The vault was nothing more than a basement to her. Four grey concrete walls void of any decoration. In fact, the place didn’t have a stick of furniture. She wasn’t sure what she expected but she did feel a little disappointed when she took in her surroundings. Her thoughts must have been reflected in her face.
“It might be a little mundane, but it does the job.”
“I’m sure it does.” She crossed her arms over her chest and looked at him. “So what now?”
“I’d say a little demonstration is in order.” He smiled at her.
“Please, don’t do it on my account.” If she didn’t know better she’d swear he could read her mind.
An arrogant ‘I’ll show you’ kind of expression danced across his face. Fine, she could get an attitude too. She gave him a bored look. A hint of a real smile flashed across his face before he turned his back to her. She arched a brow. What sort of game was he playing?
He picked up a small sphere and tossed it in the air. “My security is one of the most advanced in the world.”
“So I’ve heard.”
He caught the ball and threw it up again.
“You designed it yourself, didn’t you?” She turned as he did to keep him in her sight and watch the ball go up and down.
“Yes.” Each time he caught the sphere he threw it up a little higher. “Even as we stand here the system is on.” He gestured around the bare room. “It knows we are here, moving around. And it gives me a certain amount of time to enter a passcode. But if I don’t do it before that time runs out, or something were to go a little out of whack, like someone trying to sneak in while I’m working down here or this little silver ball were to go too high.”
Alicia watched as it rose into the air, above the bulbs that illuminated the area they stood in. When it disappeared from sight a low hum filled the air and she felt a jolt of electricity run up her legs. When she tried to lift her feet she found she couldn’t. “What the—”
“The more you move the worse it gets.” He stood about an arm’s length away from her, his voice a caress.
How did he get that close to her? She wasn’t one of those people who liked having people in her space. “You’re not affected?”
“The system knows me. If anyone else comes in without my permission they will be locked down just like you are.”
“So exactly how do you get free of this?” She was not going to lose her temper. Deep breaths in, out. In, out. Was this going to be her mantra while she worked with him? Was seeing his proof worth it?
“The only way is for me to enter your DNA.”
“What?”
He pointed to the keypad on the wall. One she didn’t notice before. “The computer doesn’t know who you are. If I enter your DNA information it will.”
“I don’t think so.” Anger raced through her as she tried to break the magnetic hold the floor had on her feet to no avail.
“I have too much at stake here so I created a security system no one can override.” He held up a small touch pad. “Stand still.”
“As if I can move.” She watched as he stepped closer. Fear wrapped itself around her spine. Alicia needed to have control. Being trapped like this made her feel sick. Her nightmares needed to remain where they were. Locked deep inside her.
Closing her eyes she focused her thoughts on calming herself, using the tools she was taught to fight the problems she had. It didn’t take her long, but she had used that technique a lot. When she opened them she found him right beside her.
Santos threaded his fingers through her hair. He was getting a little too personal for her to feel comfortable. He needed to back off. A soft tug and a sharp pain made her want to bite his hand. He stepped back and gave her another one of his devastating smiles. In his grip was a single strand of her hair.
Oh, he was dead meat. As soon as she could get loose, of course.
She watched him drop the piece of hair on the pad. A light arched up from the screen and flashed across the ceiling. Max watched the screen until he saw whatever he waited for and the press of a few buttons later, she found herself free. “Don’t you ever—”
“What?” He stood a hair’s breadth away, as if daring her to try something. That wood scent surrounded her, as did the other elusive fragrances that emanated from him.
“Never trap me like that again.” She brought a knee up, intending to nail him where it would hurt, but found he knew a few moves of his own.
He blocked her strike by raising his own knee. Grabbing her wrists, he spun her until he had her up against his body. His breath feathered against her skin. “I promise, as long as you never question my word again.”
“Show me the Tears of the Queen and I’ll think about it.” She needed to get out of his grasp, but held her ground. As fast as he moved before, she wasn’t sure if any of her techniques would work on him.
“Done.” He released her. “What do you know of the stone?”
“Other than the legend?” The moment he moved, Alicia spun, keeping him in sight at all times. If it wasn’t for this opportunity she would have been long gone, but the chance to see a legend made her stay. He stepped into a darkened area, which made it harder for her to see him. “It’s supposed to be a perfect diamond. No flaws in the cut or clarity. Instead of clear, the color is closer to a rose tone. The legend speaks of blood mingling with the tears.”
Santos crossed back into the light, carrying a small chamois pouch. “Here.”
“Where’s the big fanfare? Especially after that wonderful demonstration of your security system.” Alicia took the bag from him and dumped the contents into her hand. Her snarky comment forgotten at the sight of the teardrop shaped crystal in her hand. It was exquisite, perfectly shaped, and a deep red color. “My God.”
The heat of the stone surprised her. Two inches long and about one inch at its widest point, a mythical Tear rested in the palm of her hand.
“Blood red.” Alicia held the teardrop shape up to the light. Color refracted all about the room. “A diamond the color of a ruby?”
“Bit unusual, isn’t it?” He picked it up and held it to the light for a moment before placing it back into her warm hand. His heightened senses could pick up a bond building between her and the stone.
“Unheard of is more like it.” Alicia looked up at Santos. “But this shouldn’t exist in the first place.”
“I take it this is the first bit of legend you’ve met face to face?” He held out his hand.
“Yes.” She wasn’t ready to relinquish her hold on something so rare. It took a lot of her control to give it back. “I’m assuming you’ve had it tested.”
“Actually, no. This is one of the reasons I hired you. Your skills as a gemologist are the best.” He watched her. She wanted to take the stone back, protect it from all harm. Amazing. He couldn’t believe he had the legend standing in front of him. He never believed because the legend never described the woman it talked about. Finding her would be impossible. Yet, here she was. He could feel it in his bones.
His mother had done the research. Learned how to read between the lines so he would know what to look for the moment the Tears were found. Now he had to take a leap of faith and hope the legend would come to fruition. The legend said the stones would call to her and the first one did. Alicia didn’t know it, but she had been the one to find the statue that the first stone was in. He had seen her name on the research.
Easing the diamond back in the bag, he placed it in her palm once again. “Test this. Prove it is what I know it is. Tell me just how perfect this stone is.”
Alicia wondered why he needed her when there were several others who could do the same job. Diamonds weren’t her specialty, soft gems were. The knowledge of soft gems had a higher demand because more people could afford them.
The only time she dealt with any other stone was on her own. She loved searching for the odd jewel. She was great at finding the true hidden treasures at estate and yard sales, as well as secondhand stores.
And Santos had to know this. He must have seen her leery look because he crossed his arms over his chest and arched a brow. “You don’t believe me?”
“It’s just there are others better suited to do this research for you.” She had to be honest with him. He could do so much better.
“That’s where you’re wrong. I’ve followed your career. You’ve done your best to help anyone who brought you heirlooms to be cataloged. You work hard to find out every bit of history about a piece to help the owner, or buyer, know exactly what they are getting or getting rid of.”
She felt the heat of a blush at his flattery before getting angry at herself for reacting in the first place. Touching her cheeks, she couldn’t believe how childishly she had behaved. She hadn’t blushed in years.
“So all you need me to do is test this?”
“Not really.” He brushed his fingers against the pouch. “I want you to do your research. Learn about the myths surrounding the Tears of the Queen. Listen for the rumors about any of the stones surfacing.”
“You mean the legends are true?”
“The stones exist.” He pressed the soft bag into her palm. “Examine it so you’ll know the stone. They all resemble each other.”
Alicia slid the diamond out of the bag and held it up to the light once more. The prism colors were bright and clear. Without checking, she knew this stone was almost perfect in every way. “What type of equipment do you have?”
“Take it with you.” He knew she would question him. He had basically made her go through hell to see it and now he was just handing it to her.
“Wait a minute. You made such a stink about me coming here because you wouldn’t let this out of your house.” She held up the small pouch. “And now I can walk out with it? After that big show with the security system?”
“Because I’m eccentric?” He gave her a broad smile. “I have my reasons, but I know you’ll keep it safe.”
“You sure you trust me with this?” He was crazy. She looked up at him for a moment before her eyes went back to the bauble she held in her hand.
“Do you think you could sell it without my knowledge?” He leaned against the vault door. Max had to trust her. The stone would do the rest of the work.
“Of course not, but after seeing the way you’ve protected it, I can’t believe you would let me just walk out of here with it in my pocket.” She slipped it in the bag then into her back pocket. “I could walk away and you’d never see me or this stone again.”
“You forget that I’ve done my research on you. You’ve been a loyal employee, passing up higher paying jobs to work for Mr. Duncan. You have held priceless items over the years to do the research and given it back to its rightful owner. You’d never do what you’re suggesting. I just need to keep the presence of the Tear as quiet as possible. If I had brought that to your office, someone who shouldn’t know I have it could get wind of me carrying it around.”
“And what if they find out I have it?”
“They won’t.” He gestured to her pocket. “Um.”
Her heart hammered in her chest when he continued to get closer. She had to maintain control. Max didn’t seem to be affected so she shouldn’t be either.
***
“You have part of the bag hanging out.” He tucked it deeper in her pocket. He stood intimately close. Her essence surrounded him. He wanted to warn her about the type of people after that gem, but he couldn’t get past the scent emanating from her.
Santos stepped back from Alicia. He couldn’t keep a clear thought with her so close. She was too tempting a morsel.
“I’ll pick that up from you tomorrow.” He would let her have it for the night, but much past that would put her in unnecessary danger. As it was he’d be keeping an eye on her place all night long.
“Tomorrow? That’s not enough time to study your gem.”
“I trust in your abilities.” He ushered her to the door of his vault. “Jacob will see you out.”
“But—”
“Tomorrow, Alicia. Lunch.” He didn’t give her a chance to take a breath. She found herself upstairs and out the door before she could speak.
***
Maximilian Santos closed the door in her face! Alicia couldn’t believe it. Anger, strong and swift, filled her. For a second, she was tempted to throw his gem against the door and walk away, but curiosity made her grumble under her breath as she turned and walked to her car with the diamond still in her pocket.
“Neanderthal.” As if calling him names would make her feel any better. She couldn’t believe he had pushed her out of the house as fast as he did. After gunning the engine, she floored the gas pedal and squealed out of the driveway. Alicia hoped she left a long nasty trail of rubber that wouldn’t be easy to remove. “It would serve him right.”
It didn’t take very long for her to get home. She was lucky the police hadn’t set up a speed trap or she would be paying for a ticket.
Once in her apartment, she pulled out the stone to look at it again. It was beautiful. She passed through the kitchen and went straight to the private lab she had built in a spare room. To her, it wasn’t much. The tiny room held a computer, some chemicals and equipment she needed to test the stones she studied or worked on, on her own. The one she had at work had state of the art equipment. This personal one was filled with pieces she had bought from the company when they replaced older pieces. It might not be the newest with all the bells and whistles, but she knew the quality was still there so she had what she needed to do the job right. Turning on the magnifier, she prepared the lab so she could start running tests to show the clarity, cut and carat of the stone.
***
A loud bang jerked her awake several hours later. Alicia didn’t realize she had drifted off until then. Rubbing her head where it had just smacked against the table, she checked her results once more. It was the most perfect gem she had ever seen. If it had flaws she couldn’t find them. She measured the stone and did a few sketches from different angles.
She had decided on the sketches because the few pictures she had taken with her digital camera didn’t do justice to the true beauty of the diamond. Sometimes the old fashioned way was the best.
Nudging her mouse, Alicia watched as her screen popped back on. She assumed the search she had requested on the ‘Tears of the Queen’ was finished.
“Holy cow!” She couldn’t believe all the sites that had information on the jewel. “I still have a few hours before work. Let’s narrow down the search just a bit.”
***
“You’re late,” said Stacey as soon as she walked in.
“I am not.”
“You normally beat me here.” Her secretary checked the silver watch on her arm. “See? It’s seven forty-five. We open in fifteen minutes. You’re never this late. At first I thought something had happened to you.” She handed Alicia a steaming cup of coffee. “Don’t do that to me again.”
“Stop being so melodramatic, Stacey.” Alicia walked into her office and kicked off her shoes. “I was doing some research last night and lost track of time.”
“And with all the gadgets you have on your computer you don’t have an alarm set?” Stacey bent, picked up her boss’s shoes, and sat them next to the closet door before sitting in front of the desk that dominated the office.
“No, normally I keep an eye on the time.” She looked down at her bare toes peeking out from under her long skirt then at her secretary who was dressed in her usual classic dark blue business suit. Alicia wore her share of suits, but a frilly dress or skirt and blouse now and then made her feel good. Stacey always looked like she was constantly searching for a new job. It was the blue suits she always wore.
“What wonderful trinket did you find that has you captivated?” Stacey picked up files from Alicia’s desk and started to put them away.
“Just doing research on my new assignment.” She took a sip from her coffee. “I found a lot more than I expected.”
“Never saw an assignment make you forget to check a clock before,” Stacey said as she closed the cabinet she had put the files in. “There have been some changes to your schedule today. Your first two appointments had to reschedule. Your lunch appointment is waiting in the lobby.”
“What?” She checked her calendar. In her secretary’s handwriting was the name Santos, Maximilian. Damn, she thought she’d have a little more time before he started to annoy her. “I didn’t see anybody there.”
“No?” She looked into the outer office and sighed. “That means he went after coffee.”
“And what is this?” Alicia held up her mug. She hoped it took him a while. She wasn’t sure if she could handle him this early.
“The same thing. But our coffee wasn’t good enough and he felt only Starbucks would do. He should be back in about ten minutes.”
“I think you miscalculated. He’s here. Look.” Alicia pointed to Santos, who rested a hip on Stacey’s desk, holding three large coffees in a carry tray.
“How the heck did he do that? That Starbucks is four blocks away,” Stacey said with a soft voice. She walked into her section of the office, and stepped around Santos, giving him a wide berth then proceeded to put more of Alicia’s files away.
Alicia rolled her eyes and gestured for him to enter her office. Looking at the clock on the wall opposite her desk she had to comment. “A bit early for lunch, don’t you think?”
“I couldn’t wait to see what you learned.” He sauntered to the large chair she had in front of her desk and sat down.
“You’re going to be disappointed. I haven’t had a chance to do much.” Needing space between herself and her client, she stepped behind her desk and sat down. She couldn’t even look at him. What was it about him that had her heart beating wildly? Deep breaths. That was what she needed. Deep breaths.
“So which did you do first? Examine the stone or search the web?” He stood and gave her a sly grin. “I’d guess you studied the stone first.”
She crossed her arms over her chest and leaned back in her chair. Calm, cool and collected, that was what she wanted to project.
He stepped toward her desk. “You haven’t answered me.”
She frowned. His strong-arm tactics would only tick her off. “Trying to make brownie points with me?”
Her words stopped him. He tilted his head at her then gave her that devastating smile of his. “Sorry. This means so much to me and I’m used to people doing as I ask without question and answering when I expect it. I was rude and shouldn’t have been. Forgive me.”
Man, he should have to carry a license for that smile. It was lethal. Her heart started fluttering again and she found her mouth dry.
“Well,” her voice cracked. Great. All he had to do was smile at her and she got all goofy. Clearing her throat she continued, “I did study the stone. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
She sat the small pouch on her blotter, assuming he wanted it back. He smiled and rested a hip on her desk, but made no move to take it from her. It seemed odd to her. He had been so overprotective before and now he acted like it meant nothing to him.
“It is perfect, isn’t it?”
“That stone is beyond perfect. I’ve seen perfect stones. They still have flaws. This looks like a simulated stone. Yet the tests reveal it’s natural.” She pulled it out of the bag and held it up to the light. Something she found she did a lot.
Max touched her hand and lowered it, so the color of the stone didn’t bounce around the room.
“If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes I never would have believed it existed.” She sat it back down.
He continued to smile at her.
“So how was it created?” She looked up at him.
“Magic.”