“I’m making time. He got into this mess protecting me, Jerry. Take yourself in hand if you cannot wait for me here.” I tied the robe closed and left the bedroom just as the hall door opened.
“Here he is.” Sherie was carrying the big black dog, his head lolling over her shoulder. It was a testament to her strength that she didn’t even seem winded.
Valdez looked at me, his eyes glazed. “Glory, what’s doing?” He snorted, then laughed, his movement rocking Sherie back on her heels.
“Whoa, let me put you down, V.” She nodded toward the closed bedroom door. “Get the door, would you, Glory?”
“What’s so funny, bud?” I ran to throw open the door, then helped Sherie lay him on the bed. He rolled his head on the pillow and grinned at me then spit out a piece of blue fabric.
He showed his teeth. “I got the bastard, Glory. Couldn’t resist.” He did that strange snort thing again. “Right in the crotch. He sang like a soprano then begged me to let him go.” He kicked his feet up in the air. “You saw it, right, Sherie? I won. I did. Who’s king of the shifters now, baby?” He rolled his eyes in her direction. “Take a nap with me?”
“You’re drunk on tranquilizers. Say good night, Valdez. I’ll tell Glory what happened. You sleep it off.” Sherie threw a coverlet over him. “Idiot.” She didn’t try to hide her smile.
“I do have a good buzz going. But I didn’t shift, not even when they kept threatening to put me down.” He waved a paw at me. “Didn’t even get the shivers. Tell his majesty that, Glory. I didn’t break my fucking contract.” Valdez snorted again, then suddenly went boneless and closed his eyes.
“He’s out.” Sherie pulled me from the bedroom and closed the door. We both had tears in our eyes.
“What did they do to him?” I threw myself on the couch. Jerry had come out of our bedroom wearing a matching robe. He sat beside me and picked up my hand. Moral support. I was glad to have it.
“They shot him full of tranquilizers. The Animal Control people thought it was necessary after he went nuts when he saw Sid by the pool. Sid kept waving that hospital bill and his bandaged arm saying V was supposed to be quarantined.” Sherie grinned. “You and Jerry scared Sid enough that he did follow through at Animal Control. He totally changed his story when we got there. I was right behind him when he demanded Valdez be released. He swore he’d made a big mistake and they had the wrong dog.”
“I would have liked to have seen that.” I leaned forward. “When did Valdez get a chunk of Sid’s pants?”
“After we left there. Valdez was staggering around like he was drugged, which he was. We’d come in one taxi. Sid was making noise about needing a ride home and suddenly Valdez woke up and started growling at the asshole.” Sherie paced in front of us. “I’d made the cab wait for us and we were about to get in when Sid tried to take it, pushing me out of the way.” Sherie threw up her hands. “Can you believe him? That man has an attitude about women that’s infuriating.”
“I know you didn’t let him get away with it.” Jerry squeezed my hand.
“No, sir! But before I could knock Sid into next week, Valdez attacked. He grabbed a chunk of Sid’s zipper, right where that creep keeps his brains. He held on while Sid begged the dog to let go.”
Jerry laughed. “Way to go, Valdez.”
“Right in front of that dog jail?” I glanced back at the closed bedroom door. “You’re lucky no one saw that or he’d have been captured all over again.”
“I know.” Sherie flushed. “He was out of control. V kept sending me mental messages to make Sid promise to get his own ride or he wouldn’t let go. I pretended to pull on his leash and said stuff like that. By then Sid was ready to walk home to get away from us. V ripped away a chunk of cloth before he jumped in the cab. Once inside V collapsed in my arms.” Sherie put her hand over her heart. “I think I’m in love.”
I turned to Jerry. “He went through that because he couldn’t break his stupid contract and shift out of there sooner.”
“Tranquilized, he wouldn’t have been able to shift anyway, Glory.” Sherie collapsed into a chair. “The dude was lucky we came to save him. I didn’t like the woman at Animal Control. She kept talking about dogs that break quarantine and V’s suspicious behavior. Apparently, she thought that required her to have him put down.” Sherie was up again. “And they say vampires are bloodthirsty!”
“Clearly you’ve had a rough night. Take time off. Book another room if you need to. Neil is on the job now.” Jerry stood and pulled me up beside him.
“I think I’ll go in and lie down with Valdez. He’s out. He won’t bother me and I’ll feel better close to everyone.” Sherie sighed and rubbed her face. “It was a rough night. But everything’s okay now.” She stopped next to me. “Glory, if you get a chance, mesmerize that a-hole Sid so he doesn’t remember anything about Valdez trying to bite his nuts off. That could start a whole new chain of events that would cause trouble for you. Know what I’m saying?”
“Yes, I do. I’ll take care of it.” I patted her shoulder. For a tough woman, she had a tender heart. It seemed like she was definitely feeling something for Valdez. She disappeared into his bedroom and closed the door.
“We have about thirty minutes before sunrise.” Jerry tugged me toward his bedroom. “I really do have to leave for New Orleans tomorrow night.”
“Then we’ll have to make that thirty minutes count.” I threw off my robe and jumped onto the bed. “Come here, lover. I was most impressed by how you talked to Sid earlier. You were my hero. Again.”
“I see. Does that earn me any special favors?” He untied his own robe and let it slide to the floor.
“It might. Especially since you gave me such a special gift.” I lifted my wrist and admired my bracelet. “It was very thoughtful of you.”
“I hope you never have to pawn your jewelry again, Glory. Come to me if you need aid. Please promise me you will.” He knelt on the bed and kissed my wrist again then a path up my arm to my neck. “I want to be here for you. I hope you know I will always be here for you.”
“Thank you, Jerry. You can’t imagine how safe that makes me feel.” I closed my eyes as I let that sink in. “Truly. I guess I’ve taken it for granted. Now that I’ve met so many women who have no one to count on, I realize how lucky I am that you’ve stuck by me all these years.” I held his face in my hands, that familiar face that meant so much to me.
I opened my mind to him. “Do you know I will always be here for you as well? Yes, I push you away for one reason or another, but, if you ever need me, really need me, I will come to you. I could never deny you my help or support if you were in trouble or in pain.”
“Thank you, Gloriana. There have been times when I’ve doubted your love.” His mouth hardened. “You are so damned stubborn about some things. This quest for independence. It is as if you want to be like a man, having your own property, your own business. When I was young, women were content to be cherished, taken care of and given what they needed without ever working for it.”
“That was centuries ago. Back then if a woman lost her man, she was in a bad way. Look what happened to me. After my husband died, I had no useful skills to fall back on and was starving. Maggie was almost the same.” I kissed him then. “You are an exceptional man, being so steadfast in your feelings and shouldering your responsibilities. I understand that. You are a blessing in my life.” I kissed a path down his body, savoring the unique taste and feel of him that I knew so well.
“Hmm. Am I getting a special reward for good behavior, my love?” He rolled onto his back, his eyes closing.
“Perhaps.” I ran my fingers through his soft body hair and then squeezed his sacs. He was eager, his sigh when I took him in my mouth a gust of pure pleasure.
Our love play could not last long, not with the sun about to rise, but he found his release and turned me so that I soon found mine. He was always careful to give me the kind of soul-shattering completion that made me call his name. Which
name? Who cared when my body tingled and I trembled from ears to toes?
“You know I really like it when you call me your boyfriend.” Jerry smiled against my hair. “It is what I hear the young people who stay in my hotels say. Boyfriend, girlfriend.”
“I like calling you my lover. It sounds more mature.” I stroked his chest, the dawn so close I could barely keep my eyes open. “We are certainly not teenagers.”
“You make me feel as randy as one.” He kissed my cheek. “I’ll miss you. Are you sure you don’t want to come with me?”
I paused just long enough for him to stir, groaning as he managed to prop himself up on one elbow to look into my eyes.
“Gloriana?”
“You tempt me. You do.” I kissed him one more time. “But no. I have to do this. Be patient, my love. I’ll see you in October.”
“Damn.” He fell back and closed his eyes. “I thought I had you.”
“You do have me. Always. Just not with you this time.” I whispered it as the darkness took me. I already regretted my answer. Anything could happen between now and then. He could find another woman. There were dangers in our world too. I pressed against him, my forever lover. I wish I truly believed in that forever.
15
J erry was gone and I had no one to blame but myself. At least I had plenty of projects to keep me busy. I discovered that Misty and Donna were hitting the casinos together on our nights off. When Misty came strutting in with a pack of cash late one night, I decided to find out more about it.
“How much did you win?” I couldn’t stop staring at the neat stacks of hundreds, banded by the casino.
“Ten thousand dollars, Glory!” Misty was flushed. She and Donna had celebrated with champagne after the big win. “The casino has a guy from the IRS right on the premises so the tax man kept their cut but I walked away with seventy-five hundred.” She ran her fingernail through the stack again. “Can you believe it?”
“How did Donna do?” I had avoided the casinos so far. I’d played poker during the Gold Rush days in California but I was sure to be rusty. Misty told me it was done now on electronic slot machines. I couldn’t imagine it.
“Her luck runs hot and cold.” Misty fluffed Valdez’s fur, to his delight. “I’m way ahead this month. You ought to come with us.”
I made a decision. What would it hurt to risk a few bucks? My savings wasn’t growing fast enough. The summer was slipping by and my bank balance had stayed in the three digits. My own fault. Word had gotten around that I bought vintage clothing. Misty was first to bring me things. Her great grandmother had kept some fabulous cocktail dresses from the fifties. She’d worn one tonight.
“I think wearing Granny’s dresses is bringing me luck.” Misty smiled through her tears. “She loved to go dancing. The family didn’t move to Vegas until the fifties. Granny was in the chorus at one of the first casinos on the strip. I have pictures!” Misty pulled out the photos. Her mother had actually been a dealer in a casino. Apparently, men didn’t play a big part in her family. They seemed to be in the pictures for weddings then disappeared. I didn’t ask for details.
“You need to bring me some handbags, jewelry, or scarves.” I was thrilled with what Misty had been digging out of her family’s attic.
“I will. Now I’m hitting the shower, then going to bed.” Misty waved and headed to the bathroom.
“Seriously? You want to buy more old shit? How are your savings coming?” Valdez had noticed we weren’t stopping at the bank very often. “You keep buying things and stuffing them in that storage unit. You can’t start a business without rent money and plenty of cash on hand.”
“Listen to you. What do you know about it?” I had enough trouble with my own conscience. It was September and I imagined Jerry would be asking for a progress report when he showed up at the end of October. Progress? I was getting desperate and trying my luck at a casino might be my next move.
He stared at me. “Those business classes you bought on CDs. I’m stuck listening to them too. It’s got me thinking about my own future. Maybe someday I’ll quit the bodyguarding gig and open my own business. You never know.”
“No kidding. What kind of business?” I was sitting in line for yet another fast-food meal for Valdez. You’d think he’d get tired of it but he never turned down a run through a MacDonald’s.
“I want to own a club, with music, a bar, a dance floor. Live music. As much as I enjoy watching them, I don’t want to deal with topless dancers. Too much drama.” He inhaled as I grabbed his dinner. “Mmm. Grease and meat. I’m in heaven.”
“You’re in heaven and I’m in hell. What exactly does a French fry taste like? And ketchup? This is torture.” I pulled in at a parking spot.
“I know what you mean about drama. Now Tiffany’s old boyfriend has shown up. He’s threatening to send topless pictures to her mother if she doesn’t take him back.” I turned off the motor and ripped open his bag.
“That’s a loser move. Tell Dom. He could send him screaming into the night. You could too, Glory. Go vampire on the guy. Why don’t you?” Valdez gave me a searching look while I spread out his meal on the paper.
“I hate mesmerizing mortals and you know it.” I looked out the window. “I could use mind control to get him to leave Tiff alone but that seems unfair.”
“You keep trying to live like a mortal. That’s what’s unfair.” Valdez picked up a French fry with his tongue. “You’ll never be mortal again. You’re vampire. Embrace it. Use your powers, Glo. You don’t see Jerry hesitating to bring out the fangs or change when the need arises.”
“I’m not like Jeremiah.” I took apart his Big Mac and broke the meat into pieces he could manage easily. Inhaling his dinner was a good distraction from the challenge he’d posed. Too bad it left my deliberately slutty hairdo reeking of greasy fast food.
“Drifting along trying to be one of the girls seems like a waste to me.” He licked secret sauce off his nose. “You could help those girls if you’d just grow a pair.”
I laughed. “Dude, I’ll never grow a pair, thank the gods. Now eat so we can get to the club. Speaking of, have you learned anything about business while waiting in the break room? If you think you might want a club of your own, you should be listening to Mae and Manny.”
“Actually, yes. Mae is sharp. She’s always finding a new way to make money. You know she charges all of you to make your costumes. Now she’s selling costumes to other venues on the Strip. She’s also discovered this thing called eBay where she sells costumes all over the world.”
“No kidding!” I snatched a fry and sniffed then dared lick it. Salty deliciousness. I started the engine and finally threw that fry back in the bag.
“You know, I’m not so different from you, Glory. I do want to plan for my future.” He dipped his snout into the cup to slurp up some Coke. I’d seen him do it a hundred times. So far, he hadn’t mastered a straw. Too bad.
“I’ve got to make more money faster. That’s a real problem now.”
He looked up and dripped Coke on my worn upholstery. “No, the real problem is that you buy too much. Quit buying and start saving.”
“Not buying won’t increase my savings nearly enough. Besides, when I see something really special, like Donna’s Chanel bag? V, I’ve got to jump on it. She was willing to sell it for fifty bucks! I know can sell it for four hundred.” I stared out at the parking lot. “I wonder if Mae could help me sell it on eBay. For a cut. That would be the smart thing to do.”
“There you go. Ask her tonight.” He nodded, finally approving of something I said.
When we got to the club, Mae was busy fitting a costume on a new dancer. One of our regulars had been picked up by a club on the Strip. A producer from one of the big hotels had caught our show one night. Mary Ann had stood out because she was not only beautiful, but an excellent dancer who had bothered to practice her steps.
Donna came in fuming about it. “I’m just as good as that bitch. Why did she get the o
ffer?” She threw down her leather jacket and sat next to Valdez so she could stroke his fur.
I didn’t know what to say. If the talent scout had come for the second show, he’d have seen Donna wobbling from her nightly shots of bourbon. I was trying to figure out how to say something tactfully when Mae shooed away the new dancer, Liza, and sat down next to Donna.
“Girlfriend, you drink too much.” Mae breathed, her nostrils flaring. “I smell it on you right now. That makes you clumsy in the dance. Do you deny it?”
Donna’s eyes filled. She looked away from Mae’s sharp gaze. “Leave me alone. The booze is the only way I can get up there and show my tits.”
“I don’t believe that.” Mae grabbed her chin and forced her to face her. “You are a strong woman. Yet you live with a man who did this to you.” She touched Donna’s chin and the tall redhead winced. “I see through your makeup. He beat you. I want to take my knife and fix that bastard. He won’t get a woman then. Hah!”
Valdez sat up with a growl. He stared at Donna, then gently laid his head on her knee. That did it, she burst into tears. She clutched his ear, then leaned against Mae’s shoulder.
“Oh, Mae!” Donna took the tissue Mae handed her. “I’m in too deep. I tried to leave him yesterday and got knocked down for my trouble.”
“I know people. We can arrange an accident.” Mae looked fierce.
Donna sat up. “No, you can’t! He works for the mob. There would be a war. I know who you’re talking about. Your people fighting his people?” She shook her head. “We can’t risk it.”
This got me to thinking. Valdez was right. It was time for me to use my powers. I put my arm around Donna.
“Friend, what do you really want? Lee? Or to leave him and start over without him?” I looked into her eyes while she thought about it. I knew whatever she said, the truth would be in her mind.
“I love the lifestyle, Glory. He’s great when he’s not mad, but scary too. The people he hangs around with…” she looked down at her hands, knotted in her lap. “If you knew what I know… you wouldn’t come near them.”
Real Vampires: Glory Does Vegas Page 15
