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

sprinkled on the floor in front of him. It wasn’t much of a dinner, but all I’d had time for.

“Relax, Glory. I’ve got your back.” Valdez murmured.

“Thanks. I don’t know if I remembered to say that. Thanks for saving me from Sid.” I rolled over and punched my pillow. “Sorry about your dinner.”

“Don’t be. I love Cheetos.”

That was the last I heard before I was dead to the world.

7

Ihad to give Lee points for arranging to put a new battery in my old car while I slept. Donna left a note at the apartment door and drove the heap there for me. I wondered what favors she’d given her boyfriend to pay for all that trouble. I didn’t have time to worry about it though. I was busy finding music for the dancers and dreaming up a simple but erotic number that they could learn fast. Luckily for me, Misty helped once I let her in on what I was doing.

“I love that song. I always thought it would make a great dance number.” Misty came out of the shower wearing a towel, much to Valdez’s delight. She was beautiful, even with wet hair and no makeup. I know my shifter had a crush on her.

“I persuaded Manny to let me take a stab at coming up with a number for you girls to do instead of that opener you’ve been doing. I don’t want to be critical, but…” I had on my waitress costume and was trying to work out the logistics of the dance in high heels. Not easy. “Let’s just say I could tell you were embarrassed up there, parading around.”

“Please, be critical. It’s a stupid dance.” She picked up another towel. “You’re right. I was mortified. Bad enough to be topless, but with nothing to work with, well…” She patted Valdez’s head. “Why, even this dog is giving me the eye. It’s ridiculous. I’ve begun to feel like a piece of meat, a juicy ribeye, huh, doggy?” She leaned down and kissed his nose.

I couldn’t look at Valdez. I knew he was definitely giving her the eye and it wasn’t Misty’s imagination.

She began toweling her long hair. “I love that you’ve jumped in on this, Gloria.” She sighed and the towel around her body started to slip. “Without that headdress, if possible. It gives me such a headache.”

“I’ll bet. At least the feathers are pretty and Manny doesn’t want to lose them. This song has a great Latin beat. Do you think the girls could move to it in heels? Use the feathers in their hands to accentuate their moves?” I grabbed two envelopes, late bills by the looks of them, and waved them in the air, then slid them down my hips like I hoped the dancers could do with the feathers. It was strictly to keep Manny happy. Once he saw the dance, I figured we could drop the feathers from the act.

“Sure. It’ll be fun to actually dance, not pose like we’re Miss June in a calendar or centerfold, know what I mean?” Misty glanced at the clock and frowned. “I’ve got to get going or I’ll be late. Great idea, Gloria. The music will make all the difference. Thanks for standing up for us.” She hurried into her bedroom and we soon heard the blow dryer going.

“I can breathe again. I swear I thought her towel was going to drop any minute.” Valdez gazed longingly toward her bedroom door. “That is one beautiful woman.”

“Yes, she is. She sure deserves better than Sid.” I stopped the music and popped out the CD. “We need to go on to the club. Run this dance by Manny.”

“Fine. By the way, Animal Control came by today while you were dead to the world.” Valdez walked to the door.

“What? With you locked inside my bedroom?” I pulled out a bottle of my synthetic blood, JuiceZ, from the fridge. I’d told Misty it was a prescription drink from my doctor for a rare blood disease I had. She bought that excuse and steered clear of it. “What did you do?”

“They were knocking really loud. Woke Misty up. She went to the door and told them I was in your bedroom. She also swore I was not dangerous. Misty really is a nice lady, you know.”

“Yes, I do know. What happened?”

“I barked my head off and they could hear me. That seemed to satisfy them and they went away. They left a paper with her. She can tell you about it later.” Valdez sat in front of the door, waiting. “What am I having for my dinner?” He nodded at what I was drinking.

“I’ll drive through for a burger again. I really need to get to the store. I’m surprised Misty hasn’t said something about the lack of regular dog food in the pantry.” I polished off the drink then rinsed out the bottle. I could take it back to my supplier and get a small rebate. Too bad JuiceZ tasted like old tennis shoes. “I should put a can or two in there for show. Then buy you some cold cuts, peanut butter, stuff like that and pretend to eat it myself.”

“Yeah, play the game. You’d better stop by the bank again if you’re serious about saving. I know you got big tips last night. That push-up bra was a money maker.” Valdez led the way down the stairs.

“I intend to pay Donna’s boyfriend for that battery. I don’t want to be obligated to him.” I found my keys under the floor mat. The old car started right away. I made a stop for a fried chicken sandwich this time and tater tots. My car might start but it also smelled like fast food, not so great. I rolled down my window and let the hot air in.

“Lee can afford to give you a battery.” Valdez pushed aside the tomato and lettuce and devoured the chicken. “But I’d worry about what he might want