Blueblood: A Dark Southern Aristocracy - 21. Ruben Chance, FBI

It took a few hours, but we were told that Taylor was being brought in, at last. He was not fighting anyone and carried some books he handed to Burke.

“I was told you needed these,” Theo said, but looked as Colin, George, Burke and I were standing there. “Is something wrong?” He looked puzzled as the men that accompanied him came closer to him and now some other men were coming into the hallway.

Burke took the books. “Thank you.” He said softly and then looked at Theo. “Who are you working for, Theo?”

Theo’s eyes widened. “You, Burke. You know that.”

Colin nodded. “We need to talk.” He walked toward the Interrogation Room motioning for the men to “help” Theo in to do that.

I watched as Burke and George headed in the room. Let’s just say, the men with Theo stepped up and were making sure Theo went in the room. Whatever Theo was, he wasn’t stupid. He was looking around for a way to get away.

“I’d think seriously about that,” I warned.

Theo was taken by the arm by two of the men and pushed farther toward the room. Once there, we had printouts of what we found out.

“I’m not good at giving the third degree,” Burke said softly. I could see his heart was breaking. “I was in love with you, Theo. The problem is, I still am.”

Colin frowned. “I’m not good at the third degree either. I’ll tell you what we know.” He pushed some of the pages toward Theo. “You’re on an assignment. You work with the FBI and you are not and never were married. There was no wife killed. You seduced Burke after you found out he was a vampire and have been working to find more.” Colin folded his arms and glared at Theo. “You don’t have to say we’re right or wrong, because we are right.”

“Then why am I still alive?” Theo asked coldly. “You could have killed me.”

“You had to give reports,” George said logically. “Of course, we can ask you and you could say anything. I won’t believe you. None of us will, but we’d like to know what you’ve told and to whom.”

Theo looked at the pages in front of him and his eyes grew. “How did you get these? It’s classified.”

Colin rolled his eyes as he folded his arms. “Oh, please.” He sat down next to me, his arms still folded. “You know what we are and how long we live. We helped build a lot of computer systems and we are ahead of the game. Any computer system can be hacked. Firewalls don’t always protect. We’ve had creatures like we are, very computer savvy working for decades! Far longer than anyone that wasn’t a vampire could.” He looked at George. “We need to be prepared for when the government gets here. I’m sure he let them know where we are and what we are.”

George nodded but walked over to Burke. He said something quietly to just Burke who just nodded a reply but didn’t look at Theo or anyone else.

George looked at Colin. “I’ll have the best lawyers ready and our men will be ready.” He said looking at the men there who were there to make sure Theo cooperated. “But what do we do with him?” He pointed toward Theo. “We can’t just kill him.”

“No, we can’t.” Burke nodded. “Even now, I still love him.”

George nodded. “I know you do.” He led Burke away. “For one of us to love is not easy. Especially, someone, we will lose eventually.” He sighed with understanding. “I can say it will be okay, but those are just words. It doesn’t take the pain away.”

“We have a detention area,” Colin said sadly. “We’ll put him there for now. Until we decide what to do.” He nodded to the men who were guarding Theo. “Lock him up.”

Theo’s eyes were now worried. “You can’t detain me! This is illegal.”

“We’re illegal! We shouldn’t even exist!” I said. “I am the only one here that chose to be what I am because I loved a man that is a vampire. Not any of these men had a choice.”

“You’re a threat to national security!” Theo said as the men pulled him to his feet.

“No, we’re not,” Burke said softly. “You know we’re not. I only killed the ones that couldn’t contain themselves. They were a threat to regular people and you know it. You were there and killed many yourself.” He was really starting to get upset. Then he glared at Theo. “I WAS FALLING IN LOVE WITH YOU, DAMN YOU!!”

“That’s your fault! A fag from any century is still a fag!” Theo spat angrily. “I never loved you!”

George led Burke toward the door. “Let’s go, John.”

Now, I was hurting for Burke. George took Burke away.

“All vampires are fags!” Theo shouted to Colin and me. “You all fuck each other!”

“True to human nature. When things don’t work out, you insult. Like calling us fags would hurt us, but we’re not all killers.” Colin said firmly. “You are. You were even paid to do so, but you think a comment like that will make a difference? We’re fags, but you are a killer.”

“You can’t do this!” Theo protested. “You can hack our government's computers. You’re dangerous!”

Colin nodded to one of the men there to keep Theo there. “He needs to be locked up and watched.”

“Don’t worry, Mr. Wentworth.” One of the men said as he pulled Theo to his feet and now they were dragging him along.

Colin came to me and put his arms around me. “This is a dangerous thing happening.”

I nodded putting my face to his neck. “If they come, and we both know they don’t follow laws sometimes…storm in here under one pretext. Kill. There might not even be any questions afterward.”

“We need to get Gabriella and your mother to safety,” Colin said. “Just in case.”

“Where would that be?”

He smiled kissing me. “Really? We have a plane. No flight plan needs to be done. They can disappear.” He grinned. “I’ll send a secure phone they can use and an untraceable card they can use.”

“He is right, though. There are more than a few of us that…are gay.”

Colin nodded with a smile. “Or, maybe they aren’t gay, but enlightened. I was homosexual before I was turned.”

I nodded. “Yes, you were.”

“I think men like Burke have just lived so long, he can see that love doesn’t have to be gender specific. He’s enlightened.”

“But you felt something from Burke, I could tell,” I said.

Colin nodded. “Definitely. I saw his hurt and I sensed that.” He looked at me. “Didn’t you?”

“I did.” I kissed him gently. “I love you, Colin.”

He grinned. “You like us older guys.”

“Sure.” I nodded. “I like a guy has to be a little more seasoned by life and time. That attracts me.” I chuckled. “It gives more flavor to a man. In fact, I will state, having never seen you younger, that you are more attractive now than you were at twenty or even thirty!”

“As much as that guy that played Charlie in the Twilight movies?”

I kissed him deeper with more desire. “He doesn’t hold a candle to you.” I patted him on the chest. “Which is saying a lot! Until I met you, he was HOT!!”

Colin’s eyes widened as he smiled. “I’m hot?”

I kissed him again. “Baby, you are white flame on FIRE you are so hot!” I grinned. “And I don’t need the Internet to see you naked.” I held my wedding ring up. “I can any time I like.”

Colin laughed harder. “Want to see me naked now?”

“I’ll never get tired of it.” I felt his hands come down my back as he easily went below my belt line and squeezed my ass gently.

“I never get tired of you naked either.” Then Colin looked disappointed. “But we might need to let Gabriella and your mother know what’s happening.”

“We’ll send the plane down to take them…where are they going?” I asked.

“Anywhere. England?”

“Let’s do it.” I agreed.

We computer video called them. Colin said our phones could be monitored, but the computer line was secure and all anyone could get was static and snow.

Mom looked upset when we told her about Theo and Burke. “That poor man! To be used like that!”

“This is a serious situation, Mom,” I said stressing how important this was. “You and Gabriella need to be ready when the plane gets there.”

“I’ll need to pack!” Mom said.

“No!” Colin said quickly. “Don’t even pack. Get in the car and get on the plane. No calls, no credit cards. I’ll send a card that can’t be traced in the plane. Use that. Get a hotel and whatever you need there! I don’t know what Theodore Taylor did, but if he has been in touch with the Bureau, they won’t waste time. As a matter of fact, when we disconnect, you go right then!”

Gabriella nodded. “We will, Daddy, but how will you know we’ve gotten there?”

“There will be a secure phone on the plane, you can take it with you,” Colin said looking at her. “Understand?”

Gabriella shook her head. “Of course not. To me, this talking and seeing you when you’re a thousand miles away is magic, but I know what you want me to do.”

Mom looked into the computer closer. “It will be fine. Is it really that bad?”

“We don’t know, Betty,” Colin said and then smiled. “I mean…Mom. It could be. If the government sent an agent it could very well be trouble.”

Mom smiled. “Thank you, Colin, for calling me Mom. I’m happy Devon has you. I know you’ll keep both of you safe, but I’ll say it anyway. Be careful.”

“We’ll talk when you get on the plane,” I said. “Bye.” I hit the disconnect button and sat back with a sigh. “I hate that you put in so much work into restoring Wentworth Manor, I hate you can’t go back.”

Colin nodded but smiled. “Who says I can’t go back? We will go back. This thing will die, but we won’t.”

“Maybe.” I grinned. I sat back and looked at him. “You know? I do like a man that’s seasoned. You’re seasoned just right.” I pulled him into a deep kiss which he returned instantly. “I love you, Colin. I also lust for you, Colin. It’s never stopped.”

“Lust isn’t bad. I do for you!” He smiled. “We have a few hours. Shall we undress and look at each other?”

“Look, touch, make a lot of love,” I said taking his hand. “Shall we?” His response was to get up immediately and hurry back to his…our apartment.

Who needed the serum to get an erection? All I needed was to see him! Sitting on the bed naked, I watched him and he knew what he was doing as he slowly undressed a few feet away. He slid his pants down slowly as he faced away, but allowing me to see his beautiful uncovered ass. He looked back as he did smiling at me. Once his pants were off, he turned to me. To me, he was the most beautiful man I’d ever seen. I smiled as he cocked his head.

“You’re interested.” He pointed at my more than ready erection.

I nodded coming over to him, again arms came around each other as we kissed. “I’m very interested.” I chuckled running my hand over his equally ready erection. “As are you.”

Colin nodded as he rubbed his face against mine. “I will always be interested, Devon. You’re my life, a part of my soul.” He kissed me longer and deeper. Consuming me slowly. “Make love to me.”

And I did, and he did. It was what we liked, slow and very loving.

He rested his head on my chest as I toyed with his hair as I was feeling content afterward. I thought about how things had changed for me in the past year or so. Colin put his hand on my chest and rested his chin on his hand.

“Things have gotten very complicated, hasn’t it?” He asked quietly.

I chuckled, nodding. “To say the very least. We did what we did to attract attention. I say we did.”

Colin frowned. “We meant to attract other vampires, not any government agencies.”

I shook my head. “That wasn’t our doing. Theo was with Burke long before we were attracted attention.”

Colin nodded. “But we did. We attracted Burke’s attention and because we did, we attracted Theo.”

I gave a grudging nod. “And now we have an agent…are we certain he’s working for FBI, CIA or any other agency? This is a bit of a stretch even for those groups.”

Coin smiled as he settled back down. “I knew you could sense things. You knew the serum was in danger from the beginning. More so than George and I were even before you became like me.” He looked at me critically. “You think he’s independent?”

“I don’t know,” I said exasperatedly. “I just get the feeling he’s hiding more.” I gave him a helpless look. “Not really helpful, is it?”

Colin grinned. “You sense something, so it is helpful.” Then he did it again. “I never wanted this for you.”

My eyebrows rose. “Of course, you didn’t. It has been an exciting two years. I get this Blade, Underworld, Bruce Wayne, and 007 James Bond feeling.” I grinned. “With a few other movies and stories mixed in.”

Colin chuckled. “So, who’s Batman?”

I grinned. “You are, of course.” I kissed him. “I’ll be Robin. You know they were lovers.”

“Ah, but which Robin?” Colin asked and saw my surprised look. “I read comics!”

I nodded. “Of course you did. Why not? You had time.”

We spent a few more minutes in bed and had to get up to check on Gabriella and Mom’s progress. They had boarded the plane and now flying over the Atlantic. That was another first for Gabriella. She had flown, but not overseas. We were on the main floor of VUN. There were a few people still looking through the internet files trying to find evidence about deaths and people that vanished to find more vampires.

I noticed that George was spending a lot of time with Burke. “I think…maybe George is smitten.”

Colin looked over at George and grinned. “Maybe.”

I nudged Colin. “He called Burke, John!” I pointed out. “Not Burke. I just hope he knows Burke will be on the rebound.”

“Well, it was going to happen,” Colin muttered. “David was a nice guy, but he is fully human. Burke is a vampire, as you and I are. He won’t necessarily die.”

I sat back a little. “Is that how you saw me?”

Colin grinned shaking his head. “You were right when you said it was going to happen. You were to become a vampire and you are. I just didn’t want you to suffer.”

“But you would have if I hadn’t been turned.”

“I just didn’t want to admit it,” Colin said shrugging.

I leaned toward Colin. “I’m not suffering. I’ve never known the hunger. I’ve never been ruled by the blood lust. I was turned by you because you love me. That’s different.”

“And selfish.” Colin gripped. “I didn’t deserve you being turned.”

I sighed. “I’m not suffering, Colin. I love you and now we can be together a lot longer. You won’t be alone.”

It was later that Max Schuller came again to us.

“I’ve made contact with an agent with the FBI. Rather, he contacted us.” Max informed. “He wants to speak with someone here.”

Colin looked surprised. “He knows who we are. Why not just come here?”

“I get the feeling he’s…” Max thought of how to say it. “…he’s not against us.” He handed us a piece of paper. “He would like a face to face in a public area. He suggested here.” He pointed to an address.

Colin nodded knowing it. “That’s a pretty well-trafficked part of Central Park. There will be a lot of families, meaning children.” He nodded. “We’ll take this meeting.”

We went to Central Park. The area we had been asked to meet this agent was near the carousel, so there were many mothers and fathers with children, so a lot of noise from the music from the carousel and many voices. It was summer and no school. Based on a description, we waited after getting some coffee and waited. It wasn’t long before a man that met the description came over to us. He was in his forties, but fit. He was an agent. Dark hair that many men had, losing its grip on his head, but not a bad looking man. He sipped his cold coffee, smiled as he sat at the outside table with us.

“I didn’t expect you two. I’m Ruben Chance.” He said sticking his hand out to us. “You’ve made a somewhat…visible sensation, Misters Wentworth.”

Colin nodded. “We didn’t mean to attract your attention. Why did you want to see us?”

Ruben smiled. “Well, there is a problem with your background, Colin Wentworth. And you are very wealthy. You are a vampire.”

It was said so casually, I was surprised, but Mr. Chance wasn’t frightened or upset by this knowledge.

Ruben looked at me. “Are you one, too?”

“Just recently turned,” I answered. There was no point in hiding the facts.

Ruben nodded. “Well, I understand about some of what you may be going through.” He explained. “I have an uncle, Alexander Chance, that is a vampire as well. Actually, he’s a great, great uncle. He’s more than a hundred years old and still going strong.” He smiled. “There are many out there that are vampires, but they don’t hunt. Not people anyway.”

Colin nodded. “He was turned unwillingly.”

“Of course.” Ruben nodded. “He was serving in World War II. He was bitten in Europe while serving over there. It took him a while to travel back to the United States. He had to secure passage and make sure he could stay out of the sun. He got himself shipped in a container, had enough blood as in rats and other things. He contacted his brother here, told him what happened and my great grandfather secured him and got him to safety. That’s how I know about you and about vampires.” He sighed. “I’m here because we knew about you, Holms Laboratories and have watched you. But there has been an increase in attention by those in the Bureau in the past few years. Now, something is happening. There is a plan to go in and see more. This is going to happen soon.”

Colin nodded. “Because of Agent Taylor?”

Ruben looked puzzled. “Agent Taylor? Who’s that?”

Now, I was puzzled. “Agent Theodore Taylor. He’s been doing an investigating mission in the Ozarks where there are more of us.”

Ruben thought a minute. “I don’t really know this man.” He looked at us. “Are you sure he’s with the FBI?”

Colin nodded. “According to our research, yes.”

Ruben shrugged. “That could explain the FBI's sudden interest. I’ll look into it.” He promised. “I was here to warn you about what the Bureau was planning.” He sighed and reached in his pocket and pulled out a small card. “This is my private number. It goes straight to my personal phone. It’s non-traceable, so secure.” He handed us another piece of paper. “You will need help from someone higher in the government to stop this. Here’s my cousin’s number. She’s a Congresswoman. I mean the national Congress. Not state congress. She knows about my great, great uncle, too and will be sympathetic to you. I know you’re not hunters. No one has been killed, that we know of by you. Her name’s Grace Chance. Tell her who you are and that you’ve spoken with me. She’ll be more agreeable to help you.”

I smiled at him. “Thanks. You have our number?”

He smiled. “Of course.” He said like I shouldn’t be surprised.

“I mean our private number.” I clarified. “One that is also non-traceable and secure.”

He chuckled. “No, I don’t have that.”

Colin smiled. “Get your phone out. I won’t be writing this down for you.”

Ruben nodded and got his phone out and ready. Colin gave him the number to use. “Got it,” Ruben said saving the contact. “I’ll look into this Theodore Taylor. I can text you with what I find?”

Colin nodded. “It will also be secure.”

Ruben nodded. “I’ll let you know as soon as I find out.” He rose, shook our hands and left.

We didn’t waste time and called Grace Chance from VUN. She was married now and had a husband with another name, but was elected as Grace Chance and remained that way. At first, we didn’t connect with her, but her office. I mentioned Ruben and said it was urgent. The man that had answered the phone told her and she called back immediately.

“My cousin told you to call me?” Grace asked.

“I won’t waste your time. We don’t have that luxury.” Colin said quickly. “Ruben told us about your Great Uncle Alex. We’re like him.”

It was on a speakerphone, so I heard her intake of breath. “You are?”

“My name is Colin Wentworth. I’m married to Devon McGee who is now Devon Wentworth. He’s a vampire, too. Check with Ruben, he knows about what I’m saying. The FBI is planning a raid on Holm’s Laboratories. That is a facility that helps those like us who are vampires in the United States. If they do this, we could lose a lot of lives.” Colin said. “I’m not an alarmist, but I have a daughter that is also a vampire. Your assistance is needed yesterday.”

I couldn’t imagine what went through her mind. Her day had been busy with things about taxes, law and helping the people that put her in office, but to have this just dumped in your lap out of the blue!? It took her a few seconds to think about what was said.

“I see the urgency.” She said finally. “I will, of course, contact Ruben to verify this.”

Colin nodded to her unseen. “I know you will. Can we count on you?”

“I will start as soon as I hang up.” She promised. “I’ll be in touch.” And the line closed.

I smiled at Colin. “It’s our first ray of hope.”

Colin frowned. “I hope so.” He was less willing to hope yet.

Tensions were high at VUN. Mom and Gabriella were in London now and secure. We all expected any moment for the doors to VUN to burst open and men coming in bullet-proof vests with guns. A day later, Colin’s phone rang. The ID said it was Ruben Chance.

“Hello,” Colin said a little tense.

“Can I come there?” Ruben asked. “But I won’t be alone. I have information you will want to hear. This isn’t a raid. In fact, that has been scrubbed. Is it alright for me to come to Holm’s Laboratories?”

Colin looked at me. “He wants to come here.” He whispered to me.

“At least he asked to.” I pointed out.

Colin nodded. “When can we expect you?”

“In a few minutes. I’m downstairs.” Ruben said.

“We’ll be waiting,” Colin said and ended the call.

True to his word, Ruben came with four other men. Why did they always look like agents? Dark suits, sunglasses when it wasn’t bright out and walked…like a challenge was being made to try and resist them.

Colin motioned for them to come to a conference room with George and me. Sitting, Ruben waved the other men to wait in a common area.

“Well, Grace called the Bureau’s Director and got the raid scrubbed,” Ruben reported. “We have yet another issue.”

“Oh?” I asked.

“Theodore Taylor. Do you know where he is?” Ruben asked.

“Yes,” Colin answered.

Ruben sat forward resting his arms on the table. “He’s bad news. He was with the FBI. He’s a rogue agent and was presumed dead.”

“He isn’t,” I said.

“He was…” Ruben thought again how to explain it. “…a gun for hire. Not really affiliated with any agency, but used…unofficially…by many; CIA, NSA and us. He did…operations that were not always on the up and up. It’s said, he was working with Bio-weapons.” He sighed and sat back again. “He’s wanted for questioning about several operations where there were deaths, not only for the enemy but some of our own men and women.”

“So, he’s not going to be reassigned to be able to come after us again?” Colin asked carefully.

Ruben shook his head and held his hand up. “I promise. He has things we need answers for, like those deaths and other things. He won’t be seeing freedom.” Ruben looked at Colin seriously. “You have him.” It wasn’t a question.

“Yes,” Colin answered. “We’ll release him with the understanding this stops here. The investigations, the probing…”

Ruben nodded. “Understand. That’s the plan, but you’ve attracted attention from others. I can’t guarantee you won’t be investigated later.”

George looked at Colin and me. “We don’t have to figure out what to do with Theo. I say, give Theo to their men.”

Colin looked at me. “What do you sense?”

I grinned. “Going on my senses? What about yours?”

Colin grinned. “I feel we can trust Ruben.”

I nodded. “I agree.”

Colin stood and walked out of the conference room and vanished a few minutes and returned. It didn’t take but a few more minutes before Theo was escorted in by four of our men.

Ruben rose to face him. “I’m Ruben Chance of the FBI. You are hereby under arrest for several murders, Theodore Taylor. You will be taken in and questioned.”

Theo looked almost panicked. “But they are dangerous! They’re vampires! They are a threat to national security. Their computers can hack into any computer! They are a threat to not only this nation but people in general! They’re vampires!”

Ruben looked back at Colin, George and me. He pointed to the sun beaming in the room. “They are out in the daytime. They aren’t doing any vampire stuff. All I see are businessmen.” He grinned at us and motioned for the men that came with him. “Cuff this man. We’re taking him in.” His agents came in and cuffed Theo. “If he starts going off about silly things like vampires, gag him.” Ruben turned to us. “Gentlemen, thanks for your help.” He winked and walked out of the room as Theo was being escorted again, this time by the FBI.

I smiled at Colin. “I think it’s safe to call Gabriella and Mom. We can tell them to come back.”

Colin nodded. “Perhaps we can go on that honeymoon now.” He grinned as he kissed me.

“Can we just book a cruise or something? I need a vacation.” I sighed and sat slouching in a chair. “I’m tired.”

Colin chuckled leaning down to kiss me. “I love you, Devon.”

I grinned at him. “I love you, too, Colin.”