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

hospital bill and his bandaged arm saying V was supposed to be quarantined.” Sherie grinned. “You and Jerry scared Sid enough that he did follow through at Animal Control. He totally changed his story when we got there. I was right behind him when he demanded Valdez be released. He swore he’d made a big mistake and they had the wrong dog.”

“I would have liked to have seen that.” I leaned forward. “When did Valdez get a chunk of Sid’s pants?”

“After we left there. Valdez was staggering around like he was drugged, which he was. We’d come in one taxi. Sid was making noise about needing a ride home and suddenly Valdez woke up and started growling at the asshole.” Sherie paced in front of us. “I’d made the cab wait for us and we were about to get in when Sid tried to take it, pushing me out of the way.” Sherie threw up her hands. “Can you believe him? That man has an attitude about women that’s infuriating.”

“I know you didn’t let him get away with it.” Jerry squeezed my hand.

“No, sir! But before I could knock Sid into next week, Valdez attacked. He grabbed a chunk of Sid’s zipper, right where that creep keeps his brains. He held on while Sid begged the dog to let go.”

Jerry laughed. “Way to go, Valdez.”

“Right in front of that dog jail?” I glanced back at the closed bedroom door. “You’re lucky no one saw that or he’d have been captured all over again.”

“I know.” Sherie flushed. “He was out of control. V kept sending me mental messages to make Sid promise to get his own ride or he wouldn’t let go. I pretended to pull on his leash and said stuff like that. By then Sid was ready to walk home to get away from us. V ripped away a chunk of cloth before he jumped in the cab. Once inside V collapsed in my arms.” Sherie put her hand over her heart. “I think I’m in love.”

I turned to Jerry. “He went through that because he couldn’t break his stupid contract and shift out of there sooner.”

“Tranquilized, he wouldn’t have been able to shift anyway, Glory.” Sherie collapsed into a chair. “The dude was lucky we came to save him. I didn’t like the woman at Animal Control. She kept talking about dogs that break quarantine and V’s suspicious behavior. Apparently, she thought that required her to have him put down.” Sherie was up again. “And they say vampires are bloodthirsty!”

“Clearly you’ve had a rough night. Take time off. Book another room if you need to. Neil is on the job now.” Jerry stood and pulled me up beside him.

“I think I’ll go in and lie down with Valdez. He’s out. He won’t bother me and I’ll feel better close to everyone.” Sherie sighed and rubbed her face. “It was a rough night. But everything’s okay now.” She stopped next to me. “Glory, if you get a chance, mesmerize that a-hole Sid so he doesn’t remember anything about Valdez trying to bite his nuts off. That could start a whole new chain of events that would cause trouble for you. Know what I’m saying?”

“Yes, I do. I’ll take care of it.” I patted her shoulder. For a tough woman, she had a tender heart. It seemed like she was definitely feeling something for Valdez. She disappeared into his bedroom and closed the door.

“We have about thirty minutes before sunrise.” Jerry tugged me toward his bedroom. “I really do have to leave for New Orleans tomorrow night.”

“Then we’ll have to make that thirty minutes count.” I threw off my robe and jumped onto the bed. “Come here, lover. I was most impressed by how you talked to Sid earlier. You were my hero. Again.”

“I see. Does that earn me any special favors?” He untied his own robe and let it slide to the floor.

“It might. Especially since you gave me such a special gift.” I lifted my wrist and admired my bracelet. “It was very thoughtful of you.”

“I hope you never have to pawn your jewelry again, Glory. Come to me if you need aid. Please promise me you will.” He knelt on the bed and kissed my wrist again then a path up my arm to my neck. “I want to be here for you. I hope you know I will always be here for you.”

“Thank you, Jerry. You can’t imagine how safe that makes me feel.” I closed my eyes as I let that sink in. “Truly. I guess I’ve taken it for granted. Now that I’ve met so many women who have no one to count on, I realize how lucky I am that you’ve stuck by me all these years.” I held his face in my hands, that familiar face that meant so much to me.

I opened my mind to him. “Do you know I will always be here for you as well? Yes, I push you away for one reason or another, but, if you ever need me, really need me, I will come to you. I could never deny you my help or support if you were in trouble or in pain.”

“Thank you, Gloriana. There have been times when I’ve doubted your love.” His mouth hardened. “You are so damned stubborn about some things. This quest for independence. It is as if you want to be like a man, having your own property, your own business. When I was young, women were content to be cherished, taken care of and given what they needed without ever working for it.”

“That was centuries ago. Back then if a woman lost her man, she was in a bad way. Look what happened to me. After my husband died, I had no useful skills to fall back on and was starving. Maggie was almost the same.” I kissed him then. “You are an exceptional man, being so steadfast in your feelings and shouldering your responsibilities. I understand that.