“Wait. This is about a piece of jewelry?” I shook my head. “What piece?”
“Something she got in Paris last fall. It belonged to Marie Antoinette. That’s the story going around anyway.” He grinned around his cigar. “It’s said to be cursed. Has been since the French queen got it from the family who is claiming it now. Here’s a picture. Recognize it?” He held out his phone and there it was, the necklace Flo was so crazy about. The sapphires were huge. I was sure everyone who saw it on Halloween figured it had to be fake, a costume piece. No one at the party at N-V would have worn real jewels that valuable. It was obviously worth a fortune. No wonder she was so bent on wearing it now. If someone else wanted it, she was just stubborn enough to flaunt it.
“Oh, God. Yes, she has that necklace! She wore it on Halloween.” I was shaking. Damn Flo. Of course she wouldn’t just give back the necklace. She considered her jewels her insurance policy. She hoarded jewelry like it was gold bullion. When you live forever, she said, you had to put aside things that will last and hold their value. Jerry bought businesses and real estate. Richard owned stocks, antiquities and who knew what else. Me? I was lucky to have more than the clothes on my back. Living paycheck to paycheck did that to you.
“Yes, I remembered it as soon as I saw the photo. I’ve already confirmed that Florence has the bauble in her possession.” He stubbed out the cigar with his heel. “She’s pissed them off, Glory. At first they would have been satisfied with just the necklace. Or that’s what they claim. Now they want her dead as well. Seems like the curse is true.”
“So you agreed…” I realized the alley was swaying. No, that was me. I sat down on a wooden crate next to a Dumpster that reeked. “You can’t kill her, Miguel.”
“I don’t want to. I know she’s your friend. But if I hadn’t taken the contract, another assassin would have picked up the job. It pays very well.” He stood right in front of me, his jeans brushing against mine. “Look at me, Glory. If you want Flo to live, you’re going to have to help me. Get her to give up the necklace. That’s the first step.”
“Oh, boy.” I took his hand when he reached out to help me stand. “You know Richard actually paid for it. A small fortune I’m sure.”
“Doesn’t matter. The people who hired me have talked to Florence. The bill of sale is in her name. The man who sold it to her…” Miguel dropped my hand and paced the alley. “Well, he’s been questioned.”
“And?” I watched Miguel move silently. He was obviously thinking.
“These people are notorious. Let’s just say they don’t mess around. The man shouldn’t have sold the piece. It was a pawn shop. He was supposed to hold it for the family. The arrangement is complicated but he broke their trust. He’s been dealt with. But first he admitted that Florence’s husband gave the necklace to her right in front of him. Made a big deal out of the gift.”
“So if you don’t kill her…” I wobbled on my high-heeled boots.
“They’ll come after her themselves. They aren’t paranormals, but they can hire them. The Maury family likes a slow kill. Pain and suffering make them feel like they’ve made their point. You know what I mean? So hiring a hit man was an act of kindness in their eyes.” Miguel had his hands on my shoulders. “Are you all right?”
“No. We’ve got to fix this, Miguel.” I looked up at him. “She’s my best friend. Promise me you’ll help me fix this.”
“I came to you, didn’t I?” He dropped a kiss on my forehead. “Now here’s where you do your part. Get me an invitation to that Winter Solstice Ball. The one Florence’s brother is hosting.”
“Aw, hell. Seriously?” I backed up. “You see how she feels about you.”
“But her brother is a businessman. Convince this Damian Sabatini that I am one too. A man who can bring him more business. Sí?”
“But what kind of business? Loan sharking or Killers R Us?” I gasped when he gripped my shoulders.
“I’m into investments, real estate. Everything on the up and up from now on. So relax. I’m going straight. Any more hits come to me, I’ll turn them down flat.” Miguel’s eyes bored into mine and I knew he was telling the truth. “You know you owe me. Hold up your end of the bargain and I’ll see if I can save your friend Florence.”
“Get your fucking hands off of Glory.” Rafe was between us before I could gasp. He shoved Miguel until he hit the wall.
“Watch it, shifter. Glory, you want to call off your dog?” Miguel ignored Rafe’s growl.
“Rafe, back off. Miguel and I were talking. No big deal.” I put a soothing hand on Rafe’s arm. He’d been my bodyguard for five years and more than that for a short time. He was still one of my best friends. I guess his doorman had told him I’d disappeared into the alley instead of coming inside. I knew he didn’t like or trust Miguel. No one in the Austin paranormal community did. Which was going to make my part of our deal hard to work out.
“I saw him pin you. You look upset.” Rafe vibrated with the need to put his fist in Miguel’s grinning face. It didn’t take a mind reader to see that.
“He gave me some bad news. He’s actually doing me a favor. So calm down. Please.” I rubbed his arm, trying to soothe him. “You need to get over this kneejerk reaction to Miguel. He and I are working together on a little project. He assures me he’s going legit. Aren’t you, Miguel?” I blasted both of them with a smile that dared them to start swinging. “I want my friends to get along.”
“Legit? Doing what? And I can’t imagine Blade will allow you to have anything to do with Cisneros once you’re married.”
Miguel laughed. “Allow? Oh, you did not just say that.” He eased down the alley, hands up. “Glory, talk to you later. I’m holding off. Talk to your friend. The female one. You have my number. Call me. But the clock is ticking. We need this situation resolved by Christmas.”
“You’re kidding.” I glanced at my watch. Stupid. Because I didn’t need a watch to tell me that we had just a few weeks to figure out Flo’s situation. I decided to deal with one problem at a time.
“I can’t believe you’re consorting with that piece of shit.” Rafe tried to pull me toward the side entrance to the club a few feet down the alley.
“Hold it.” I dug in my heels. “Miguel is right about one thing. What do you mean ‘allow’? Jerry doesn’t allow or not allow me to consort with anyone. I am and will remain my own woman. Got it?” I poked him in the chest.
“Explain what kind of business you could possibly have with a loan shark and hit man then.” Rafe let go of me. “Have you lost your mind? You need money, you come to me or to your fiancé.”
“It’s not a money thing. He’s not a loan shark anymore and he’s been trying to stop taking hits.” I tossed my hair back over my shoulders to avoid Rafe’s sharp gaze. Yes, he was still a good friend but he was always trying to protect me, whether I wanted him to or not. Once a bodyguard, always a bodyguard, I guess.
He slapped his thigh. “Now that’s rich. Trying to stop? What the hell does that mean? He just takes a few hits for old time’s sake?” His laugh was bitter. “Get a clue, Glory. He’s a stone cold killer. Hang with a guy like that and you might as well paint a target on your pretty chest.” He reached out and drew one on my right breast.
“Stop it!” I slapped his hand. “Leave me alone. I’m perfectly safe with Miguel. Everyone knows he’s a dangerous man, including me. I watch my back around him. Did you forget I have some awesome powers? I can turn him to stone if he threatens me.” I crossed my fingers behind my back, leaving out the fact that Miguel was the only paranormal I knew who could do the same thing and break that freeze if he needed to. Maybe I did need the kind of reality check my pal Rafe could always provide. I resisted the urge to pour out my troubles e. No, we’d both moved on and he didn’t need my problems on his shoulders.
“Then do that. But much as I hate the phrase, remember that if you lie down with dogs, you’ll get up with fleas.” Rafe looked me up and down, like he was checking me for bug
s already.
“Oh, please. Think about it. He can certainly make sure I’m safe from any other threat when I’m with him. Since you’re no longer my bodyguard, it’s kind of nice to have someone else watch my back.” I added a hair toss for emphasis. Didn’t phase him.
“I thought that’s what Blade did now. You are marrying him. Is that still on?” He grabbed my left hand and stared at my ring. “Guess so.”
“Yes. New Year’s Day. I hope you’ll come. Bring a date.” I stared at the ring too. It was real. I pasted on a happy smile.
“Sure, count me in. Invite Caine. You can have a chorus of your discarded lovers there to sing at your wedding.” He jerked open the door into the club. “Get in here. Since your new boy is gone, you’d better not hang out in this deserted alley. You have a habit of getting into trouble in alleys.”
I rolled my eyes but stalked into the club ahead of him. Men! I saw his current girlfriend waiting for him at the bar. She looked at us, her eyes a little too bright. Oh, no. I wasn’t going to have her getting any wrong ideas. I smiled and headed her way.
“Lacy, I don’t know how you stand this man. I just got a lecture on the company I keep.” I glanced up toward the balcony. Yes, my man and Flo’s had settled in with drinks at their usual table. Rafe kept blood with alcohol stocked for his vampire customers.
“When he tries to boss me around, I just ignore him.” She smiled and linked her arm through mine. A were-cat, she worked as my day manager and had been dating Rafe for a while now. “Rafe, you might as well give it up. Modern women do not obey.”
“I so get that.” He gestured and the bartender set a glass in front of him. “It was a lot easier back in the day.”
“Oh, yes, we never forget that you’re ancient.” Lacy made a face. “So’s Glory, but she’s rolled with the times.” She squeezed my arm. “Guess you decided Mr. Blade has too or you wouldn’t be marrying him.”
“He’s still a work in progress, but I think he’s come along well.” I saw him wave and give me a look that meant come on up. Flo was laughing at something Richard was whispering in her ear. My stomach twisted. How was I going to get her to give up her necklace? And would just returning it satisfy that bloodthirsty family now?
“They’ve set a date, New Year’s Day. You’ll come with me to the wedding, won’t you, babe?” Rafe pulled Lacy to him, sliding his arm around her waist.
“Sure.” She looked up at him, clearly more than a little in love.
One of Lacy’s sisters was standing right down the bar from her, watching us. Lace had several sisters, brothers too. I wondered what they thought of her relationship with a shifter who wasn’t a member of the cat family.
“Of course Lacy and all of my shop crew will be invited.” I smiled and gestured toward the balcony. “Now I need to go on up.”
“Wait a minute. Seems like we hardly ever see each other. Me working days, you nights.” Lacy sipped a glass of what looked like water. “Do you remember my sister DiDi?” she said when her sister moved closer.
“Sure. Nice to see you.” When a waiter waved at Rafe. he murmured an excuse and left. “There goes your date. It’s not easy dating the club owner, is it, Lace?”
“No.” Her shoulders slumped. “Our dates are never uninterrupted when we’re here. It’s a good thing…” She glanced at her sister. “Well, guess I might as well let the cat out of the bag, so to speak.”
“What?” DiDi glanced at me. “She called me over here with news. You still have a job, don’t you, Sis?”
“Sure. But I lost my apartment. Mr. Blade evicted me. He’s making a giant place for Glory and him on the second floor of our building. So I had to make other arrangements.” Lacy smiled suddenly. “Rafe and I are living together now. Isn’t that great?”
DiDi hissed and I swear her hair rose a good three inches. I backed up a step. “Are you nuts? Mom will kill you.” DiDi signaled the bartender. “Tequila, a double.”
“I think that’s great.” I kissed Lacy’s cheek. “Congratulations. That’s a big step.” There had been a time when I’d been Rafe’s number one. But now he’d obviously found a way to move on. I was happy for him.
“Di’s right. Mom is going to stroke out. Shifters and were-cats? That’s a non-starter for Mom-cat.” Lacy leaned against the bar. “She’s been planning my wedding for years, but I won’t accept any of the mates she’s picked out for me. Boring tabbies or randy alley cats. No thank you. But Rafe…” She sighed, her eyes dreamy. “I know you won’t kiss and tell, Glory, but you should understand. Rafe is so much more than just a shifter. He’s, um, special.”
DiDi downed one of her shots, then signaled for another. “Girl, you are unleashing a shitstorm. Warn me when you go to tell Mom. I want to be out of town.”
I just stared at Lacy. Remembering. Yes, Rafe was special. But I’d let him go and made my choice--the man who waited for me upstairs. I patted Lacy’s shoulder. Said something encouraging and headed up. I couldn’t keep every guy I’d ever wanted on a string forever. They had to move on because I sure had.
Flo smiled when I slipped into a chair next to Jerry. “Let me see your ring again, mi amica. I have been telling Jeremiah. A woman should have good jewelry. If he hasn’t bought you a Christmas present yet, he should add to your collection. It is your security, no?”
“Gloriana doesn’t have to worry about that now, Florence. She’s finally agreed to let me take care of her.” Jerry dropped a kiss on my lips. “Don’t hurt me now. You know what I mean, sweetheart.”
“Yes. I get it, Jer. We’ll be equal partners in this marriage. And you don’t have to buy me a boatload of jewelry to prove your love.” I snuggled against him.
“Hush, Glory. A wise woman never turns down good jewelry. Who knows what the future might hold? As I say, security. We must take care of ourselves.” Flo held my fingers and studied my diamond. “Ricardo understands this and is happy to make me feel loved with his generosity.” She dropped my hand and kissed Richard to prove her point. He didn’t seem to mind her frank talk.
Security. I wasn’t familiar with the concept. Jerry’s arm tightened around my shoulders. He knew how I felt. I’d struggled against being dependent on anyone, even him, but some part of me craved never having to worry about my next meal, a roof over my head, safety. Jerry offered me that feeling. Flo had Richard and yet she still hoarded jewels “just in case.”
I swallowed some of the synthetic blood with alcohol in the drink Jerry had ordered for me. It did little to chase away the cold in the pit of my stomach. Flo was never going to give that necklace away willingly. Still, I was going to try honesty first. Ask her to give it up. If that didn’t work? Well, then I’d have to deceive my best friend. Not easy around a mind-reading vampire.
Chapter Three
“What was going on down there?” Jerry kept his arm around me. “Lots of hugging and drinking going on.”
“Lacy moved in with Rafe. They’re officially a couple now. I was happy about that. Her sister? Not so much.” I picked up the glass of blood with alcohol again. “Mmm. Thanks, I needed that.”
“You sure it didn’t bother you that Valdez has moved on?” Jerry watched me closely. Jealousy?
“No, not that. Driving over here was a little nerve-wracking. Right, Flo?” I looked to her for help.
“Yes! Everywhere we go there are crazy drivers. I wonder if Glory should be driving one of those big SUBs. Her little car would be squashed like a bug if a truck hits her.” Flo smacked her hand on the table for emphasis.
“I think you mean SUV, darling.” Richard rescued her drink when it almost spilled. “And I know what you mean. The freeways are chaos. I hate the idea of either of you in a small car out there.”
“Do you want a bigger car, Gloriana? I’ll buy you one.” Jerry slid his hand down my arm, keeping me from picking up my glass again. I realized I’d already almost drained it. “You seem a little rattled. What happened?”
“Oh, it was nothing. Just an eight
een wheeler getting a little close, that’s all.” I patted his hand. As an excuse, I thought it worked. I was blocking my thoughts. No reason for him to see I was really upset about Flo. “Don’t you dare buy me a car. I don’t want to drive one of those enormous things. I can’t even climb into one without showing the world my underwear when I’m in a short skirt.”
Jerry grinned. “I don’t mind seeing your underwear. But not sure I want ‘the world’ to have the privilege.”
Flo was eyeing me. She knew I was covering up something—the meeting with Miguel for sure. “Well, I don’t want one either. Both of us look very good in our little convertibles when we put the top down. Now I got Glory here to you. Tell us about your surprise. What have you two been up to?”
“We scouted some wedding venues. And I think we found the perfect one.” Richard pulled a thin laptop from a leather messenger bag I hadn’t noticed hanging from the back of his chair. “Take a look.” He quickly brought up a page. I had to admire his computer speed. My laptop was old, overloaded and took forever just to boot up.
“Oh, Glory, look. It’s like a Tuscan villa perched on a hilltop.” Flo turned the screen toward me. “It would be most romantic at night, with the lights of Austin twinkling in the distance.”
“Wow. What is this place?” I stared at the picture. It was a villa, a perfect replica of one that you might see in Italy. Of course their website showed it sparkling in the sun but there were a variety of pictures of weddings by candlelight on the terrace and one next to a waterfall. “Jerry! What do you think?”
“I think I’d marry you next to a cactus in Death Valley. But this place was actually great. Richard and I shifted out there. It has an old world feel I liked, even though someone built it fairly recently. I think we can get it New Years’ Day. I’ll book it if you think it’ll do.” He scooted his chair next to mine. “Is this really happening? Are you actually going to commit to me this time?”
Real Vampires Take a Bite Out of Christmas Page 3
