you did. We started taking the serum injections, or rather Kira did, right after she was born. This allowed her to appear normal to other kids her age. She could do play-dates, as they call it now, go to school, and anything else she needed to appear normal.
"Usually, when we hit age forty, we normally stop aging, but the serum overrides that part of our vampire makeup by allowing us to grow older, although at a slower rate than mortals, so we don't have to move every ten years or so to prevent suspicion."
"So, how old are you?"
Malachi laughed, which seemed a miracle with Kira lying there. "I'm older than you are, okay?" He checked Kira's pulse. "Close your mouth. I'm not centuries old, but I was born of vampire parents. Grandpa Jackson gave me the serum when I was almost the age you are now. I wanted a normal life. Now, if someone is turned, they remain the age they were at the time they were changed."
"You've got to be kidding. Who would want to be turned? No offense."
"None taken. Well, there are benefits to being fanged. You can fly, teleport as we just did, live a fairly long and healthy life, etc. Of course, with all things, there are drawbacks. You watch mortal friends and loved ones grow old and die. We have to have an injection of blood, but we can eat normal food, as you've seen. Thanks to Grandpa Jackson."
Malachi removed his wrist from Kira's mouth. "I think we've gotten in enough to see if it'll work. If she doesn't come around in about an hour, we'll have to take the chance of bringing in blood packs and an IV pole and tubing.
"To answer your question about beheading and the like, yes, at one time that was true. The serum acts as an agent to make us appear more human, but we have to take the good with the bad. Once our hearts stop for whatever reason, unless we can be given blood, we die. Which means Kira can die if injured severely enough."
Gareth eased her head back on the pillow and slid off the bed. His mind was overrun with what he'd heard. Incredible, to be sure, but with Malachi mouthing it, he knew it to be true as the red, white, and blue.
"Should I go back to the dining room?"
"Up to you. I think Leland can handle it, but you could drop in, tell them Kira is resting."
"I think I will. I also think I'm going to commandeer a bottle of brandy and some food. You hungry?"
"Yeah, but for blood. I need to replenish the amount I gave to Kira."
Gareth's shock must have shown on his face.
"Don't worry, I won't bite you. I can subsidize the blood need with a raw steak. Think you can get one of those sent up?"
"Yeah, unless you want to make it materialize." His chuckle brought a louder one from Malachi.
"Nope, just tell Claude, who I'm sure is hanging around the kitchen."
"Claude? Don't tell me he's..."
"Okay, I won't tell you. Now, get going."
Gareth turned to do just that, but stopped when Malachi called out, "You might want to change shirts first and put on another jacket."
Gareth looked down. Evidence of what was at stake spattered his shirtfront---Kira's lifeblood. God above, she had to live. He couldn't lose her now.
"Yeah, I'll do that and be back as quick as I can."
Ten minutes later, Gareth arrived back in the dining room. Most of the guests were finishing dessert. He took his seat before stating, "Kira won't be joining us again tonight." He only hoped it was only for tonight and not eternity. "She's resting."
He motioned for the waiter to bring him a fresh glass of brandy and smiled down the table. How he hated having to make nice when Kira could be dead.
The waiter brought his brandy, and Gareth took a moment to whisper in his ear, "Would you please ask Claude to come out? Tell him I need to speak to him."
"Yes, sir, Mr. President." The young man almost skipped in his eagerness to please.
"Now, I hope all of you had a pleasant dinner, even without myself and Kira here for the most part."
The guests agreed. He hoped they were not offended by his having to leave, but you could never tell in politics.
"Gareth, is Kira okay?" Leland's question made Gareth want to yell his uncertainty, but he couldn't.
"I told you, she's resting."
"Yes, I know that, but I also know Alex. He looked a bit terse when he got a note. I assume it was from Malachi."
What and how much did Leland know? He needed to find out. "Why don't we table this discussion until after everyone else has retired?"
"That works for me. Do you want to meet in the library like we did last time I was here?"
"God no! We'll meet in my private quarters. I'll send someone to get you in a bit. Okay?"
Leland looked a bit shocked, but nodded his head in assent.
Before Gareth could say anything else, Claude appeared at his side. "Mr. President, I was told you needed me."
Whispering everything was beginning to get on Gareth's nerves, but he did it anyway. "Malachi wants a steak, rare, brought to Kira's room. If you wouldn't mind, make that two, but cook mine, okay?"
Claude's features grew puzzled, then concerned, before he settled back into his serving manner. "I take it Kira won't be eating."
"No, but hurry, Claude. Malachi might need some help. I'll be up as soon as I can."
"Yes, sir, Mr. President." Claude backpedaled and then exited the room.
Gareth took one sip of brandy and set the glass down. As much as he wanted to run from the room, he needed to keep to a bit of decorum. Although it was understandable for a president to leave a state dinner in case of a national emergency, Gareth didn't really think his guests would understand, or even believe in vampires.
He played at making small talk, but after ten minutes, he'd had enough. "I hope everyone will excuse me again. There are matters that need my attention. Feel free to stay and mingle. Prime Minister and Mrs. Babcock, someone will show you to your rooms whenever you're ready." He and Leland exchanged looks, and then Gareth stood to his feet, nodded and left.
He sprinted up the staircase instead of running down the hall to the elevator. He needed the physical action to fight the terror in his body. The twenty minutes or so he'd been absent from Kira's side could mean she was recovering or dead. If dead, surely Malachi would have sent him a message.
Scooting to a halt at the Queens' Bedroom door, he grasped the knob and turned it before stepping inside. "How is she?"
Chapter Nineteen
"She's breathing better, my friend. Sit and let Malachi tell you more." Claude moved from his spot at the side of the bed to allow Gareth to take his place.
"Her pulse and heartbeat's stronger now, and yes, we do have both when awake. She took a bit more blood, and as you can see, the wound is much better."
Gareth's gaze went to Kira, and his mouth dropped open. The previously horrendous slice in her throat had closed up. It might not seem completely healed to Malachi and his kind, but to Gareth it was a pure, heavensent miracle.
"This is great. That means she's healing from the inside, doesn't it?"
"Yes, and I think all she'll need is a bag of blood and her injection of serum." Malachi's features showed the anxiety of the last hour, since Kira had disappeared and the aftermath.
"So, anything on who the supposed agent was and how he got inside the White House?"
Malachi's growl rolled through the room. "No, and that's making me extremely uneasy. Our regular Secret Service agents would never let anyone in they didn't know. It has to be someone who can almost materialize out of nowhere."
The vampire jumped up from the chair he'd been seated in. "I should have known. It had to be a vampire. That's the only way he could have gotten inside without being stopped. And that's probably why he got the jump on Kira. Her instincts for trouble would have been on high alert. No way would she have allowed a mortal to cut her. She would have taken him out. Especially after what happened at the press conference."
Gareth watched Malachi pace until it made his head dizzy. "So, I take it this is someone you don't know?"
"That's it. I have no idea if he's a vampire I've come across before or not. I was so upset finding Kira, I didn't even scope out the room."
"Can you do it now?"
Malachi nodded his head. "I could, but I'm sure all scent of the vampire is gone by now. He wouldn't leave behind any way to trace him. Our only hope is if Kira got a glimpse of his face." He moved to the fabric-covered settee and scooped up a plate from the coffee table. He forwent the niceties and picked up the steak with his fingers and bit into the meat.
Gareth's appetite was gone. He could only judge vampires on what he knew of Malachi and now Claude. Finding out the man he'd served with had fangs threw him for a loop. Both men had always behaved in a non-threatening manner.
Gareth's gut feeling told him the vampire who hurt Kira was bad news all the way round. If not found and controlled, or even killed, he could prove even more dangerous.
"Is the prime minister safe?"
"Yes, why do you ask?"
"Well, with this rogue vampire running loose, he could be part of a plot to take out any government officials."
Malachi wiped his fingers on a linen napkin, picked up the glass of wine Claude had brought up with dinner, and sipped before answering.
"Good point, but Alex is up Leland and his wife's butt like you wouldn't believe. I think someone wants you dead, and they tried to take Kira out so they could get to you."
"That makes no sense. Heaven forbid, if Kira dies, someone else would be assigned to me." A shudder touched his shoulders at the thought of Kira's uncertain future. As to other agents, he would refuse them.
"Knowing you, Gareth, you'd fight me and everyone else to prevent another agent getting killed. That's why I think whoever's targeting you knows you pretty well. They'd know you would go back to your old ways of no agents within a certain distance."
"I never thought of that. So, what you're saying is, I'm the one responsible for Kira almost dying twice."
"Dammit! No, that's not what I'm saying. The man, or whoever is responsible for this, is deranged. He has to be. Sooner or later, we'll catch him, and then he'll die."
"Don't you mean be imprisoned?"
"No, die. You kill one of us in malice, then it's war, my friend. We don't harm others unless it's absolutely necessary. But I can tell you this. If Kira dies, there won't be an inch of this earth her brothers and I won't canvass to find the son of a---"
"Malachi, who are you planning on killing?"
Kira's question galvanized the men into action. Gareth and Malachi, as well as Claude, congregated on the bed.
"Kira, you're okay." Gareth's voice sounded just as shaky as he felt.
"Well, yes, I think I am. Malachi, what happened?"
"Kira, darling, you scared me out of about a century of living. When you went AWOL from the dinner, Gareth and I tried to find you. By the time we did, you were almost dead from a slashed throat."
Kira's hand crept to her throat. A slightly uneven section of skin drove home their words.
"Thanks, both of you. The vampire who did it probably didn't think anyone would find me before it was too late."
"You saw your attacker?" Malachi's tone rumbled, and his silver gaze glowed with a promise of something Kira was sure she didn't want to know.
"Yes, I went to the library after I got the note. Whoever wrote it said they knew who was behind the attacks. I take it y'all know about that?"
"Yes, the waiter told us after we couldn't find you. If not for that..."
"Okay, so it was that close, huh?" Kira's voice shook as much as her hand did when she replaced it in her lap.
"Way too close, baby girl. I had to give you some of my blood to get the wound to close up."
Her breath swooshed out at his words. Lord, she must have really been almost dead. Poor Malachi. Oh heavens, poor Gareth.
Gareth!
He had to know by now she was a vampire. What did he think of her? Kira quieted her erratic heartbeat. She had to find out.
"I take it you know what I am, Gareth?"
"Yes, Malachi told me before he transported you to this room."
"So, how do you feel about me being a vampire?"
So intent on his forthcoming response, Kira barely registered Malachi and Claude leaving the room.
Gareth took her hand in his. "I'm not sure. I have to tell you, on the heels of seeing you with your throat cut, finding out you're a vampire knocked the wind out of me."
"Well, if it helps, we're called immortals too."
His smile waffled a bit on the weak side. "Not much. You should have told me."
"Yeah, and I'd be getting the same attitude you're giving me now."
"What attitude?" His question conveyed the confusion in his gaze.
"The hangdog face, the hurt look. Gareth, do you remember the interview before you finally said you'd hire me? If you don't, I do. You didn't want me anywhere near you as an agent. Do you think I could have told you I was a member of the fang-toting club?"
"You could have told me since then."
"Yes, I could have, but things have been a bit crazy since we met."
"I don't need you to tell me that. I'm fully aware you've almost died three times because of me."
"It's my job, Gareth. What part of that don't you understand?"
"I guess all of it. I just don't see how you could keep that big of a secret from a man you claim to love."
Kira's strength was returning quickly, and so was the kernel of temper she needed to tamp down. "I didn't just claim to love you. I do."
Gareth released her hand and stood up. "I don't see it that way at all. If you did love me, you would not have kept this from me." His movements as he prowled the room were agitated. "If we were being married for real, were you planning on divulging the fact you are a vampi---"
"Immortal!"
"Whatever you call yourself, the fact remains you were probably not going to tell me at all. I expected a bit of trust from you. Didn't you think I'd understand?"
Kira knew he was hurt, but he was busting her heart wide open, not to mention that spark of temper was beginning to flame higher.
"Yes and no."
"What does that mean?"
"Yes, I was going to tell you, and no, I wasn't sure if you'd understand. Look, I'm sorry. I never expected to find anyone I cared about, especially not my soul mate."
Gareth's features relaxed just a bit, to immediately tighten up again. His brows arched so high, they almost crawled into his hairline. "What's a soul mate? I mean, I know what I'd call a soul mate, but what importance is it to you as a vampire?"
Kira gave up trying to get him to say immortal. Stubborn man. "Well, with us, we only mate once. That means no divorces. Once we find the other half of our soul, it's like a bonding ceremony."
"So you what...exchange rings like mortals do?"
"We do that and other things." Kira closed her eyes. She needed to see what Gareth was thinking, feeling.
So many emotions assaulted her senses. Hurt the size of a mountain and disbelief vied with thoughts of whether or not he'd lost his mind. Above all of these rose the dark specter of distrust. Gareth couldn't seem to get past her not telling him. Lord, she hoped he would in time. Maybe...
"Look, you've had a lot of things thrown at you in a short amount of time, and let's not forget someone is trying to kill you." Kira reached for his hand, but instead of grasping her fingers, he clenched his fist. Yep, he was so not in the mood for more tonight. In fact, he might never be ready for what she could tell him about soul mates.
"Listen, why don't you go? It's been a long day, and we have the wedding in the next few days. I'll work with Malachi about finding out who the vampire is."
Gareth wasted no time in doing what she suggested. In fact, he moved so fast, he was in danger of tripping on his way to the door. So much for a glad-you'realive, love-you kiss. Kira shored up her heart. So be it. If this is what he wanted, then it wouldn't be the first time she'd been hurt. It probably wouldn't be the last either.
"Yeah, uh, you get some rest. I'm sure we'll talk tomorrow."
"Right, good night, Gareth."
Kira waited until the door softly thudded closed before she succumbed to the aftermath of the nightmare she'd lived through. She told herself, as she watched bloodred tears stain her pillowcase, she was crying about almost being killed. Never would she admit the pain of Gareth's actions caused her tears, and that he'd hurt her worse than the slice to her jugular.
Gareth felt lower than a dog's belly as he went to his suite. He'd sent word to Leland to meet him, but now he wished he'd put it off. Watching Kira's face as he made his excuse to leave had felt like a kick in the gut. It wasn't his intention to hurt her, but he needed time.
Everything he'd found out tonight about vampires, soul mates, and other things was way too much for him to handle in a single sitting. He had no idea what a soul mate was unless it was the other part of your heart. If so, then Kira was his, but he just couldn't face dealing with her being a vampire.
Lord knew he'd had enough trouble getting adjusted to her being an agent. To find out she really had fangs and claws was not something he'd ever dreamed he'd have to face. Sooner or later, he'd deal with his feelings for her and decide if he could have a relationship with a vampire.
"Gareth?" Leland's question broke off his thoughts like a light switch. He'd think about this later. Hopefully by morning he'd be able to put everything in perspective.
"I'm here. Come on in." Gareth made his way to the bar, poured two snifters of Tennessee whiskey, and held one out to Leland.
"That bad?"
"You have no idea."
Leland took a sip from his glass, grimaced, and then smiled. "You always have the best stock. Now, let's see if we can figure out what you're stewing about."
Gareth wondered if the liquor had gone to the PM's head. His clipped English accent was gone. He sounded like someone born in Gareth's neck of the woods. Was he losing his mind?
"Nope, you're as sane as you can be in the situation you're in, old boy. What you hear is the real me."
He resisted the urge to shake his head in an effort to dislodge the bizarre words Leland spouted. Somehow, he'd find a logical way to explain how the man could read his mind.
"Okay, care to expand on what's going on?"
Leland laughed. "It's simple, really. You already know Alex is a VGP. I'm sure you also know Kira is by now, but there are a lot of us who are of the fanged persuasion."
The whiskey he'd just swallowed went down the wrong way. Leland jumped up and pounded him on the back so hard, Gareth feared he'd break a rib or at least a few vertebrae.
"I'm fine. Thank you!"
After gulping in some air, he responded to Leland. "I take it you've known Malachi long?"
"Oh yes, a few decades at least. We met while you were in service. The man, even then, wheeled and dealed to get things turned around in our political system. He felt if more of the key figures and their agents were vamp or protectors, then the world would be a safer place."
"I'm surprised Malachi didn't run for office."
"He didn't want it. Said he'd rather be on the sidelines."
"Okay, so you're a vampire with a vampire protector. Why, and what about Eve?"
Leland's smile was positively wicked. "My wife is mortal, so she needs someone to protect her besides myself. She's planning on being turned after I retire. For the moment, she's enjoying the benefits of being married to a vamp."
"Benefits? You've lost me. And should I be afraid of you now?"
"No, but I'd carry a big piece of pointed wood if you upset Malachi, and a good way to do that is upset Kira. The benefits are something she can acquaint you with once you're married. Being a soul mate can be extremely enjoyable, or so my wife tells me." The PM laughed.
Leland's entire attitude boggled Gareth's mind. Sex with a vampire? Sex with Kira? Both were one and the same. As much as he wanted her succulent body, he wasn't sure about anything else.
"You might want to reel in your thoughts. Malachi's on his way, and he can read minds also. I'm surprised Kira didn't tell you she could read yours. That happens when you find your soul mate."
God above, that made him gulp more whiskey. All these years and he'd had no clue Malachi could read his mind. And Kira? What she must have read in his head.
"Gareth?" Malachi stuck his head around the threshold. "Thought I'd let you know there were no fingerprints other than Kira's and the waiter's on that note. First thing in the morning, I'll bring in a sketch artist to see if we can come up with a composite."
"What good will that do if he's a vampire?"
"Well, with a face, we can check out places mortals can't get into. Of course, if he was paid to kill Kira, he could be long gone from DC."
"So, in that case, we're right back where we started---with nothing."
"No, Gareth, we have people all over the world. Eventually, we will find him. Now, what have you decided to do about Kira being a vampire? I know all of this is a shock."
Gareth hoped to hide his doubts from Malachi, but if what Leland said was true, they both already knew his mind.
"I don't know what I'm going to do. I need some time."
"I understand, but the wedding is only a few days off. You have to make up your mind soon. I thought after what happened tonight, you and Kira would want to tie the knot for real."
"Oh, the wedding will take place, but I don't plan on changing my mind about the minister. There are too many issues at stake that we need to address before we make that type of decision. I think both Kira and I need to have a way out of the marriage."
"I can't believe you're saying that. You love her. I know you do."
"Yes, but being friends with you and Leland as vampires is different than being married to one. This entire immortal process is not something I'm sure I want a lifetime commitment with. I'm not happy Kira didn't tell me herself."
"Blame that on me. I ordered her not to."
Malachi's words were like shards of glass inside Gareth's heart. She had been following orders, something he would have done in her place, wouldn't he?
"Why?"
"Because I thought you'd give her more of a chance as an agent if you didn't know. Kira loves you. You know that, too. It's gone way beyond an agent-and-employer relationship. Can't you find it in your heart to forgive her?"
"It's not a question of forgiveness. I need to know I can trust her with something besides my life. My heart has to trust her, too, and at the moment...I'm not sure of anything."
"Why you little---"
"Malachi, hang on. Gareth's been hit with a lot. Being in love is hard enough without having the complications he's got. Let's go. He needs some time to sort things out." Leland stood up and moved to the door.
Gareth knew Malachi wouldn't wait long until he poked his ass back into something that wasn't his business. Yes, the man loved Kira, but whatever he decided to do would affect both of them for the rest of their lives, however long that could be for Kira.
He wanted to do the right thing. He wanted to love her until she came unglued with pleasure, but there was truth in the saying the past can color the future. Judith had been unfaithful to him. It was a covered-up secret not even Malachi knew, and although Kira not trusting him enough to tell him she was a vampire could be considered a kettle of different fish, it all boiled down to trust. If she didn't trust him, then their marriage would not last.
Did he want it to? God above, yes, but at the moment, he wasn't sure he could face life with or without Kira. With the wedding coming up fast, most of his appointments had been moved ahead or postponed. Tomorrow the only person he would be entertaining would be Leland.
Gareth picked up the decanter of whiskey, grabbed his empty glass, and headed for the bedroom. He had some serious thinking to do, and if he couldn't come to a resolution, he just might drown his problems. No, wait, he couldn't. Being president of the United States meant he couldn't behave like normal men. The decanter crashed against the bedroom wall. The glass followed.
Chapter Twenty
Kira awoke at dawn on her wedding day. The sun danced up from the horizon and made its way slowly toward the clouds. The old saying about the sun shining brightly blesses a bride was a load of crap, in her opinion. Nothing about this day was blessed. The groom was an ass and the bride a vampire. Oh yeah, a match made in heaven.
Gareth barely spoke to her at the rehearsal dinner, or the day before, for that matter. She'd recovered from her injury and then spent some time with Eve. The woman was truly an angel to put up with her bad mood. The conversation they had right after the rehearsal dinner had been candid, to say the least.
"So, I hear Gareth's being obnoxious." Eve's statement startled Kira for just a moment before she laughed.
"That's just one of the things I think we could call him. The man is a complete ass, and I wish I'd never met him."
The laughter was gone from her tone and mood. If she'd never met him, then she wouldn't be going through a farce of a wedding, or have her heart lying in shards at her feet. Kira blinked back tears. Then again, she'd never have known what it felt like to love a soul mate.
"My dear, you can't mean that. I know us mere mortals are trying at times, but consider this. Gareth's had quite a few shocks in the last days, just like you have."
"So that's supposed to make it okay for him to act like I'm kin to a weapon of mass destruction?"
"Oh, Kira, honey, he just feels threatened. Being a man, he thinks, or they all think, they are supposed to take care of the little woman. You, however, can take care of yourself. Gareth, as long as I've known him, has always been a champion for women. His motto is to protect the weaker sex. You're not weaker, and it puts him at a disadvantage.
"Also, I think learning about soul mates is controlling his actions. I know what's involved, and one day I'll be more than happy to be Leland's in every way. Gareth doesn't even know that much. Maybe if you talk to him, it would help."
"I can see where he might feel a bit insecure, but, Eve, if he loves me, he'd accept me as I am."
"And if you love him, you'll accept the man he is. Face it, when it comes to relationships, we have to give more than they do. If we didn't, there'd never be any peace."
"Well, it's too late now. The wedding's scheduled in the morning, and a last-minute crisis has Gareth stuck in the Oval Office. Malachi said no one is to disturb him."
Kira shook her head to dislodge the previous night's events. She'd not been able to talk to him. The wedding was at 11:00 a.m. sharp in the Rose Garden. Her gown hung where the boutique placed it the day before, and her new shoes, stuffed with tissue, were in the closet. Her mother was due to arrive anytime from South Carolina. Grandpa Jackson had convinced her mother he would be fine with a mortal nurse until she returned. She wished her brothers could be here, or maybe not...They would not be pleased with Gareth's attitude.
"Kira, darling, are you up?" Her mom's voice traveled through the closed bedroom door, inciting Kira to jump out of bed. Before she could open the door, her mom was inside and hugging Kira for all she was worth.
"Mom, I'm so glad you're here." Kira's words ended on a sob, and then another and another followed.
"Shh, sweetie, it's going to be all right. I promise."
Several minutes later, Kira raised her head from her mom's shoulder and tried a slight smile. Maybe it would be enough to fool her.
"Kira, it'll take more than a bit of a smile to reassure me you're okay. Malachi has kept us up on what's been going on since you took this assignment, but I'm sure there's more to be told. So, sit right there, I'll get you some breakfast, and then we'll hash this out."
Before she could respond, her mom teleported out of the room. Lord, she hoped when she popped into the kitchen no one saw her. A moment later, she was back with a tray laden with bacon, eggs, grits, and pancakes. A vase with a long-stemmed rose sat on one corner, and a glass of juice on the other.
"Here you go, honey. Claude said you better eat every bite. And that reminds me, Grandpa Jackson sends his love. He also said to tell you he's so proud he could pop one of his fangs."
Kira genuinely smiled then. Grandpa had always been loving, but never too effusive with compliments. This would be one to cherish forever.
"Dig in, child. You have a wedding in less than four hours. I, for one, want to look stunning as the mother of the bride, so eat up. We have a facial, and a manicure, before it's time to get dressed."
"Mom, you know I hate those things." Kira couldn't prevent the grimace attacking her lips.
"Yes, I know, but believe me, you'll be happy with the results, and so will Gareth."
"Mom, did Malachi not tell you this is not going to be a real marriage?"
Her mom picked up a slice of bacon and nibbled it delicately. "Yes, he told me, but you'll still want to look your best. If you hope to get Gareth in a mood to listen to reason, you want to dazzle him, darling."
"Dazzle, my ass."
"Kira! Try to remember you're no longer on a military patrol."
"Sorry, Mom, I'll try to do better."
"That's my girl. Now hurry."
"Damn!" Gareth applied a piece of tissue against the cut on his jaw. His hands were none too steady, even after he'd abstained after one drink with the guys the night before. After grabbing two full bottles of whiskey, some sandwiches, and a few select cigars, Malachi, Claude, and Leland had shanghaied him.
The evening had grown late before the vampires had drunk sufficient liquor to broach the subject of Kira being a vampire.
"You know, my friend, if you love her, it doesn't matter she has fangs."
"Claude's right. Kira is the salt of the earth, a veritable icon of loveliness and skill."
"Leland speaks the truth, Coonskin. You have what most men never find. A woman who loves you more than she loves herself."
Gareth had watched as all three vamps raised their glasses in the air. "To Kira!"
"To Kira." His toast sounded less exuberant, but he'd meant it all the same. All they said about Kira was true. He knew she would die for him, but that wasn't what he wanted. He wanted a woman he could take care of. A woman who would look up to him. Not because he was the president, but because he deserved it by his actions. Gareth knew none of his arguments made sense, but nothing since he'd first laid eyes on Kira had made sense.
"Come on, Gareth. Why not give Kira a chance?"
"Malachi, we've been through this. I need more time."
"Well, shit, man, you're getting married tomorrow. Time's running out."
Undoubtedly, Malachi had kept the details of their marriage to himself. So, what did he say?
"I know, but I'm not sure I want to take on all that a soul mate entails. In fact, I don't know what that means anyway."
"Oh man, you have no idea of the benefits you would reap."
"And just what would those be, Leland?"
"Always being connected by thoughts, able to experience making love through each other's feelings. Just knowing your other half completes your heart." Leland's words had given him fodder for thought, but he'd still had questions.
"And would that mean I would have to become a vampire?"
"Not if you don't want to. Evelyn decided to wait until after the children were grown and I retired from political office. But she's eager to be turned. It would mean our lives would not end in a few decades, but go on for centuries."
Gareth had been flabbergasted. "Wait a minute. I didn't know about centuries."
"Well, uh, taking the serum prevents us from wanting blood, but with a soul mate, we're allowed to take blood from one another. It's that blood, freely given, that prolongs our lives. And of course, you know you would continue to age, but not as fast."
"You're kidding, that's unbelievable. But then again, this entire conversation is a bit of a fantasy, or is it a nightmare?"
"Gareth, it doesn't have to be that way. You and Kira can stay as you are, mortal and vampire, and she'll age, but not as fast as you will. Eventually, you'll die first, unless something happens to Kira. Do you want to leave her a grieving widow? You should know, once mated, when one of the mates dies, a soul mate seldom ever finds another soul mate."
"Look, I know you're all trying to help, but I don't know what I'm going to do. Right now, I'm calling it a night. Feel free to stay and drink until your fangs fall out, but give me some peace."
The mutterings had not been pretty, but after saying so, Gareth had done just that, gone to bed.
Now, he wished he'd been a bit heavier-handed with the brandy. His sleep had been restless, and his thoughts weren't any more settled now than they had been before he went to bed.
He gingerly lifted the tissue off his face, slapped on a bit of aftershave, and cussed a blue streak when it burned like fire. He needed to get dressed. The tuxedo, specially made, lay on the bed. All he had to do was pull on the wedding regalia and make his way downstairs and outside. So why didn't he?
Pictures of Kira slammed through his head. From their first meeting, the crash of AF1, her being stabbed and left for dead. Her throat cut and her being left for dead. All of these views of Kira wanting to and then protecting him vied for room next to the images of her flashing fangs and turning him into a vampire against his will.
The clatter out on the lawn grew louder. He needed to get a move on if he wasn't going to be late for the wedding. A few moments later, dressed in a cutaway morning tux, he left to meet Malachi.
The head of his Secret Service had informed him the night before he would be walking Kira down the aisle before sitting next to Mrs. Jackson. He'd yet to meet the woman, but Claude told him effusively Elizabeth was a perfect lady, beautiful and smart.
That tidbit of information did not surprise him. Kira had those same traits. Maybe he was making more out of this fang thing than he needed to. The choice, if they ever really married, would be left up to him. So, if he said no, then Kira would abide by his decision.
Gareth spotted Malachi alone with Leland near the decked-out garden arbor. Someone had been busy. The entire lawn looked like a fantasyland.
"Morning."
"Morning, Gareth." Leland's tone resembled someone who'd swallowed sour milk. Something definitely seemed off with the PM.
"Gareth, we need to talk." Malachi sounded worse than Leland.
"What about? The wedding's due to start any moment. Aren't you supposed to be with Kira?"
"Yes, well, there's a bit of a---"
"Mr. King, could I have a word with you?"
Gareth looked toward the man hailing Malachi. Alex, Leland's protector, looked disgruntled. His dark hair, pulled back into a ponytail, looked disheveled, and his green eyes looked hard as an emerald-cut diamond.
"Yes, what is it, Alex?"
"I think it'd be better if I talked to you alone."
"You can speak freely here. Gareth knows as much as I do about most things at the moment."
"Okay. When I was doing some flybys around the White House and the adjacent streets, I found a body. It was a vampire. His head was missing."
Shock and a bit of horror juggernauted through Gareth's system. He'd seen a lot of things as a Ranger, but a decapitated body was one he'd just as soon forget.
"So, is this the vampire who attacked Kira?"
Alex turned to Gareth. "I believe so."
"Your reason for assuming he's the one?"
"I found this blade in his pocket before I buried him."
"You just buried him? You didn't contact the authorities?"
Alex looked at Malachi before answering Gareth. "Malachi is my authority in the States."
Bewilderment mingled with relief that Kira's attacker was dead. The former emotion must have shown on his face.
"Gareth, think about it. What would the DC police say about a vampire?"
Reasoning poured into his thoughts. Of course, Malachi was right. No one would believe it. "Okay, I see what you're saying. So, is he the one after me or just a flunky?"
"A flunky, I'm sure. What bothers me is the someone who hired him could know he is a vampire." Malachi's beginning frown became ferocious. "Which means they may know about Kira."
"Will she be safe?" Gareth's question drew the stares of the other two vampires, who, after meeting his gaze, looked away.
"Until this madman is caught, I'm not sure Kira or you are safe. I want security tightened up even more. Whoever killed that vampire knows something about us, I'd bet on it. If so, he'll know how to circumvent us to get to you and Kira."
"Gentlemen, take your places. It's almost time for the 'Wedding March.'" The minister, Duncan something or other, waved them toward the wedding platform. Malachi's friend seemed to be taking on his ex-persona. He sounded like a man with a mission to get two people married.
"We'll be there in a moment, Reverend. Malachi, listen to me. If something goes down, get Kira out of here."
"Gareth---"
"I mean it. She'll fight to the death to protect me, and I won't have her hurt again. Yes, yes, I know what she is, but we've already seen a vampire isn't invincible, right? Next time, she could die." Gareth caught Malachi's arm in a hard grip. "I mean it. Get her out first. Promise me."
"Dammit, Gareth, I'm not going to lose either one of you, so stop talking, and start walking. You need to be on the platform. I have to get Kira. Trust me, I'll be watching like a hawk, as will the rest of the men here."
Gareth didn't like leaving it this way, but their conversation was drawing stares from guests taking their seats.
"All right. Just one other thing, you wanted to talk to me about something. What is it?"
Strains of music stirred the air.
"No time now." Malachi threw the words over his shoulder as he strode off. Gareth shook his head, put a groom like smile on his face, and mounted the platform.
Chapter Twenty-One
The wedding music caused an involuntary reaction in Kira. She wanted to throw up. What on earth had possessed her to agree to this insanity? She should have resigned, moved away, and never looked back. Instead, she was giving Gareth more license to chip away at her heart.
"Kira, hon, it's time." Malachi's soft tone pitched terror into her bones.
Stop it, girl. You know this is the only way to get the press off y'all's backs and to hopefully draw out the maniac targeting us.
"I guess I'm as ready as I'm gonna be." Kira placed her hand around the corded muscle of Malachi's arm and allowed him to lead her to her doom. For the next however long it would be, she would be the First Lady. She might as well get used to having people gawk at her, chart her every move, and speculate on how she had captured the catch of the decade.
"It'll be fine, hon. Trust me." For some reason, Malachi's words seemed forced. Did he, too, have doubts about what they were doing?
They moved though the White House to balcony doors opening onto the Rose Garden. Her mother had already been seated on the bride's side, and Kira wished with all her heart her dad could have been here. All of her brothers were on assignments and couldn't get leave to come to the wedding, and with Grandpa laid up, she felt a bit deserted. Crazy, with all the guests gathered, in a crowd of people, without them she still felt totally alone.
A miniscule breeze ruffled the lace veil over her face as she stepped onto the cream-colored carpet runner. People began to turn and stare as she walked slowly toward the platform. She concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other and allowed her gaze to drift toward Gareth.
The man literally took her breath away. Attired in a black cutaway tuxedo, his shoulders looked broader than in his regular suit coats. The silver-colored vest and matching tie were a foil for the starched white dress shirt he wore. The black pants clung to his muscular calves and thighs as if they were a part of him. The man was drool worthy, even if you didn't look at his face.
Ah...his face. A testimony proving he could have been a Greek statue come to life. Bronze skin, green eyes, aristocratic cheekbones all vied for honor with the slightly crooked bend of his nose. His lips turned up in a fraction of a smile, and Kira wondered if she would ever again taste the sensual allure they brought when he kissed her. For surely, in the mood he'd been in, he would never want to touch her again.
"Almost there, buck up, hon."
Malachi's whisper brought her attention back to the immediate present. Her vision blurred with tears she didn't realize had formed. He was right. Now was not the time to be weak. She straightened her shoulders even more as she took her place at Gareth's side.
Opting to omit the part where the minister asks who giveth away this woman, the ceremony moved quickly after the first opening lines. Kira kept her gaze straight ahead, avoiding any gazes from Gareth. She wasn't ready to look at him, not here, not while they were declaring their love and saying vows. The words they spoke were lies, this was just pretend, and even though in her heart she meant each word, it didn't matter. To look up at the man at her side, with the love she felt for him flooding her heart during this farce, would be ten times worse.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Gareth lifted her veil, leaned down, and touched his lips to hers. Rockets of light scored a path behind Kira's closed eyelids. Her knees went weak before she locked them. Her heart skittered like mice on the prowl before she reined in her emotions. Love had nothing to do with this wedding. She needed to remember that and get on with finding who was trying to kill them.
The kiss ended without being deepened. She felt the loss, but shrugged it off. The next few hours would be chaotic and, if they were lucky, culminate with the assassin trying his tricks once again. Hopefully, this time they would be ahead of whoever had a vendetta against Gareth.
Kira allowed a slight smile to touch her lips. She looked up at Gareth, and then allowed him to lead her back down the aisle. They had a massive reception to attend, and afterward, a brief chat with the press. Then, thank God, they could retire to the PQ. No honeymoon trip for them. Malachi felt they should remain at the White House instead of going to Camp David with everything up in the air.
"You okay?" Gareth's whisper caressed her ear, and the look he gave her melted her bones into fragments. For one second in time, he looked as if everything was okay, that he'd never found out she had fangs. Yes, for a brief space, she could almost believe things were as they'd been before. Just a man in love with a woman.
"Yeah, I'm good. What about you?"
"I'm okay, too. I'll be glad when all the hoopla is finished. I could use a stiff drink."
Kira actually giggled. "I know what you mean, but I don't think there's any way to speed up the proceedings."
"I agree, so guess we'll just go with the flow."
"Yep, let's just hope the water's not too deep."
Gareth squeezed the hand resting on his sleeve. "Don't worry, I've got your back."
Hope blossomed inside her like a flower touched by the sunlight. Was it possible he could forgive her for not telling him her dark secret? Could he overlook her vampire nature?
At the moment, with the warmth of his touch and smile, Kira felt anything was possible.
"Thank you, and I've got yours."
Gareth leaned down, his lips a whisper away. She wanted his kiss, ached for it with a passion she didn't know she was capable of feeling. She closed her eyes and waited. Instead of the soft seduction she expected, she felt a cool breeze where she expected his lips to be.
"Come on, you two. The photographer wants pictures before the reception."
Kira and Gareth grimaced at the same time. Evidently, they were on the same note in regards to having their pictures taken.
"We're coming." Gareth tucked her arm under his before tugging her forward. "Just remember, it's like taking medicine. The faster we get it over with, the better we'll feel."
"Sure, whatever you say."
Gareth chuckled at her comment before they both struck a "love forever" pose.
"Just one more and we're finished."
Gareth resisted the urge to rip the camera out of the photographer's hands. They'd heard the same statement numerous times in the last hour. Lord, how many photographs did the man need?
"Please, oh please, let me bite him." Kira sounded as exasperated as he felt.
He was more than a bit tempted to tell her to go ahead and take a plug out of the man. Maybe he could get used to her having fangs.
"As much as I'd like for you to do just that, Malachi is giving us the evil eye. Guess we need to straighten up, huh?"
"Malachi can bite himself."
Gareth's laughter erupted before he could put a muzzle on his humor. He agreed wholeheartedly with Kira.
A flash of light and then Gareth looped an arm around Kira's waist and pulled her closer. "We're out of here."
"What about the reception?"
"They can wait a few minutes. I want to talk to you."
Gareth had no idea what he was going to say to Kira, but he knew he had to make things right. He'd missed her laughter, her wit, the way her eyes glowed when happy or aroused. He wanted to show her he loved her, to sink his body inside hers and claim her for his, but like a snake of the first order, he'd put his back up and caused Kira to do the same. Somehow, he would show her that it didn't matter she was a vampire.
He shook his head, not at all sure when he'd arrived at that conclusion, but arrived he had. Now, he wanted to tell her.
Away from the crush of bodies, Kira held her breath as she waited for Gareth to speak. The noise of celebrating guests was giving her a massive headache, which meant she should probably have something to eat or drink. Since she'd lost so much blood only a few days earlier, she needed to tank up to be at top strength.
"So, what did you want to talk about?"
"Us."
"There is no us, remember? We're parting ways after we catch the assassin." Kira knew she sounded petulant, but vampire or not, agent or not, she was also a woman.
"Kira, I know things have been crazy. I've been crazy. Seeing you bleed out with a slashed throat, finding out you have fangs, well, let's just say it's been a bit unsettling."
Unsettling sounded like he spoke of the weather instead of a possible future.
"I don't think unsettling describes what's happened. Why not look at it from my point of view? I almost died twice, three times if you count Air Force One, and I can put that all in perspective. It's part of my job. What isn't part of my employee curriculum is falling in love with my boss, and I don't mean Malachi."
"Do you think I planned to fall in love with you? I didn't. Love was never something I planned for, but I never planned on you, Kira. You were a driving force from the first time you ordered me to move my ass. Never has anyone outside of my military career, not even Malachi, dared to give me orders."
"Well, you stood there like you were frozen in cement."
"No, I didn't. I wanted my people safe."
"Yes, of course, but Gareth, if something happens to you, how safe will they be? That's why I do what I do. And that's why I kept my vampire nature a secret."
"I know. I think part of my problem was disappointment. I felt you didn't trust me to keep your secret."
Kira didn't know if it was shouting time or not. Gareth might be weakening a bit from his former stance, but her heart still stung from last time.
"I had my orders, but we've been over this ground before. What are you really trying to say?"
"Simply, I may have been a bit out of line when I said you needed to stop being an agent."
Kira saw red, not a putrid pinkish red, but a brilliant, deep, fiery color. "You think? Well let me clue you in, sir. Out of line doesn't even touch how you were. And if you think a simple apology covers it, then you're an even bigger ass than I thought you were." Her words were low, but the vehemence she'd been toting around for the last several days tossed each syllable out like bullets.
Gareth's face turned an interesting shade of crimson. "Look, Kira, that wasn't what I meant."
"Really, I suppose you thought I---"
"Kira! Gareth! You need to chill out for a few. You're drawing the attention of every press hog here."
Malachi's admonition halted Kira's temper storm. All she needed was to be front-page news again. "Fine, I'm finished with this chat anyway."
"I'm not, but we'll continue this later."
"Sure, whatever you say, darling." The endearment fell off her lips as a nosy reporter got too close.
"Shall we cut the cake, my sweet?" Gareth's words were just as sugary, making Kira want to weep with sadness and self-pity. Damn, the only wedding she would probably ever have and it was turning into a nightmare.
"Certainly, Gareth."
Together they moved under the tent awning and to the table holding the wedding and the groom's cake. A quick slice of the knife and they both held a tiny wedge of cake. Almost on cue, their mouths opened, and each accepted a bite. The white layer cake, drenched in buttercream frosting, tantalized Kira's taste buds. Next, they accepted fluted glasses filled with champagne. A brief clink of crystal and Kira watched Gareth drain his glass. The strong column of his throat as he swallowed drew her gaze. Even angry, she couldn't put away the physical attraction she felt for Gareth Hayes.
He returned her look with a smoldering gaze of his own. She wondered how much was temper and how much was lust or the love he'd declared.
They repeated the gestures with the groom's cake and another quick sip of champagne. Next, they stood in line and accepted multitudes of congratulations from press and guests alike. By the time the last well-wisher passed them, Kira's teeth ached from smiling. No, make that her entire face hurt.
What next? Lord, she should have paid more attention to the protocol for weddings. Kira heard the soft rustling of clothing and brought her gaze up from studying the tips of her shoes. Malachi and her mom stood in front of her and Gareth. The last she'd seen of her mom was when they had pictures taken.
"Congratulations, my darling girl." Isabelle bussed her cheek with lips painted a soft shade of coral, then wiped off the lipstick with a hankie she produced from her clutch bag.
"Almost finished. You just have to throw the bridal bouquet, and you and Gareth can get the hell out of this melee."
Kira wanted to shout! Yes, soon she could rest her toes, have a stiff drink of something stronger than champagne, stuff something into her stomach, and then hit the sheets.
Wait! Back up the jet. Surely, she wouldn't be expected to sleep in Gareth's room. It was a fake marriage, so certainly she could sleep in her room and not in the massive bed in his quarters. The beautiful sleigh bed could hold a small troop of men. No, she didn't want to go there, not physically or in her fantasies. It would just pave the way for more hurt.
"Great, I can't wait to be finished. So, where do I go to toss these flowers?"
"Uh, at the top of the main staircase." Gareth looked like he'd swallowed a bug.
"Good, shall we?"
"Yes, let's get it over with."
Kira ignored the way her heart hurt with his words. Sure, she should be the one ready for this to end, but it was his fault it wasn't a real ceremony. If he wasn't so pigheaded about her being a vampire and an agent, then they could have wed for real and then enjoyed the wedding night she'd dreamed of in her girlish fancies. Now, she would just hug her pillow and dream of a prince with fangs.
A scant fifteen minutes later, Kira shrugged out of her gown, pulled on a pair of sweats, and grabbed the platter of food her mom had whiffed up from the reception, along with a large goblet filled with the delectable blend of a margarita.
She took a bite of the succulent roast beef and chased it down with a taste of seasoned red potatoes before inhaling half the goblet of liquor. Lord, she deserved a reward for being such a consummate actress. Even Ryan Simmons had been fooled by the tear she'd squeezed out after tossing the bouquet. She should get a medal for the lingering kiss she'd shared with Gareth before they both begged to be excused.
Yes, she'd aced her first trial by fire as the First Lady, so she was entitled to a stuff her gut session. She couldn't wait to sink her fangs into the huge piece of chocolate cake awaiting her pleasure.
The last of the meat and potatoes passed her lips, and Kira almost moaned in bliss. Whoever said you had to have a man to be satisfied missed the mark. Her first bite of cake reinforced that belief. She'd match chocolate to sex anytime. An insidious little voice buzzed in her head. That's because you've never had sex. You can't compare something you haven't tried. The cake turned to dirt on her tongue.
Kira blinked back tears. She was a hell of an agent, a former special ops, and no way was she going to feel sorry for herself. She'd achieved a lifetime goal, so she should be ecstatic, not sad. Yeah, tell it to someone who believed it.
"Kira?"
Great, Malachi. What on earth could he want now? She didn't have to be on duty until dark, and then only in undercover status. It wouldn't do to have anyone, especially the press, find out she spent her wedding night scaling the outside of the White House and patrolling the perimeters.
"Come in, Malachi."
Her boss barreled through the door. His gaze took in the almost demolished tray of food and the inch or so of liquor left in her glass. His eyes turned an iridescent silver, and she'd swear he was biting back laughter.
"What's up, boss?"
"I hate to interrupt your feast, but I need to speak to you and Gareth in the PQ."
"Is anything wrong?"
Malachi refused to meet her gaze, nor did he answer her question. "Just follow me, please."
"Sure, right behind you." Kira removed the tray from her lap and slid it to side of the bed before easing off the mattress. She followed his example and kept her mouth shut as she trailed him to the PQ's den, where Malachi knocked once and then opened the door.
"Sorry to bother you, Gareth, but we three need to have a chat."
Gareth's green eyes held curiosity before he settled his gaze on Kira. His gaze went bleak. The fiery green orbs lost their luster, and the smile he sent her way was just a mock attempt at courtesy.
"Okay, why don't you both have a seat?" Gareth got up from the sofa he reclined on and moved to the bar. "From the look on your face, I suppose I'll need something to wash down your words."
"Yeah, you probably will. Pour me one too, please."
Kira's defense system went on red alert. Whatever Malachi had to tell them couldn't be good.
"Kira?"
Gareth waggled the bottle of brandy at her, and she nodded her head. It might not be a good idea to chase tequila with brandy, but she had an awful premonition she would be wishing for more before the night ended.
With glass in hand, Kira tried to keep her body from jerking when Gareth sat down beside her. She should never have gone for the couch. Too close to the object of her lust.
"Okay, there's not really an easy way to say this, so I guess I'll just spit it out."
"Oh Lord, please tell me no one else has been killed."
Kira's question coincided with Gareth's agitated "Well, get it out, man!"
"The preacher who married you wasn't my friend. I didn't find this out until right before the ceremony. I tried to tell you, but Alex dropped the bomb about the headless vamp, and then the minister said it was time."
Malachi actually looked a bit pale. Kira wondered why he was sweating. She wasn't sure she wanted to know why.
"So, who did marry us?"
"A real minister, with credentials and all. My friend got delayed in the traffic snarl caused by your nuptials, and when Reverend Stewart showed up, as a guest of a guest, an aide who wasn't involved with the wedding details assumed he was the minister. Since we didn't have one, I had to do something, or the press would have had a field day."
"Cut the bullshit, Malachi. You did this on purpose!"
Gareth's accusation slapped Kira in the face. He sounded so incensed. Any hidden hope of ever exploring a relationship, which she'd tamped down so hard and heavy it should not exist, vanished.
Malachi's hangdog look transformed into one of determination. "Not entirely. But what difference does it make? I'm sick and tired of you and Kira going at one another like you're enemies instead of two people who love one another."
Kira's shock hit her insides, causing her to involuntarily jerk. How could this happen? Betrayal of the first degree raised its hackles, as well as anger---not at Malachi, but at Gareth. The man who had all but begged her to forgive him earlier acted as if being married to her was the end of the free world.
"I can't believe you did this, Malachi!"
"So what if he did, Gareth? Is your world going to fall apart being married to me? Oh yeah, I'm a vampire. That smarts, doesn't it? Well, it's this vampire who saved your sorry ass, and it's me who is going to have to act like it doesn't bother me when we get a divorce. So, if you have a problem, get over it."
Gareth's open-mouth stare did nothing to soothe her emotions. She wanted to weep with desolation, but she wouldn't---not in front of him.
"Don't say another word. A few months from now, hopefully, I'll be out of your hair for good, and you'll be free. For the moment, though, I'm going back to my room, take a nap, and then do my job." Kira stood to her feet as elegantly as she could. Her statue rigid with her hurt. "I'll talk to you later, Malachi."
Chapter Twenty-Two
Gareth watched the door close softly but firmly behind Kira. He wasn't sure what he felt at the moment. Malachi's revelation stunned him. Married, bound by God and law to a vampire. No---to Kira. Yes, they could divorce at a later date, but was that what he truly wanted? No. He wanted Kira, fangs and all. Now, he just had to convince the stubborn woman he loved her, not despite everything, but because of everything she was, and for what she stood for.
"So, are you just going to let her go?" Malachi's pensive gaze belied the grin on his lips.
"No, I don't think I am. But I think letting her cool off a bit might be for the best."
"You could be right. Kira's always had an even temper, but around you, she's lost it more times than I ever remember."
"Yeah, well, she hasn't exactly been easy on my own ego or temperament. The woman could ignite a blaze without having a spark of fire or kindling."
"I take it I'm forgiven for making sure y'all officially tied the knot?"
Gareth was of two minds, to let his friend off the hook quickly or make him suffer for overstepping his bounds.
"That question is up for debate. It'll depend on whether or not I convince Kira to forgive me." He allowed a smirk to touch his lips.
"Well, then I suggest you get to groveling." Malachi smirked back. "Convincing Kira to do just that could take you all night."
"Don't worry about me. I'm a former Ranger, remember? I'm prepared to do whatever it takes to win her over."
Malachi stood up and saluted Gareth. "Good luck, my friend. There are first aid supplies in the bathroom if you need them."
Before Gareth could respond by knocking Malachi's grin off his face, the vampire disappeared. He picked up the glass of brandy he'd almost dropped when Malachi had exploded his wedding bomb, and tossed it back. The only supplies he would need, he hoped, were patience and love in his battle with Kira. A battle he planned on winning.
Kira left her bedroom dressed in her beloved black. Tonight it seemed more than apt for the occasion. She might truly be a bride, but she felt more like a widow. Gareth's shock---no, make that horror---at finding out they were truly legally bound had hit her where it hurt---in the heart and soul.
Fine, she didn't need the heartache of being a wife, anyway. Being a loner suited her. Liar! But why wish for something she couldn't have? Tonight, her wedding night, she planned on doing what she did best, guard the president.
Her leap to the top of the White House roof went unnoticed by the few extra guards Malachi had assigned for the diplomatic and special guests who'd stayed over after the ceremony. The night breeze wrapped itself around her with comforting and familiar arms. This was what she was used to. What she excelled at and what she would be doing for the rest of her life. Making sure someone stayed safe.
The lights of DC glowed with a zealous fervor, as if thumbing its nose at any who might try to do its citizens harm. Celebrations of the nuptials were being done up right at several hotels and bars. The people who made up the stability of Washington wanted to share in what they believed to be a fairy-tale romance. More power to them. Someone should bask in happiness.
After a search of the perimeter, Kira refused the lure to spend the night on the roof. She needed to make rounds inside the private quarters. Hopefully, her new husband would be fast asleep. If she were Gareth, she'd deplete the brandy decanter and head straight to bed.
She teleported into the PQ's den area and looked around. There were no signs of the aftermath of Malachi's bombshell. A part of her was irked Gareth wasn't waiting to talk to her, but then she'd pretty much told him to go to hell with her expression earlier. Still...
Kira moved to the balcony doors and looked out into the night. A pale half-moon shimmered in the sky. Stars beamed from the heavens, and one shot across the horizon in an arch of light, but she didn't feel like wishing on a star. She'd learned the hard way dreams and wishes were for children.
Although locked in her thoughts, she sensed Gareth before she felt his arms slide around her waist. He pulled her back against a rigid arousal pressing against her buttocks.
"Kira, I'm only going to apologize once more. After that, I'm going to take you to my bed, where you belong."
She guessed she should be indignant at his certainty she would cave in to her desire, and his, but why pretend something she didn't feel? She may not have a lifetime of tomorrows with Gareth, but she sure as hell wanted tonight.
"So apologize."
"I'm sorry for being such an ass. I love you and want you as my wife for all time."
His words coated the ache she'd been carrying around for what seemed like forever. Even if he might regret his words when the sun rose, she would live tonight as if it were the first and last night of her life.
"I'm sorry too." She turned into his embrace and welcomed his hardness against her feminine center. Kira pulled Gareth's face closer to hers and locked his lips to her own. She didn't wait for him to make the first move---she caressed his lips with her tongue until he allowed her entry beyond. Her exploration netted a growing desire, causing her fangs to descend. She willed them back.
Now was not the time to allow her true inner nature to reign. Only later, after she tasted all the textures of his body, would she suckle the sweet nectar of her soul mate's blood.
Gareth's groan ignited the flames in her body. Without releasing his lips, she eased her arms around his waist, inching her fingers up his back to score it with nails grown longer with desire.
"Kira..."
She welcomed the husky sound of her name pushed past their locked lips. Taking point, she moved her palms downward and gripped his tight buttocks, squeezing the hard mounds of muscles.
Gareth pushed his arousal harder against her center, inciting a core of volcanic warmth. She pushed back and groaned.
"Bedroom. Now. Gareth."
"Yes."
Gareth bent slightly, slipped his arms beneath her thighs, and brought Kira flush against his hot, aching flesh. He didn't enter her heated interior, but instead turned and walked with her to his bedroom. He wanted their first time together to be on his bed, he wanted to hold her through the night after making love, and he wanted to wake up to the dawn with her in his arms.
He used the heel of his foot to kick the bedroom door shut, and continued forward until his knees hit the side of the bed. Only then did he release his precious armful. Gareth followed her down onto the bed, a bed in shambles from his earlier tossing and turning.
Kira's gaze reflected back the desire he felt, and he placed a hard kiss on her mouth before catching the hem of her tank top. He slowly dragged the material up to bare breasts covered in black lace. "Ah, Kira, my love, you've no idea what you do to me."
"I can feel what I do to you, and I want more---now." She followed her words with a quick move, sending her top flying over the edge of the bed.
Gareth nuzzled the lace edging of her bra aside to taste and devour first one hard peak and then the other. Kira wiggled her lower body, almost sending him into premature climax. "You're killing me here. Give me time to ready your body."
"I'm ready now. I don't need foreplay, Gareth. I've dreamed of this moment."
"So have I, and I don't plan to rush through it." He stripped off her boots and then with his hands on her waist, the leather from her lower body. In its wake, a matching scrap of black lace. Who would have thought his hard-boiled agent would succumb to such feminine and seductive apparel?
He hooked his thumbs around the material and tugged them down her thighs and legs before they found their way to the floor. Gareth cupped her center and then eased his finger between twin lips dewed with desire to touch her hidden kernel.
Kira's hips bucked as he gently pinched and then suckled.
She was fast losing control of her senses and mind. Never in her wildest dreams had she felt this way. Spirals of heat twisted upward from deep within her body. Each wave rose higher, causing a storm of desire that made her fear she would explode.
Her hands grasped locks of Gareth's hair. She couldn't stand any more. She needed something, anything to ease the climactic ache. "Gareth, please..."
In answer to her plea, Gareth crawled up her body, cupped her breasts, then nipped them lightly before capturing her mouth in a kiss that would have knocked her shoes off, if she had them on.
After an eternity, he released her mouth. "Are you sure, Kira? Is this what you want? Am I what you want?"
"Yes and yes. I've never been sure of anything more than I am about tonight."
"Good, for I don't think I can wait much longer."
"Then don't."
Gareth slid his hard length to the V of Kira's thighs. He pressed against her swollen nub, rocking back and forth.
Kira growled, her fangs descended, and she wrapped her legs around Gareth's hips. "Don't toy with me, Gareth. I need you now!"
His arousal touched the opening to her center. She held her breath as he stared down at her---desire softened the green of his eyes, but the determined look in his gaze more than convinced her he was not playing.
"Then I'm all yours."
Inch by incredibly sensual inch, he slid his length forward. Kira felt every nuance, every tingle as the twisting loops of craving shifted higher and higher, and then stopped when Gareth slowed his motions.
"I don't want to hurt you, Kira."
Blast her virginity. She was more than ready to rid herself of it once and for all.
With an upward lift of her hips, Gareth was seated to the hilt inside her core. Instinct older than time caused Kira to lift her hips again, meeting each of his downward thrusts. The rhythm of his sexual dance meshed with hers.
The volcano lava dewing the inside of her passage allowed his thrusts to glide in and out with an intensity that threatened to send her over the edge of reason. She welcomed the loss of control. She wanted this night to be one she would always remember.
Kira more than met his movements. She wiggled her hips, brushing her nub against his hard length. The additional friction tightened until she wanted to yell. She moaned deep in her throat and pulled him even closer.
Together they rode out the storm of lust forging them together until Kira's entire body stiffened, her eyes closed with passion, and then she erupted into molecules of energy. An energy that went on, and on, and on, until she trembled from her orgasm.
Panting softly, she barely heard Gareth's groan as he reached his pinnacle of climax before his body collapsed slowly on top of hers.
A moment later, he lifted his head from her chest. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to crush you."
Kira giggled. "You didn't. You married a vampire, remember?" She prayed he'd accepted her creature traits.
"Yes, I do remember. Your strength almost unseated me, my love. It's something I think I can get used to quite easily."
Kira touched Gareth's cheek with trembling fingers. "Are you sure? I don't think I could stand knowing you'll eventually come to hate me, Gareth."
"Hate you? I've never hated you, and that won't change no matter how long you live."
"Even when I'm younger-looking and you're a bit older?"
Gareth chuckled. "If you can love me with gray hair, arthritic limbs, and possible a potbelly, then I'll have no trouble loving you forever!"
Kira's heart exploded with gladness. She didn't know why she deserved this man, but was thankful God had given her this gift.
"Well, I guess, we'll have to buy a lot of hair dye and make you exercise on a regular basis, Mr. President."
"Works for me. Now, I think we should work on exercising together."
Kira's breath caught and then flowed out in a gasp as Gareth caught both nipples between his thumbs and forefingers and gave them a hard tweak. Liquid flowed once again to her center. She felt his shaft rise to the occasion, and then she allowed her creature free reign.
One moment, Gareth was on top, the next Kira sat in the driving seat. She lifted her hips in a twirling dance as she twisted around and back and forth. The tremors of desire grew again, this time harder and faster than before.
Gareth's eyes closed as she watched through slitted lids, and when they opened with the culmination of his desire, she leaned forward and swiped the side of his neck with her tongue.
"Gareth, I need to bond with you in all ways. Do you trust me not to hurt you?"
"Yes."
That one word, although whispered, sent her heart flying toward heaven. His trust meant almost as much to her as his love.
"I'll not betray your trust."
She nipped the skin halfway between his earlobe and jugular. Her small nips caused him to roll his hips up and forward, sending her almost into instant climax. She fought the beckoning grip. This time when she fell into the bliss of desire, she wanted to take Gareth with her.
With another swipe of her tongue, she allowed her fangs to descend. She bit into his slightly calloused skin and tasted the powerful aphrodisiac of his blood. The orgasm hit her hard and fast. The lightning bolts of completion rocked her to her very core. As she drank, she could see into Gareth's soul. His shock at experiencing what she felt seemed minute compared to the vortex of desire both their climaxes gave him. It was all she could do to keep their bodies sealed together, but well worth the effort when they both tumbled over the edge into ecstasy. She suckled for a minute more before swiping her tongue over the pinpricks in his neck, closing the tiny holes.
Soon, all his plans would be in place. Hayes would die---along with his agent wife. After he watched them meet their Maker, he would tie up some loose ends before putting feelers out about running for Congress. From there he would lift his eyes toward the coveted prize , and make a bid for the White House.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Gareth reached out and pulled Kira's body even closer. After making love to her several times over, she'd fallen asleep on top of him. Only after making sure he wouldn't wake her did he ease her body down on the mattress. While she continued to slumber, making adorable little snorts every so often, he'd lain awake.
Life was exceptionally good, considering a killer still roamed free. Although they could not prove it yet, he was sure whoever beheaded the vampire was also behind the attacks aimed at him and Kira.
Kira wiggled in her sleep, and her soft bottom stirred a new spiral of arousal. He tamped it down. His new bride was exhausted, even with her immortal strength. Lord knew he could use some rest also, but the experience of just having her lie beneath his heart was a new one for him---one he wanted to last for as long as possible.
Using a technique he'd learned in the military, he slowed his breathing and relaxed each muscle in his body, even the one between his legs. Soon, his eyelids drifted close, and he slid into sleep.
Gareth awoke when Kira pulled her body away from his. He caught her before she could slide off the bed. "Where are you going? It's early, and we're officially on our honeymoon."
He allowed his hand to caress her naked breast, and grinned at the adorable pink staining her cheeks.
"Gareth, stop it. It's daylight outside, and it's so not early."
"Kira, my love, I can't believe you want to leave me so soon. I thought we meshed rather well together the many times we made love last night." Gareth enjoyed the look of incredulity on her face, and the almost dazed look as she remembered what those night hours contained.
"Well, don't you think we ought to at least get up and see what's going on? I mean, we do have an active investigation about a killer on the books."
"Yes, and Malachi is handling that for the moment. Come back to bed." Gareth caressed the soft flesh of her belly and hid a grin when Kira sucked in air.
"You might want to let that air out, baby, before you pass out. Now, seriously, you don't really want to talk, do you?"
Kira wanted to gnash her fangs. She should have been more careful. Her stealth techniques needed to be practiced or at least refined once again. No way should Gareth have been able to sense her leaving the bed, former Ranger or not.
"Yes."
Her courage was at an all-time low, and she needed to talk to him about the ritual blood exchange, something she should have done last night. The den would be a better choice. She didn't need to be sidetracked. And being on a bed with Gareth was more than a distraction. It was mind-blowing.
"Let's stay in bed. I want to take you every way I didn't get to last---"
Kira slid an elbow in under Gareth's ribs, just enough to take his breath for a moment.
"What the hell?"
She scrambled off the bed and grabbed her clothes. She was so not having this talk naked as a jaybird. "We have to talk. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you."
"You didn't hurt me. What I'd like to know is why you hit me, and why do you look like you want to run?"
"Well..."
Gareth moved his oh-so-naked and hot body off the bed. Kira backed up. Instead of moving toward her, he pulled on a pair of jeans, commando style. After zipping them over the enticing bulge he sported, he spoke again.
"Look, Kira, we're married, I thought we worked all this out last night. You have to trust me, no matter what. We can't survive any other way." He crossed his arms across the impressive pecs of his chest. "Now, tell me."
"Okay, okay...let me get dressed and grab something to drink. We'll talk in the den. I promise, I'll tell you everything."
Kira's hands shook as she pulled on last night's clothes, but instead of going naked under them, she pulled on a pair of panties and a bra. She needed all the covering she could get when she spilled the rest of her heritage and customs to Gareth.
He didn't say a word, just watched as she dressed and then followed her when she left the bedroom.
A few moments later, with a can of diet cola in her hands, she paced back and forth in front of the sofa where Gareth sat.
"Look, this is hard for me. I...uh...I'm not sure you'll understand."
"Are you planning on telling me you want a divorce? You're going to drain all my blood while I'm asleep? What? If it's not one of those two things, then it's okay."
Kira wasn't sure if the concerned but complacent look Gareth wore was a good thing or bad.
"No to both of those. I want to stay married to you, but you may not feel the same way when I---"
"Kira, for the love of heaven, spit it out!"
"All right! As vampires, you know we have soul mates. You, as mine, are entitled to experience some of the perks of being a vamp without being one. If that makes sense."
"Go on. I'm listening."
"Well, you know I took some of your blood last night---"
"Was it good?"
"What?"
"Sorry, trying to lighten the conversation."
Kira grinned. "Yes, it tasted just fine, now back to the perks. I took your blood so I could know where you were at all times. It's a vamp thing. I can sense your presence even from miles away. You, however, can't sense me. If you actually participated in the bonding ritual, you would be able to hear my thoughts, like I can yours."
"How long have you been able to do that?"
"Only once, and we were kissing at the time. Now, I can read your mind whenever I want to."
Gareth looked confused.
"Sorry, I know it's strange. Malachi could read your mind anytime he wanted to, but he's older than I am. I have not actually experienced all the perks of being a vampire."
"So you were saying something about a ritual?"
Kira drew in air. This was the moment of truth. "Yeah, it's where mates suckle blood from one another. It allows them more of a physical bonding when they make love and just being together."
"I don't think I could take much more than what we had last night."
Her cheeks heated at his words. Lord, last night had been mesmerizing. An experience she wanted to repeat over and over, but first things first.
"Well, actually, it can get better. You were able to feel what I felt while I tasted your blood, but when you, or if you, take my blood also, then it would be magnified."
"That's an interesting thought. So how would I do this blood exchange? I don't have any fangs." Gareth patted the seat beside him, but Kira continued her pacing. She had more to explain.
"Let's just say you would need fangs to share in the experience."
"What?"
"Okay, the only way to say this is to just spit it out. You would have to be turned into a vampire. This is the tidbit I should have told you last night so you could make a choice. It's traditionally done on the wedding night if one of the soul mates is mortal. I kinda forgot."
"Hmm, well, we were preoccupied."
"I know, and I loved every minute."
This time when Gareth patted the sofa, Kira joined him.
"So...what do you think?"
"I think I need time to think about it. What would it entail?"
Kira couldn't believe he wasn't vetoing the idea right off, but thank God for small blessings.
"First, I'd have to suck all your blood, or most of it, out of your body and then give you mine. You would virtually be dead for just a bit, and then, when you awaken, you'd have fangs, and an appetite for blood."
Gareth pulled Kira back to rest against him. She allowed herself to relax. Maybe things would be all right.
"What is to prevent me from going crazy, wanting to take blood from everyone?"
"That could be a problem, but with my grandfather's serum, you wouldn't have the craving for blood most turned vampires experience. It's just in the first few moments we would need to make sure your thirst is quenched. We could do it by an intravenous feed."
"Malachi said something about that when your throat was cut."
"Yes, things are different now than they were in the old days, or so I've been told."
Gareth dropped a kiss on her lips. "What I'd like to do is give this plenty of thought. I'll let you know in a few days, okay?"
Kira's disappointment overshadowed the knowledge Gareth had not said no. She'd be patient, but she would love to have him turned before the assassin tried again.
"I understand. I'll try not to bug you about this, but keep in mind, once you're a vampire, it'll be harder to kill you. That's one of the perks, and a perk that would do you and this nation good if the killer tries again."
"Good point, but I still want to think it over. I know you want an answer now. It's not that I'm totally repulsed by the process. It's just...I can't explain it. It's not something you would expect to have happen in a normal lifetime. I'm not saying no---just give me some time to think this through, okay?
"Now, I suggest you stop worrying so much about my decision. Let's go back to bed. If the press is waiting on tidbits of gossip, let's give them something to think about."
"You mean a president with a sex drive that equals a twenty-year-old?"
"Actually, I was thinking more on the lines of how many rooms in the White House we can christen before we have to go back to work."
Kira giggled as Gareth stood up, tugged her off the couch, and tossed her over his shoulder. His idea definitely had possibilities.
"No, Gareth. No more. I don't think I can take any more of your brand of loving." Kira panted her protest after coming down from a mind-blowing, body-trembling orgasm.
"Are you saying I win?"
"Win what? We didn't have a bet."
"Maybe not, but you didn't believe we could christen every room."
She envied Gareth's humor. How he could even breathe, let alone tease her, after the last few days, she had no idea.
"We only made love in every room in the private quarters, not the entire White House. Thank God." The last two words were just a whisper.
"What was that last part?"
"Nothing, but seriously, I'm not sure I can even get up out of bed, not to mention walk." Kira turned on her stomach and frowned.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, except do you know how hard it is not to take blood from you every time we make love? It's a part of a vampire's mode of operation with a soul mate."
Gareth's smile dimmed a bit. "I'm sorry, I never thought...I know you think I'm being obstinate, but this would be a life-changing---or is it a death-changing---experience for me."
Kira's sigh exploded into the silence. "I know. I don't mean to rush you. It's just I never knew it would be this way. It's all new to me also."
"How about we grab a shower, some food, and then see what's going on in the West Wing? Malachi's text messages leave a lot to be desired. I have to rack my brain to figure out what he's saying."
"Lucky you, at least you didn't have to teach him how to text in the first place."
Gareth aimed and then tossed a pillow at Kira's head. "So, I have you to blame for all the gobbledygook he's sending."
Kira dodged the pillow and grabbed hers, smacking Gareth in the chest. "Blame yourself. You made him head of the Secret Service."
"Don't remind me," Gareth tossed over his shoulder as he strolled naked into the adjoining bath.
Kira waited all of two seconds before she followed. Blood or no blood, there were numerous parts of the man's body she could turn into a meal.
Kira gingerly made her way to the Oval Office. Gareth had left about an hour before and told her to take her time. As if she could do anything else. Taking a shower with the man had almost killed her. His idea of showering amounted to her being soaped, rinsed, and nailed against the tiled wall.
She was dressed in what she deemed her uniform. Black on black. If she owned a turtleneck, she'd have thrown it on also, to hide the stubble burn on her neck and above her tank's neckline.
A group of suits were coming down the corridor from the Oval Office. She did her best to emulate her usual stalk and walk and threw her hand up in a don't bother me, I'm busy greeting. A sigh of relief flew from her lips as she reached out for the doorknob. Maybe, just maybe, she could grab a seat on the two-seater and put her legs up.
"Hi, Malachi. Morning, Mr. President."
Gareth and Malachi both looked askance at her greeting.
"Oops, old habits die hard. Morning, darling."
"Morning, babe." Gareth's endearment sent a heat wave through her body, ending in her cheeks.
"Behave, or I'll make you sleep on the couch."
"I like the couch. I thought you did too."
Kira needed no reminder of what they'd done on and off the aforementioned furniture. What she needed was to get her mind off of bone-melting sex and back on the job.
"Okay, enough." She turned her gaze to Malachi, who sat there like a bucket of piss, grinning like there was no tomorrow.
"That goes for you too, boss, or I'll make sure you get a bad batch of serum next time. It would truly be a shame to see your handsome face get burned in the daylight."
"My, my, Kira, you act like you got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning."
"I just wish I'd gotten to sleep in a bed part of the night."
Gareth and Malachi's laughter should have ticked her off. Instead, for some strange reason, it felt good.
"All right, you've had your fun. So, what's new on the killer?"
Malachi's expression did a complete turnaround. The frown he now wore caused her hackles to rise.
"We've had no success in finding the would-be assassin or the vampire killer. And your attacker at the press conference was no help. He didn't even realize what he'd done. Someone, possibly the dead vampire, put that command into his head, and once the deed was done the man's mind was programmed to forget it."
"I thought they were one and the same."
"I think so too, but we can't prove any of this. We just have Gareth out there like a sitting duck and no clue as to who is trying to kill him."
"Whew, don't soften the truth on my account, Malachi."
"Sorry, Gareth, but I'm past worried. While you two were honeymooning, I was helping the press secretary field questions from the press on your wedding, news about the assassination attempts, and how this might affect you riding in the motorcade for the Memorial Day festivities at the Arlington National Cemetery."
"Well, I hope you told them nothing short of being dead is going to keep me from placing the wreath on the Unknown Soldiers' Tomb."
"Gareth, you might want to rethink that. Although you'll be in a closed car, there are going to be multitudes of people in close proximity."
"No, I need to show the people of America our government won't stop running because of threats. I'm not standing down because some pantywaist wants to kill me. That's why I have you Malachi and your people---guard me. So, you do your job, and I'll do mine."
Kira knew no amount of arguing would change his mind. The man defined the word stubborn. Well, so was she.
"Fine, then I'm riding with you."
"No!"
"No!"
The two sets of negatives almost deafened Kira. She would have her work cut out to convince both men she wouldn't stand down either.
"Hey, it's my job, and I'm doing it." Kira threw Gareth's words back in his face.
He took a step toward the couch, and she actually shrank back. The scowl he wore pulled his brows together, and the green of his eyes turned stormy.
"No. You're. Not!"
"Yes. I. Am!" Kira's declaration only made Gareth angrier. His nostrils flared, his lips went tight, and he advanced even closer.
She glanced at Malachi. He shrugged his shoulders. No help there. She had to get a handle on the situation. All the press needed was a president running amuck in the Oval Office.
Maybe a flash of fangs would get his attention. No, it would probably set him off even more. Think, girl, you have to get him to calm down.
Her husband continued to stalk her way, but Kira waited until he stood within a few inches of the couch before she stood up, locked her arms around his neck, and kissed him.
The kiss, meant to smother his anger, set up a flame of want inside Kira so intense she wanted to crawl her husband's bones right then and there. Gareth felt the same way, for as she deepened the kiss, she heard his thoughts in her mind.
"Damn woman thinks she can get my mind off of her riding in the limo. Well, it's not going to work, not at all. I'll just let her kiss me and then go back to my argument. I'll do that right now. No, in a moment or two, or..."
"Stop cursing me, Gareth, or you'll be hugging the couch tonight."
Gareth pulled back so rapidly, Kira felt the loss all the way to her toes.
"You read my mind again!" His words were as shaky as the hand he raked through his hair.
"Well, I couldn't really help it. You were practically screaming at me." Kira resisted the urge to giggle at how cute he looked in his angst.
He, in turn, turned toward Malachi, who shrugged his shoulders again.
"Malachi, please tell him you didn't read his mind."
"All right, I'll tell him, but Gareth you need to broadcast a bit more quietly, my friend." This time the vampire's lips twisted into a smirk. "Or else any vampire in the vicinity with the capability of reading minds will know just how much you love your wife."
Gareth's face flushed and then went pale. "Hell, this is going to get annoying after a while."
Kira hoped he didn't mean their marriage. Time to change the subject. "So, are we on key?"
"About what? The kiss?"
"No, me riding with you in the limo." Kira held up a hand to forestall Gareth. "Look, you forgot one simple thing. As the First Lady, I'm expected to be with you. Now, the plus side is I can also guard you at the same time."
"Gareth, maybe Kira's right." Malachi unfolded his tall frame from the chair next to the desk. "You have to have someone with you. I'll be on the cemetery grounds after we get there, but you have stated over and over to the press Kira's an exceptional agent. To blackball her from riding with you would be a mistake. They'll have a field day. I can see it now: President Hayes has a double standard now that he's married. It's okay for another agent to die protecting him, but not his wife."
Kira waited for the outburst, but it never came. Instead, Gareth moved back behind his desk and took a seat. "You're right. It is a double standard, but I can't seem to help myself. I know it's not politically correct, but I'm so afraid whoever is after me will try again to kill Kira."
Gareth's words melted her heart.
"I'll be fine. I think whoever they are will know it's not easy to take me out. I believe they'll try harder to get you. You just concentrate on staying safe, and I'll guard your back." If Gareth feared for her, her fear for him was tenfold.
The look he gave her reeked of disgust, but also contained tenderness. "I don't like it, but if I don't agree, you'll do something crazy, won't you?"
"Oh yes! Anything to keep you from getting killed. Which would be a lot harder if you allowed the binding ritual." Kira clenched her hands.
"Let's not do this now." Gareth dropped a hard kiss on her lips. "I've got work to do."
"So that's it? The honeymoon is over?" Kira's teasing tone couldn't cut through a bit of hurt. She wasn't ready for their days and nights together to end. It was too soon. No matter what she told him or herself, she would rather stay inside the PQ and never allow Gareth out of her sight or arms.
"Yes, my love. I have a speech I need to go over, meetings I should catch up on before the three-day weekend coming up. Not to mention finding a new vice president."
"Fine, I'll just go pester Claude for some food. He's still here at the White House, isn't he, Malachi?"
"Oh yes, the man said he wasn't going anywhere until he knew you and Gareth would be safe. So go. Once you feed your voracious appetite, get some sleep. You look like you've been up for days."
"Blame it on Gareth." She shot her husband a saucy look and then escaped before he could retaliate.
Chapter Twenty-Four
"Kira!"
Caleb! She should have taken the back way to the kitchen. She counted to ten in her head and then turned to face the other vampire.
"Hi, Caleb. I didn't know you were back in town."
"I got in about an hour ago. DC's buzzing about your marriage. When did that happen, or should I ask how long did it take you to seduce him into marrying you?"
Kira's vision went red. She had to control herself. There were numerous staff going up and down the halls. Now more than ever, she was watched like a diva.
"Look, I'll be happy to talk to you, but not here. I'm on my way to the kitchen. If you want to talk, you can follow me."
Caleb's brown eyes glared with a hint of red. His smile was nothing more than a snarl, which she chose to ignore.
The vamp fell into step beside her, and Kira made her way to the elevator, stepped in, and pushed the ground-floor button.
"Now, do you want to explain your remarks, or do I just knock the shit out of you here and now?"
"Hey, I know the score. You saw an easy in and took it."
Kira so wanted to knock the crap out of the creature taking up space, but she knew it would cause nothing but a stink. A smell that would end up as front-page headlines or on national television.
"And just how did I do that, Caleb? If you bothered to do your research, you'd know Gareth and I are in love. And here's another tidbit for you. He's my soul mate."
Caleb's face actually glossed pasty white. His mouth opened and closed for a moment before he spit out, "Good one, Kira. We all know you were never destined for a soul mate. You're too much of a man yourself to allow one into your life."
Lord, give me the strength not to kill him here and now, please.
"Well, whoever you all are, you're wrong. Not that it's any of your business, but I'm just as surprised."
"Yeah, I'll bet. How did you convince the big guy you were destined to be together? Did you entice him with your body?"
Her vision went red again, her nails grew longer, and her fangs made a nice popping sound as they descended rapidly. She reached toward Caleb, and the elevator stopped. If she had any sense, she'd get off right now, tell him to kiss her First Lady ass, and forget his hurtful and slanderous remarks.
Smart wasn't something she wanted to be at the moment. One talon pressed the door-close button. She then turned fully and wrathfully toward the vampire.
"I've had about enough of you. You've tormented me for years with your remarks, and you've tried your best to sniff up my skirt in the hopes I'd take you to my bed. You just wanted the serum Granddaddy invented. When you didn't get it, you tried to undermine me every way you could. Well, guess what? It ain't gonna happen again."
Kira leaned forward. Caleb leaned slightly back. "I've killed men on the field of battle with just a knife, not using any of my vampire strength. I've also honed my skills over the years in the military. I could take you out right here, even with you being an immortal, before you could flash a fang. You don't want to mess with me. I'll take you down, and it won't be pretty. Now, anything else you want to ask me before I wipe this elevator with your ass?"
His face went even paler than before, but he managed to get out some guttural words. "Are you going to turn the president into one of us?"
"That's definitely none of your business. It concerns Gareth and myself only. I suggest you let it go, Caleb. You could be a great agent if you weren't filled with so much jealously." Her vision began to turn pink, and then cleared completely. She looked down, and her nails were once again short.
"Now, I'm fixing to get off the elevator. If I see you anywhere near me in the near future, I'm going to Malachi and telling him to cut you from any White House detail."
Caleb's face turned a mottled red. "You can't do that!"
"Oh yes I can. I'm the First Lady. If I don't like someone, they're gone. Now, I'm giving you a chance to straighten up and act like an agent should. Don't make me regret it, Caleb. You won't like the consequences."
Kira pushed the door-open button, waited for them to part, and stepped out. She walked briskly forward and pinched herself to keep from looking back. Caleb was pond scum, and didn't deserve a second glance. Besides, she didn't trust herself not to rip his head off.
"Kira, darling. Oops, I mean Mrs. Hayes."
Hearing her married name from Claude's lips sent waves of hornets buzzing in her stomach. Knowing and hearing were two different things. Whew, she just hoped she could get used to her new status.
"Afternoon, Claude, darling. I'm hungry. Do you think you can fix me up with something I can take back to the PQ?"
"For you, anything, my dear...I mean..."
"Stop that. Call me Kira, please. You're a friend, and unless we're out in the public's eye, I want you to address me that way. Okay?"
"Of course, Kira. Now, come this way. Lunch is over, but I've got some nice chicken salad with baguettes and some lovely fruit."
"The chicken salad sounds great, but just because I'm the First Lady doesn't mean I'm going to eat like a bird. Can you find me some potato chips and chocolate too? Oh yeah, how about a nice glass of iced tea?"
"Coming right up. Now, you just go back and rest. I'll bring up the tray myself."
Kira felt her mouth drop open. "Claude, I can certainly carry the tray into the elevator and down the hall to the PQ's den."
"I know, but it wouldn't look right. Now, run along, and when I get upstairs, we'll have a nice talk."
She didn't like it, but Claude was right, she supposed. Her way of doing things would need a bit of an overhaul if she wanted to act the part of First Lady. She didn't plan on ever leaving Gareth, and if the man tried to leave her, she'd just have to kill him. So, she'd need to be more circumspect.
"Okay, you win. I'll be upstairs."
A brief ten minutes later, Claude came bearing gifts.
"Oooh, this looks yummy. If I wasn't already married, I'd propose, Claude."
"That's the story of my life. All the ladies that love me are already taken."
"Well, the female population is crazy, vampire and mortal alike. You're a jewel of the first order."
Claude blinked rapidly for a moment before responding. "I thank you, my dear, but you are the jewel. Now, tell me what had you so upset when you arrived in the kitchen?"
How on earth...Never mind, he'd probably read her thoughts.
"Did you read my mind, Claude?"
His laughter helped settle down nerves still tweaked tight over Caleb. "No, I didn't have to and probably wouldn't without your permission."
Claude set the tray on the table in front of the couch. "I confess, I just looked at your eyes. They were the tiniest bit red. Nothing noticeable to a mortal, but I know the signs."
"Damn, I thought I'd gotten that under control before I left the elevator." Kira took a quick bite of the baguette filled with chicken salad, chewed slowly, and then moaned.
"Please say you'll marry me. I'll divorce Gareth, and we can live anywhere you want to."
Claude's eyes twinkled. "No, Gareth would hunt me down like a dog. It might be worth it, though, to see him sweat. Now, back to you."
Kira took a sip of tea. "What do you know about Caleb Dalton? I mean, how long has he been with the Secret Service, and why hire him as an agent when he's totally wracked about not being a protector?"
"I don't know a lot about the vampire, but he's a bit arrogant for my taste."
"Yeah, just a tad. I wanted to rip his head off. He said some pretty nasty things to me and butted into business not his own."
Claude sat down on the couch beside Kira, his expression one of venom. His brown eyes glowed red for a moment before he seemed to pull himself together.
"What did he say?"
"I probably shouldn't have brought him up at all. Forget it. I don't want the creature to ruin your mood like he ruined mine."
"I want to know what he said. Or, if you won't tell me, tell Malachi."
Kira almost choked on another bite of sandwich. "No way can I tell Malachi. He'll tell Gareth, and then there'd be war."
"Okay, so spit it out."
Kira swallowed another inch of tea in her glass before complying. "Fine, but you have to promise not to tell anyone else. Caleb accused me of seducing Gareth into marrying me. He also got really irate, wanting to know if I was going to change him into a vampire."
"So what did you say or do?"
"I told him it wasn't any of his damn business and if he came anywhere near me, in the future, I'd rip his head off."
Claude's rumble of laughter didn't quite hide the concern in his eyes. "Good for you, Kira. I wish I could have seen his face. A word of caution, though, Caleb is meaner than a snake wanting food. You stay away from him. Now, to answer your question about why he's an agent. All I know is Malachi knew his father. From the get-go, Caleb's been a problem. You were already in the military, and for some reason I think that made him even more unstable."
"Probably. I turned down his marriage proposal right before I enlisted. He didn't want me. He wanted the right to take Grandpa's serum and become a protector."
Claude rubbed his chin with his hand. "That makes sense. For a while, even Malachi wanted to kick his ass. After a few weeks of training, Caleb seemed to settle down, and we all chalked it up to just getting used to the program. I've not been around him much, but he tends to sneer at me because I'm just a cook, as he calls me."
"Cook? You are way more than that, my friend."
"Thank you, darling. What Caleb doesn't know is, as a cook, I also have eyes and ears on the people I guard. I'm not always the congenial person I present to the world. I can kill a man or vampire if need be, and not lose any sleep over it---as long as the person is targeting one of my people."
Kira did believe it. The brief glimpse of Claude's eyes and face a few moments ago had given her cause to believe no one should make him mad.
"I believe you. So, you think if I just stay away from him, he'll behave? Of course, my saying I could have his job as the First Lady didn't go over very well."
"Tsk, tsk. Using your power already?"
"Well, he made me mad."
Claude stood, picked up the now empty tray, and walked to the door. "I'll keep this to myself, for now, but you let me know if that son of a bit---"
"Claude, I promise I'll let you know if Caleb says the least derogatory thing to me. Now go and create something fantastic for dinner. I know you're only here until we catch the killer, but I wish I could convince you to stay on."
"I'll give it some thought. I've grown quite fond of you. I think you and Gareth are going to do more than survive this little bump in the road."
"Thank you. I'm fond of you too, and not just because you are the best chef in the world, but because you are one of the kindest men I know."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"Good. I'll see you later. I think I'm going to take a nap."
Kira forced her stiff limbs to move and walked to the bedroom. She should probably soak in a hot tub, but her eyelids rebelled. Like a cat, let her get her stomach full, and she needed to curl up. A quick glance at the clock proved she could sneak in a good couple of hours of rest before she needed to get ready for dinner. She curled up on top of the freshly made bed and closed her eyes.
Gareth gently closed the bedroom door. He didn't want to wake Kira. When she'd missed dinner, he'd checked on her and found her curled up like an angel. Probably not a term she would relish, but one he liked.
Now, he padded softly to the bed and smiled. His vampire bride continued to sleep. Hands curled under her chin, she resembled an innocent child. Another title Kira would despise. She who had fought and killed for their nation and almost died to save him would never see herself as anything more than a hardened soldier who couldn't believe he loved her.
Gareth unknotted and yanked off his tie, shrugged out of his jacket and shirt before toeing off his shoes. He then stripped to the buff. He loved holding Kira in his arms, her skin touching his, her breath caressing his face.
He slid onto the mattress, but his intent not to wake her went awry.
"Gareth?"
"Who else were you expecting?" He allowed a bit of smugness into his tone.
"I was hoping it was Claude. I think I slept through dinner." Kira's teasing answer elicited a chuckle from him.
"Should I be jealous?"
"Only if he looks as good naked as you do."
Gareth had purposely left the light off when he entered the room. "You can see that good in the dark?"
"Oh yes, even without night-vision goggles, I might add. Another perk of being a vampire."
"Kira, honey, I know you're trying your best to convince me to take the plunge, to get some fangs of my own, but could we table this for now?"
His bride pulled herself into a sitting position. "What's wrong? Did something happen while I napped?"
"Not the way you mean. It's been a long day, and sometimes I wonder if I'm the right man for this job."
Kira's hand cupped his chin and forced him to look at her. "Gareth Hayes, I can't believe you'd doubt yourself. You've done so much to help our country. You've been a defender of right and wrong. So, why would you think any such thing?"
He couldn't hold his sigh back. If he and Kira were really going to make a go of their marriage, he needed to talk to her like his parents used to talk to one another. Every night when he laid in bed, he'd hear their soft murmurings of the day's activities. It lulled him to sleep at night, the security of knowing his parents were the buffers against anything coming against him. Their death had been a blow he didn't think he could stand, but duty called and with it, he'd tried to bury his grief. Now, he stood as a buffer to millions who counted on him.
"Gareth?"
"Sorry. I just wished I could do more to ease the suffering of the backbone of this country. The people who give their all to see food on America's tables. The ones who keep the utilities running, the laborers who work long hours just to make a living."
Kira caressed his cheek. "You've done more than many of the presidents before you. It'll take time to fix some of the problems, but you've accomplished so much in the way of health care, protection for our nation, and the general morale of the people. Give yourself a break, hon."
"I know. Sorry, didn't mean to unload on you."
Kira's lips turned up in a mock snarl. "Quit saying you're sorry. I'm your wife, remember? Or do you need a reminder?"
Gareth welcomed the laughter lightening his mood and heart. "You know something? I'm so blessed to have found you."
"Tell me something I don't know, Mr. President."
"How about, I'm going to make love to you until you can't walk."
Kira giggled. "You've almost done that already."
"Okay, then what if I tell you I'm going to run you a bath and let you soak until you turn into a fanged prune."
"I'd say bring it on!"
"Stay right there. I'll be back for you in a few minutes."
Kira's thoughts as she waited for Gareth to return were of blessings, wonderment, and amazement. She still couldn't believe she actually had a soul mate who loved her in return.
"Ready?" Gareth's soft baritone teased her senses. She loved his voice, loved his soft rumblings when he grumbled, and loved the guttural tone he growled when he climaxed. Good thing he couldn't read her mind, or she'd probably be in trouble. She highly doubted his macho personality would like her referencing his groans.
"Yes. More than ready, thank you."
"Come on, woman. Your bath awaits."
Kira started to move off the bed, but Gareth scooped her up in his arms. Her head fit right over his heart, and she loved it.
"Tonight you're going to be pampered. Forget you're a former Marine or a Protector. I want you to be just a woman---my woman."
"I want that too, more than you know."
His stride was slow, his hold gentle as he walked into the bathroom. The large, deep tub sitting next to the shower they'd played in that morning was filled with bubbles. The air smelled like Gareth---musky and male. The man must have sacrificed half his bottle of shower gel.
"It smells lovely."
"Sorry, I didn't have anything else."
"Don't be. I love it."
Gareth set her gently on her feet and proceeded to strip off her clothes. His hands caressed her breasts, and then he eased her tank over her head. As his hands touched the waistband of her leggings, he softly kissed her nipples. By the time he pulled them down her legs and helped lift her feet out, Kira's bones had liquefied.
A caress of her center and her legs almost collapsed. She so wanted this man, but even with the lust turning her insides into a fiery blast, her muscles were not cooperating.
"Come on, love, let's get you in the tub." Gareth escorted her to the steps leading down to the edge. "It's a bit slippery, so be careful on the steps."
"You're not coming in? This tub is more than big enough for two."
Gareth grimaced. "I think for now it's best if you just bathe alone. I don't want to cause you more pain."
Kira wanted to laugh. The man had just put her in a world of hurt with his caresses. "You already have."
The reaction she got stunned her.
"God in heaven, Kira. Are you okay?"
"Calm down, Gareth. I only meant you made me ache for you."
The almost desperate look on his face disappeared. In its place, a positively wicked grin appeared.
"Well in that case, I think I need to punish you for scaring me."
"So are you all talk or..." Kira's words trailed off as Gareth stripped naked and jumped into the water. The stream of bubbles went skyward and then settled back down on the rocking surface.
"Now, my dear, sweet Kira, let's get down to business."
Gareth's hands were everywhere, roaming to her breasts, then downward to nestle in her curls below. The slick glide of his hand almost shot her straight up out of the tub. A quick flick of his finger, and she almost lost her grip on the tub's edge and him. Another glide and she felt herself slowly sliding downward. Lust built to a flaming eddy of heat, and she was senseless to all but Gareth's touch.
His lips licked and then closed over one of her nipples. The suction of his mouth almost drove her over the edge. "Gareth, wait, I need..."
"What do you need?"
"I need you inside me now. I don't think I can stand much more."
Gareth settled on the low seat beside Kira, pulled her up and over his lap, before sealing them together with one upward thrust. Her center wept with desire, her heart sang with joy, and she did her best to follow his rhythm.
Their movements grew slowly out of control as he lifted and then lowered her to ride him again. His mouth teased the edge of her breasts before moving upward to capture her lips. Her vision went red when he deepened his kiss. She fought to maintain control, not wanting to bite him, but every pore in her body cried out for her to take his blood.
"Gareth, I need more. I need..."
"Take what you need. I love and trust you."
Kira's fangs extended, and she licked the column of his throat. A second later, she nipped the skin, and her fangs tasted the sweet male essence of her mate. She allowed herself the pleasure of drinking a moment more before pulling away. A swipe of her tongue, and she turned her attention to Gareth's lips. She nipped, licked, and then took his mouth in a kiss that rocked her to the bottom of her feet.
Never, ever, could she have imagined loving someone this much. A man who trusted her creature traits. At that moment, she knew without a doubt she'd kill anyone who tried to take him from her.
Gareth's groan preceded the slow relaxation of his body. Kira drew him close and held him. She just needed a few more moments with him safe in her arms.
"Kira, did I hurt you?"
"No, my love. I feel better than I have in my entire life. Now, why don't we get out of this tub and go to bed?"
"As long as all you want to do is sleep. I think you have worn me out, woman." His low chuckle caused heat to burn her face.
"Don't be embarrassed, darling. I'm more than happy to have a wife who wants me to touch her."
Gareth's words puzzled Kira. Why would any woman not want his touch?
"Judith didn't want you?"
His laughter was a harsh sound of bitterness. "No, she didn't want me anywhere near her in the bedroom. The woman could castrate a man with her words, and I was no exception. If I hadn't won the presidential race, I planned to ask for a divorce. You have to love someone to want to be with them biblically, as my daddy used to say, and Judith wasn't an easy person to love or to give love in return."
Tears burned her eyes. "I'm sorry, Gareth. You deserved so much more."
"You're right. That's why I have you. You more than make up for the past."
"Thank you."
After finally getting to the actual act of bathing, they both rinsed and toweled off, barely making it to the bed before they collapsed, exhausted, on top of the covers.
"I don't think I could move if I had to." Her words came out in soft but rapid breaths.
"Well don't, I'm not up to chasing after you."
"Are you too tired for a good-night kiss?" Her lids were closing before she got the words out.
"Never too tired for a kiss from you."
Gareth pulled her closer into his embrace and brushed his lips gently against hers. A moment later, Kira fell asleep, only to jar awake when someone banged on the door.
Gareth slept on, so she got up, pulled on a robe, and went to the door.
"Malachi! What are you doing here? Is something wrong?" She motioned him into the room.
"Sorry, little one, but we've got an emergency. I need to talk to you and Gareth. Wake him up, please."
"I'm awake. What's wrong?"
"Another death threat came in. The assassin wants you, Kira, and myself to meet him in less than an hour at a warehouse on the outskirts of DC. He says he's got bombs planted at several landmarks, as well as the Capitol building. If we don't show up, he'll start blowing them up, one by one."
Malachi paced in his agitation. "There's always a skeletal crew working at the Capitol, and tonight several senators are working late. If we don't meet with this monster, someone's going to get killed."
"Close your eyes, Malachi." Kira started pulling on her clothes.
Gareth did the same. Once dressed, they moved as one to exit the room.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Once in the Oval Office, Kira bit back a curse when she saw Caleb seated on the couch. She shot Malachi a questioning look, but he ignored her. Gareth moved to his chair, and she chose to stand by him. Malachi also stayed on his feet.
"Okay, give it to me straight. Start from the beginning, please."
"The threat came in less than half an hour ago on a telefax in my office. An agent on duty found it, contacted me, and I came directly to you."
"Is there any reason to think he could be playing us? Trying to get me out in the open? Could the threat be just a ruse?"
"I hope so, but I've got a feeling deep in my bones this is not going to end pretty, one way or the other." Malachi's gaze remained troubled.
"Okay, so what if we do what he wants?" Kira's question fell into the minute silence.
"You mean actually take Gareth to the warehouse?"
"I'm with Kira. At this point we don't have much of a choice. If he does have explosives planted, this guy or person is a whack job. No telling what he'll do if we don't show up." Gareth stood, his stance military to the bone. "We can't let him get away with this."
"We won't, but to take you, the president, into a perpetually dangerous, if not killing, zone is crazy." Malachi began his usual habit of pacing when agitated.
"Malachi, I love Gareth, you know I'd die for him, but there's something the killer doesn't know. You, I, and Caleb"---she shot a quick glance to the vampire who remained silent---"are all vampires. We could teleport to the warehouse. I could wait with Gareth, while you two go in first and make sure the guy's alone." Kira flipped her hand in the air. "If he is, then surely y'all can disarm him."
"That might work, but I still don't like having Gareth there. Whoever this maniac is, he's going to want to see him." Malachi's lips pulled into a straight line.
"Okay, then if he insists on seeing Gareth first, there are three of us, hopefully to his one."
"Kira, you forget I can protect myself if we go in armed."
"Of course you should be armed, right, Malachi?" Kira prayed he'd say yes, or Gareth was going to be hard to handle. Her husband did not like sitting on the sidelines.
"Yes. I don't like it, but yes."
"Okay, so we're agreed? You and Caleb go in, and then I'll bring Gareth in only if absolutely necessary. You can keep me informed by mind thoughts as to the situation, so we know what we're walking into."
"Yes, Kira, but I'm hoping to take this guy by surprise if we teleport in."
"I hope so also. So I guess we should get started?"
"Yeah, no telling what he'll do if we're late."
"Okay, I'll take Gareth with me." Kira looked at Gareth, whose mouth was slightly open. "Don't worry darling, just hold on tight. You'll be just fine."
Almost to the second of their deadline, Kira, Gareth, Malachi, and Caleb all rematerialized outside the warehouse.
Lights from streetlamps highlighted the area. No cars were in close proximity to the building, so their nemesis must have parked elsewhere.
"You okay, Gareth?" Kira kept her arms locked around Gareth's waist, and he continued to grip her tightly.
"Yes, I'm fine. Guess I should get used to this way of traveling."
If circumstances were different, Kira would have laughed at Gareth's slightly bemused expression, but as she watched, he turned into the commander in chief with just a blink of an eye.
"Malachi, you and Caleb go in. If you're not back in five minutes, or you don't call us sooner, Kira and I will come in."
"All right, but try to wait the entire five minutes, Gareth. You've never been a patient man, but impatience could be a matter of your life or death." Malachi frowned at Gareth and Kira.
"Don't worry, boss, I'll make sure we wait. Now, go get the bad guy."
Less than a minute later, she got her signal.
"We're in, Kira. One man only. I don't see anyone else. Caleb and I are going to split up and see if we can get behind him. You and Gareth stay put until I call you."
"Will do, and Malachi, be careful."
"Same goes for you. Keep Coonskin controlled and safe."
"You got it." Kira felt Malachi cut off his inner connection with her. Now, she had to get through the next five minutes.
"What did Malachi tell you?"
"How did you know he mind-spoke to me?"
"I read your face. Your eyes glowed red for a second, and you seemed to be concentrating on something inside you."
"You're right. It was Malachi. He says so far they only see one man. He and Caleb are spitting up to get a jump on him. He says we're to stay put." Kira walked back and forth in a circle.
"Dammit, I hate this." Gareth's gaze took on the stormy look that always turned his eyes to an emerald sheen.
"I know, I do, too, but even as commanders or soldiers, we have to follow orders and be patient."
"Yeah, and that sucks big-time."
She moved to her husband's side and slid her hand into his. His frame remained tense for a moment before he relaxed slightly. The area outside remained deserted, so hopefully there were no reinforcements hiding anywhere near.
"What time is it?" Gareth's brusque tone didn't faze Kira. She knew how he felt. Waiting was hell.
"We have about two minutes before time's up. I'm sure Malachi and Caleb have everything under control."
She prayed she was right. She tried to contact Malachi, but he'd blocked her entry into his thoughts. She was surprised he'd even allowed her access in the first place. The man was secretive about what stayed on his mind, and only dire circumstances would prompt him to share mind thoughts.
"Nothing?"
"No. You know, you're getting good at knowing when I'm trying to send thoughts."
Gareth's grin, although out of place under the circumstances, warmed her heart. Lord, she'd be glad when this was over. She just wanted to get Gareth safely back to the White House and make love to him like there was no tomorrow. For right now, she wasn't sure what was going to happen.
Her sigh seemed to be the catalyst for her cell phone to ring. A quick glance showed Malachi's number. Something was off. Why didn't he just mind-think her? Unless they had everything covered and safe.
"Kira?"
"Yeah, what's going on?"
"Everything's fine. You and Gareth come on in. Soon, you'll be back at the White House eating some of Jacques's home cooking." Malachi's voice sounded strained.
"Sounds good. So you were right, just one assassin?"
"You think you could be in here in two minutes?"
Malachi's statement about Jacques was definitely a red flag.
"Two not one?"
"Yes."
"Okay, we'll be there in a moment. Hang in there, Malachi."
"Can't do anything else."
"Roger that." Kira closed her cell and turned to Gareth.
"Something's wrong. Malachi should have contacted me using mind thoughts. He also called Claude 'Jacques' and wants us in there in two minutes, not one, and something about tying up loose ends." A deep, churning fear began to eat at her stomach.
"I don't like it. I think there's more than one assassin. He apparently got the jump on Malachi. Nothing was mentioned about Caleb. I assume he's unharmed, since we didn't hear any gunshots. Of course, he could have been knifed."
Gareth placed a hand on Kira's arm. "So, do I take point, or do you?"
"Oh Lord, Gareth, you should be home safe, not here."
"Well, I am here, and we need to get our men out of there and take down the assassin."
Gareth's eyes glinted in the streetlights. The almost feral look on his face made the hair stand up on Kira's arms. She'd seen him in Ranger mode, but never this intense.
"All right, I go in as point man. You follow me."
"I think---"
Kira held up a hand. "No, we do this my way. If this guy's taken out Caleb and incapacitated Malachi, then no offense, I need to go first. I can take a bullet, and I'm not sure I trust your vest."
"We're wasting time." Gareth's tone smacked of frustration. She'd give him kudos for not snarling his answer.
"Okay, let's go."
Kira eased the metal door open slowly, waited half a heartbeat, and slid through the twelve-inch space she allowed. Gareth caught the doorframe with his hand and then moved in behind her.
The warehouse was pitch-black as they moved cautiously forward through a narrow hallway ending in a large, equally dark room. She could make out one or two figures but couldn't tell whom they were. There should have been three. Her inner alarm pinged loudly. A hand placed on Gareth's chest prevented him from entering the room before her.
"We go in together. Please stay behind me. Something's not right, and I don't want you in the line of fire."
Gareth's grunt wasn't reassuring, but nothing more than she expected. She prepared to move forward, listening as she crept into the room. Both she and Gareth had probably taken no more than ten steps when the lights overhead clicked on.
Kira's eyes adjusted immediately. Gareth placed a hand over his for a moment and then turned. They both stared at the scene in front of them.
Malachi lay prone on the floor---motionless. Caleb stood at the other end of the room, grinning like a jackanapes. Sorry ass. As she prepared to kill Caleb, another man stepped into view. He must have been the one who had flicked on the lights. Short brown hair framed an almost gaunt face. At one time, he might have been heavier, but age and probably excess living had taken their toll. Slightly broad shoulders narrowed into a narrower waist. The man's camouflage attire drew attention to stick-thin legs.
"Well, Gareth, I dreamed of this day, but wasn't sure it would ever happen."
"Aron, what in God's heaven are you doing? Surely you aren't behind---"
"All the attempts on your life and your new wife's? Yes, guilty. I also masterminded the assassination endeavor on you and Judith. Poor, dear Judith. She should have married me." Aron moved farther into the room. "I guess you didn't know she and I dated for a bit, but she fixed her greedy eyes on you and the coveted White House prize right before she dumped me."
The man's eyes glowed a spooky blue. Kira didn't need a psych evaluation to know this man was a loaded cannon. With Malachi out of action, she prayed he wasn't dead---she stood too far away to see his chest rise. And with Caleb turning traitor, she and Gareth were pretty much screwed.
Although, she'd told Caleb she could kick his ass, part of her mind would be on Gareth during the fight, and the distraction wouldn't be a good thing. She needed to even the odds a bit more.
"What do you want, Aron?" Gareth's question seemed to galvanize the assassin.
"What I've wanted for years, since your rash actions caused David's death and I was passed over for promotion. It was always about you, Gareth. You were the best, the most even-tempered, the one all the COs went to if they needed a man for a special assignment. Well, one of those jobs cost my brother his life, and I want yours in return."
Gareth, instead of staying back like any sane man, moved forward. Kira put her hand out to stop him, but drew it back. She didn't want to call attention to herself. Maybe if Aron and Caleb's interests were on Gareth, she could get close enough to see if Malachi was dead or alive. If the son of a...had killed him, then hell would be a vacation spot before she finished with them. Lord knew there wouldn't even be a scrap of bone or tissue to bury if they touched Gareth.
"David disobeyed orders. That's what got him killed. We were pinned down behind enemy lines. He should have stayed put, but he wouldn't listen. He ran headlong into a mortar shell."
Aron shortened the distance between him and Gareth. "And what was your reason for not pulling him back to our lines? He was alive when you pulled back."
"I'm sorry, Aron. I hated it went down that way, but I made a decision to save the ten other men in my patrol. I didn't like it, but..."
"Well, like it or not, it's payback time now. I guess you noticed one of your agents is on my side. He took out the big man over there. Thought he'd waltz right in and take me out, but I'm not a stupid man," Aron sneered.
"That's why"---he motioned to Caleb---"he'll shoot you first, then your wife, before ridding me of the man on the floor." Aron preened with what looked like confidence and victory. "I, in turn, will kill Caleb and will become a national hero and, of course, run for your office when it comes open."
"You're freaking crazy! I did everything you wanted. You can't kill me. I helped you." Caleb moved closer to Kira.
"So you did, but you've used up your usefulness." Aron pulled out a gun and fired point-blank at Caleb's heart. The vampire dropped like a rock.
Although the shot wouldn't kill Caleb like a mortal, if they didn't get him help, he would bleed to death.
"Now, how about you tell me which one of you dies first, the bitch or the bastard."
The contempt in his tone was lethal. The man would kill again and not miss a beat. Kira looked at Gareth. He looked back.
"If you so much as move, Gareth, I'll shoot you myself."
Her words were low, and she prayed he would listen.
"How touching. Well, I guess I'll shoot the little woman, or should I say agent, first, since she seems so intent on dying for you. Maybe the third time will be a charm. Oh, by the way, I don't count what happened on Air Force One. Although, I did pay out a good bit of money to take it down."
"How did you do it, Aron?"
"I used a vampire to teleport onto the plane, set the charges, and then teleport off before anyone saw him. Now, enough chitchat." Aron waved his weapon.
"If you hurt Kira, you won't live to enjoy it."
"Oh, now isn't that sweet, both of you so willing to die for one another. It's a shame I can't shoot you at the same time, but I think just a second in between will work as well."
Kira saw the flash of smoke and then the silver cylinder speeding toward Gareth. Before she could fling herself in front of him, a blur of black knocked them both to the ground.
Afterward, Kira couldn't tell which one of them had reacted first. All she knew was Aron went down in a tangle of arms and legs. A fist slammed into her eye, a foot caught her in the ribs, and then it was over. Gareth had Aron stretched out and hog-tied.
"Malachi!" Kira ran to where he lay in front of them, while Gareth stayed with Aron. "You okay, boss?"
"Yeah, just mad as hell. Caleb shot me with a tranquilizer gun. I went down like a rock and couldn't move."
"Don't worry, darling, you saved the day. If you hadn't knocked us both down, Gareth would probably be dead."
"Hmph. My saving y'all was a blessed accident. I'd just gotten my body to work some, and my breath back, when I saw what Aron was doing. My intent was to take him down, but my feet got tangled. And if you tell anyone that story, you're off the presidential detail."
Kira helped Malachi to his feet. "I don't think so. I'm the First Lady, remember? You made certain of that."
"Hey cowboy, how'd you do that?" Kira asked Gareth as she touched her eye gingerly.
"I'm also a Boy Scout, and we always come prepared."
Kira laughed, but stopped on a gasp. Lord, her ribs would be a bit sore in the morning.
"You okay, my love?"
"Yes, but I should have been protecting you."
"Maybe so, if you were just any agent, but you're my wife, and nobody takes a crack at or threatens you without me whipping their ass."
Gareth tugged Aron to his feet. "We need to find out where the targets are located so we can get the bomb squad to dismantle the bombs."
"I think we should torture him and get the information." Kira's temper was up, and she knew it. "Blame traitor to his country, him and Caleb." Speaking of Caleb, she supposed someone needed to check on him.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't I want to screw my country."
"Kira, don't. I truly didn't think he was going to try to kill any of you." Caleb's voice sounded weak.
"That's no excuse."
"No, it's not, and Caleb will be brought up on charges not only by his country, but by a board of his peers," Malachi inserted.
Kira knew he meant the Vampire Council. Something her granddaddy and daddy had served on for years.
"Oh, good. Now, Caleb." Kira yanked Caleb up and twisted his arms behind his back. She used a pair of silver cuffs to bind him. "Let's get going. I can't wait to see what the Council's going to do to your butt."
"Aron's out for the count. Do we tear this place apart to get the information on where the hits are?"
"No, I've a better idea." Malachi moved to Aron and knelt down. He placed his hands on both sides of the man's head, bent his head to the man's neck, and closed his eyes. A moment later, he stood to his feet and wiped a drop of blood from his lips.
"I've got the locations."
"Gareth, Kira will take you back to the White House. I'll wait until a team arrives to transport Aron to jail. I'll also call in some of our people to take care of Caleb and disarm the bombs before returning to the White House."
Kira turned to Gareth. "Well, guess we have our orders. You ready to head back?"
It was Gareth's turn to growl. "Double hell no! I want to make sure those bombs are disarmed."
She touched his arm. "Look, I know it bites, but it's too dangerous."
"Sorry, love, I know you'd rather be in on the action, too. You would be if I wasn't here."
"Don't worry about it, Gareth." Kira ran a hand lightly over his mussed hair. "Come on, I can have us back in a second, and we can get the sleep we missed earlier, or we can relieve some of this tension by doing a little exercise."
"What type of exercise?"
Kira grinned at Gareth's question as she wrapped her arms around his waist. "The kind that requires us naked on a bed. Now hold on tight."
Chapter Twenty-Six
Kira stood in front of the bedroom mirror, holding up the sheath dress she planned to wear the next day for the Memorial Day celebration. The last few days had flown by. The bomb crew disarmed all five of the bombs. One definitely would have taken out the Capitol, and the others were located at the Lincoln and Washington Memorials, as well as the War Memorial, and Arlington National Cemetery.
Aron Stewart deserved to be hanged, fried, and guillotined, all in that order, for what he'd tried to do to the country and to Gareth. Poor Malachi still suffered some of the side effects of the tranquilizer Caleb had given him.
And what about her, what side effects would she carry? Every time someone tried to kill Gareth, her heart cracked a bit more. The man was too stubborn to stay behind the scenes. He had to get up close and personal with guns, bombs, you name it.
She slapped at and then smeared a blood-red tear. Stupid things, they always popped up when she didn't want them. She'd held them back the night they captured Aron and Caleb. She'd hid them from Gareth after making love that night, but for some reason she just couldn't stop them from coming.
"Kira, you in here?" Gareth's sexy voice caused a panic to well up inside Kira. She couldn't, wouldn't let him see she was scared, make that horrified, he would die.
Okay, just suck it up, girl. You can do this!
"Yes, I'm reading." Kira tossed the dress aside, grabbed the book she'd been trying to read for a week, and jumped on the bed. She settled on her stomach and tried to look like she could see the words, but all she saw was Gareth and that damn bullet coming straight toward him.
"Hey babe, I thought you were going to take a nap." Gareth nuzzled her neck before sitting on the side of the bed.
"I couldn't sleep. I thought reading might help." Liar, liar. Lord she was gonna end in up in hell at the rate she was going.
"You need more rest. You haven't been sleeping much for the last few days." Gareth leaned in again and gently pushed Kira over on the bed. "You need to be in the middle. Put up the book, and I'll rub your back."
Tears again, damn!
"It's okay, you don't have to. I'm sure I'll fall asleep in a bit."
"I do have to. I'm not going to have my wife risking her life every night without any sleep."
Kira's vision blurred. Her risking her life was nothing. She was immortal, or enough so it would take a lot to bring her down. Gareth was fragile, although he would hate that term, his mortal life precious, his mortal body susceptible to all kinds of weapons, age, illness. God help her, how would she get through the next decades of marriage if he didn't allow the binding and change?
"Honey? Kira? What's going on?"
She had never allowed Gareth to see her tears. Beside the fact their color might freak him out, she just wasn't the type to unload. Maybe she should.
Kira turned over on her back and faced her husband.
"Oh Lord, Kira, don't cry. Whatever I did, I'm sorry."
Gareth's words just made her cry harder.
"Oh shit, you have to stop. I can't stand to see you upset."
"Well, I'm sorry. This is what you'll probably see every time someone tries to kill you."
Strong arms slid under her body and pulled her up to lean again his broad chest. "Kira, it's over. Aron is behind bars, maximum-security isolation, actually, and Caleb's been incarcerated by the Vampire Council. It's done. I'm fine."
"You are this time, but what about next time, Gareth? Will there be someone to stop you from getting killed then? What if I'm not around? What if they sneak up when I'm on rounds or asleep?"
Gareth smoothed a hand over her cheek. "Kira, I do have other agents who can protect me."
"Yeah, but they can die too. I'm the only one, outside of Malachi, who can keep you safe!"
"Hell, Kira, is this why you aren't sleeping? You're afraid something's going to happen?"
"What if it is? It's my life."
"Oh no, darling, it's my life also." Gareth pulled her tighter against his body. "When you put yourself in danger, it affects me."
"Then why can't you understand how I feel?" Tears streaked a path down her face, stinging, reminding her the man she married was mortal.
"Kira..."
"What? What did you want to say, Gareth? Can you tell me you won't die? That some maniac won't leave me without my soul mate? No! You can't." Kira tried to pull away, but Gareth wouldn't let her go.
"Please...just leave me alone for a bit. I need some time, Gareth. Please!"
"I don't like leaving things like this. We need to talk about it, try to put things in perspective." His words sounded hollow, as if he didn't know how to fix what was wrong with her.
Men could be so dumbass.
"I don't want to talk. Just go...please."
"All right, but I'll be back."
Gareth slapped Malachi on the back as he strode down the corridor to the Oval Office. "I need to talk to you."
He didn't wait to see if the vampire followed him or not. He entered his office and slumped in the chair behind his desk.
"What's up, Gareth?"
"It's Kira..."
"What about her? Is she okay?" Malachi's eyes glinted almost silver.
"She's up in our room. I don't know if she's okay or not. I tried to talk to her, but she told me to leave."
Malachi's chuckle didn't help the situation. Maybe he was making more out of a woman's tears, but Kira never cried.
"Shut up, Malachi! Kira was crying!" His words dropped into the room, and his friend jerked straight up from the couch.
"Kira never cries!"
"Yeah, I know that. I have no idea what's going on. She babbled stuff like someone else could kill me and that she couldn't sleep---she had to stay on guard."
"Damn. I never thought how badly this would affect her. We talked for just a moment about what happened in the warehouse. She seemed okay. I should have made her see a counselor. Standard procedure when an agent is in the line of fire. Damn, I should have insisted after she was knifed and her throat was slashed. But, Kira's not a regular agent." Malachi groaned. "I forget she's human at heart."
"So what do we do?"
"Do? I don't know. You're her husband. Maybe she just needs some time. Besides, with this being a holiday weekend, I couldn't get her in to speak to anyone if she agreed. Let's just wait until after the holiday is over. She may snap out of it on her own."
"I think Kira's right." Gareth picked up a pencil from the desk and snapped it in half. "You're chicken."
"No, just cautious. I don't want to upset her." Malachi's words were even, but smacked of a lie to Gareth.
"You just don't want to make her mad."
"Neither do you!"
Another pencil went the way of the first. "You're right. Damn shame to be afraid of your own wife."
Malachi's rumble of laughter hit Gareth like a ton of bricks. A second later, he joined in. Just maybe Malachi was right. They'd defeated the bad guys, so surely she would be her old self in a few days.
Kira lay on her side, dressed for bed. She'd sent a note downstairs saying she wouldn't be joining Gareth and Malachi for dinner. She just didn't feel like eating. The small salad Claude brought up after Gareth's visit sat in her stomach like a jar of molasses. Fear ate its way through her veins. She couldn't shake the feeling something was going to happen to Gareth.
Something horrible. Something deadly. Something that would steal him from her forever.
The door to the bedroom eased open. She'd heard Garth come up a bit ago, but he'd stayed in the den watching the news.
"Kira, are you awake?"
Gareth's whisper only set up a dread the size of Texas in her mind. He'd want to talk about her problem. Why couldn't he understand it wasn't just hers, but his? He was the one in danger.
"Yes, I'm awake. Did you need something?" Kira resolutely kept her face turned away from his side of the bed. She couldn't look at him. Those damn tears would start up again, and she'd just stopped crying from the last time a few moments before.
"I just wanted to see if you were okay." His tone was louder now, but reminded her of the type of voice you used with a skittish animal.
"I'm fine, Gareth. Go to sleep."
"All right. I'll leave you alone."
She heard the soft rustle of his shirt being tossed to a chair. She heard his sigh of relief when he unlaced and kicked off his shoes. A slither of sound signified his pants were now off. If he followed routine, his boxers and socks would be next.
The mattress dipped, and he nestled next to her. A second later, his arm snaked out and curved over her waist. He pulled her to his chest.
Kira pulled away.
He pulled back again.
She took his hand and removed his arm. "Gareth, don't."
"Don't what? Don't touch you?"
"Yes." Kira fought the compelling urge to turn and bury herself against his warmth. She couldn't do it---making love with him would just remind her of all she would lose when he died.
"Why?" Gareth's voice carried hurt and confusion.
"Because, I need some time to think about things."
"Things? That makes no sense." The timbre of his tone went deeper. He wasn't happy, but neither was she.
"Yes, things. Do you have a problem with that?" She now resisted the urge to slap him with a pillow. She'd had a bad day---no, make that weeks of being turned upside down. If anyone was entitled to pitching a fit, she was.
Gareth dropped his arm across her body again and then, in one swift move, flipped her on her back.
Kira moved to get up.
He caught her legs with one of his and held her immobile.
"We're going to talk. I don't care if we have to stay this way all night."
"So talk." Her words sounded staccato. Pissed did not properly describe her current mood.
"Look, I know you've been going through a lot. Malachi said---"
"You discussed me with Malachi?" She bucked her body up and off the mattress, but couldn't dislodge Gareth's grip. For a mortal, he was extremely strong, or maybe she was just bone tired.
"Lie still! I'll be happy to tell you what Malachi and I talked about, but you need to behave." Now Gareth sounded ticked.
"Fine, hurry up then. I want to go to sleep."
"Look, we're both worried. You never cry..." Gareth's voice trailed off.
She knew he was confused, but darn it, her private emotions were her own---not to be discussed. Yet, in that deep inner part of her heart and soul, she knew he'd only run to Malachi because he cared. Should she make him pay for her frustration?
Kia looked up into his concerned gaze. "I know, and I'm sorry I upset you. It's just something I need to work out."
Gareth caught her hand and brought it to his lips. The soft caress he placed on her palm drenched her heart in love. She just needed to have him understand her, why she felt like she did. So, why didn't she just tell him?
"Gareth, I need you to listen to me. For years, I never thought I'd find someone who could love me." Kira used her free hand to swipe at an errant tear.
"You came along as my assignment. Simple. Guard the president, no big deal, but it was so much more. The first time I laid eyes on you, I wanted to know more about the man behind that desk. I wanted to know what made you tick. You acted like such a chauvinist."
Gareth's soft chuckle helped her rein in the woman side of her, the part that wanted to just burst into tears, cover her head, and hide under the covers.
"And do you know more now?"
"Yes." Kira tugged her hand from his and returned the caress he'd given her. "I know if I live a hundred years, two hundred years, I'd want you with me. I don't want...no...I can't stand the thought of you lying in a grave somewhere. It would kill me."
"Darling, I'm not going anywhere." Gareth's words were well meant, but lies.
Without him agreeing to the blood ritual and changing, he would die. "Don't say something you can't mean. You have no way of knowing what will happen in the future. Gareth, if you don't change, you'll get old and die and leave me alone." Kira banged her hand on the mattress.
"Kira, all I can promise is I'll be careful while I'm in office and when I retire. None of us know what's facing us tomorrow. That's life." He tugged her closer into his body. "You can't tell me, even with your immortal longevity, you might not die before me. It's already almost happened. How do you think I felt?"
The tortured emotion in his voice hurt Kira's heart. He was right. She'd not given any thought to how he might feel.
"Again, I'm sorry. I've been so consumed about your safety, I didn't realize how hard my being who and what I am might be on you. I know you tried to tell me, but..."
"It's okay. Although you're a vampire, you still maintain a human heart. We all make mistakes and have misconceptions. I just want to put it behind us."
Kira wanted that, too, but she needed him to allow the blood ritual. "Are you willing to complete the ritual with me?"
"You mean change---become a vampire?"
"Yes, but it's more than that. We would have decades together with good health, memories we could make, and it would strengthen our love." The last part of her sentence came out in a rush.
Would he agree to be turned?
"We could do all those things without me turning. I don't know if this is what I want." Gareth's words shattered whatever hope she'd carried deep inside into desolation.
"Well then, I don't think I can stay married to you. I won't live my life in constant fear for you." Kira almost choked on her words and would not meet Gareth's gaze.
"I'm not giving you a divorce. You are stuck with me until death do us part. Now, I think it's time you fulfilled another wifely duty."
Gareth barked his words at her, and for the first time that evening, she felt the kernel of temper build inside her.
"If you mean make love, forget it. I have a headache, a huge presidential ache."
Gareth's lips were on hers almost before she finished speaking. His tongue eased into her mouth, which remained open, and she saw stars. The man could kiss with ease, but when in a rage, the caress seduced her more. Her blood began to heat to a slow boil, and she felt the wet need of desire between her thighs.
His hands were everywhere. Touching her nipples, sliding up her legs to the center of her ache. Apparently, whoever said makeup sex was fantastic knew what they were talking about. Although she couldn't stay with him unless he changed, for now, this one night, she would relish the fury of their love.
She clenched her thighs against his hand, holding his sweet, tortuous touch in place. The proof of his desire surged against her hip. She wanted to touch him, to caress him, to make a memory she would take into the future lonely decades.
"Kira, you're killing me..." Gareth's statement ended in a groan, as she wrapped her hand around his arousal. She felt the soft texture of its length before she raised and lowered her hand in rhythm with her own desire.
"I don't want to kill you. I just want to love you. I need tonight."
"You have all my tonights." He nuzzled her neck before licking a path to her breasts. The crowning tips strained toward his advancing mouth. At the first touch of his tongue, her hand worked him harder, eliciting another groan from her husband.
"Stop. If you don't, I'll be spent before I can get inside you. And I have to be inside you." Guttural, but effective, and what she wanted also.
"Then do it." Kira raised her hips to welcome his entry. The sleek feel of him as he slid to the hilt made her tremble. She matched each of his movements with one of her own until they were both breathless with desire.
The momentum grew within her center until waves of intense lightning drew her closer and closer to the edge. As she struggled to wait on Gareth, he lightly pinched her woman's nub, and her body exploded with the heat and fire of her climax. Her vision weeped red, and she wrapped her arms around his muscular back. His shaft pumped in and out so fast the friction ignited her body again. She strained for her release. The spirals of heat grew longer, deeper, until she went up in flames a second time.
Gareth groaned as he thrust deep into her core, his body above her tensed like a bowed arrow before he dropped his weight on top of her.
She didn't know how long they lay connected, but when Gareth raised his head from her shoulder and looked down at her, she saw tenderness, banked passion, and love in his gaze.
"Now do you understand why I won't let you go?" Gareth hoped he had gotten through to Kira. Her declaration to leave him had rocked him to the soles of his feet, shaking him emotionally to his heart and soul. He needed her like he needed liquid to quench his thirst. He had to have her in his life. He would not be alive, even if he still breathed, without this woman.
"Yes, I do understand. Please understand, this is how I feel. I can't lose you. I would die."
"I know, and I promise to give you an answer after the Memorial Day celebration." He hoped it would be enough to give her some peace. For now, he needed to do some soul-searching of his own. Changing his physical being was a decision he didn't think he should make lightly.
Gareth took Kira's lips in a hard kiss before leaving the bed and the warm, lusty scent of their joining. He would take himself to the den and try to figure out how to spend the next several decades.
"Where are you going?" Kira's siren tone, although she'd never think of herself that way, curled around his member, reawakening the desire she always invoked.
"To the den."
"Don't go. Stay with me. I just want to fall asleep with you by my side. Then you can leave."
He had no heart to tell her no. He wanted to watch her eyes close in slumber and know she rested without anxiety plaguing her.
"I'll stay until you drift off." He returned to his place at her side, pulled her close, and kissed her temple.
"Sleep, my love. Everything will be okay."
Aron waited until he knew the guard would be passing by his cell. As the clod of footsteps neared, he clutched his belly and yelled.
"Hey, what's going on in there?" The guard's voice sounded impatient, probably late for his break.
A rehearsed whimper passed Aron's lips, along with several more groans. He heard the ping of the electronic lock releasing. The guard stuck his head inside the door.
"What's wrong with you, Stewart?"
"My belly hurts really bad. I think there's something wrong. It feels like it's gonna burst wide open." Aron hid his glee when the guard spoke into the radio penned to his shoulder.
"Security inmate 7224 is sick. I need someone down here to transport him to the infirmary. No, make it four guards, this man tried to kill President Hayes and his wife."
Aron continued to moan until the stretcher arrived. The four guards flanked it as two orderlies carried him from the cell.
The whimpers he emitted caused the guards to look at him, but then they turned away. Good, he wanted them to think he was no threat.
Once inside the infirmary, two of the guards remained with him. The other two left. He hoped they were going back to their regular duties. Now, he needed to complete phase two of his plan. Aron groaned several times before allowing his body to go limp.
"What's wrong with him?" one of the guards asked as the orderlies rushed around the room.
The other one started to leave and said, "Don't know, but Dr. Addison will be right in."
Aron bided his time until the doctor strolled in and pulled a rolling tray of instruments over to the examination table.
"Okay, let's see what we've got." He placed a stethoscope against Aron's chest. The cold metal almost made him gasp as Addison checked his pulse.
"His vitals seem to be okay. When did he lose consciousness?"
"Right after we got him in here. Before that, he was moaning and holding his stomach."
The doctor pulled up Aron's prison-issued shirt and poked him hard in the belly. When he purposely did not respond, the man picked up a syringe.
"I'll need to get some blood to see if I can determine what's wrong."
Aron waited until the doctor uncapped the needle before he acted. One move with his hand and the needle lodged in the doctor's throat. Aron grabbed the instrument tray and aimed it at the guard's head. The man crashed to the concrete floor.
Another swift reflex and he was on this feet. He grabbed the orderlies and banged their heads together. Once they lay unconscious on the floor, he stripped the doctor of his clothes and ID, changed into them, and moved to the door. The window opening revealed the absence of the other two guards. Good. He needed to finish the job of killing Gareth and his wife.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
"Dammit! How could this happen?" Gareth slammed an empty coffee mug down on the table, shattering it in the process. The sound did not help his rage.
Malachi frowned. "I don't know. He had four guards on him. Two stayed in the infirmary with him."
"Paint me a picture." He growled the words.
"All I know is he took out a guard, two orderlies, and a doctor before waltzing out the kitchen door and hijacking a delivery truck. He's disappeared," Malachi growled back.
"Okay. What's being done to track him down?"
"We've got a nationwide all-points bulletin out on him, and that means all the airports, borders, and anywhere he could get out of the country."
"Good." Gareth threw himself into his desk chair. "What are we doing about it?"
"You're doing nothing. I'll work with the DC task force and the FBI until he's apprehended. Although it'd be suicide for him to come after you and Kira with law enforcement on his tail like a spider on a web, we can't rule that out."
"Well, for heaven's sake, don't let Kira know." Gareth's breath escaped in a rush of anxiety. No telling what his wife would do if she found out about Aron's escape.
"Be reasonable. She'll hear about it sooner or later. It's going to hit the news sometime. You know how the press operates." Malachi sounded as perturbed as Gareth felt.
Gareth wasn't just troubled. He was angry. Aron was crazy. Anyone who took their revenge to a level they were willing to kill innocents deserved his wrath. His mistake was not killing Aron at the warehouse.
"I know, but I'd rather she learn later---not now."
"Who's she and learn what?" So absorbed in their discussion, Gareth didn't notice Kira's arrival until she was already in the room. By the look of shock on Malachi's face, the vampire had also missed it.
"Nothing," Gareth mumbled.
"No one you know." Malachi dropped his words into the silence following Gareth's one-worder.
"Hey, if you don't want to talk about it, fine, but don't lie. If it's something major, I should know about it, don't you think?"
Both Gareth and Malachi stayed silent.
"I can always read Gareth's mind, you know."
Damn, he'd forgotten that little tidbit. If they didn't tell her about Aron's escape, she would be livid. And by the look on her face, she wasn't going to let this lie. She'd use any means to get it out of him.
Seduction rolled off his wife as she strolled to his desk."You're right, darling, we do need to get a move on. Come on, I'll walk you to our room."
Gareth took Kira's hand and resisted the urge to pull her down into his lap. He didn't need to stoke the fire in his groin---he needed to put it out.
"Aren't you forgetting something?"
Her soft but deadly question put the hair up on his arm. Maybe he could stall her. If she knew Aron was on the loose, she'd fight him fang and nail to keep him from going to the ceremony.
"We'll talk about it later. We do need to get moving."
After giving Malachi a meaningful stare, he stood to his feet and moved his hand to Kira's bare arm.
"Did you eat breakfast?"
"Not yet, I thought I'd have a salad before we left for the cemetery."
Gareth encircled his other arm around his wife's waist. "Sounds like a good plan to me. I think I'll join you. We can have lunch and then get ready."
Malachi's lips twisted into a smirk as they moved past him.
"Malachi, don't you have things to do?"
"Yes, but I thought I might join you for lunch first."
"I don't think so. Remember who signs your checks, old friend." Gareth smirked right back at the vampire.
Together he and Kira took the elevator to the living quarters. "Now, wouldn't you like to rest for a bit? You didn't get a lot of sleep last night."
"How do you know? Did you stay awake watching me?"
His wife's incredulous stare galvanized his tongue into action. "Actually, I did."
His words penetrated deeper into the softness of Kira's heart. No one had ever loved her this much. Not even her dad, mom, or brothers. Even Grandpa Jackson's love was a faint residue compared to Gareth's lock on her heart.
"If I didn't know better, I'd think you loved me."
"And you would be right. I treasure you more than my own life, Kira." Gareth's whisper only reinforced her belief he needed to be turned. Yet, he deserved to give her his answer himself---after the Memorial Day celebration.
"I know, ditto, Mr. President."
Gareth took a step forward and halted. It was as if he wanted to take her in his arms, but something stopped him. Just like something stopped his and Malachi's conversation when she'd entered the Oval Office.
"Is anything wrong?"
"No, why would there be?"
He sounded defensive. Something definitely was up.
"I don't know, maybe because you and Malachi clammed up like a couple of conspirators when I showed up in your office."
"Ah...well, that was nothing. We were just discussing men things." The lie rolling off his lips threw up a giant red flag.
"You do know I will find out whatever you are hiding sooner or later."
A groan parted his lips. "Kira, let it go for now, okay?"
She didn't want to, but she didn't want to ruin the day. Aron was behind bars, Caleb was at the Vampire Council, and she and Gareth made delicious love the night before. Things might not be everything she wished, but for now, she would try to be patient. Patience was definitely a virtue she needed until he gave her his answer about changing. For the moment, she would relish being with him until she knew if she had to leave him or not.
"All right, but I will ask again later." Her understated warning hit its mark. Gareth's eyes widened, and his nostrils flared. His lips drew into a tight line.
"Believe me, I know you will."
Tears stung the back of Kira's eyes as she stood at attention next to Gareth. The awesome sight of thousands of American flags decorating the graves at Arlington's National Cemetery was a touching tribute to the souls who had given service and their lives for their country and God.
The Flags-In Ceremony was performed every year by the 3rd U.S. Infantry, known as the Old Guard, prior to Memorial Day. Just seeing their hard work and dedication made Kira want to hug each and every one of them.
Gareth, dressed in a black suit, also experienced emotion. The faint sheen of moisture in his beautiful green eyes made her love him even more.
He strode forward, his hands holding the ceremonial wreath, and proudly moved to the Tomb of the Unknowns.
Malachi stood to her left as they silently watched Gareth place the wreath. He'd elected to ride in the limo with them, not unheard of, but a bit of a surprise.
With the influx of tourists to DC for the holiday, the ceremony had been moved to 2:00 p.m. After this, they'd be heading to a more casual barbeque on the South Lawn. The prime minister and Eve, along with any White House staff on duty, would be their only guests. The couple would be flying back to London the next day.
After another moment of silence, the band played "Taps." Gareth returned to her side, caught her hand in his, and together they walked down the hill to the waiting limo. Gareth took several moments to wave to the tourists, the Veterans and their families, as well as the press.
When he was approached for an impromptu interview, he simply said, "God Bless America."
Once inside the car, Malachi sat opposite Gareth and herself. Her nerves strung themselves into receptacles of anxiety. Not much longer and she would have Gareth's answer. Although he'd said after the ceremony, she felt certain he meant tonight after the barbecue. She just needed to be patient. And if for some reason he vetoed the turning, she would have to decide to live with him or leave.
Yes, he said no divorce, but that would change once Kira was gone.
"You about ready for some real home cooking?"
His question just made her stomach knot up tighter. How could she eat at a time like this? Of course, he would know something was wrong when she turned down succulent pork, smoked in sauce, with all the rich sides.
"Sure, I can't wait." Kira just hoped she wouldn't throw up afterward.
"Me, too. It's been a while since I had barbeque."
"Yeah, the last time was during the campaign." Malachi piped up, and then his eyes went blank with concentration.
"What's wrong?" Gareth asked before Kira could get it out.
"Not sure, but sounds like we've got a tire loose."
Malachi rapped on the inner shield partition. "Scott, find a spot to pull over. We've got some loose lug nuts."
A few moments later, the limo pulled into an alley. Secret Service personnel poured from the second limo that always followed in case of emergencies. They, in turn, directed traffic and the rest of the cavalcade away from the first limo.
"Why don't you and Kira stand over there?" Malachi motioned toward the alley wall.
Kira checked it out and determined it was not a bad place to wait. With brick against their backs, in the unlikely circumstance of an attack, they couldn't be jumped from behind.
"Sure you don't need any help checking the wheel?" Gareth's sarcastic question pulled a tight smile from Malachi.
"No, you two just stay put. I've got this."
Malachi moved toward the front of the car, and Kira looked up at Gareth. "So, is the barbeque going to be casual?"
"Yes, thank God. It's private, and we can kick back in jeans and comfortable shirts. Even go barefoot if you want to."
"Hmmm...I think I'm going to like this less presidential side of you." Kira slid a hand down Gareth's dress shirt.
"As if you don't see my other side in the bedroom." Gareth's teasing comment preceded a light kiss on her lips. Lord, she loved this side of the man.
"Gareth, Kira." Malachi was back.
"We ready to roll?"
"No, we have a problem, Gareth."
"What now?"
Malachi motioned both Gareth and herself to the front of the limo. The tire was off, and one of the agents had his head stuck up into the wheel well.
"There's a bomb inside there, wired with enough C-4 explosive to blow the limo to pieces. We need to get you and Kira out of here."
"Are you sure?"
Kira waited on Malachi to answer Gareth.
"Yes, I'm sure."
"Mr. King?"
"What?"
The agent who'd been inspecting the device stood to his feet. "We need to evacuate right now. The timer just clicked. It indicates it's going to explode in one minute."
"Okay, get everyone out of here. Now." Malachi spoke quietly but tersely. "Make sure all the civilians are out of the way."
Kira could see where hundreds of celebrants were standing, cameras pointed, in hopes of getting pictures of Gareth. If the limo blew, it would give them more than something to remember. It could kill and maim hundreds.
The alley opened into a side street at the opposite end. Malachi rounded on Kira and Gareth. "Let's move!"
He grabbed them both by the arms and started hauling ass toward the back of the alley. They were halfway to safety when a giant boom shook the walls around them. Kira turned her head and glanced backward. Gareth stopped for a fraction of a second, and all hell broke loose.
The whooshing sound caught them unaware, sending flames shooting forth into the afternoon sky. Pieces of metal rained down in a fiery mass of danger and destruction.
Kira tugged at Gareth's arm. They had to keep moving. Missiles of limo fragments were being tossed around like tree limbs in a storm.
"Keep moving!"
She didn't need Malachi's order to know they were not out of danger. As she watched, a piece of the car's fender struck one of the agents. He hit the ground with a horrific thud.
Gareth jerked free of Malachi's grip and ran back toward the burning inferno. Kira knew what he meant to do. She tugged her arm away and ran to stop her husband.
He was twenty feet away from the burning limo, and four feet in front of Kira, when a second blast rocked the alley. It must have been the second limo. Kira watched in horror as a hail of debris shot up and then out from the flames.
Fragments of metal flew toward them. Sparks singed their clothes and hair. Gareth stood motionless, staring at the fire consuming the agent's body. Before she could snag his arm, a scrap of metal the length of her hand and the width of her wrist struck him in the chest.
Gareth looked down, and then over at her in disbelief. His body shuddered once, and then he collapsed on the ground.
Sounds came at Kira, shouts from Malachi, arms tugging at her as she sat down amidst smoldering debris, Gareth's head cradled in her lap. Blood from his wound turned her dress into a slick-coated mess.
She ignored the slight ache of her arms and legs from the ember burns. She had only one goal. To keep Gareth alive.
"Kira, we have to go." Malachi's voice sounded disembodied, but his anguish and shock came through.
She fought at the hands grabbing her. "I'm not leaving him."
"Neither am I, but his wounds are fatal. We need to turn him, and we can't do it here."
"We can't do it at all, Malachi. He hasn't made a decision." Kira's heart shattered with that knowledge. Gareth would die, and there was nothing she could do.
"Kira! He's the president, not just your husband. We have to do what's good for the country." Malachi reached down to take Gareth. "I called for another limo with one of our GVPs as a driver. We'll take him back to the White House, to the basement."
"Don't touch him. You can't go against his wishes. You know the rules. We can't turn a mortal unless he's willing."
Malachi dropped to the ground by Kira. As she watched, his eyes filled with tears. "I know, but dammit, he's like a brother to me. I don't want to lose him."
Kira reached out a blood-covered hand and grasped Malachi's arm. "It's killing me too. I don't think I can live without him."
"Kira?"
Kira jerked her gaze to Gareth's. His eyes were open.
"Gareth..." She didn't know what to say.
"God, I hurt." His confused and pain-filled gaze struck her heart.
"I know, darling, I know. Try to rest."
"I'm sorry. I wish..." His eyes held the knowledge he was dying. Regret darkened the green orbs staring up at her."
"Gareth, please, you're the air I breathe. I can't live without you. It may be too late, but I beg you to let me try to change you. I don't want to bury you. I won't, unless they put me beside you."
"Gareth, we need your permission. If you die now, without a vice president to take over, it'll cause major panic. We can't let that happen." Malachi's voice trembled with emotion.
"Please, Gareth, let us change you. I beg you."
"Kira, please don't cry..." Her husband's eyes closed.
"Gareth!" A faint rise and fall of his chest reassured her he lived, but for how long? Minutes? Seconds?
As she held her breath, praying for more time with him, Gareth's fingers touched her hand. His eyes opened once more.
"Do it. Change me."
Chapter Twenty-Eight
After that, time sped up. The limo arrived, and she and Malachi carried Gareth out of the alley and laid him gently on the elongated seat. Kira crawled up beside him and pulled his head into her lap.
Minutes, too many precious minutes, were gone.
They had to hurry if they were to change him before it was too late. Malachi said something to the driver, and then they raced through the streets of DC.
With a cell phone to his ear, her boss directed White House staff to issue a statement. "Neither President Hayes nor the First Lady were in the limo at the time of the explosion. More details will be forthcoming."
One paragraph issued to appease the public that their president was safe. Kira prayed they could make it true.
The limo slowed down and stopped. Malachi jumped out the door and back in again in a moment. A couple of men she didn't recognized held a stretcher.
"Kira, this is Jake and Robert. They were with James, our new driver, when I called for the limo. We'll get Gareth inside and up to his room."
"How? Won't someone see us?"
For the first time in what seemed like a century, Malachi smiled. "Let me worry about that."
Kira wondered why they didn't just teleport him to the private quarters. For that matter, why hadn't they just teleported him to the White House?
"I couldn't. The dissolution of his molecular cells, with him as weak as he is, could kill him instantly."
Once inside the tunnel, she walked beside Gareth's stretcher. Blood oozed from around the fragment in his chest. The flow of fluid, much slower now than even a few minutes earlier, indicated how low his blood pressure had dropped. How much blood remained in his body? Would they be too late to save him?
The questions kept coming at Kira, chipping away at what little sanity she held on to.
The end of the tunnel loomed straight ahead, but Malachi directed the agents carrying the stretcher to stop. "Kira, give me a hand."
She moved to the side of the tunnel where Malachi stood, moving aside wooden boxes and old furniture left behind by long-gone presidents. As she grabbed a headboard, she tamped down on the panic seeping deeper into her bones.
Once they finished, Malachi opened a door that had been hidden behind years of accumulation. "Through here."
Kira waited until the stretcher was through the doorway before resuming her place at Gareth's side. Her vampire vision inside the darker section of the basement kicked in, and she focused on her husband's breathing. Shallow, way too shallow.
"Malachi, maybe we should do the change now. He's barely breathing."
"Hang in there. We're almost there."
Malachi kept walking, and Kira prayed he was right. They were passing through what looked to have been a furnace and storage room ages ago. A few steps more and their little caravan halted again.
A rattle of keys and then light poured into the room. Beyond the threshold lay their bedroom. She didn't know how Malachi knew about this secret passage, or why he'd hadn't shared that bit of information, but she was grateful he did.
The men held the stretcher at the edge of the mattress, while Kira and Malachi gently removed Gareth, placing him on the bed.
"Thanks, you two. Now, if you'd teleport yourselves out of here, I'll speak with you later."
"Good luck," both Robert and Jake expressed before following Malachi's orders.
"Now what?" Her question came out as a trembling, anxiety-filled plea.
"Now we pull out that damn piece of shrapnel and wait on Gareth to die."
His words were too matter-of-fact for Kira to believe them.
"That's it?"
"Yes, once he takes his last breath, we start giving him blood. We'll have to do it the old-fashioned way, since time is of the essence."
"Okay, so let's do it."
"Crawl up and hold his chest down. Even at the point of death, the pain will be horrendous. I wouldn't put it past Gareth to regain consciousness. If he does, you'll have to hold him still. I don't want this piece of metal doing more damage. It'll just mean more healing time before he can be up and around."
Kira did as he asked, braced her hands on Gareth's shoulders, and then nodded to Malachi.
"On the count of three. One, two, three."
The extraction of the dagger-size weapon made a gushing sound as Malachi pulled it straight out. Gareth's body bucked once, and then twice, before he lay motionless.
Kira checked his chest for movement. His chest rose and fell, thank God. Oh Lord, what was she saying? He had to die before he could live.
Blood begin to trickle out faster and faster until a continuous crimson flow soaked the bedcovers. As it did, Gareth's breathing would stall and then start back. It wouldn't be much longer. She just prayed with all her might the turning would work.
An awful death rattle came from Gareth's throat. A second later, he lay dead.
"Now, Kira, we have to act fast."
Malachi pulled a switchblade from his back pocket and held it out to Kira. She took it, sliced a diagonal cut across her wrist, and then held her hand to Gareth's lips. Her blood dripped, then trickled into Gareth's mouth. She knew he'd watched Malachi give her blood the same way after her throat was cut, but this was her first time participating in anything of the sort.
After she encouraged the blood down his throat, Gareth's lips closed onto her wrist. The suction as he begin to suckle her blood, although slow, made her knees weak with relief. Hopefully, this was a sign they would be successful.
"Good, now, in a few moments, we'll give him my blood. I'm going to call Claude and have him bring in some blood from one of the hospitals. When Gareth wakes up, he's going to be hungry, even with the serum."
While Malachi made his call, Kira returned her attention to Gareth. His eyes were closed, and his lids carried the blue tinge of death. His lips, now stained with blood, continued to suckle from her wrist.
"Okay, let's change. Claude is teleporting to one of the area blood banks. It'll be less populated with the holiday than a hospital."
Kira eased off the mattress as Malachi took over. She felt surprisingly bereft without her connection to Gareth. Stories from her parents about the bonding drifted through her mind. What she felt was natural, and when the turning was complete, she would always feel a sharp loneliness whenever she was separated from her mate.
Moments crawled by. She and Malachi changed places several times before Claude teleported into the room. He placed the IV pole at the head of the bed, hooking up a bag of whole blood. The line of tubing that would connect the fluid to Gareth's arm was not inserted.
"We'll wait until he wakes up before hooking him up. Where do you keep your serum, Kira?" Claude asked.
"It's in a lockbox in the closet. The key's in the jewelry box on the dresser."
Kira pulled her wrist away from Gareth's lips for the third or fourth time, she wasn't sure.
"I think that's enough, Kira. Watch his chest. You should start to see some movement soon." Malachi's words were manna to her ears.
"How many turnings have you done?"
"A few in my time, but I think this is the most traumatic one." Malachi's features carried the fear, concern, and stress of the last several hours.
"I don't know how to thank you..."
"No need. I care for you both. I just wished it could have been prevented. The limo garage tape showed nothing out of the ordinary. Of course, this is the first time this particular limo's been used in a few weeks."
Malachi must have popped into the security office during the few times he'd left the room.
"Malachi, there's no way you could have known. I assume all the cars are serviced and checked before they're used."
"Yes, and this one was given a preliminary look since it was serviced after its last use." Malachi dropped into the armchair by the bed as Claude retrieved the lockbox with the serum, took the key, and opened it.
"You have two vials left, Kira. When's your next injection due?"
"Not for about a week. If I have to go longer, I can."
"No need, I have a couple of extra in my room. I'll get them if we need them." Malachi closed his eyes and rested against the chair's back.
Kira turned back to watch Gareth. As she did, she noticed just a speck of movement. The motion began to grow stronger. She let out a sigh.
"Malachi, he's breathing on his own." Her words propelled Malachi to sit straight up in the chair and then lean forward. "Good, good. This is what we want. Now, the next part is going to get dicey."
"What? I thought we were over the worst part."
Malachi patted the hand she rested on Gareth's chest. "We are, but he still has to go through the process of having his organs reconstructed into immortal status. It's painful, or so I've witnessed. Gareth's body will fight the change until it's finished. Our job is to prevent him from hurting himself and keep him from losing his mind."
"What do you mean, lose his mind?" Kira's previous exultation disappeared. The hand not touching Gareth gripped the coverlet.
"Some, and I'm not saying Gareth will be one of them, turned vampires are not strong enough to handle the pain. Their mind shuts down completely, and they never recover their senses. They are locked inside their minds, trapped forever."
"Well, that's not going to happen to Gareth. I won't let it."
Her determination brought a smile to Malachi and Claude's lips.
"That's my girl. When it starts, talk to him, keep him grounded. Tell him how much you love him and need him."
"Count on it. I'm not letting him slip away now."
Kira woke from the light doze she'd fallen into after stretching out next to Gareth on the bed. Gareth mumbled, but the words were more like guttural sounds of pain. She jumped up when his arms and legs began to flail.
"Malachi!"
The older vampire resumed his position, leaning over Gareth. "It's started. Now, if God is with us, in a few hours, it'll be finished."
"Should we hold him down?" Kira dodged a fist that came close to her face.
"No, for right now, scoot back out of his way and talk to him."
Kira did and then sat cross-legged on the bed.
"Hi, darling, you gave me quite a scare. I thought I'd lost you forever. Just hang in there a bit longer, and all of this will be over." Kira swiped at the tears rolling down her face.
"I know this isn't truly what you wanted---you had no choice, really---but you're the other half of my heart. Don't you ever forget it. Now, I want you to fight like you never have before to come back to me completely, body and mind intact."
Kira didn't know how long she talked to Gareth. Her voice became raspy with use, and both the male vampires had come and gone several times before she gradually noticed a decrease in Gareth's writhing.
"How is he?" Malachi teleported back into the room with a tray in his hands.
"I think he's somewhat better." Kira didn't want to voice her hope for fear she was wrong.
"It's about time. It's close to dawn, and the changing should be almost finished. I'll keep an eye on him while you eat something and get a shower. You don't want the first thing he sees when he awakes is a tearstained-faced, blood-soaked, weak wife."
Kira almost laughed. Malachi was right. Gareth would have a fit if he thought she wasn't taking care of herself.
"Okay, you win. I'm starved."
"Good, I ate downstairs. This is all yours."
Kira crammed bites of barbeque into her mouth and chased them with sips of tea. She devoured the delicious offering in under a minute.
"Okay, gonna hit the shower. Please let me know if he wakes up." She scrambled off the bed and set the tray on a table.
"Will do, and Kira..."
Kira turned back before reaching the bathroom door.
"You did good. I'm proud of you, and Gareth will be too."
"Thanks, Malachi." She retraced her steps to the bed, leaned down, and placed a kiss on Malachi's forehead before heading once again toward the allure of soap and water. She snagged a pair of jeans, a casual top, and undies before entering the bathroom.
Ten minutes later, scrubbed and dressed, Kira tossed the bloodstained clothes in a garbage bag and tied it closed. She'd teleport it to a biohazard dump later.
She reentered the bedroom and found Malachi and Gareth just as she'd left them, although the frenzied movements of his limbs had slowed considerably.
"How's he doing?"
"Better, much better. It looked like he tried to open his eyes for a moment, but it's still early."
"How much longer, any idea?" Kira held her breath.
"Not long if he follows the pattern of other changings."
"Whew, that's good. I never realized what this involved when I begged him to allow me to change him."
"Don't stress over it. As it is, it looks like a higher power was involved in this decision. I think God has more in store for your husband down the road."
"He's truly remarkable, isn't he? I mean, against all odds, threats, and more, he's stood his ground. Never wavering against what he believes is best for our country. Oh, and before I forget it, as if I could, is there any news on Aron?"
"How did you know?"
"I read Gareth's mind."
"Guess you didn't tell him you did it."
Kira giggled. "No. Now, any news?"
"No. There's been a few sightings that turned out false. No telling where he is."
"I'll be glad when he's caught. One more loose end to tie up." Kira settled on the bed. She noticed the linens had been changed and the hole in Gareth's chest was beginning to close up.
"Who changed the bed?"
"Claude and I did. Figured you probably didn't want to sit in blood since you showered." Malachi's face turned a light pink.
"Malachi, I can't tell you how much you mean to me and how I appreciate what you've done to save Gareth. Thank you." Kira's words ended on a tear-choked sigh.
"Just doing my job, as you would say. Seriously, truth be known, Gareth is and has been more than a job to me over the years. You know, I didn't have any siblings, so when I met him, having a friend like him was a whole new experience for me. We were into the same things, had the same values. The man is as dear to me as you are, darling, and that's saying a lot."
Before Kira could reply, a hand grasped hers. She looked down into Gareth's confused gaze.
"Gareth, can you talk?"
"Yes, what happened?" His voice a mere whisper.
Kira hoped he remembered some of the events. It would make it easier on him.
"Do you recall anything?"
Gareth's grip tightened as Malachi laid a hand on his other arm. "I remember getting hit in the chest. It felt like my insides were on fire."
"You took a piece of shrapnel from the exploding limo. Anything else?" Kira held her breath again.
"I remember you talking to me as if from a distance, then being carried. I must have lost it for a while. The next thing I recall is a horrible pain again in my chest and then drinking something. After that, my insides ached and burned."
Kira exchanged a look with Malachi. Gareth didn't remember telling them to change him. Lord, she hated what she had to do.
"Okay, well, we can fill in the blanks for you." She raked a hand through her hair before starting the story.
"I was hoping you'd remember, but here goes. You were dying. The blood loss was tremendous from your wound. I pray you believe me, Gareth, but you gave us permission to turn you."
Gareth's eyes widened. "I thought that was a dream. I saw you crying and begging me not to die."
"I'm sorry. I didn't know what else to do."
Gareth's grip when he tightened his hand around hers was stronger. "You did what you had to do. With no vice president, there would be total panic in the country. Not to mention, I'd already made my decision to have you turn me."
"You did?" Kira felt tears form in her eyes again.
"Yes, I decided I'd rather have fangs than lose you."
"And just when did you realize this?" Kira couldn't decide to be mad at him or kiss him for causing her hours of stress.
"I think I knew the first time you brought it up, but I couldn't get my head to stop ruling my heart. Bottom line, when it came down to it, I just loved you too much to let you go."
She placed her lips over his and kissed him. Gareth returned it, and once she drew back, he spoke again.
"So, what happens next?"
"We'll give you some bagged blood and then a shot of serum. The serum will allow your image to be photographed and let you withstand being outside when you need to be in daylight."
"Ah good, he's awake!" Claude hustled into the room the mortal way and walked to the bed.
"Do not scare everyone like this anymore, Gareth." The smile he bestowed on Gareth was one of delight.
"Don't worry, I don't think I ever want to repeat this experience. Now, if you don't mind, I'm tired again."
"No problem, you sleep, and I'll get this IV started. Did you give him the injection yet?"
"Not yet, Claude, you do it." Kira hoped he would. She hated giving the shots to herself, and didn't think she could stand sticking Gareth. Go figure, she could help pull out metal, but inserting a needle was something else.
Claude took the needle from Kira and said, "Will do, now why don't you get some rest? Gareth will probably sleep for hours. I expect him to wake around sunset. What do you think, Malachi?"
"I think you're right. And if nothing else happens, he should be himself again, well, except for having incisors and a few other useful traits."
Kira's sigh of relief echoed around the room. With Gareth supposedly out of danger, exhaustion set up in the marrow of her bones. There was so much to sort out, so much to tell him and settle in the next few days.
Something reminded her to ask, "What about Leland and Eve? Are they still leaving?"
"Yes, we thought it would give more credence to Gareth being all right. And just so you know, the barbeque went off without a hitch. Leland and Eve were more than happy to play hosts to the staff who were told you and Gareth were resting from your ordeal."
"Oops, guess I lost my title as Agent Extraordinaire."
"Well, I think they also told them y'all wanted some private time." Malachi chuckled.
"Great." Kira felt her cheeks heating. "Guess now I get to be the oversexed wife."
Malachi's, as well as Claude's, cheeks flushed a bright red.
"Sorry, forgot you two had sensitive ears."
"Kira, if I wasn't so happy at the moment, I'd teach you not to taunt your boss."
"And I would withhold the wonderful chocolate cake I made to celebrate Gareth's entry into the GVP."
"What? I didn't know this."
"What did you think, Kira? He's your husband. He won't always be president. One day he will become an agent, and within the next few days, he'll be required to sit on the Vampire Council."
"Why?" To sit on the Council was a big deal.
"Because the Council will make a ruling about Caleb. I think Gareth's position as our country's leader and the newest VGP should have an input."
"Oh..."
"Kira, it's nothing personal. With your granddaddy not up to par, there's one seat vacant." Malachi's tone was cajoling as he picked at the cuff on his clean suit jacket. He must have changed his clothes sometime, but she'd failed to notice.
"Besides, you know one day Eliza March and Sandra Morris will step down. By then, you, as former First Lady, I'm sure will be a shoo-in for one of their spots."
"I know. I'm just a bit surprised. What happens when Grandpa gets better?"
"He's confided in me and the Council that he won't return as chairman."
Kira was doubly confused, and it showed in her look at Malachi.
"Surely, you don't mean for Gareth to become chairman? That's unheard of for a newly turned vampire."
"Yes, but again, circumstances are different. I spent time on a conference call with the Council and your granddaddy. Your husband is the most powerful man in the world, and now as a vampire...they know it's unprecedented, but think it'll be a good move for the future." Malachi held her gaze.
"What about you? I would have thought you would be next in line since you do what you do."
"I turned it down years ago, Kira. I'm happy heading up the VGP for agents and running the Secret Service. Now get some rest."
"Okay. Wow. I guess being a Council member's wife will take a bit of getting used to."
She just prayed it wouldn't be any worse than being the First Lady. Her eyelids begged to close, and Kira stretched out on the bed. Her last thought before falling asleep was, What will Gareth think of life as a vampire?
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Two nights later, Kira stood under the shower jets. Gareth was downstairs in his office for the first time since the bombing and changing. He'd recovered at a much faster rate than she or Malachi thought possible.
Once all the bagged blood was consumed, his color had gone back to the seductive bronze she loved to touch. His eyes regained their vibrant green shading, and his mind seemed sharp as ever, maybe a bit more.
He'd begun to eat mortal food again, with no side effects, and before sunset last night, they had strolled in the Rose Garden. Malachi was positive Gareth was completely recovered.
She soaped her body and then allowed all the tension of the last few days to wash down the drain. She should be dancing on the moon, but with Aron at large, she wouldn't, or couldn't, rest until he was back behind bars. The man would be a thorn in her and Gareth's side until that blessed day.
The first inkling she had she wasn't alone was when the shower door slid open. Two familiar arms slid around her waist as Gareth stepped inside the spacious cubicle.
"I missed you." His words were a bare whisper, but had the power to make her knees go weak.
She turned toward him, and he captured her lips with his own. Desire like she'd never felt before exploded as their tongues tangled and mated in an erotic dance.
His hands cupped her breasts and teased her nipples with his forefingers. Kira dug her toes into the tile floor to keep from falling.
Gareth tore his lips from hers. "God, how I love loving you. I can't get enough of your passion, your love, Kira."
"Same here. I want to lose myself inside your love, to become one with you. Never let you go." She didn't know why, unless it was his new blood and chemistry, but his touches were wild with passion. One hand slid to cup her sex and then slide a finger deep inside her core. She bucked against it, wanting more, needing more.
Her hand taunted his flat nipples before she captured his arousal in her hands. Holding his sleek, hot length shifted her passion to full-blown lust and love. She caressed his thick, hard erection from hilt to head, loving the way he moaned into her ear.
"Kira, I want you, now. I need to be inside you."
"Stop talking, and do it." Kira's lips caressed a path to his neck, where she licked and suckled.
"Kira..." Gareth caught her closer, turned her until her back pressed against the shower wall. No matter how many times they made love this way, it was fast becoming one of her favorites.
One quick lift and one hard thrust and he was inside. His width touched the sides of her sex, searching for and finding the one spot that could turn her into a heated pile of mush. Kira rode his hardness like a woman possessed. This was not just making love, but a fierce bonding of destined soul mates.
She bit down hard on his neck, breaking the skin, tasting the nectar beneath. Gareth cried out as their passions moved between them, thrown back and forth through their joined minds and bodies. She felt his sac tighten, his shaft engorge with more blood, and the first spirals of fulfillment.
Gareth didn't understand what was happening to him. Never had he taken a woman so hard, so uncaring of hurting her. All he knew was he had to have Kira, right then, or burn in the flames of his lust.
The first glimpse of what was happening inside her body startled him, but then his body went wild. His shaft grew longer, harder, aching to reach the pinnacle of desire. Kira's fangs in his throat made him even hotter. "Lord, I love this woman."
"Love you right back."
Gareth wasn't sure if Kira's words were spoken out loud or if he'd imagined them.
"Neither, we are soul mates, and with the binding, you can hear my thoughts as I can hear yours."
Gareth decided to try it on his own. "Do you know what you do to me?"
"Yes, another perk of being mated. I can feel the lust rise in your body, and it's magnified by my own desire."
Kira's fangs slipped free, and he felt the soft touch of her tongue. Could he do that, taste her blood?
"You already have, silly! I gave you my blood during the turning. That's why we're so bonded."
Gareth shook his head slightly. Bits and pieces of that night came back. He'd not only taken Kira's blood, but Malachi's. Lord, he hoped the other vamp couldn't read his mind at the moment.
He felt and then heard the vibration of Kira's laughter. It was music to his ears. Locked together, still thrusting inside her, he leaned his head down and placed his lips on her neck.
"What now?"
"Just allow the scent of our love to tempt your fangs. They'll slide down." Or she hoped they would. So far, Gareth had not even shown a bit of fang.
"I heard that, all of it. So, I might be slow out of the gate, but let's see if I can get this right."
The first nip of Gareth's fangs almost sent Kira into a swoon. Old-fashioned word, but right on the mark. No one had ever bitten her neck. It was an aphrodisiac, and she wanted more. The first draw of her blood sent her into a wave of lust. She had wanted him to take her in all ways, and now he had.
"Gareth..."
"That's right, moan for me, baby. I want to know you're feeling what I'm feeling."
Kira could only lift her hips in response. His thrusts, if possible, went even deeper, almost hitting her womb.
"Trust me, I'm more than feeling. If I felt any more, I'd pass out."
Gareth was a fast learner. He suckled just a bit more before instinctively closing the pinpricks on her neck. He then caught her lips with his, and she tasted her blood on his tongue.
"Gareth!" Her moan was guttural, her need overwhelming. "Please, I need to..."
"I know what you need, and we're getting there, my love." Gareth tongued and lightly bit her nipples as his hand reached down between her legs and touched her nub. A flick, a pinch, and Kira flew off the edge of passion's cliff.
"Kira!" Gareth followed her a second later, pumping his essence into her. Their bodies bound together, they finally sank to the tile floor.
Water cascaded down, striking her in the face. The now cool stream was more than welcomed. Gareth cradled her head on his arm as they lay there, until their bodies began to recover.
"Come on, I don't know about you, but the water's too damn cold for my liking." Gareth's grumble teased laughter from her throat. Lord, if soul mates did this every night, she would have to start taking vitamins.
"I heard that, and I agree." He grinned as he helped her up, turned off the water, and then led her back to their bed, where they both collapsed, naked and exhausted.
"Well, just remember, if you ever decide to leave me, you'll never have it this good again."
"Not to worry, darling, I'm not going anywhere."
Gareth didn't know what to wear to the Vampire Council. Malachi explained the importance of this first meeting over a late dinner he shared with Gareth and Kira.
Being president carried a lot of duties. Being a chairman for the VGP Council, as Malachi and Kira called it, would be ten times worse. He'd be responsible for sentencing vamps gone astray, seeing justice was carried out, and keeping in touch with the various agencies around the world. These agencies protected officials in government and their families. Although he and Kira had not talked about her brothers often, he knew they were stationed in different agencies. Malachi also mentioned none of the six wanted the title of chairman.
"They're not ready to settle down, and this job needs someone who's ready for more responsibility."
"Do you think I can do it?"
"I have no doubt. The courage, determination, and zeal you have for the presidential office is more than enough to make you a top-notch chairman, once you learn the ropes."
Kira hadn't said a whole lot during the meeting, but she offered him encouragement with her smiles. It had to be hard knowing her granddaddy, who had founded the Council, wouldn't be serving again. Although, you would think after a hundred years of being head of an organization, the man deserved a rest. Both she and Malachi had explained Grandpa Jackson had already been close to fifty when he'd developed the serum.
"Hi, love, aren't you ready?" Kira's teleportation into the room didn't startle him as much as it would have before. She'd been utilizing that talent off and on for the last couple of days.
"I want to do that."
"What, teleport?" Kira put back the black suit laid out on the bed and grabbed a sport jacket and short-sleeve dress shirt.
"Wear these. Malachi said it was semiformal. And we'll be teleporting to the meeting."
Gareth stripped to the buff, appreciating the gleam of lust in Kira's blue eyes. He would satisfy that look tonight.
"And I'll be satisfying yours." Kira giggled as Gareth felt his face flush with heat. You'd think being his age, he could keep the lust out of his gaze.
"Don't worry about it. I love it when you want me. It makes me want you even more." Kira patted his naked buttocks and then popped out of the room.
Brazen hussy.
You'll be glad of my wanton ways tonight, when I make you groan with pleasure.
Gareth didn't have to look in the mirror to know his face was as red as the sinking sunset.
Gareth wasn't exactly sure where the meeting was being held. They'd teleported in, like Kira said they would, but the surrounding countryside was vacant of cars or any other worldly goods.
The structure, what bit he saw before being hustled inside, resembled a castle. It made him wonder if they were no longer in the States.
"This way." Malachi led him and Kira to a set of double doors. He knocked and then entered.
"Malachi King of the United States GVP with Kira Jackson and Gareth Hayes."
"Welcome, Malachi. We're honored to see you again, and your guests."
Gareth assumed, by the older man who was seated next to an empty chair on the raised dais, that this was Kira's first meeting also.
"Come forward, and be seated." The vampire motioned all three of them to chairs sitting next to the dais.
Once they took their seats, the other vampires introduced themselves.
"Joseph Campbell, head of the South American Council." This came from a slightly younger but equally gray-haired man.
"Eliza March, head of the European Council." The woman who nodded her head was petite and blonde. He wondered about her age.
"Watch what you think. All of them can read our minds."
Gareth felt his face blanch with horror. How could he have forgotten that tidbit?
"Adam Jefferson, I head up the Australian Council." The man stood almost as tall as Gareth and looked like he worked out.
"Sandra Morris, I oversee the Asian Council." The woman gave them a slight smile.
"Talbot Jameson, I take care of the African Council." The African member of the Council grinned.
The older man who had greeted them now stood to his feet. "Nelson Ames. I have the privilege of being in charge of the Antarctica Council." His smile was slight but welcoming.
"Now that we all know who is who, we'll bring up the first order of business, installing Gareth as our North American Council leader."
All of the members remained standing, but at a nod from Nelson, Talbot placed a box on the table. He opened it and took out an antique-looking ring. Nelson again looked at each of the Council members before asking, "All those in favor of Gareth Hayes, current president of the United Stated taking over the position resigned by our good friend Zachary Jackson?"
A series of ayes resounded, and then Nelson motioned for Gareth to come forward. Talbot placed the ring on his right ring finger before motioning for him to take the empty seat. His gaze found Kira's. She looked as enthralled with the proceedings as he felt.
Once they were all seated, Nelson spoke again. "Our meetings are normally once a month, usually at this location. For the most part, they're informal, a time to take care of business and then relax with food and drink. We know with your job as the president of the United States, there might be times you can't make the monthly meeting, but if possible, we'll reschedule to make it work."
Gareth felt like he was in a dream. One day mortal, the next a leader in the vampire world.
"Since this is your first meeting, if you would allow me, I'll conduct the business part, and all you'll have to do is cast your vote on any of the issues."
"That's fine with me. I do have a question. How do I address each of you?"
A combination of laughter erupted from all the members.
"To be sure, that would be helpful for you to know. When we're just by ourselves, first names are used. When a vampire is brought before us for any issue or sentencing, we address one another as Leader and use our last names."
"I think I can do that. Thank you." Gareth was truly grateful the Council didn't take his ignorance as an insult. He wanted to do the best he could, not just for his sake, but Kira's.
"Tonight, we have only one item on our agenda. The trial of Caleb Dalton." Ames motioned to Malachi, who left the room and returned with a silver-handcuffed Caleb.
Once Caleb stood directly in front of the dais, his gaze on the floor, Ames spoke again. "Caleb Dalton, you have been convicted of the crimes of terrorism against the United States of America, and attempted murder of one of our own agents, Kira Jackson."
As Gareth watched, Caleb raised his head. The vampire looked stunned when his gaze rested on Gareth. It had to be quite a shock to see the newest member of the Council.
"I thought you were dead. You should have died when the limo exploded."
Gareth jerked to his feet. "You knew about the explosives?"
Caleb looked taken back by Gareth's rage, but then he flashed what Kira thought could only be considered an insolent smile."Yes, I knew. I put them in the wheel-well. You and Kira should be dead. Instead, you're now a vampire. I wonder how the world will feel about that?"
"Gareth, please don't let him anger you any more. We're fine, and he's not going to hurt us again."
Gareth heard her thoughts, but other than glancing at her and then quickly looking away, he did not acknowledge her.
He did, however, sit back down. Lord, she was so proud of him. He would be an asset to the Council.
"Am I to understand that as the chairman, I can pronounce sentence on this man?"
Caleb's smile fled from lips gone a bit pale.
"You are correct, Leader Hayes. It's your right, since you are chairman and you and your wife were the victims."
"Thank you, Leader Ames." Gareth stood once again.
"Caleb Dalton, you have admitted your own guilt in trying to assassinate the president of the United States and the First Lady. That offense alone would warrant the death penalty. By your actions in taking part in planting explosive devices within the landmarks of our country, and endangering innocent lives, you have committed treason. It, too, is punishable by death. What say the Council? Yea or nay to a death sentence?"
Gareth's eyes glowed red. A sure sign his wrath was in full force. Yet he commanded himself like a true leader.
Five ayes preceded Gareth's firm one. "Your sentence, Caleb Dalton, is death, the method to be determined by this Council and carried out within a week. I want you to sit and wonder how you'll meet your Maker."
The rest of the meeting was mild. Afterward, the members all conversed while scoffing down an awesome buffet of international cuisine. Gareth was made welcome by claps on his back, and Kira received her own accolades for serving her country. She wondered what position she would hold, since Gareth no longer needed a protector.
"You will always stand by my side, protecting, nourishing me with your love, as I'll stand by yours."
"I love you, Gareth Hayes."
"You better, we have a lot more days and nights together, my love, and starting with tonight, I'll keep you so busy you won't have the energy for doing much more than breathing."
Kira felt the heat of his words stain her cheeks. A look around the room garnered a host of gazes all turned on her and Gareth. Although all the members were smiling, Malachi's grin outstripped the rest. Thank God they kept their comments to themselves, or else she'd have to teleport back to DC.
"Nope, you're not going anywhere without me from now on, Mrs. Hayes."
"Well, since some of you have plans for tonight, I think we can adjourn this meeting until the sentencing takes place. Gareth, will you trust us to choose a suitable death for Caleb?"
"Yes, Nelson, I trust you and the Council to do what's best."
"Very well then, meeting adjourned."
Before Kira could draw a breath, Gareth's arms were around her, and her body began to dissolve into molecules. She heard laughter coming from afar, but forgot about it when Gareth's lips captured hers.
Chapter Thirty
Kira slept late the day after the Council meeting. No wonder. Gareth had made good on his promise. When he'd finished making love to her, she had barely been able to breathe, and at times, she wasn't even sure of that.
A quick glance at the clock and she tossed back the sheets. 11:00 a.m. She should have been up hours ago. Her body groaned in protest, and reminded her of Gareth's tortured groans the night before. Loving vampire-style was something she definitely could get used to.
She locked the bathroom door, but feared it wouldn't keep Gareth out if he was determined. The man had honed his teleporting skills, inside and outside, before taking her to bed and turning her insides into a quagmire of lust.
After a quick shower, she got dressed, and for the first time in a long time, she pulled on jeans and a T-shirt. Probably not the garb of a First Lady, but it ranked right up there with her comfortable uniform.
She'd been ordered by Malachi and Gareth to take the day and night off, as if she hadn't been derelict in her duty for the past few weeks. After thinking further on the subject of guarding Gareth, they decided he needed to maintain the visual appearance of needing a guard, yet for the moment she was a lady of leisure.
Maybe she'd pop into the Oval Office and see if he wanted to do an early lunch? Or better yet, they could teleport to Scotland. It was beautiful, with its glens and heather-filled countryside, this time of the year.
Or she might just save that jaunt for whenever Gareth could take a few days off. He had yet to appoint a new vice president. Cognizant of his responsibilities, he would have to fulfill his duties before they could go anywhere. Oh well, she'd just have to be patient. After all, she had Gareth, and that was enough.
Instead of popping in, Kira hit the extension for the Oval Office. Gareth's brusque but sexy "Hayes here" did strange things to her body.
"First Lady here, you wanna do lunch?"
"Hi, sleepyhead, I wish I could, but I've got a meeting with one of the candidates for VP."
She was disappointed, of course, but understood. "That's okay, I understand. I'll just grab something from the kitchen and hang out here."
"Don't eat too much. I'm taking you to dinner tonight."
A slow thrill of anticipation skirted Kira's spine. "Just the two of us?"
"Yes, and put on something sexy. We're going to do some dancing."
Kira definitely loved that idea. She loved to dance and would welcome a chance to dance with Gareth.
"All right, and you can dress sexy, too. Just come naked."
His voice dropped low as she heard his whispered answer through the line. "I always come naked."
"Gareth Hayes, you know that's not what I meant."
"I know, but I can feel your blush down here."
"Oh hush, now get ready for your meeting. And what time is dinner?"
"Eight o'clock."
"Great, love you."
Kira took the mortal way to the kitchen and searched out Claude, who hid in the pastry room. "What are you making?"
"Nothing."
She could tell he lied. The man wouldn't even look her in the eyes.
"Come clean, Claude. Don't make me hurt you."
"It's not you I'm afraid of. Gareth made me promise not to let you see this until tonight."
"Oh. So what happens if I do?" Kira's teasing tone earned her a scowl.
"He will be very displeased, and I don't want that. I plan on asking him if his offer to stick around and cook for y'all is still on the table."
"I'm sure it is. You know we both want you to stay. Tell you what." Kira clapped a hand over her eyes. "You can truthfully tell him I know nothing. I don't. You were so fast with that cloth, I just saw a blur."
"Good, now, what did you need?"
"Lunch, I'm starving, but Gareth said not to eat too much."
"I think I have just the thing. What about a nice layered salad with vinaigrette dressing? I have some homemade croutons also." Claude literally preened.
"Sounds yummy. I'll just take a tray upstairs if you have time to fix it, or I can do it."
"No way I'm letting you do it. You'll make a mess."
She punched Claude in the arm. "You're so bad. I don't know why I love you."
"Right back at you, Kira. Now come along. By the looks of those bags under your eyes, you need a nap after lunch."
"Bags? I don't have bags!"
"You don't have fangs either, do you?"
Kira snarled, but nothing dampened Claude's spirits as he hummed while fixing her tray.
"Here you go. Now run along. I have work to do."
Kira didn't even glance his way as she teleported to the den. Dang men and their secrets.
Half an hour later, replete, and as much as she hated to admit it, drowsy, she decided to have a nap. Not because she had bags under her eyes, no way did she have bags, but because they might be out late, and she wanted to be alert.
Yeah, keep telling yourself that, girlfriend, and you might believe it.
Gareth checked on Kira after his meeting. He found her curled up and asleep on the bed. He so wanted to join her, but couldn't. Not if he wanted to get through another round of meetings with candidates before dressing for their evening out. And what an evening he had planned. This would be almost like a first date for him and Kira.
Claude was already at the restaurant they had booked for a private party. The roses he wanted to give Kira were in place on the elegantly set table for two. The champagne would go on ice in just a bit, and the small band he'd hired would be setting up in a room off of the main dining area. He wanted to hear them, not see them. He would have eyes for only Kira tonight.
Their relationship had escalated from the beginning. Going from employer and guard, to fiancé and fiancée, before becoming husband and wife. Tonight would be a celebration of all three, plus their recent entry into soul mates.
"Mr. President, the next candidate is waiting."
"Right, give me a moment, and then send him in." Gareth's secretary nodded his head and backed out the door.
Only two more candidates, and he could give Kira his undivided attention.
Kira awoke just as the sun began to descend. Lord, she'd slept like a rock. Now, if she wasn't mistaken, she'd have to hoof it to be ready on time.
She ran for the shower, sluiced soap and water on and off, and then toweled dry. It had to be some type of new record for the shortest shower in history. Next she brushed her teeth, applied makeup, and ran a brush through her hair.
Should she pin it up? No, she knew Gareth would take it down later, so why bother? The dress she planned to wear was a vibrant red. She shimmied into the dress and left off her undies. The dress fit so tight, she'd probably have lines if she wore them.
She glanced at the clock in the bedroom. The minutes ticked away. Almost eight. She crammed her feet into red high heels and applied a light coating of lotion on her legs.
After checking her makeup, she grabbed the clutch bag she'd used for her almost first and last press conference and ran for the elevator. Without knowing what time Gareth's meetings would be over, it would be best not to teleport to the office.
The stilettos made a tip-tapping noise as she flew down the main hallway. Almost there. She turned the corner to the Oval Office and pulled up short. Gareth stood in the doorway shaking hands with a man in his mid-fifties or so. He must have been the last of the candidates.
The man turned in the opposite direction from where Kira stood. Gareth remained in the doorway. The sight of his six-foot-plus frame, muscular body, and gorgeous butt made her wet with desire.
As she watched, he lifted his head, sniffed the air, and then mind-thought her.
"Stop hiding. It's time to leave."
"For your information, I wasn't hiding. I just didn't want to interrupt the end of your meeting."
"Meeting's over, so come on out."
"You asked for it, buddy!"
Gareth's first look at Kira blew his mind. The red dress she wore stopped about four inches above her knees. The material clung to curves he'd caressed the night before and made him want to do so again---right here and now. The low-cut neckline showcased breasts threatening to overflow their boundary. His look as Kira's legs went on and on, until he got to her shoes. The sight of those red stilettos caused all the blood to drop to his groin and rise in his shaft. He had no idea how he'd get through dinner, dancing, and the rest of the evening without throwing her on the table or floor and taking her over and over again.
"Glad you like the dress."
Gareth refused to blush. For a moment, he'd forgotten she could read him like a well-read book.
"You ready to go?" His question a hoarse imitation of his usual baritone.
"Ready and willing." Kira's teasing words caused the embers of heat he'd tried to extinguish to flare again. He didn't need to be sporting a hard-on when they left for the restaurant.
"I don't know, I think you look hot that way."
"Stop reading my mind," Gareth growled at her.
"I like to do it. You look so cute when you wrinkle your nose up and concentrate so hard." Kira giggled.
"I do not wrinkle my nose, and I certainly don't ever look cute."
His wife caught his hand. "Have it your way, but no matter what you say, I think you're cute. Now, if we were talking hot, that would be a different story."
"So, you think I'm hot?"
Kira giggled again. "So the big, bad president wants a compliment?"
"Yes, I think I deserve it after the cute remark." Gareth's growl this time caressed her ear.
"Fine, I'll give you one, and you can give me one."
"No fair, I've already given you several, or rather, you read them."
"You're so not in my good books. Still, I'll give you something to think about. You're the hottest man I've ever seen, and when you get all wild with lust, I want to crawl your bones."
Gareth's refusal to blush didn't work this time. He listened to Kira's hoots of laughter as they made their way to the limo.
"Evening y'all. Ready for your hot night on the town?" Malachi's grin was positively evil.
"Shut up, Malachi."
Kira didn't try to control the laughter threatening to punch a hole in her ribs. Gareth was in a lust-filled-knowing-he-had-to-wait mood. Maybe she'd taunt him a bit more to see what happened.
"I wouldn't if I were you. It's neither nice nor safe to bait me."
Damn, she needed to guard her own thoughts.
For the first time since their sexual cat-and-mouse game, Gareth smiled and continued to smile until they arrived at the restaurant.
The Washington Nights Italian décor was beautiful. Linen cloths covered the tables, and one lone table sat in the middle of a dance floor. It was to that table Gareth led Kira. He picked up the gorgeous bouquet of roses resting on top and presented them with a flourish.
"They're beautiful. Thank you."
"No more beautiful than you are."
Her astonishment at his gift of purple roses, her favorite, kept her mute as he pulled out one of the two chairs and played gentleman. After placing a linen napkin in her lap with a very unsubtle caress between her thighs, Gareth took his seat.
As they waited for the first course to arrive, he uncorked a bottle of champagne resting in an ice bucket on the table. Again with a flourish, he filled both crystal flutes.
"To my wife, the woman I'll always love and cherish."
His toast brought tears to Kira's eyes. She hated tears, but for this occasion, they seemed appropriate.
"And to my husband, the man who captured my heart and will hold it until the day I die."
Their glasses clinked with a joyful sound. Before either one of them could take a sip of the golden liquid, a man emerged from a room off of the dining room.
"Well, well, well. Isn't this sweet?"
Kira's head jerked up and away from Gareth. That voice---Aron Stewart! But how? The last they heard, he'd been spotted in California.
"I figured you'd show up sooner or later. Not like you to leave any loose ends." Gareth's complacent tone stirred shock inside Kira. How could he be so calm?
"Easy, darling, remember, I'm no longer mortal."
"Correct, but you could still get hurt. Have a care."
"Trust me, I will. I have plans for this evening."
"Oh yes, you should know me. You used all my skills to leap ahead in promotions." Aron spit the words at Gareth. A spot of spittle dotted the corner of his mouth.
"Aron, I told you, it was your own greed that pulled you down. Now, why not turn yourself in quietly? You can't expect to get away."
"Why not? I only see your wife as a guard. Even your second shadow doesn't seem to be on the premises. Don't you think it's rather dim-witted of you to come out without a guard? Or do you think your wife's able to take me out on her own?
"She probably could, she's that good. But you can leave my wife out of this."
"I can't do that. You see, she's caused me endless moments of despair. If she hadn't been so good at her job, you would already be dead. So, again, I think to pull the fangs of a snake would be better than allowing it to bite me again."
Kira wondered where on earth Malachi and Claude were. She tried to mind-think both of them, but got nothing in return. Her gun, thank God, was tucked inside her purse. She'd forgotten about it until now. She could pull it out, but so far, Aron hadn't shown a weapon. Maybe he was just all talk.
"So, what do you plan on doing with us?" Kira allowed the disdain she felt toward this traitor to show in her words.
"My first thought was to kill you. Then Gareth would suffer for the rest of his life. But knowing what you are, I think it would be better to kill Gareth."
He knew she was a vampire. Her shock must have shown.
"Did I forget to mention, I found out through Caleb what he, you, and that imbecile vampire who attacked you were? I took care of Victor Simons. His fangs were longer than his courage. He actually wanted me to pay him for a botched job so he could get out of the country."
"So, you're the one who sent him to kill me. What about Arthur Harrison? Did you send him after Gareth?"
"Of course I did. You ruined my plan then, but not now. I will kill Gareth." Aron's eyes held more than a hint of madness.
Kira watched as he pulled a gun out and pointed it at her husband.
"See you in hell, Gareth."
Kira drew her gun, pointed, and fired. Aron hit the floor before he could get a shot off. Her heart pounding, she approached his body. Shouts behind her signified Malachi and Claude had finally arrived.
She reached down and reluctantly placed a hand on the man's throat. Good, he was dead. Sorry piece of trash should burn in hell for all the trouble he'd caused.
"Gareth, Kira! You okay?"
Kira turned back toward Malachi and walked into Gareth's open arms. "You okay, Gareth?"
"Yes, but my heart stopped when I thought he was going to shoot you." Gareth's hand trembled slightly as he pushed a strand of hair out of her face.
"Yeah, same here when he pulled out that gun."
"What happened?" Malachi's agitated and shocked tone penetrated.
"So much for our info that Aron ran to California. He must have doubled back and been watching for us to leave the White House. If I were you, I'd make sure all the staff is safe. And by the way, where were you two?"
Malachi pulled out his phone and made a couple of calls before answering Kira.
"We were outside, bringing in your surprise."
Kira had completely forgotten Claude's actions of that afternoon. "When do I get it?" Her question inspired chuckles from all the men.
"As soon as we get the trash out of here and clean up a bit." Malachi nodded toward two vampires who had teleported into the room. "Stand guard. I'll handle the DC police when they get here and write up the report. You two can make sure Aron's dead ass gets to the morgue and cancel the APB on him."
"You got it, Malachi. Mr. President, Mrs. Hayes, so happy y'all are safe."
Kira mumbled thank you as Gareth shook both the men's hands.
What seemed like an eternity later, after giving her statement and watching the police in action, she sat back in her seat with instructions to keep her eyes closed.
"Ta-da!" Claude's rumbling voice caused her eyes to flicker open. On a rolling cart stood a three-tiered wedding cake. Malachi held a gold goblet in his hands, and Claude carried a Bible.
"What's going on?"
"Well, I know our first wedding wasn't the romantic one you wanted, 'cause I was an ass, I admit it, so I wanted to make it up to you."
Malachi held out a goblet filled with a crimson liquid.
"Blood?"
"No, it's the wine they served at your parents' wedding, and your grandparents', all the way back to the beginning of your family."
"How did you get it?" Kira's tears were overflowing, but she didn't care. Never had she dreamed to have a vampire wedding.
"Grandpa Jackson is an awesome man, Kira. I like him."
"When did you meet Grandpa?" Her shock was beginning to turn into joy. The fact Gareth loved her enough to do this overwhelmed her.
"This afternoon, when I invited him to our second wedding."
As she stood silent, her mom came from the kitchen area, with an arm around Grandpa Jackson's waist. Kira ran to them. She smiled at her mom, but threw herself into her grandpa's arms.
"Oh, Grandpa, I can't believe you're here."
"Child, I wouldn't have missed this for the world. I'd been at your mortal wedding except for that damn influenza."
Kira laughed, gave him another hug, and then looked up as she heard more familiar voices. All six of her big brothers strolled into the room. She accepted bear hugs and congratulations from Zane, Rodrick, Duncan, Rick, Dane, and Nick before she ran back to Gareth.
"How can I ever thank you for doing this?"
Gareth dropped to his knees in front of her. "I should be thanking you. You taught me to trust again, to love for real, and that miracles do happen."
Kira grasped his shoulders and pulled him to his feet. "Gareth, I don't know what to say."
"You don't have to say anything. We're together, and that's what counts."
After drinking from the goblet, Claude read a verse from the Bible, and the dancing started.
Kira didn't remember ever getting to eat that night, but she did remember teleporting back home. Home, how strange to think of the White House as home, but wherever Gareth was would be her home also, for he was her heart and soul.
"Tired, my love?"
"No, actually, I want to take you to a special place of mine."
Kira grabbed his hand and pulled him out onto the balcony. "Hold on tight." She stood up on the banister and jumped, taking Gareth with her. After a quick flight around the grounds, they settled on top of the White House roof, near the flagpole.
"You can see for miles up here. I just wanted you to see it like it was meant to be seen."
"Beautiful, absolutely beautiful."
"I know. I love it up here."
Gareth grasped her chin in a gentle grip. "I wasn't talking about the city lights. I was talking about you. You're the most beautiful thing in my life."
Kira didn't think her heart could hold more happiness, but she was more than willing to give it a go.
"I think I've been blessed more than any woman deserves."
"Well now that you've shared with me, I want to share something with you."
"What's that?" Kira snuggled closer.
"Nights and nights of making love to you."
"You're on, Mr. President. The last one to teleport has to undress the other." Kira started to move, but decided to take her time. No matter who got there first, she'd still be the winner. After all, she had the man---no, make that the vampire---of her heart.
THE END
WWW.FAITHVSMITH.COM
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I started my career as an author in the trenches, doing reviews for a lovely magazine called Bridges. From there, I polished my pen or keyboard by writing reviews for Romantic Times Bookreviews Magazine. I have also had the pleasure of working with the wonderful staff at MyShelf.Com.
When not penning reviews, I have turned in my share of interviews with authors, cover models and editors from different publishing houses. Actually, I have done my share of editing also. Not to mention penning a column for a local newspaper. So, when it comes to reading romance, I too like a book that takes me away from life's troubles.
Now with the sale of eight books in less than three years, I am thrilled to be working on several more paranormal romances.
I want to thank all my readers for loving my books, and for making the plotting, writing, and editing until the wee hours of the night more than worth it.
www.BookStrand.com

