“Maybe he meant as a new vampire.” I saw the elevator open down the hall and a man step out.
“No, he didn’t. The guard made it very clear that I’d be passed around, then drained and tossed in the ocean or wherever they put the trash.” She shuddered and the stake sank deeper. “Mortals don’t count for much with them. That’s why I wanted to be a vampire.” Her eyes were wild as she snarled in a good vamp imitation. “You told him, didn’t you? That I wasn’t worthy. This is all your fault. Die!” She raised her hand to take a good whack at me when she was grabbed from behind.
“Not going to happen.” Rafe stripped the stake from her hand and wrapped his arms around her. “Glory, what do you want me to do with her?”
“Hold her still. I’m going to whammy her.” I grabbed her chin and looked deep into her eyes. “Trina, you’re not going to remember this night except that you and I ran up the stairs and you fed me as usual. Nod if you understand me.” I waited until I got that nod.
“Now, listen carefully. You’re not ever going back to Ian’s again because you’re afraid of vampires now. They have sharp teeth and they hurt when they bite you.”
“Hurt?” She shuddered in Rafe’s arms.
“Yes. But forget that because those people were just pretending to be vampires. The fangs were fake and they just wanted to scare you.” I obviously wasn’t going to get my nightly feeding now. I’d just outsmarted myself. “It’s all over. You don’t know any real vampires. They’re just make-believe creatures in comics and storybooks. You don’t want to have anything to do with those scary characters anymore.”
“Scary. Want to go home.” Tears ran down her cheeks and she sniffled.
“That’s right. You just came here to get a free copy of Israel Caine’s new CD. You were lucky and he signed it for you. Now you can go home and take down all those vampire posters and put them in the trash. Good night, Trina.” I nodded and Rafe released her.
“Night.” She turned and walked away toward the elevator.
“Sorry about that, Glory. I failed you again.” Rafe shook his head, his dark hair falling over his face.
“How on earth could you know she was going to pull a stunt like that?” I threw the dead bolt and jerked on the stairwell door. “I’m going to run up these damned stairs if it kills me, which it might. And your punishment is that you have to do it too.” I looked down. “Barefoot. Come on.”
“Thanks a lot.” He grinned, those damned cute dimples showing. “I should do it in dog form.”
“Oh, no, you don’t. I won’t have the strength to open the door when we get to the top. It’s on you.” I started off then, determined, since I wasn’t going to have Trina waiting.
When we got to the twenty-third floor, I was huffing and puffing and Rafe did hold open the door and slide the key card for me when we got to the suite. It was close to dawn and I could hear the shower running. I pulled open the bag with my bottles of supplements inside. The bedtime bottle was empty. It didn’t take a genius to know who had drained it.
I stomped into the bathroom and threw open the glass shower door. “Damn you for a thief, Israel Caine.”
“Glory! So glad you could join me.” Ray grinned and rinsed the last of the shampoo out of his hair. Of course he had no shame when it came to his naked body or his thievery.
I slammed my fist into his flat midsection. “Bastard. Idiot. Why did you do it?”
“Oof. Why do you think?” He turned off the water and stepped out of the shower, wrapping a towel around his middle.
“I can’t believe, with the Grammys coming up and your big duet, you’d take a chance like this. What if you walk into the sun and get burned? Did you think about that?”
“You healed. So will I.” He picked up another towel and dried his hair. Then he opened my webcam and got busy with a comb. “That Ian MacDonald is brilliant. I’m ordering several of these. Do they come in colors? I’d like black and silver for a bathroom I’ve got on the island.”
I slammed it shut. “That’s my mirror, you damned stupid son of a bitch. Ooo.” I stomped my foot and words failed me. Then I found some more. “Did you even think about the fact that now I won’t lose any more weight? How selfish can you get?”
“Obviously pretty selfish.” Rafe stood in the doorway.
“Who the hell are you?” Ray jumped in front of me. “Glory?”
I sighed, just about ready to signal Rafe to take Ray down. What a pleasure to watch my bodyguard beat the living crap out of my “fiancé.”
“This is Valdez in human form, Ray. He just saved my life for about the zillionth time.”
“What?” Ray looked him up and down. “I see why Blade doesn’t want you like this, dog breath. Shift back or at least put on a shirt.”
“I don’t take orders from you, Caine. You need me in here, Glory?” Rafe leaned against the doorjamb, relaxed but obviously alert to whatever needed doing.
“Not now, but genius here took my supplement so he may be doing some strolling during the daylight hours. Whether you want to stop him from frying or not is on you.” I smiled and stepped around Ray to head into the bedroom.
“Wait a minute. What do you mean he saved your life? What happened?” Ray followed me, not concerned that he was about to lose his towel.
“Trina brought a stake in her fanny pack. She decided I’d turned Ian against her.” I rubbed the back of my neck, more tired than I’d ever felt. “Rafe got there in time to keep her from doing more than talk tough and poke me a few times.”
“You realize you’re bleeding?” Ray stepped close and touched my T-shirt.
I looked down and saw that he was right. Trina had stabbed a hole through my shirt and sports bra. I’d bled enough to stain them both. I pulled the fabric away from my breast and looked under it.
“Want me to check it for you?” Ray tried to put his arm around me.
“Not a chance.” I used my arm to fend him off. “It’s already stopped bleeding. Just stay out of my way, Ray. I’m still furious with you.”
“Want me to put a hurt on him, Glory?” Rafe grinned from the doorway. “I’ve been itching to do that for more than a month.”
“Listen, shifter, you’re just an employee. I don’t think—” Ray was suddenly up against the wall with an arm across his throat.
“Exactly, my man. You don’t think. Respect the lady. And her wishes.” Valdez glanced at me. “I’ve got Trina’s stake in my pocket, Glory. Say the word and your problem’s solved.”
“Rafe, I know you’re jacked up on adrenaline, but, for God’s sake, calm down.” I put my hand on his bare shoulder. For the first time I was seeing savage Rafael Valdez, the man who, yes, would die for me, but who would also happily jump into the fray against a dozen men if necessary for the pure joy of killing bad guys. Obviously he’d decided Ray was one.
“He’s done this time and again, Glory. Taken advantage of your forgiving nature. And you let him get away with it.” Rafe increased the pressure and I heard some cartilage snap.
“Damn it, Rafe, he’s got to sing at the Grammys night after next. Don’t you dare hurt him!” I punched his back. “You’re way out of line. Ray’s been generous, kind. Let him go. Now!”
“Oh, yeah, right. He’s the big rock star. Of course you’ll cut him all kinds of slack. Caine’s right. I just work here.” Rafe suddenly stepped back and walked to the doorway. “I’ll be out here at my post, doing my job. Don’t worry. I know my place.” He slammed the door.
Ray coughed and rubbed his throat but didn’t say anything.
I stared at the door. Well, that had been enlightening. If I didn’t know better, I’d say Rafe had been jealous of Ray. No, impossible. He’d just been fed up with Ray’s sometimes selfish, me-first attitude. I saw the empty supplement bottle on the dresser. I’d been just as fed up. Now I was worried. What if Ray did the sleepwalking thing? I wasn’t sure Rafe would even bother to stop him if Ray headed for the sun. Damn.
“Are you okay?”
Hell, I did care about Ray. And he’d been quiet too long.
“Yes, I’m fine.” His voice was raspy.
“You just need to sleep it off.” I hoped. What if that supplement kept him from healing? I blocked that thought.
“That damned bodyguard has got to go.” He pulled open a drawer and dropped his towel to pull on his shorts. Business as usual.
“Don’t worry. Rafe and I will both be out of your way once we’re back in Austin.” I didn’t wait to see how Ray reacted to that. I just headed for the door. I stopped, my hand on the knob, and looked back. Ray was rubbing his throat again.
“You took a stupid risk drinking Ian’s stuff tonight, Ray. I hope it doesn’t mess you up.” I sighed. “Now I’m going to weigh in and then see what I can do to make sure Valdez saves you if you take a walk in your sleep and head toward the balcony.” I held up a hand when Ray started to say something. “Don’t want to hear it. You’re a damned thief. Go to bed. Or hell. Or wherever.” I stomped out of the room.
As I headed to the powder room I ignored Valdez, who’d shifted back to dog form. Okay, down three more pounds. But what would the healing sleep do? Without my supplement the weight would probably come right back on. Damn.
Tough talk or not, I was sick with fear for Ray. What if he didn’t heal and couldn’t sing? Or got out on the balcony and fried? I walked back through the living room and saw Valdez sitting at the open drapes, staring out at the sky that was just beginning to lighten.
“You wouldn’t let Ray get hurt, would you?”
“What do you think?” He looked over his shoulder at me.
“I think that if I order you to protect him, you will.”
“Is that what you’re doing?”
I walked over and jerked the drapes closed until there wasn’t a speck of sky showing. “Yes. Do your job. Protect the vampires. Including Ray. For me, Rafe. I need him tomorrow night at the TV show. Okay?”
“Fine. Whatever you say, Glory.” He walked over and leaped up on the couch. “I hear and obey.”
I sighed and went to jump in the shower, still ignoring Ray, who was lying in bed staring at me. Of course he’d heard what I said to Rafe. But he knew better than to smile about it.
I felt like crap for all kinds of reasons. The coming dawn, for one thing. That should be reassuring since it was familiar. But now it just scared me.
Rafe was disappointed in me. Somehow that had jumped into number-one position on the dread list, and I couldn’t shrug it off. After I crawled into bed beside Ray, I turned my back on him. Whatever happened after the sun came up was out of my hands now. I had no idea what I’d wake up to.
Fourteen
“So how did it go?” I’d put off asking the question as long as I could stand it. Ray and I had been giving each other the silent treatment since we’d gotten up with the sunset. Like a stupid game of chicken. Of course you knew I was going to crack first. Now time was running out. I put the finishing touches on my hair and makeup, even though I figured the stylists for the show would do their thing too. They’d be at the door any minute. “Did you see the sun?”
“Ask your bodyguard. I don’t remember what the hell happened and he’s not talking. To me, anyway.” Ray pulled on a black silk shirt and sat on the bed to slip on leather l oafers.
“At least you healed. Voice sounds fine.” I closed my “mirror” and stood. “Love the dress, Ray. Thanks.” I didn’t want to admit it felt a little snug. I’d weighed in. The three pounds hadn’t stayed off and I’d gained one. I’d been afraid to try any of Ian’s wake-up supplements in case they upset my stomach, but it had been tempting.
“You look great. Would you get the shifter in here and ask him what the hell happened last night? Before the show people arrive?” Ray got up and threw open the bedroom door. “Of course he acts like I’m invisible.”
“Valdez, would you come in here? Please?” I sat down to buckle my silver sandals.
“Yes?” He appeared in the doorway.
“Did Ray get up during the day?”
“Yes.” Valdez sat and just looked at me.
“Well? How about a few details? I don’t remember a freakin’ thing.” Ray stepped into Valdez’s space, which earned him a pretty serious snarl.
“Ray, get back here. I’ll ask the questions. V, did Ray say anything? Did he wake up?”
“He didn’t wake up. He did say something.”
“Cut it out, V. Tell us what happened. All of it.” This was getting ridiculous and Ray was losing his cool fast. I knew the TV folks were going to be here any second. I didn’t need for them to arrive in the middle of a brawl that would be impossible to explain.
“Well, I heard Mr. Macho here crying in his sleep. Calling for his mommy or somebody. Then he staggers out of the bedroom, eyes closed. Guess that’s why he doesn’t remember. Had his John-son in his hand. Begging somebody not to cut it off.” Valdez nodded. “Got issues there, buddy?”
“Listen, you fur-faced freak, you don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.” Ray glanced at me.
I knew his history and there’d been a bad scene once when some thugs had threatened him with castration. He’d obviously been reliving it. Valdez knew about it too and I was deeply ashamed of him for throwing it in Ray’s face. I sent V a mental message but he ignored me, too intent on hitting Ray below the belt, literally.
“Did he get near the doors to the balcony? Did you have to pick him up and take him back to bed?” I put my hand on Ray’s arm. I knew this was hard for him.
“No. He did some more carrying on, then he just fell down about halfway across the living room.” Valdez shrugged. “I dragged him back to bed, gave him a good headbutt and he managed to crawl in under the covers. Went dead after that and not another peep out of him.” He snorted. “Good thing. There’s only so much of that I can stand.”
“Cool it, V.” I hugged Ray. “I’m really sorry. At least you didn’t have to remember your dream. I did remember mine.” I leaned back and studied him.
He shook his head. “I’m okay, Glory. Your shifter’s an asshole, but he’s just telling it like he saw it, I guess.” He frowned at Valdez. “He did get me out of the living room. If some of the guys from the band had come by and opened the drapes . . . Shit, I don’t want to go there.”
“See? Maybe not such an asshole after all.” Valdez cocked his head. “They’re here. Out in the hall.” We all heard a knock on the door.
“Let ’em in, Glory.” Ray rubbed his face. “The good news is I got up. But I’m thinking it probably takes several doses of that stuff to build it up in your system before you stay awake during the day. You didn’t wake right away, did you?” He followed me to the door.
“No. Didn’t want to either. The whole daylight thing scares the hell out of me.” I stopped and faced Ray. “Smart vampires don’t mess around with the sun.”
“Well, maybe I’m stupid, but I want it. And I bet Ian’s got this figured out. Your daylight gig was an accident. The real daylight drug is bound to be much stronger than what you took.” Ray’s eyes were shining with hope. “Don’t you see, Glory? Forget the nightmares. Except as a clue that Ian’s getting us back to being mortal again.”
My stomach dropped like a rock. “Oh, Ray, that is so not happening. Ever.” I laid my hand on his arm. There was another impatient knock on the door and I checked the peephole. Yep, the TV crew stood out there, anxious to get inside. I hesitated, knowing this was our last chance for a private word for hours.
“Ray, please think about this long and hard before you act on it. And, remember, you said you’d tell me before you bought into the daylight deal with Ian.”
“Did I?” Ray smiled and grabbed the doorknob. “I don’t think so, Ms. Independent. But I do owe you an apology. I never should have taken your diet stuff. Not fair to you.” He glanced at Valdez. “I deserved a nightmare and an ass whipping.” He cleared his throat. “Now, let’s do this.”
Before I could respond to that, he
opened the door and ushered in the crew, kissing Zia on the cheek and waving to the designers, who were relegated to the hall again.
The next hour went by in a blur as the crew set up the living room and we decided how this would go. Ray got makeup and I got a touch-up. Nathan popped in for a few minutes to change shirts and to meet Zia. There was some chemistry there and I had a feeling the two would be seeing each other again. They exchanged numbers, then Nathan left and filming started.
Zia did her usual intro. She played up Ray’s involvement and made a big deal out of his Grammy nomination again. It was obvious that I was just a necessary evil.
Finally, an assistant brought Melanie in and sat her in the middle of the couch. I headed into the bedroom to change into her dress and accessories with the help of an a ssistant.
This time the dress fit perfectly and the horrible shoulders had been reduced to a manageable level. I actually liked the dress and wished I could have seen the thing in a full-length mirror. Made me wonder if a giant flat screen turned on its side and a webcam . . . Now I was thinking like Ian the inventor. Oh, well, the life of a vampire.
I walked out and saw Ray and Zia flanking Melanie. I did a turn in front of them, enjoying the way the blue skirt flared when I moved. The sheer fabric on the sleeves was now tight enough to show a blue, red and yellow dragon design, between my breasts too.
“Melanie, I just noticed what you were trying to do with the sheer fabric.” I looked up and grinned. “It looks like I have tattoos!”
“That’s right, Glory. What do you think?” Melanie was all smiles.
“Let’s hear from Israel Caine first, Melanie.” Zia turned to Ray. “How do you like it, Ray?”
Ray stood and walked around me. “It’s got a cool, edgy vibe. Love the tattoo thing going on.” He winked at Melanie. “Glory’s always wished she could get a tat, haven’t you, baby?” We’d discussed my cover story. He smiled into the camera. “She’s allergic to the dyes or she would.” He traced a heart over the curve of my breast exposed by the plunging neckline. “She’d put my name right here, wouldn’t you, Glory?”
Gerry Bartlett - Real Vampires Hate Their Thighs Page 24
