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

I thought about the short shelf life these dancers had. It was so unfair. It reminded me how lucky I was to have been turned when I was still young and fresh-looking. Back in 1604, twenty-two wasn’t considered all that young. Some women already had half a dozen kids by then and looked worn out. When Michael St. Clair had found me with no memory, I didn’t look like I’d been used to hard living.

It made me wonder, not for the first time, if I’d once been blessed with a luxurious lifestyle. My hands had been smooth, my skin unwrinkled. Clearly, I hadn’t been someone’s servant or ever scrubbed floors. I wasn’t a virgin either, but my body showed no signs of having borne children. The sad truth was that no one had come searching for me. Wherever I’d come from, my family and friends must have thought me dead or were glad I’d disappeared. What a lowering thought that was.

“You’d better get out there and start earning money.” Valdez sent me the message when he realized I was just sitting in the break room while everyone else was getting ready to go on stage. “What’s wrong with you?”

“Depressed.” I waved at Liza who was getting some of the sparkly makeup expertly put on her boobs by Mae. “She’s too old for the Strip, can you believe it?”

“And yet, compared to you, she’s a kid.” He gave Liza a thorough scan. “Beautiful. Not too old for me. Damn this dog body. Suck it up, Glory. She got hired here. When she’s out there, make sure she gets some tips for photos, help a girl.”

I nodded and smiled. Yes, I could do that. I patted his head and headed for the bar. It turned out to be a busy night. Dom came out with Caroline trailing him. He was really enjoying using her as his bodyguard. Caro winked at me as they went past before they settled at a table near the stage. I was quick to serve them.

“Bring me my special reserve, the one from Columbia.” Dom smiled. “You should try a shot of it yourself, Glory. It’s got a hit of cocaine in it.”

“Not while I’m working.” I was glad to see he’d let Caro sit with him instead of making her stand behind his chair. “Anything for your bodyguard?”

“Sure. What do you want, Caro?” He reached for her hand but she tucked hers out of sight, in her lap.

“Just a Coke. I’m on duty.” She smiled at me. “I’m sitting because Dom doesn’t want me blocking someone’s view of the performance.” The lights dimmed. “Is this a new dance, Glory?”

“No, a repeat from Saturday night. It’s the Western and seemed to go over big with the customers.” I scooted out of the way as the music started. The sound of cowboy boots slapping the stage floor made a lively beat. A couple of men who wore cowboy hats were in the audience and they whooped when they heard the song I’d selected. I hurried to the bar and gave Dom’s order, watching the crowd to see how they liked the dancers in their short skirts and skimpy vests, open to reveal their bare breasts. When the vests hit the stage, there was a howl, like a wolf had suddenly joined the group. I looked around. Werewolf? I noticed Caroline too was on the alert.

I hustled to Dom’s table with their drinks on my tray. The dancers were two-stepping around the stage, then, with a flick of their wrists, flung their little skirts off and to the floor.

“Ah-ooo!” There it was again, a wolf’s howl.

“I swear that’s a—” Caro got up from the table. “Stay with Dom.” She began to prowl through the audience.

“I’ll be damned if I’ll have one of those in my club.” Dom gulped his drink and motioned for me to sit. “They’re bound to make trouble. I won’t let this be hangout for them or have them bother my girls.”

“What about other paranormals? You let vampires and shifters in here. Can you just ban one kind and not all of them? Wouldn’t that cause a problem?” I watched Caro approach a table and put her hand on a man’s shoulder. He looked up at her and grinned. Oh, boy, that was all we needed. He wasn’t about to leave when a dozen beautiful women in nothing but G-strings, cowboy hats and boots were just feet away.

“Just the wolves. I can’t stand them.” Dom settled back in his chair.

The song finished with a flourish and the audience went wild. The two men who wore cowboy hats tossed them in the air. Manny took the stage and did his spiel, explaining how the women would circulate through the audience and offer to get a drink with the men and have their picture taken. Tips were accepted but no touching. Hands went up with money in some of them. I’d been distracted long enough that, when I looked back to check on Caro, I realized she and the werewolf were no longer at his table.

“Where did they go?” I held my empty tray, ignoring the men around me who clearly were trying to get my attention for drink orders.

“We’re right behind you.” Caro tapped me on the shoulder. “Let me introduce Bob Johnson, pack leader of the local wolves. Bob, this is Glory Simpson and Dominic Mayer, the owner of this club.”

“Great to meet you.” Bob held out his hand. “I enjoyed the show. Obviously. Sometimes I get carried away. Sorry about that.”

I shook his hand, trying not to flinch when he held it too tight. I could smell him now and was sure I would remember that scent. Dom ignored Bob’s outstretched hand.

“Sorry? You were a disgrace. I am not certain I wish lupii to frequent my club.” Dom suddenly had an accent, the “l” word sounding strange on his tongue. He drained his glass then stood. “Find another place to look at naked women, wolf.”

“We are