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

“Took you long enough.” He got up off the couch and stretched.

“So sorry if you were bored.” I sat and took off my torture shoes. “Where are my clothes and my tennis shoes? Though I’m tempted to drive home barefoot.” I had already checked. We were alone. Good thing since Valdez was talking out loud.

“Mae put everything in a locker for you. The key is on a chain hanging around my neck. Isn’t that sweet?” Valdez came closer and let me take the chain. “Lockers are over there.” He pointed with his nose. “I tell you, I saw so many bare breasts tonight, I almost quit looking.” He gave me a doggy grin. “Almost.”

“I bet it was pure torture, seeing and not being able to do anything about it.” I staggered over to the locker and found my clothes and shoes in a bag. I didn’t have the energy to change, so I just stuffed my aching feet into the tennis shoes.

“You have no idea.” He followed me to the door. “Mae should have told you more about the job. You have to wear the same thing every night. I heard the other waitress talking to Mae. You need a couple of other tops and shorts or you’re washing every day.”

“Where am I supposed to get those?” I put my tips in my purse then stuck the empty fanny pack in my new locker. It had a mirror inside. I’d have to be sure no one saw me avoiding it. Typical vampire problem.

“Mae sells them and they aren’t cheap. Talk to her tomorrow night. She’s gone now. Had to get home to the family. Would you believe she has five kids?” Valdez chuffed. “Her husband took off and she’s the sole support. Now she does stuff like make the costumes. You can get her to sew you some bigger shorts. Not that I looked, of course, but you were walking like you had a stick up your butt.”

“That’s how it felt. I had a wedgie all night. You really did get all the info, didn’t you?” I slammed and locked the locker then threw the key into my purse. “Let’s go.”

“Not so fast. Bring the dog and come with me. You haven’t met the big boss yet.” Manny stood in the doorway. If he’d heard Valdez talking, he didn’t show it.

“Now? My feet are killing me, Manny. I’m desperate for a shower.” I also didn’t look forward to meeting the big boss here when I was dressed like a slut. First impressions…

“Sorry, but Dominic owns this place and he has to give you his stamp of approval. Mae gave him your paperwork and he has a question about it.” Manny looked me over. “You did okay tonight. Answer his questions and you’ll be fine. I know you got good tips. You don’t want to lose this job, do you?”

“Of course not.” I tried in vain to pull down my shorts then followed Manny through the dark club, Valdez trailing me. There was an office behind the bar, the door closed.

“I’ll leave you to it. I hope you aren’t hiding anything, Blondie. I need good waitresses and you filled the bill tonight. Dominic doesn’t like secrets. If he sees something that worries him in your papers, you answer him truthfully. Don’t try to bull shit him. Hear me?” Manny put his hand on my arm. He was clearly trying to help me.

“Thanks, Manny. No secrets. But I do have a spotty work record. Problem with an old boyfriend who couldn’t keep a job. We were always on the move. I finally got smart and dumped him. You’re right. Good tips. I want to keep this gig. I’ll be straight with the boss. Don’t worry.” Now I was nervous. A vampire’s life was nothing but secrets. Damn.

“Okay, then. Good night.” Manny knocked on the door, then left me when we heard a man’s voice say come in. “There you go.”

I opened the door and stopped. Valdez had gone rigid. His tail was out straight and his ears were up.

“Do you smell what I smell, Valdez?”

He nodded. “Vampire.”

4

“Ican’t believe it. This sure explains everything!” The man behind the desk stood and walked around to face me. He was short—five eight, maybe, and broad-shouldered. He wore an Italian suit well. He had one of those shaved heads that worked. Sexy, actually. His dark eyes seemed to miss nothing behind his black rimmed glasses. He’d probably been turned when he was in his early forties. He looked like the kind of guy you’d want doing your taxes, trustworthy, and for some reason I liked him instantly. He tossed his glasses on the desk then showed his fangs in a vampire greeting. Oh, give me a break.

“My work record. Afraid so. You get fired a lot when you can’t take a day shift.” I kept my distance. That fang display was a little unnerving. I offered a smile but kept my own fangs out of sight.

“Of course. It’s a bitch. Come on in, sit.” He gestured at a leather chair. There was a pair of them next to his desk. “What’s the deal with the dog? Shifter?” He shook his head. “Hey, let me see your true self, guy.”

“That’s not allowed in my contract. I’m Glory’s bodyguard. Her sire hired me to protect her. Since she doesn’t want a man around to cramp her style, we settled on this dog body. It’s a pain, but we’ve made it work.” Valdez jumped up on the other leather chair.

“No kidding.” Dominic settled behind his desk. “I had no idea you guys were here in the building. I think it’s cool as hell but wonder how you knew this business was owned by a vamp.”

“Oh, I didn’t know. This is just a freaky coincidence.” And maybe a lucky one. I leaned forward, hoping he was a boob guy. Yes, he did focus