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

and I need my beauty sleep. Ha ha.” I headed for the door. “I saw a cab line in front of the hotel. Odds are, one of them should take us. Nice meeting you, Lee.”

“Hold it.” Lee eased Donna away from him. “We’ll take you home. Mike, call down for the limo. I’ve been cooped up here all night. I need some fresh air.” He looked at Valdez. “You said you wanted a little dog, baby, a ball of fluff.”

“I do. I just wanted to show you how even a big dog, like Valdez, could behave in the apartment.” Donna squealed and threw her arms around him again. “You’re going to do it? You’re going to let me have a dog?”

“Maybe. Nothing yappy. I like the way this one has been quiet. I can’t stand no yappy dog. You get me?” Lee shrugged into an expensive suit jacket. He looked sharp in a black suit that set off his dark hair and tan skin. For a mere mortal, he was quite a package himself. He took her hand. “You’d have to promise to stay out of the casinos first. Could you do that?”

Donna’s face fell. “You’re attaching strings?” She stepped back and jerked her hand from his. “Forget it.” She turned to me. “I go to the casino to relax. It’s what I like to do. I don’t even know if they’d let a dog in there. Come with me now and we’ll find out. You’ll see how much fun it is.”

“Baby, that’s not a good idea.” Lee shook his head behind her back.

I didn’t imagine the sudden tension between them. “Thanks, Lee. For offering the ride. Seriously, I’m sure one of the cabs out front will take us.” I saw Donna’s eyes had filled with tears. “No casino for me, Donna, not tonight. I’m really tired. I’ll take a rain check. See you tomorrow at work.”

Valdez jerked to a stop next to Donna who had taken the leash again. One of Lee’s bodyguards was already in the hall, summoning the elevator, the other had followed us and was checking exits.

“What happened? Did that guy do something?” Valdez sat, making a rumbling noise in his throat.

“Relax. I’ll try to find out.” I smiled and stumbled, managing to plant one of my sneakers solidly on Lee’s shiny Gucci dress shoe.

“What the hell?” He stepped away from me.

“Oh, I’m so sorry. It must be obvious that I’m not a dancer, like Donna.”

“That’s okay. I’m glad she’s brought home a friend from work. Someone who isn’t eager to hang out in the casino. Maybe you two can hit the shopping mall some night. My treat.” He smiled at Donna who was reapplying her lipstick using the mirror next to the elevator, then he checked me out from head to toe. I was very aware of my skimpy outfit and fought the urge to pull down my shorts in back.

Lee nodded toward Donna who was saying something to one of the bodyguards. “My baby needs a decent girlfriend to run with. She said you’re Misty’s roommate. That one’s a beautiful piece but another one who spends too much time in the casinos.” He looked down at Valdez. “Hell, I’d buy Donna a six pack of pups if she’d stay away from blackjack.”

“Shut up, Lee. Obviously, Gloria doesn’t need to hear about your hang-ups. I like to play cards. What’s the big freakin’ deal?” Donna tugged on Valdez’s leash. “This dog won’t move for me. Don’t know why.”

“I won’t move until we’re away from here.” Valdez rumbled again. “Have you read this guy’s mind? He’s looking you over and wondering if you’d be up for a three-way.”

I choked as the elevator doors opened. “You guys go ahead. I’m serious, I’m definitely taking a cab. I’m going to have to walk the dog outside. This is what he does when he needs a potty break. It might take a while. He has to pick just the right spot.” I waved at Donna, who frowned.

“Then we should go back—” She hissed when Lee grabbed her elbow.

“We’re going for that ride and we’re going to have a talk. Now. Say good night to your friend.” He almost shoved her into the elevator.

“Go on. I’ll take the next elevator. You don’t want to smell what I’m smelling right now. Thanks again for the ride, Donna. See you tomorrow night.”

Donna lifted her free hand in a wave, her face stormy. Lee just stared straight ahead.

Once the elevator doors closed, I finally relaxed. But not really. Lee was a little crude but he clearly adored Donna. Still, there was something off about that relationship. When men carried guns and needed bodyguards? Well, that seemed like a warning sign to me. I glanced at the exit to the stairs, but wasn’t about to take them. My feet still ached from my shift at the club. I punched the down button and waited for the next elevator.

I won’t deny we got some looks from patrons as we headed through the lobby again. One woman asked if I was a professional dog walker. Apparently, my costume wasn’t so outrageous in a Vegas hotel/casino. When she offered me fifty bucks to take her “Snookums” for a walk, I was willing. Too bad it was for a walk at noon. I had to turn her down.

I couldn’t stop thinking about powerful Lee. Was he into something illegal? Did he carry a lot of cash? What would he do if Donna did decide to leave him? Would he care or just replace her with another “looker”? And what about Donna? Did she have resources? Savings? Or was she like me, living paycheck to paycheck? She was obviously used to a lavish lifestyle—the Jaguar, the apartment and beautiful clothes, when she wore them. She might think a little abuse was worth it to keep that life. And why was she so intent on getting to the casino?

I stopped dead when I got to the cab line. Why was