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

if you didn’t meet her, Glory Simpson is the woman who helped arrange this fantastic evening. Let’s give her a hand.” There was a nice burst of applause as I made my way to the stage.

“Really, Alex, I just put up a few decorations, arranged for our fantastic singer and waiters. Things like that.” I was interrupted by a wolf whistle. “Well, I admit, they are all beautiful, even Dennis.”

“You’re right about that.” A woman had her arm around Dennis, who had a bemused look on his face. Since he’d worn such skimpy clothing, I’m sure he wasn’t surprised at his popularity with the women.

“Now for our trick of the night. Glory, please sit here.” Alex pointed and I climbed onto the stage to settle on the chair he’d put there. “I’m going to cover you with this tablecloth then make you disappear. Are you ready?”

“I hate to admit this, Alex, but I don’t shape-shift. If you thought I could become one of your pigeons and fly away, I’ll have to disappoint you.” I grinned at Harry who stood on the stage with us. “But go ahead. Maybe you can make me disappear. You are the Great Anderston.”

“Right you are. Now sit under this tablecloth and wait until I say the magic words.” He threw the cloth over my head then began saying some kind of hocus pocus.

I waited for his spell to work but nothing happened. I did have my own trick to play so I visualized myself on top of the bar. In the blink of an eye, I was lying there. It was a trick I rarely used, but I could shift through space by imagining a place, then landing there.

“Hey, Alex! Is this how your trick works?” I waved to the crowd and they burst into applause.

Alex pulled away the tablecloth and there was the empty chair. He made a show of looking under it then staring at me. “How did you do that?”

“That is my secret.” I hopped down from the bar. “Now I don’t know about the rest of you, but I think the sun is only about an hour away. I’m heading home. This isn’t supposed to be a sleepover.” I gestured toward Luca and Adela. “I want to thank our illustrious guests, the scientists who have created such wonderful synthetics. I challenge you, Luca and Adela, to figure out a way for vampires to stay awake safely beyond the dawn. That would be amazing, don’t you think?” I grinned and waved then walked toward the door.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Jerry joined me before I could leave.

“Home. I do have an apartment here. You’ve never seen it. It’s small but not a hovel.” I led the way to my car.

“Will you let me come home with you? I took a taxi here.” He slipped a hand under my elbow. “Fergus and Maggie have their own transportation. I don’t blame them. The last time they rode with me, we all almost died.”

“True.” I stopped, reliving that car crash—the heart-stopping moment when I’d seen him sprawled on the hood, unmoving. I looked up at him. “When are you leaving Las Vegas?” I unlocked the car and opened the back door for Valdez to hop in.

“Now that my business is concluded, I had planned to leave tomorrow night. If you want me to stay…” He waited to see if I would let him get in the passenger side.

“Come along with us then.” I walked around to the driver’s side. “I can’t let you leave without saying good-bye.”

“That’s a relief. I’m getting strange vibes from you. Like you’re mad at me. I’ll text Sherie to go back to the hotel for a day off. I’m sure Valdez can stand guard over both of us.” He got in and pulled out his phone.

“I certainly can,” Valdez said from the back seat.

“That’s done.” Jerry glanced at me. “Now I’m putting on my seatbelt. After flying through a windshield, I’ve learned a lesson.”

“Good idea. Me, too.” I snapped it on then started the car. “I am mad at you. I’ve been mad at you for years. That’s why I’m staying in Las Vegas and working on saving for my business instead of coming with you to New Orleans.”

“Is there any way I can fix this?” He struggled with the seatbelt, trying to turn in his seat to face me.

“Save it for when we’re at the apartment. Right now, I need to focus on my driving.” I ignored him then, determined to do this right, to make things clear for a change. Why was I mad at him? I’d always known who he was, how he behaved and why. Was he going to change? I guess I would find out when I laid out my plans and gave him a chance.

We rode in silence, even Valdez was smart enough to keep his mouth closed for a change. My phone signaled a text. I read it at a red light. Marlene had hooked up with Simon and Dennis had begged Connie to stay with him for old time’s sake. She’d given in. I sent a text back that I was glad for the privacy with Jerry. His last night in Vegas. I got back a smiley face.

“We’re here. My apartment is at the top of the stairs.” I parked and let Valdez out to go first. “Check it out for demons, V. I can’t believe Davenport has given up.”

Valdez trotted up the stairs. “All clear. He hasn’t been here.”

I followed him up, Jerry behind me. I tried to see the complex through his eyes. Overflowing dumpster, ancient Suburban I’d just parked at the curb. I opened the apartment door with the squeaky hinge and we were in our living room with the sagging couch that even Goodwill would have turned down.

“You have your own bedroom, don’t you?” Jerry took off his sword, looking for a place to lay it.

I threw open the door to my bedroom. “Yes, bring your sword