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

“Yes, she’s absolutely wonderful.” Maggie put her arm around the girl. “Caro can speak a dozen languages, is an expert at martial arts and is proficient with every kind of weapon you can name. Plus, she makes a mean martini. Or so I’ve heard.”

“Gran, please. I don’t need a sales pitch.” She kissed Maggie’s cheek. “But that’s all true.” Caro held out her hand. “I’d be pleased to work for you, Glory. Gran talks all the time about the old days when you two were behind the scenes in Shakespeare’s theater. Fascinating stuff.”

“You sound wonderful. Those old days weren’t so great to live through, but I wouldn’t trade them for anything.” I shook her hand then smiled at Maggie. “Sorry, but I don’t need another bodyguard. I may not speak another language, but I can hold my own with a bunch of drunks who can barely speak English by the time they’re on their third round.”

“I get it.” Caroline smiled then backed away, joining Valdez and Sherie near the windows.

I turned to Jerry. “What were you thinking? I told you I’m getting along fine. Valdez is within earshot if I need to scream for help. He’s perfectly capable of protecting me.”

“The thought of you having to scream for help makes me crazy.” Jerry deliberately ignored my frown and turned to shake hands with Fergus. “Good to see you, man. I heard you have a corporate jet now. It’s the only way to travel.”

The only way to travel. Sure, if you were like the two of them, rich beyond my wildest dreams. Once Fergus and Maggie became immortal, they had taken over management of the Turnbull shape-shifter empire. Hiring out bodyguards to vampires was big business and paid extremely well. Like the Valdez family, the Turnbulls were considered the best when you needed a shape-shifter to work for you. They were guns for hire, mercenaries who you could count on to be loyal when you needed protection. Most vampires did rely on a shape-shifter during the day and their vulnerable death sleep, just like I did with my Valdez.

Maggie pulled me away from the men before I could argue with Jeremiah about this.

“Glory, why won’t you let Jeremiah do this for you? You know he’s only trying to protect you. It’s what he’s always done. Honestly, it makes me proud that he chose a Turnbull for this job. He usually uses someone from the Valdez family for you.” She led me to a couch in front of a window that looked out over a sparkling view of the Strip. The neon signs made it a colorful sight.

“Caroline seems wonderful, but I already take too much from Jerry. Don’t you see what he’s doing? Adding another guard? I can’t let him keep tying me to him like this.” I saw Caroline, Sherie and Valdez talking in a group. Poor Valdez. Two beautiful women stood next to him. He was at a decided disadvantage in his black fur dog body. He still had fairy dust boob makeup on his nose. He had no idea how ridiculous he looked. He glanced over at me, read my mind, then took a paw and wiped it away. For once I didn’t resent his mind reading.

“Does that mean you no longer love Jeremiah?” Maggie waited patiently for my answer. “If that’s true, it would be a kindness to let him know so he can move on to someone new. Obviously, he loves you. He went to a lot of trouble to get us here. Asked us to fly in and surprise you.” She watched my face. “We’re not cheap, you know.”

I didn’t know what to say. Maggie the vampire didn’t read my mind, she was too good a friend to even try. I found myself blinking back tears. Jeremiah could do that, surprise me with his thoughtfulness. And his stupid male blindness when it came to what I wanted from him.

“Maggie, you know I love him. Always will.” Could he hear me? He hadn’t stopped talking but I saw him stiffen just a little where he stood across the room. “I can’t let him go.”

“Seems like you are also still trying to push him away. Testing him like you have before. What’s the reason now?” She squeezed my hand.

I bit my lip then forced myself to blurt out the truth. “I’m not good enough for him, Maggie. The older I get, the more obvious it becomes.”

“Glory, don’t be ridiculous. I have never seen Jeremiah treat you as anything but his equal.” She glanced at the men. “Where is this coming from?”

“Just look at us. We don’t even dress the same. Slutty shorts versus power suit. That says it all.” I had to get hold of myself. This urge to burst into tears was not like me. Or maybe it was me because I was finally facing facts. My relationship with Jerry had always been doomed. I should do us both a favor and truly cut him loose.

“Clothes? Those are superficial. You can dress up and he can put on a pair of cargo shorts. Stop this!” Maggie shook my hand.

“No, listen to me. In this modern world, a woman should be able to support herself and make a success of it if she has any drive at all. I’ve certainly had enough time to pull myself together. But have I? No, I’ve been content to just drift, living from paycheck to paycheck. I never found a goal or made a decent career.” I knew Maggie well enough to finally confess what had been on my mind lately.

“I know times have changed.” Maggie patted my knee. “If you’d married…”

“Vampires shouldn’t marry. Jerry’s parents are miserable and it made him decide against it long ago. Even if we were married, I’d need something to occupy my time. He’d soon get bored with me if I had nothing to offer him beyond news of my latest bargain from Macy’s.” I shook my head. “I