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

tell her that he had called the group who gathered in the Council House pathetic losers. Since I was one of them, he’d insulted me, too. We were barely speaking.

“He is such an åsna.” Karla shoved Valdez out of her way. “Move, shifter, we are going downstairs.”

“Great. Tonight’s feature is Titanic. Blue bodies floating in ice water.” Valdez shuddered.

“Who chose that one?” I had to admit to having watched that one a few times. And cried.

“Marlene, I’m sure.” Karla said over her shoulder. “She has a thing for Leonardo di Caprio.” Karla marched straight to the coffee table and grabbed the remote.

“They can hear that across the street at the casino.” She punched down the volume and shook her head when Marlene made a grab for the remote. “Besides, you know this one by heart.”

“I don’t care. You are being mean. Go back upstairs and play with your new friend.” She gave me a dirty look.

“We are not playing, we’re working. You might be able to afford your own apartment if you tried it.” Karla kept the remote and ignored the gestures she was getting from Dennis and Marlene.

“She’s right, you know. Marlene, all you do is watch TV and wait for Denny and me to bring you synthetic. Then you whine if it’s not the good stuff.” Connie got up from the couch. “Am I wrong, Denny?”

“Not entirely. But stop this. We were enjoying the show.” Dennis held out his hand. “Come, sit back down. Karla, give me the remote.”

“You’re taking Connie’s side.” Marlene shoved him. “You did. You think I’m lazy. You know I can’t afford papers.”

Karla smiled. “You need papers? I’ll get some for you. Free. Just to see you get off your lazy ass.”

Marlene flew off the couch and hit Karla with her fist. The two women tangled, pulling each other’s hair. I backed away. Where had all of this come from?

Dennis stayed where he was, smiling, as if this was better entertainment than the movie which still played on the big screen. Connie came to stand beside me.

“I was serious. If you need a roommate, I’m looking to move. I’m sick of helping to support that little bitch. She’s dead weight and Denny won’t do anything about it. I have a job at the Tropicana, selling things in their boutique. Monday is my night off. I arranged it that way so I could come here.” She bumped against me. “You haven’t called me.”

“I was thinking about it.” In fact, Misty had just announced that the man she’d met at her Gamblers Anonymous meeting was becoming serious. She was thinking of moving in with him at the end of the month. The apartment was in her name but I could have it or we would let it go. That put me in a bind. I told Connie that.

“This is perfect. We can try it out. If we aren’t compatible, no problem. We both move on. How much do you pay?” Connie kicked Marlene when she fell against her. “Stop this! You’re missing your favorite part of the movie!”

“I don’t even have a TV.” I admitted. When I told her how much her half of the rent would be, she stared.

“No TV and cheap rent? Get rid of the mortal. Will your shifter mind guarding both of us?” She smiled at Valdez who was stationed at the foot of the stairs. He wagged his tail, his eyes on the fight which had just abruptly ended. “How much do I have to kick in for him?”

When I told her he was paid for by my sire, she whooped and hugged me.

“I am definitely coming when you call. Do some mind control on that mortal if you have to, Glory. Come on, be a pal.” She couldn’t stop grinning.

Marlene held up the remote. “I’ve got it.” She threw back her hair and stared at Karla triumphantly.

“Just keep the volume down or I’ll ban you from this house. I have the power, you know.” Karla straightened her dress. “I meant what I said. You’re lazy.”

“I’ll prove I’m not. I’ll take those papers. I can sing in one of the lounges, on or off the Strip. Can’t I, Dennis?” She hit mute on the TV then threw back her head and belted out the theme from Titanic. “My Heart Will Go On and On…”

We all stared. She could have held her own against Celine Dion.

“You see? She has a wonderful voice.” Dennis finally got up off the couch. “Connie, love, are you truly thinking of leaving me?”

“As soon as Glory can get rid of her mortal roommate.” Connie kissed him. “You’ve been a nice distraction, but time to move on.”

Dennis hugged her then turned to Marlene. “It’s just you and me, darlin’. Karla had better come through with those papers. I have to have your half of the rent or I’m living in my car and you’re on your own.”

“What do you do for work, Dennis?” I couldn’t resist asking. I wondered why it took three of them to support a tiny apartment.

“I drive a delivery truck for a local food company.” He winked. “It’s not just rent we need to cover, Glory. We have to pay our shifter for daytime security. I suppose we could just lock our doors and take our chances, but I refuse to do that in a city that never sleeps. Know what I mean?” He ambled back to the sofa, grabbing Marlene’s hand and pulling her down with him.

“Is a shape-shifter that expensive?” I realized I had no idea what kind of money Valdez earned.

Connie gave me a funny look. “You don’t know? Since yours is one of the most expensive, a member of the Valdez family, I figured you must have a fortune hidden somewhere. We had to go budget and it’s still ridiculous what they charge.” She named a figure that made my eyes pop.

“Seriously? Why so much?”

“Come on. They are on duty every day, dawn until dusk. If they want a day