We last read Chapter 39, in which Beth sits through a conference session, her mind on Conner and on her secret life as Sapphire Angel. Frustrated with the situation and desperate for a confidant, she vows to reveal her secret to Ethan when she returns home. Conner slips into the seat next to her, and slips her a note with lunch plans.
Raven Tristan, still disguised as a banquet server, is stalking Beth. She trails Beth to her room, growing excited when she sees Beth leave her room a short while later wearing a bikini and carrying a beach bag— not the mysterious shoulder bag.
After Beth is gone, Tristan breaks into Beth’s room and finds the shoulder bag hidden in a drawer. She discovers a loose thread in the bottom of the bag, which leads to the discovery of the hidden compartment. In a shocking development, she pulls out the shimmering blue and white costume of Sapphire Angel. Questions flood her mind, although even the obvious conclusion — that Beth is Sapphire Angel — seems not so obvious, as if a strange force is working on her mind, forcing her to disbelieve what is right in front of her. Unbeknownst to Tristan, she is feeling the effects of the strange power that conceals Beth’s identity. Tristan returns the room to its prior state and leaves, considering her strange doubts about Beth’s amazing secret, and vowing to get definitive proof for Xavier Wheldon. She has a plan, and knows it won’t be pleasant for Sapphire Angel.
This is the second story, so if you want to start from the very beginning, you can jump over to book 1, and begin with the Prologue of Sapphire Angel, Superheroine. Or to start at the beginning of book 2 (this story), click over to the Prologue of Power Play.
Thanks for reading!
The hotel's outdoor pool stretched to almost the size of a football field, with one side ending at a hill by the ocean and creating the illusion of the water extending into the Atlantic. Lounge chairs circled the other three sides, interrupted only by a poolside bar. Waiters and waitresses flittered among the lounge chairs, taking and dispensing orders.
Beth arrived at the pool to find Conner already sitting on a lounge chair. He glanced up from his book, and his jaw hung open as she lowered herself into the chair next to him. He fumbled in a plastic bag of food next to him, stammering as he offered her choices between three different sandwiches and two salads.
She thanked him, took a salad, and made small talk with him as she reclined and nibbled at the salad on her lap. Every few seconds, Conner cast furtive glances toward her lounging figure. After she finished the salad, she turned onto her stomach and stretched out her graceful figure.
"You're gonna roast in that sun," he said.
"Oh, yeah," she replied. "I forget we're not in Pennsylvania."
She reached over to her bag, pulling out a tube of sunscreen. She rubbed the cool lotion onto her stomach, shoulders, legs, and arms, with Conner watching every twist and turn of her tantalizing form. Conner perked up as she struggled to reach her back.
"Can I help?" he asked, clearing his throat.
"Umm, sure," Beth answered. She held out the tube as she supported herself on her other elbow.
He swung a leg off of his lounge chair. The book on his lap fell to the ground, and he nearly knocked over the small table between them as he tried to catch it. When he took the tube, his hand had a slight tremble. He gathered her hair, lifting it off of her back. Moments later she tensed as the cool lotion hit her skin. The tension went away immediately as his hands moved across her back. She kept her face down and bit her lip as he touched her, massaging in the sunscreen. He had a strong but gentle touch, but with an unmistakable shake. His breathing matched hers. Excited.
Conner seemed to gain confidence as he went, moving down to her low back and even rubbing lotion into her sides. Damn, his touch felt good. Within a minute her senses were on fire. Every caress and touch sent an exhilarating rush through her body. She didn't want him to stop, but after another minute he finished.
"Thanks," she said, turning her head and giving him a smile as she squinted up at him.
He was already sliding back onto his seat, his leg arched as he picked up his book.
"No problem," he answered, his voice cracking. They held each other's gaze for a moment, and she saw a tenderness in his eyes she had never noticed before.
To break the silence, she mentioned how boring she had found the morning session, which now seemed like days ago. So much had happened in the last 24 hours she had a hard time believing it was only Monday. They only had one more evening before leaving early the next morning. A two-day conference seemed ridiculously short to her, but Conner had assured her it was fairly typical for many of the bigwigs in attendance, who jetted around the country.
After a few minutes of small talk, Conner glanced around, lowered his voice, and said, "Something happened last night. Something big."
She glanced over at him but didn't say a word. How much did he plan to tell her? Would he reveal he had ruined Sapphire Angel's pursuit of Wheldon? Or would he gloat about having Sapphire Angel wrapped around his finger, just as he had predicted? The thought almost caused her to forget the electricity they had just shared.
"What happened?" she asked.
He sat up in his chair and swung his legs over the side to face her. He crossed his hands in front of him, staring at the ground in recollection.
"It started at the welcome reception," he began, speaking in a low voice. "I overheard Wheldon planning a meeting in the courtyard later that night." Conner explained how he had trailed the men and followed them to the warehouse, before other men accosted him.
"And then Sapphire Angel showed up again," he said, a faraway look in his eyes.
"What?" Beth asked, forcing surprise into her voice.
"Beth, it was amazing. She came out of nowhere. Wheldon's guards, or someone's guards, were everywhere. They were coming in waves. I think they would have killed me. They had weapons. But Sapphire Angel handled them like you might squash bugs."
"Wow," Beth murmured.
"Yea, wow," Conner answered. "She was whirling, twirling, kicking, punching. Tossing them like they were little dolls. She was just a blur." Conner looked down with a frown. "She hurried me out of there after defeating them all pretty easily. And then she kissed me."
Here it comes, Beth thought. "I guess she can't resist your charms," she said, forcing sarcasm but bracing herself for Conner's bravado.
"Probably. She was trembling. But I've decided she's not my type."
Beth rolled her eyes as he tried to make himself sound above the interest of Sapphire Angel. "And what exactly is your type, Conner?"
"I go for the sweet, innocent type. Like you."
Beth flushed, not believing what she had just heard.
"Uh," she stammered, and was silent for a moment. Should she acknowledge his comment? "What else did she say?"
"Nothing. She took off, back toward where she rescued me, but I'm sure everybody had cleared out by then. It's my fault if they got away."
"How do you figure that?"
"Well, if she was there, she was probably following Wheldon, too. He was heading somewhere — cutting through that warehouse, I think. Or maybe meeting somewhere there. By saving me, she may have lost his trail." He slumped back into the chair.
Beth averted his gaze and didn't respond.
"Anyway, that's not what I wanted to tell you," he continued. "When I first saw those guys with Wheldon at the reception, I thought at least one of them looked familiar. Maybe two. I've been wracking my brain ever since and just can't place it. But it will come to me."
For the first time since she had met Conner, he had a defeated look to him. She wondered about the cause — regret over rejecting Sapphire Angel's advance? Disappointment Beth hadn't responded to his comment about liking the "sweet, innocent type"? Or guilt about his role in Wheldon evading the superheroine? Or maybe all three? She needed time to process this.
"You know, this is our first day in this sun. We shouldn't overdue it," she said. "I'm heading up to my room to shower."
He nodded. "Dinner this evening?"
"Sure," she said with a smile, and rose from her chair.
Conner rose next to her, and they stood inches apart. Their eyes met, and they held one another's gaze. It felt just like last night, except now she wasn't in costume. She saw the same longing in his eyes she felt inside. After a few moments of silence, Conner leaned forward just an inch. It was almost imperceptible. Or maybe she leaned toward him. Whatever it was, their heads drifted closer, with their eyes locked on one another. Closer they inched until she could feel his breath. She closed her eyes as their lips met. The kiss was brief, like a temporary goodbye kiss. And then it was over. He rose to a standing position, and she took a step away.
It was Beth's turn to be flustered. She grabbed her items, dropping her towel. After she had gathered it, she turned back to Conner, who was standing with his items in front of him.
"I'll call your room later," he said, gazing at her and giving her a soft smile. She nodded, looked away, and turned back toward the hotel. Wow.
She stumbled through the doors in a daze and crossed the lobby toward the elevator. Half way across the lobby, she passed near the front desk. Her mind still whirling, she almost didn't hear the voice.
"Ms. Harper."
She forced herself out of her trance and glanced to her right. Standing at the front desk and facing her was Xavier Wheldon. As usual, he was impeccably dressed, wearing a light suit and a tie. His hair was slicked back on his head.
Beth was suddenly self-conscious of her appearance. She knew Wheldon only in a professional setting, and here she stood before him in a bikini. To his credit, he didn't seem to stare too closely. Of course, she didn't know how long he had been watching before getting her attention.
"Mr. Wheldon," she said with a nod, and subconsciously wrapped her free arm across her torso. She noticed a suitcase standing behind him.
He followed her gaze and said, "Yes, unfortunately business calls. I've got to head back home."
"Oh, that's too bad," she answered. Because I really wanted to find out what you were up, she wanted to add.
"Yes, indeed. But don't forget about that formal dinner I mentioned, held at my lodge. More like a ball, I guess. Saturday, August 31. We're celebrating the consummation of our purchase, as we should have just received approval by then."
"I won't forget," Beth answered. "I look forward to receiving the information from your secretary." Beth still wasn't sure she would attend, but wanted to keep her options open. It could prove to be a valuable means of access to the lodge.
"Good, good. Well, I have a plane to catch. Enjoy the rest of your stay." He extended his hand and Beth shook it. He turned, pulling his suitcase behind him as the concierge opened one of the enormous front doors for him.
Beth watched him go before continuing on toward her room. Once there, she plopped down on the bed. Wheldon was already out of her thoughts. Instead, she laid back on the bed, closed her eyes, and remembered Conner's kiss. She let out a long sigh of contentment.
As she lay there on the bed with her eyes closed, a knock sounded at her door. She popped off her bed and bounded to the door. She flung the door open, expecting Conner but seeing Nick Hunt standing in the doorway. He was shirtless and shoeless, and wore a pair of jeans. He carried a towel over one shoulder and his hair was wet, as if he had rushed from the shower. His entire body was tensed, and he paced in quick steps outside her door, agitated.
"Uh, Nick," she said, taken aback. He brushed past her and stepped into the room, shutting the door behind him.
"Beth, you need to be careful with Conner Bennett. He is trouble."
Beth closed her mouth in a thin line and stared at Nick, before saying, "Nick, that's none of your business."
"It is my business. I worry about you. He's going to get you hurt."
Beth sighed. "Nick, you're not my babysitter."
Nick's face tightened. "Beth! He's trouble. Someone shot at you two!"
Beth tried to keep any sign of a reaction off her face. "Who told you that?" she asked.
"Oh, that's the word going around," he said. As she studied his eyes, something didn't look right. She couldn't put her finger on it, but there was something off about him.
"Well," she replied with a wave of her hand. "It could have been gunshots. Could have been firecrackers. I'm not really sure."
Nick leaned towards her. "Beth, I don't like this. No case is worth putting your life in danger," he said, his voice carrying a tone of annoyance. "I think you should really think twice about pushing this too hard. And definitely not with Bennett." He almost spat Conner's name. "I see the way he looks at you. And how he nearly groped you at the pool."
His voice nearly cracked when he spoke those words. Now his behavior made sense.
"I'll be fine," she replied, holding his gaze. "And what I do with Conner is none of your business."
Nick froze, frowned, and looked away. "Whatever you think," he said in a whisper.
They were interrupted by a knock at the door. Beth turned her head, thankful for the disruption. She stepped past Nick to the door and opened it. Conner stood there, a warm smile on his face.
"Beth, I finally realized who— " Conner stopped in mid-sentence and his smile disappeared. He glanced at her in her bathrobe, and at Nick standing shirtless with a towel and wet hair. Conner's brow furrowed, and his mouth closed tight.
"I'll, uh, come back later," he muttered, stepping back.
"Conner, wai—" she began, but he was already heading down the hall. Nick closed the door and grabbed her arm. She gritted her teeth and whirled on Nick.
"Nick, let go of me," she said with a glare, sending Nick back a step. "You need to leave. Now."
Nick's eyes opened wide at her tone.
"Beth— "
"No, Nick, now."
He stared at her a moment, not moving, before letting out a long sigh with his eyes closed. Just as she was getting worried he might not comply, he stepped around her to the door. He paused, turned to look at her, and opened the door. He exited, slamming the door shut behind him as he left.
Beth stared at the door for a moment before gathering herself. Her initial reaction was to sprint after Conner and explain the situation. But running after him would seem too pathetic. Instead, she went to the nightstand, grabbed her iPhone, and dialed his number. After four rings, the call went to his voicemail.
"Conner, it's Beth," she began after the greeting ended. "You seemed like you had something important to say, so I was calling to follow up on that and explain things."
She hung up and instantly wondered if she should have said more. Should she have explained the situation with Nick? She started to dial her phone again but stopped. He would call her back, or, if he didn't, she would explain the situation next time she saw him. There was no sense being desperate about it.
An hour later, at the start of the afternoon session, she saw Conner again. He sat in the same seat from the morning sessions, doodling on a notepad on the table in front of him. A middle-aged man sat in the chair to his left, and an older woman was in the chair to his right. Beth took the seat immediately behind him.
The session hadn't started yet, so she leaned forward. "Hey, Conner."
He turned his head. "Oh, hey, Beth," he said, giving her a smile.
She frowned at his casual response. "Conner, I want to explain about earlier."
"Explain about what?" he asked, a confused look on his face.
She didn't reply immediately, taken back by his nonchalant response.
"Uh, nothing," she answered. Perhaps she had misread him. But how do you misread a kiss? Unless, of course, kissing meant nothing to suave Conner Bennett. If his reputation were accurate, that was certainly a possibility. She finally said, "What were you going to say when you stopped by?"
"I'll tell you on the first break," he said.
As the first speaker's voice came over the sound system, Conner turned to the front of the room, leaving Beth staring at his back. Beth shook her head. Men.
The session crawled along and she had trouble focusing, and she found herself wishing Ethan were here. He could make sense of Conner's actions toward her, and toward Sapphire Angel. All the more reason for him to know her secret. She smiled. Just the thought of finally telling him lifted a burden from her. It was the right choice. Tomorrow couldn't come soon enough.
When the session finally ended, Conner slipped out of the room before she could get to him. She tracked him down by a vendor's table.
"Now will you tell me what had you so excited?" she asked him. She stood, hands on her hips, a bit annoyed with his carefree attitude toward her.
"I remember now who I saw with Wheldon last night when I followed him." He looked around, took her hand and led her down the hall and away from the crowd.
"Who was he?" she asked when they stopped, impatience bubbling up in her.
"Not he. Them. I remember both of them. The taller of the two was a Senator. Mark Bishop. He's the chair of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. The other one was an aide for MacGregor Lockheed. Lockheed is Olivia's dad, and he's perhaps the biggest player in Pennsylvania politics."
"Interesting," Beth asked. "What do you think they were up to?"
Conner frowned and shook his head. "That's the big question. And one Sapphire Angel might have figured out if I hadn't gotten in the way." He continued shaking his head.
Beth tilted her head, studying Conner and pondering his information. He seemed genuinely disappointed at having blown Sapphire Angel's chances. Perhaps she was being too hard on him. She wasn't accustomed to seeing him in this state of mind, without his cocky demeanor and flippant remarks. Maybe his attitude toward her wasn't nonchalance, but dismay.
His information was interesting, though. Wheldon had a late-night, secret meeting with a senator and the aide for a political animal. Or perhaps the aide was leading them to Lockheed. She wondered if she would have discovered more information last night, as Sapphire Angel, if she hadn't been preoccupied with saving Conner.
"This is worth digging into, obviously," Beth remarked.
Conner nodded. "When I get back, I'm going to do some research on Bishop. See what I can find out about him. At least build a profile. We can go from there."
"Maybe that will give us a clue about what's up with that tower," she said. "I'm glad I'm heading home tomorrow morning. I'll do what I can here, but won't be able to dig too much until I get home. When is your flight?"
"6 a.m., unfortunately. Which means I'll be up at the crack of dawn, and I still need to pack. So I need to take a rain check on dinner."
"Oh," Beth said, blinking.
Conner nodded, smiled, and headed back towards the conference room. She walked after him, saying nothing. Men.
This is the second story, so if you want to start from the very beginning, you can jump over to book 1, and begin with the Prologue of Sapphire Angel, Superheroine. Or to start at the beginning of book 2 (this story), click over to the Prologue of Power Play.
Thanks for reading!
I appreciate any comments or email.
That, and not onIy do Beth and Nick aIready have some sketchy history, but he aIso tried to force contact with her near the end of the second-to-Iast segment, which earns him a fat NO from me, at Ieast for now.
Oh dear.....the reIationship between Conner, Beth, and Nick Iooks Iike it gets more and more complicated by the second.....I stiII think Conner is the option, though; he might be a bit aggressive, but she cIearIy reciprocates and consents, so....not aII that bad. HopefuIIy she can find a way to settIe this whiIe keeping both of them happy.....
So the two peopIe were MacGregor and Mark Bishop.....I know MacGregor was on the video caIIs, but I faiI to recaII if Bishop was.....he probabIy was. Shady peopIe, I swear.....schemers gonna scheme, I guess.