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

it to you?” Davenport stepped over to the limo. “Misty, my pretty one, what would you say if I paid off your debt tonight? Every cent you owed?”

Misty squealed then leaped out of the car and threw her arms around him. “Are you serious? Glory, did you hear that? I can’t believe it.” She burst into tears.

Davenport pulled a snowy handkerchief from his inside jacket pocket and handed it to her. She sobbed and finally collapsed into the back seat again.

“That certainly was fun. I love it when I can make a dream come true. Do we have a deal? Or do I make her dreams crash and burn, Gloriana?” His smile was pure evil. “Yes, I know your name and more about you than you do. Where do you think your power comes from? Those sparks flying last night? The shock of electricity you managed to deal when you were furious? Oh, the thrill when you blew up that slot machine!” He chuckled. “Fantastic!”

“Thrill? I was horrified. I’d never done anything like that before.” I swayed and had to hold onto the bannister next to me. “Are you sure I did it? It wasn’t one of your tricks?” Then I remembered what I’d done to Sid. Where did it come from?

“That was all you. You’ve been squandering your power. Letting it lie dormant. What a shame.” He reached out as if to touch me again but I backed away. “Power like that isn’t from your sire, my dear. No, it is otherworldly. It draws creatures like me. I want it, need it. The only thing that will keep me away is to satisfy me in some other way.”

“By doing you a favor.” I put a hand to my mouth, sickened. Misty climbed out of the limo again, blowing her nose. She wobbled on her high heels then hugged Davenport again before insisting she needed to go upstairs and redo her makeup.

“Glory, this is what happens when you find a kind, generous man of your own who appreciates you.” She sniffled and dabbed at her eyes again. “I will never forget this, Davenport.” She smiled at him then ran a fingertip down his shirt front. “If only there was something I could do for you. Say the word.” She fluttered her damp eyelashes. “Later.” Then she rushed upstairs.

“You’re going to break her heart when you disappear.” I knew I’d been truly trapped.

“That means we have a deal.” He was gleeful. “No, her heart will be fine. I’ll erase her memory. She will forget me and my generosity. Maybe I’ll even find her someone new. I told you, she’ll also lose all urge to gamble. This is a big, big favor you’re trading. Be ready, Ms. St. Clair. I’ll be calling it in soon.” He headed up the stairs. “Run along now. I believe you have a date with Dominic. We know him well.” His laugh sent chills through me.

I hurried to my car and opened the door to let Valdez jump inside. “You were some bodyguard.”

“He wasn’t interested in hurting you. He was all about negotiation.” Valdez sat patiently while I drove us away from there.

“True. But what does he have over you?” I glanced at him.

“I’m not telling. It should be obvious that he knows plenty about both of us. I heard him call you by your real name. And he threw out hints about the source of your power. What’s that about?” He laid down, head on his paws.

“I wish I knew. I told you, I woke up with no idea who I was or where I came from. It was 1604 and I had one name in my aching head—Gloriana. The St. Clair was given to me by the man who found me lying there. I wore a costume. Kind of like what the waitresses at Caesar’s Palace wear.” I tried to remember how to get to Dom’s house as I drove away from what I considered civilization. “Maybe that’s a clue.”

“One thing Davenport said that’s true is that demons are attracted to power. You must have even more hidden powers you don’t know about. That electricity thing is one of them. You need to practice using it.” Valdez yawned. “Especially since you won’t shape-shift.”

“I will practice. You saw how it worked on that slime Sid. I’m glad he won’t bother us again.”

“Right. Too bad you can’t look into Davenport’s eyes and make him go away like that.”

“I tried.” I’d been driving on instinct, not sure I remembered how to get to Dom’s house. I hadn’t driven last time and it was really dark as we left town. “But the minute I stared into Davenport’s bright blue eyes, I felt like I was the one who was about to be mesmerized.” I came to a corner. “Look up, V. Do I turn right or left here?”

He sat up and started giving me directions. It took another fifteen minutes for the isolated house to come into view.

“You know, I should have called and cancelled this. I need to do laundry and that scene with Davenport has me wiped out.” I dragged my tote from the back seat and let Valdez out of the car.

“I heard that. Who’s Davenport? Do I have competition?” Dom walked out of the house and took my tote. He handed it off to Caroline.

“A pest. Forget him.” I doubted I could. A big favor. I knew I’d be dreading it until he finally told me what he wanted.

Dom slid his arm around my waist. “Good. I’m glad you’re here. I need a break from staring at profit and loss statements. Ready to try the hot tub?”

I stretched as an excuse to step away from him. “A soak in a hot tub would feel great. I’ve been tense and need to relax. Maybe I’ll tell you about Davenport after I change.” I reached for my tote again.

“Change?” Dom grinned. “Come now, why not just strip off and jump in, sweet thing?”

“I’m not your sweet thing.