Page 3 of The Master’s Holiday (Pittsburgh Vampires #27)

N ik had made reservations for brunch at the Terrace Restaurant wanting Walker to have the full experience of dining outdoors but also the convenience and quality of a full service restaurant. He made the reservations for three and invited Dumas to join them. He wanted to discuss his theories regarding the possible robbery.

It was wonderful getting away for a weekend and spending uninterrupted quality time with his beloved. It was invigorating and rejuvenating and just what his heart and mind needed after the upheaval of the last few months. The presence of his beloved having him in his arms and feeling his life force wrapped around him was something indescribable.

Someone who is not bonded would never be capable of understanding that feeling because there is nothing in life that can compare. It is that powerful and that important. Walker, the laid back easy going young auto mechanic who happened to walk into Nik’s club one evening became his focus, his obsession and the love of his life in a split second.

That’s how Fate worked, the needs and the desires were there, and she made the connection possible. Long drawn out relationships were unnecessary because recognition was immediate between Fated couples. Of all the possible connections Fate could have made he was honored that she had chosen for him Walker Hall.

He saw him for who he was, he saw his heart and his soul. He didn’t see him for what he could do for him or what he could give him those things didn’t matter to Walker. All he wanted was love and loyalty and Nik could and would provide that in abundance.

Nik walked into the bedroom and Walker was putting his shoes on. “Ready for brunch?” He asked and dropped a kiss to the top of his head. “I’d like to escort you to what I’m told will be a fine meal with inspiring aesthetics at the Terrace Restaurant.” Nik held out his hand and Walker took it with an expectant smile.

“Inspiring aesthetics, wow.” Walker teased.

“We will be seated on the terrace, and the grounds are beautiful, so it very well could be inspiring," Nik responded with slight sarcasm.

“I’m loving this place Nik.” He commented thoughtfully and then grabbed his phone and wallet. “I know there’s some issues playing out in the background that are not particularly pleasant but over all this Lodge is charming and comfortable. I’d give it a four point five stars.”

“Not five?”

“My favorite place is the penthouse of the Hadden Center with you and nothing else can compare. This place is great, but home is always a five star.” Walker told him. Nik was again touched by Walker’s sweet, sincerity.

“I love you, baby." Nik bent and took Walker's lips in a loving embrace. The walk to the restaurant took them both inside and outside the Lodge, and it was interesting. He noticed Walker taking in the surroundings and the people they passed.

"Dumas will be joining us for brunch." Nik stated as they approached the entrance to the Terrace Restaurant. “I wanted to discuss his theories and get a clearer picture of those he suspects are involved.”

“Aren’t you worried someone might overhear?” Walker whispered.

“I have my ways.” He smiled. “No one will hear.”

They were seated and had ordered coffee when Dumas arrived and took a seat at the round table. There were about ten tables total on the terrace and seven were occupied so they had some distance between themselves and the other tables.

“Good morning sir and sir.” Dumas addressed them both. They ordered a light brunch and discussion got under way immediately. When Dumas finished sharing his information, Nik was contemplating leaving the Lodge not wanting to get caught up in whatever may be going on. But he didn’t want to act too hasty considering this was the trip Walker had asked for specifically.

“The men you followed tell me more. I'm sure you did a background.” Nik asked.

“They both live in Harrisburg. The blond is a delivery driver, and the brunet works security at a nightclub. They both have records for assault and the blond for robbery. I think whatever this is may be a job beyond their usual skill level.” Dumas responded and took a drink of his coffee while looking around at the patrons on the terrace.

"Any idea as to who hired them or if they are working for themselves?"

“They don’t act like men who could plan something like this. The Glendale has adequate security and regular patrols on the grounds. They are well protected, so I’d guess they have someone on the inside helping them.” Nik noticed Walker listening closely but still enjoying his brunch.

“Do you know who?”

"Not certain, but the general manager has an aura that is clouded and deceitful. His first assistant reads the same. Also, the bartender at the Terrace bar across from here gives me pause. I had questions about the night doorman. His name is Albert, but his distraction is caused by pain and worry. His girlfriend is cheating on him, and he has evidence that it is true." Dumas clearly felt sorry for the poor man, as did Walker when he heard about it.

“That is so trashy I don’t understand how people can be so cruel. Why don’t they just leave if they’re unhappy.” Walker spoke up. Nik adored his beloved. “How did you find out about the girlfriend?” He asked.

"A lot of the staff are gossiping about him," Dumas responded with a look that said he agreed with Walker’s assessment of the situation.

Walker sighed sadly. “That makes it so much worse.”

“So, the prevailing theory is that it is an inside job?” Nik brought the discussion back to the issue at hand.

“Yes, sir.”

Walker then spoke up. “I don’t want to sound reactionary because I’m not, but this background shadow of intrigue and robbery is playing on my mind and making the weekend just a tad less enjoyable.” He suggested exactly what Nik had been considering, and his agreement was very welcome.

“You want to go back to Pittsburgh?” Nik asked and took his hand.

“Yes, if you don't mind. I know this was all my idea, and now I want to run away, but I just have a bad feeling about this place now. And I doubt I’d ever be able to look the doorman in the eye again. I just hate games and betrayal, the poor man.” Nik leaned over and kissed him softly.

“I love your heart Walker, and I will do whatever makes you happy. Leaving probably would be best in case the local authorities get involved.” Nik offered and Walker was nodding his head.

"I'll get you checked out and bring the car around," Dumas said as he stood up. He very much agreed with the decision to leave. Humans were so damned unpredictable, and with all the cameras and staff at the Lodge, it would be dangerous to let their supernatural powers show.

One wrong move on their part and the loose ends could go on forever. It’s one thing to mind sweep a few but this could turn into hundreds if word started to spread, or God forbid a video ended up online. It was time to go.

They left the terrace and walked back inside and out into the lobby area before Nik and Dumas suddenly came to an abrupt stop. They looked around and then looked at each other. "What's wrong?" Walker asked, and Nik squeezed his hand a little tighter.

"Blood, there's blood in the air," Nik said very softly.

“A lot of blood," Dumas interjected.

“Someone is dead.” Nik stated and Dumas nodded. Nik glanced over at Dumas, and he quickly headed for the door intent on getting the car. They were getting out there before it all hit the fan. “We have to move fast Walker.” He said and Walker fell into step. “We need to be out of here before the body is found.”

They packed and were in the lobby when their car pulled up out front. Dumas jogged inside and took their luggage. Before he got to the door, the room blew up. Bullets hit the ceiling and walls in rapid succession, and screams filled the room as chaos took over.

Dumas stood shoulder to shoulder with Nik, and they kept Walker covered and secure behind them. Nik also put a shield around Walker, making sure no arrant projectile would harm him. “We didn’t act fast enough, sir," Dumas uttered, clearly annoyed at himself.

"We can handle this, Dumas," Nik assured him. “Be conscious of the cameras and the other patrons, but you have permission to do whatever you have to do, and we’ll sort it out later.”

Dumas reached over, grabbed a man, and pushed him to the floor just as more gunfire rang out. Several of the bullets hit Dumas, but no one seemed to notice in the commotion. "Stay down and get behind the furniture." He told him, and the man did as he was told. Everyone was dropping to the floor and searching for cover or trying to run from the room.

The three of them slowly and strategically moved backward until a wall was behind them. They observed the room, and it was obvious the two with the automatic rifles were not purposely trying to kill anyone. They were shooting wild and mostly at the ceiling. Their faces were covered, but Dumas recognized them as the two men from the restaurant the previous night.

Things gradually settled and the two started shouting orders for everyone to move up against the wall where Nik along with Walker and Dumas were already standing. They kept Walker behind them shielding him from any possible harm.

Nik would definitely thank Josef when they returned home. He thought bringing any security, and certainly, a hellhound, was overkill for such a basic leisure trip. Right now, he was damn glad to have Dumas at his side.

“Do as we say, and no one will get hurt.” The larger one yelled. He then motioned for the smaller one to approach and he started sorting through the group of people at the wall confiscating all the electronics phones, tablets whatever they were carrying. Nik wiped their phones with just a touch before they were taken.

He started separating people, some he kept against the wall and others he moved over toward the front desk. It became clear that he was separating out those he believed to be less affluent or influential. They kept Nik and his party along with three other groups, one of which Nik recognized from the financial pages. It was beginning to look like they may be considering extortion.

The others were herded into a conference room while those still standing at the wall were instructed to go into the restaurant. Nik maintained the shield around Walker making sure he was safe no matter what the outcome. As they walked to the restaurant three more masked individuals came in through the front doors with several more patrons who had obviously been enjoying the grounds and other amenities. They were taken to the conference room.

The people in the conference room were left with just one guard at the door, and the others returned to stand with the two covering the entrance to the restaurant. There were five so far, but there were probably more. They would have to secure the grounds and make sure no one else entered, which would take manpower.

Nik glanced over at the conference room doors and threw a glamour of protection around the room. People could leave the room, but no one could enter, and that should keep them safe for now. Nik then turned his attention to the people around him and those who kept them prisoners.

They were the two Dumas had spoken of and the bartender along with two who were strangers. Nik reached into the mind of the large one who had spoken to them all in the lobby. The mystery about the smell of blood was answered.

“The general manager and his assistant manager are both dead in the back office," Nik informed them. Walker immediately looked sad, but Nik raised his hand. "Don't cry for them; they were in on it and decided to try to betray the others.”

"What a clusterfuck," Dumas commented.

“It gets worse.” Nik continued. “The general manager was the only one who had the combination to the safe. That’s why things have blown up in this manner.”

“How much money could a country lodge be holding that would tempt men like this to go to such lengths to rob it?” Dumas was puzzled. This looked like a lot of manpower for a little country safe.

“Apparently, the safe has a secure multilayered defense system. Therefore, it is used as a drop for all the earnings of businesses in the area that are owned by the group that owns The Glendale. The money is picked up once a week, and collection is tomorrow morning, so that safe is bursting with cash at the moment.” Nik spelled it out and both Dumas and Walker were nodding their heads.

“It all makes sense except for the part where they killed the guy with the combination.” Walker offered his two cents worth.

“They’re going to try and make up for the loss with extortion. Each person in this room is going to be told to donate if they want to leave this Lodge alive." Nik said, glanced at the men standing outside the door. “Bad plan. They went from a quick heist to a crime that is going to be plastered across the state, and everybody and their brothers will be involved."

“What a mess.”

“Indeed.”

“Have you determined the issue with the Master’s phone?” Josef stood at Cole’s desk. Cole’s title was head of cyber-security along with so many other technical titles. If there was a serious problem Cole was the go to solution.

“The phone is completely out of operation. My guess is that it has been destroyed along with Dumas’ phone and Walker’s phone. None of them can be traced or read.” Cole gave the disappointing news.

“Did you try the Lodge?” Josef asked.

“No response and I tried every number even the Terrace Restaurant Ma?tre D. No one is answering.” Cole looked as worried as Josef felt. “What’s next?”

“Keep trying to contact someone in the area. I’m taking a few guards and we’re heading to the Glendale.” Josef flew from the room and within ten minutes they were on the road. He wasn’t taking any chances considering what had been going on the last few months. Nik would not purposely refuse to answer his phone, and the fact no other phones were working made the matter that much worse.

If they’d had contacts in the police department it would have helped tremendously but that area of Pennsylvania was a dead spot as far as the paranormal was concerned. He didn’t doubt that Nik and Dumas could well take care of themselves but still it didn’t hurt to have reinforcements.

Not knowing and not being able to contact them was getting under Josef’s skin. Even during the darkest days of the curse, they could still maintain a level of contact, so this was unacceptable.

He brought Micheal and his team which consisted of many of the new members all of whom had proven themselves qualified and capable. They were a great group of men and an excellent addition to the Hadden Coven. During the ride Josef continued to try and contact someone at the Lodge but so far nothing.

He thought about calling the police but that could go very wrong depending upon the reasons for the cut in contact. They would be there before dark and then the questions would be answered. In his heart he knew there was something wrong, so he urged his driver to go faster.