Real Vampires: Glory Does Vegas by Bartlett, Gerry (white hot kiss TXT) 📕

“Costumes. Of course.” She frowned. “Security. Are you sure there will be enough? All those vampires in one place. It is concerning.” The elevator doors opened in the parking garage. “I want to see your plans for security, Dominic.”

“We’ll go over that when we get to the club. Between shows.” Dom led the way to a stretch limo he’d hired for the evening. “Glory might like to help with that.”

“Sorry, but I can’t.” I pulled him aside while the group walked to the car. “I need the rest of the night off.”

“This is going well. Why bail on me now?” Dom kept looking at the car.

“Jerry is in town and wants me with him. I want to be with him too. I’ve put in a lot of hours for you lately, Dom. I deserve some time off. I’m taking it now, okay?” I saw Adela look back at us before she climbed into the limo. “The Romanians seem happy.”

“Yes, they are. Okay, go. You did a good job with them. I’ll see you tomorrow night as usual. If they like the show, they might be back.” He hurried to the limo and it soon drove away.

“You got out of that. What now?” Valdez stood next to me.

“I told you, we’re meeting Jerry and the Turnbulls.” I looked around for the valet and pulled out my ticket for the car. “He says the show is a surprise. We’ve got a few minutes to get there. Did you talk to Stan? Does he speak English?”

“We spoke. He speaks enough German that we communicated. I speak other languages, Glory, just like Caro does. It’s a necessity in my business.” He nudged me with his head. “Better put on that leash. The dog police are approaching.”

“Right.” I pulled it out of my evening bag, clipping it on just in time. Soon we were on our way to Jerry’s hotel. It was so close we could have walked but I had on high heels and didn’t want to ruin my hair in the wind that had picked up. All these tips and valet expenses were hurting my budget. I loved seeing Jerry but wished he could have come to my apartment for a change.

When we got to Jerry’s suite, Maggie answered the door. She pulled me into her arms and I was suddenly back to the days when we’d been mortals together, trying to survive. We looked at each other, now wearing beautiful dresses and with men we loved. We couldn’t stop smiling.

“It is so good to see you, dear friend.” She pulled me into the suite. “How are you doing?”

“Actually..?” To my horror, I burst into tears.

Maggie gathered me into her arms again. “God above, what’s wrong?” She patted my back. “The men aren’t here. They’ve gone down to pick up our costumes for Halloween. Do you want me to call Jeremiah?”

“No!” I pulled back and looked around for a tissue. I’d ruined my makeup and what could Maggie do to help me anyway? She handed me a napkin from the bar and I blew my nose. I would look a fright. Valdez paced around us. “Valdez, go visit with Sherie, I need to talk to Maggie.”

“Yes, you do. Tell her everything. Maybe she can help.” He stalked over to the windows where Sherie waited. Soon I could hear them murmuring together.

Maggie pulled a compact out of her purse. “Here, let me fix you.” She used powder to blot under my eyes, then to take away what was no doubt the shine on my nose. “That’s better. Come sit and tell me what’s going on. What’s got you in such a state?”

“A demon is threatening Jeremiah. It’s all my fault, Maggie, and I don’t know what to do about it.” I led her to a comfortable couch. She shooed away the shape-shifters and they took up posts next to the hall door.

“How did you get involved with a demon?” She held my hands while I told her the whole story. “That sounds like you did a good thing but used the wrong method. I remember when you got tangled up with witches. You managed to come out all right in that situation.” She frowned and stared down at our hands. Mine was ringless while hers had another stunning diamond. This one was a yellow diamond, marquise cut in a beautiful antique setting. I touched it.

“Is this new? It’s beautiful.”

“Fergus found it in an antique store and gave it to me for our last anniversary. So many years! He is a romantic man.” She shook her head. “Now don’t distract me. Why is this demon coming after Jeremiah?”

“Because the demon wants to hurt me. He knows who is most important to me. He may also do his best to ruin Dom’s blood tasting. Just to make mischief. It’s all to get me to sell my soul to him.”

“Would you, Glory? Would you sell your soul to keep Jeremiah safe?” Her hand tightened on mine.

28

“I’d like the answer to that.” The voice came from the doorway.

I had been so consumed with my own thoughts, I hadn’t heard the door open. “Jerry!” I jumped up. “Sell my soul to save you?” I rushed to him. “Of course I would.”

“Don’t be a fool. No man is worth that.” He pushed me away when I tried to hold him. “I would never ask it of you. Nor would I allow it.”

“It may not be in your power to make such a decision.” I said it quietly, afraid of this attitude. “But I didn’t come here to talk of gloomy things. Fergus!” I kissed his cheek. “I am so glad to see you and Maggie. Dear friends. What costumes did you pick?”

“Maggie wanted something exotic. It seems Las Vegas has plenty of opportunities for costume parties and we had a good choice in the shop downstairs.” He unzipped a cloth bag. “Come see, lovey, if this is to