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

slot machines, dragging Valdez with her. “Damn it.” I looked down to where the man held my arm. He seemed determined to lead me away. “Who are you?”

“Ronald P. Davenport, at your service. Call me Davenport, everyone does.” He nodded, as if doffing an invisible hat. “And you are?”

“Glory, I mean Gloria Simpson. Not at your service. Will you let me go?” He gripped my arm, his hundred-dollar bills crumpling as he did. I could shake him off but it would take some effort and probably make a scene. In the distance I heard a bark. Valdez, letting me know he was ready to come if I needed him. I sent him a mental message to stay where he was for the time being.

Davenport immediately released me, two bills drifting to the floor. “Sorry. Too much celebrating. I really did hit it big at the High Limit Slots. Want to give them a try?”

“I’d better start slow and low.” I reached down and picked up the two hundreds. “These are yours. How much did you win?”

“Ten thousand dollars. Isn’t that cool?” He finished his drink and put his glass on a passing waitress’s tray. “Holly, would you bring me another?” He smiled at her then me. “I don’t suppose you want anything. Got to keep a clear head.”

“No, I don’t. Ten thousand? That is cool.” I could certainly use that kind of cash. “How much did you have to bet?”

“A few dollars, that’s all. Honest.” He held out his hand. “Come on, I’ll show you.”

“Wait.” I felt a nudge at my hip. “Here’s my service dog. We got separated. He’s going to be my lucky charm.”

Davenport reached out a tentative hand. “Will you be mine too?”

Valdez stiffened. He didn’t growl but he backed up, closer to me. I gave him a look but for once he was silent.

“Guess he’s undecided.” I held onto his leash.

“Let’s see if he does bring you luck. Come on.” Davenport smiled and gestured down an aisle of slot machines.

“Where’s Misty?” I looked back into the crowded casino as I followed my new friend.

“She found a machine she liked and I might as well have been invisible. I saw how that guy grabbed you as we came in. No way am I letting you out of my sight now.” Valdez pushed between us when Davenport stopped in front of a machine.

“Here we go. I’ve been watching this one. A few people have tried it, putting in money but walking away before there’s been a big pay out. It’s due.” He waited for me to open my purse. “How much are you willing to risk, Glory?” His smile seemed genuine.

I tried to guess his age. If anyone else was watching us, they’d probably think he was my older boyfriend or maybe my father. He could be in his forties or older with his silver hair but his handsome face was unlined and his body was trim and seemed the result of regular workouts. In a previous century we would have called him dapper with his neat bow tie and shined shoes. He had a matching blue handkerchief in his suit coat pocket. The suit itself looked expensive and was a beautiful cream color that matched his hair.

I thought about Misty, hooked on her machine when a man like this might be just the type who could take care of her. He could be considered a little old but not too old and he was certainly tall enough since he towered over me.

I dug out the three hundred I’d gotten in tips the last few nights. I’d saved this since we hadn’t managed a trip to the bank. I heard Valdez clear his throat.

“Is the dog all right?” Davenport looked concerned.

“He’s fine. The smoke in here bothers him.” I was busy studying the colorful machine in front of me. I should stay away from these. I’d tried them already and had no luck. Old films showed slot machines with levers to pull. Modern ones just had buttons. Tiffany was right. You could lose money fast. I’d stuck to the cheap slots so far. Those were bad enough. Misty had admitted she was an addict. I could see how that had happened. You would get behind and think just one more try and your luck would turn.

The machines in this row were much more expensive. There were places where I could slide my bills in for a chance to win. Or lose. Bills! Fives, tens, even twenties. I hadn’t dared try them before. The air was thick with smoke and the sweat of anxious gamblers, staring at the machines in front of them. Why were they so fascinating? I looked up when I saw Davenport wave his hand and the air around us suddenly cleared.

“Is that better, Glory?” He smiled down at Valdez. “Dog?”

I stiffened and dragged in the cleared air around me. It was tainted. Not vampire, not shifter, something else. Evil? Perhaps. Threatening? If so, why wasn’t Valdez dragging me out of here or tearing a hole in Davenport’s designer suit?

“What are you?” I backed up a step.

“I smell it now. He’s a demon, Glory. We need to get out of here.” Valdez jumped in front of me, tying me up in his leash. He pushed me back but all he managed to do was make me stagger.

“Not so fast, Mr. Valdez. Not unless you are prepared to share your own history with Glory here.” Davenport’s eyes suddenly gleamed red.

“Harm her and you’ll have to go through me.” Valdez was stiff, his tail straight out and quivering. “I’m not playing.”

“Well, I am. Just having a little fun. Do you remember what that is?” Davenport reached down and tugged on Valdez’s ear so hard V flattened on the floor.

I gasped. “Let him go!” I unwound myself from the stupid leash. “It’s not fun if he gets hurt protecting me.”

Davenport held out his hands. “Relax, Glory. Valdez?”

I waited until I saw V stand up and shake off whatever Davenport