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

was trying to keep from crying. A Bengal tiger! “I could have taken those fucking mortals, even three to one, but thought you wouldn’t want me to make a public scene, Jerry, shifting like I’d need to do.”

I frantically stuffed my aching feet into my shoes. “Where did they take him?”

“Valdez sent me mental messages. Said he was pretty sure it would be the same dog jail he was in before. You’d know where it was but not to worry you. He’d shift out of there if he had to.” She stared at Jerry. “It’s that damned contract, boss. It’s got him tied up in legalese and he’s determined not to break it.”

“She’s right about that. He works hard and is afraid he’ll lose his stupid bonus.” I was fighting tears now too. “You don’t know what kind of humiliating things they do to him there. If he tries to get away from them, they’ll tranquilize him. They will probably do that anyway, because he has a history of biting.” I shuddered and fought back a sob. “God, Jerry, tranquilize him! That will make him helpless.”

“You’re right, Glory.” Sherie stiffened. “I followed them. When they went to put him in that special van they drive, V went crazy, snapping and lunging at them. One of the men held him off with a noose around his neck while the other shot him with a tranquilizer dart.” Her eyes glittered in the light from a crystal chandelier above us.

“My God!” I clutched Jerry’s arm.

“Surely he can change once he’s in there…” Jerry seemed to realize he had nothing to say when I glared at him.

“He won’t, Jerry. He’s always harping on his honor and how he has to stick to your terms. He’s big on trust and boasts about his family’s ‘reputation’. I’m sick of such things.” I shook my head. “Damn it! He’ll be put in a cage, Jerry! A cage. And examined like he really is a dog.” I knew I’d raised my voice and wasn’t surprised when Jerry dragged me out to the lobby. Of course, the other patrons in the lounge had noticed.

“Calm down. We’ll fix this.” Jerry pulled out his phone and sent a text. “We don’t have much time. Sherie, you’ll have to go to Animal Control and find out what you can during the day. Neil can take over as guard for us while you secure Valdez’s release. Glory, you’ll have to tell Sherie what to do. Tell her where the man’s papers are, that sort of thing. This has got to be a mistake.”

“His release? A mistake? That dog is going to be put down and there’s nothing you can do about it.” A man was waiting for us in the lobby. He thrust a paper at me. “He was supposed to be in quarantine, not lounging beside a hotel pool! I also expect you to pay my hospital bill, Gloria.”

I recognized the man making a scene and rushed toward him so fast I stumbled and fell into Jerry’s arms. Jerry held me up when I wobbled in those damned high heels. “Sid, what have you done?”

“Let me handle this, Glory.” Jeremiah put me behind him and walked up to Sid. “What do you have there?” He plucked the paper out of Sid’s hand. “Yes, it’s a hospital bill. You had stitches after a dog bit you.” Jerry frowned. “I’ll have my accountant take care of this in the morning.”

“No, you won’t.” I shoved Jerry out of the way. “You don’t know what this man tried to do. Tell him, Sid. Tell Jerry, my boyfriend, why my dog attacked you.” I seized Sid’s shirt and shook him. When Sid pulled back his good arm to take a swing, Sherie grabbed it and held on.

“Hurt her and die, asshole.” She snarled like she meant every word, her six feet of muscle very intimidating in a tight black shirt and running shorts.

Sid’s eyes widened but he focused on Jerry. “You’re her boyfriend? You just going to let your woman act like this?” When Jerry stayed silent, he looked back at me. “Let him pay the damn bill, Gloria.”

“No way.” I turned to Jerry. “Valdez attacked this man because he tried to come into my bedroom in the middle of the day. You know what that means.”

“I certainly do,” Jerry said quietly. I was sure it was Jerry’s cold smile that made Sid struggle to break Sherie’s hold on him. Her grip tightened so much that Sid yelped.

“Tell my lover what you wanted to do in my bedroom, Sid.” I poked him in the chest.

“Now, see here. She came on to me. I figured she’d welcome my attentions—” He gasped when Jerry suddenly slid me out of the way and grabbed Sid by the throat.

“I don’t believe you.” Jerry stared into Sid’s eyes. “In fact, I think you hoped to take a helpless woman against her will.”

“Helpless? That woman is not helpless. She’s got that wild dog by her side and look what he did.” Sid choked out the words and waved his bandaged arm. He had no idea he was making matters worse for himself. He couldn’t say another word when Jerry’s hand gripped him so hard his face turned red and his eyes popped.

“I’m sorry he didn’t kill you.” Again, Jerry said it quietly, so our growing audience couldn’t catch the words.

Sherie exchanged looks with Jerry. “Here’s what’s going to happen, Sid. You’re coming with me to Animal Control. Obviously, you made a mistake. Valdez wasn’t the dog that bit you. It was another dog, white with a pink collar. You were hysterical, seeing things. Drunk at the time. That sound about right?” She glanced at Jerry who didn’t seem inclined to release a struggling Sid. “We’ll handle the hospital bills but you will never go near Ms. St. Clair, uh, Simpson, again.”

Sid dug at Jerry’s hand tightening on his neck and might have nodded, I couldn’t tell. His feet scrabbled for purchase on the