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

“Still in Dom’s office, I guess. I haven’t seen them come out anyway.” Donna turned when a man waved at her. “Oh, photo time.” Her grin was real. “I love this job. Stand around and pose and the money rolls in.” She held the little plaid skirt in one hand. “I wish they’d let me put this back on though. I feel naked like this.”

“You have a beautiful body, Donna.” I adjusted the collar of the white shirt Mae had fixed for them. It framed her breasts which sparkled with Mae’s fairy dust or stardust, whatever.

“Thanks, Gloria.” Something sparked in her eyes. “We do need to go out together. Tonight?”

“Not while my boyfriend is still in town. Next week.” I smiled to soften the rejection. “I’m considering a Country and Western song for the next dance. Think Manny would spring for cowboy boots?”

“You need to hit the costume room. We have some back there. Lots of sizes, even some to fit a tall girl like me.” She held out one foot in her plain dancing heel. “Big feet. There are some cute fringe vests, too. Find us a current song with a good beat and do your thing.” Donna laughed when the bartender slid her another shot. “Thanks, Tony!” She threw it back and waved. “Off to pose.” She sauntered over to the table where three men stared at her like she was a juicy steak and they were starving.

I shuddered. She had a lot of poise. She might hate walking around in next to nothing but she didn’t show it. She laughed and called for the photographer to take pix of her surrounded by the guys. When one made a grab for her boob, she twisted his arm in a move that would have made a wrestler proud. I had a feeling her Lee had taught her that one. The man cursed but backed off, nursing his wrist.

She leaned down and said something to him that must have convinced him not to touch her again. Maybe she’d told him her boyfriend was “connected.” I’d heard her say that once. Threatening a customer with being dumped in the desert seemed to be her favorite way to discourage men who thought she was easy pickings.

“When can you leave here?” Jerry had come up behind me while I watched Donna. “You look very serious. What’s the matter?”

“I’m worried about our new girl. Dom has her in his office. He’s probably drinking from her right now. She was already pretty pale.” I looked around the club. Things were winding down and we were just a few minutes from closing time. Donna was the last dancer still getting her picture taken.

“That’s his business, isn’t it? I’m sure he knows how much to take safely. The girl will be fine.” Jerry took my laden tray from me. “You don’t have to wash the glasses, do you?”

“No, not my job.” I collected money from one more customer, then turned in my take for the night. I hadn’t pushed for photo opportunities so I had no extra money coming there. That was a worry for another night. “Actually, I’m done. I guess I can go.” I glanced at the hallway leading to Dom’s office. “Do you mind if I check on Tiffany?”

“Tiffany. Like the jewelry company. I bought you something from there once. Do you still have it?” He took my hand, running his thumb over my wrist.

I shook my head. “I’m sorry, but I sold it years ago. I hated to lose it, but I needed rent money and couldn’t figure out any other way to get it.” I did regret pawning that beautiful Tiffany bracelet. Jerry had always been generous. I’d learned early on that the gifts from a lover were how a mistress was able to make it through lean times. I’d never admit that taking jewelry from Jeremiah had been almost the same thing as selling myself.

That thought made me lift my chin and turn away from him. If I started down that road of shame, I’d start crying. I couldn’t change the past. Better to deal with the present situation.

He held me back when I started down the hall. “Leave Dom alone. It really is his business who he uses as a blood source. We shouldn’t interfere.”

“I feel responsible for Tiffany.” When I said it, I wondered…?

“Why?” Jerry said it.

“I don’t know. She’s an innocent, from the country. She has no idea what Dom is or what he can and will do to her.” I looked around. No one could hear us but I moved closer to the office just in case. Donna had finished with her men and she’d left. They were paying Barb, the other waitress, and now the club was clearing out. The lights on the stage were dark and customers got the hint. Last call.

“He’ll satisfy himself, erase her memory and send her on her way, no harm done.” Jerry put his hands on my shoulders. “It’s what we do, Glory. You know this. Why the sudden stab of conscience? Vampires crave blood. Sure, we have the synthetics, but most of us, especially the ancient ones like you and me, enjoy a taste of the real deal from time to time.” He kissed my forehead. “I admit, I don’t drink synthetics if I can help it. I still prefer hunting for my supper.”

“Jerry! We’re supposed to be civilized now.” I also hated to think of him risking being caught on a surveillance camera somewhere. It was the main reason most vampires stuck to synthetics. “It’s one thing to see books about vampires, or movies, but if people suspect we’re real…”

“Fuck civilized.” He grinned. “I’m careful. I admit the danger makes me feel alive.”

“You won’t be if you accidentally approach the wrong person. You know there are vampire hunters. I’ve heard the stories about them.” I hit his chest. “Why take such a risk?”

“What’s all the noise out here?” Dom came strolling out of his