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

Sid’s car was in our assigned spot at the apartment complex and I had fun finding a parking space anywhere near our place. I was finally staggering up the steps when Valdez stopped in front of me.

“Sid’s going to be a problem.”

“I already told him I’m not going to sleep with him. What else can I do?” I unlocked the door. The lights were off in the living room and Misty’s bedroom door was closed. “He’s with Misty. He won’t bother me now.”

“I wouldn’t bet on it. Don’t be surprised if I have to get serious with him today. You got my phony shot record handy? The one that proves I don’t have rabies and stuff like that?” Valdez stopped in front of Misty’s door. “Right now, he’s snoring. He got what he wanted and is sleeping it off, but I give him a couple of hours and he’ll try your door. Bet you a hundred bucks.”

“I won’t take that bet. You’re probably right.” This was the worst part of being a vampire, the total helplessness during your death sleep. I could only hope that Sid would sleep most of the day away. Then, surely, he would be scared off by Valdez’s huge teeth and serious attempt to keep him out of my bedroom.

I dragged myself inside and shut the door. Once I took off that bra top and shorts, I just stood there a minute, breathing a sigh of relief. The freedom of being out of those things made me want to flop down naked on those grimy sheets and die. But I thought better of it. What if Valdez couldn’t hold off Sid? I needed to at least be covered, even if he freaked out when he touched me and got zero response. Picturing that and his call to 9-1-1 almost made me smile. Until I imagined waking up at sunset in an emergency room or on a slab in a morgue. Oh, hell no.

I threw on a cotton nightgown and then used the last of my dwindling energy to put a fresh set of sheets on the bed. I left the dirty ones in a bundle by the door. I had to make time to get to a laundromat. There were a lot of things I needed to make time for. Damn the long summer days and the short summer nights. Those were my last thoughts before my head hit my pillow and I was out.

When I finally woke up, there was a silence in the apartment that seemed ominous, even before I opened my door. No Valdez. There was a note on the bar in the kitchen.

“Taking Sid to the emergency room for stitches. Valdez is at Animal Control. Take his shot records when you go. I tried to wake you up, but you sleep like the dead. See you later.

Misty”

Well, well. Guess Misty didn’t realize that Valdez only attacked Sid because he’d tried to get into my bed. I hoped Valdez had bit the hell out of that creep. I hurriedly showered and dressed. Animal Control. I pictured a kind of animal jail. I knew Valdez wouldn’t let them do anything drastic to him without shifting. Luckily, the vampire network could get you anything. I’d bought papers for him when I’d bought my own forged papers. I was glad Misty had put the phone number for the place on the bottom of her note. I called and got directions after assuring the attendant that I did have shot records and that Valdez was not a danger to the public.

Not a danger. Well, every member of the Valdez family I’d ever known had been very dangerous. But only when it was called for. My first Valdez, Diego Valdez, had been a handsome Spaniard who would have given his life to protect me. Back then it had involved Irish pirates. Now it was keeping sleazes like Sid out of my bedroom.

When I pulled up to the brick facility, I could hear dogs barking. I love dogs and it would be hard to resist bringing one home with me as a pet. Too bad I knew Misty was already over her limit with my Valdez.

My stomach churned when I approached the front desk. I handed over the shot records that proved Valdez had up-to-date vaccinations. The clerk looked unimpressed.

“We’ll still have to keep him for observation unless…” She studied the shot record. “You can keep him quarantined at home for ten days. Will you be able to do that?”

“What do you mean? Can he go to work with me?” I saw Valdez being led toward me down the hallway, a muzzle over his mouth. Oh, gods, but he looked pitiful. An act of course, or maybe not. I had no idea how long he’d been in a cage. Or how he’d been treated as a potential threat.

“No! He must stay in your home or apartment. He is only allowed out, escorted on a leash, for his bathroom needs, for the ten days.” The clerk stared at me, looking suspicious. “You’ll have to make arrangements for this or we’ll keep him here. This is very important. I heard the attack was vicious. The man had to be taken to the hospital to get stitches.”

“He wouldn’t have attacked that particular man if he hadn’t been trying to sneak into my bedroom while I was sleeping. I’m sure Sid, that’s the so-called victim, was planning attempted rape.” I leaned down and grabbed the leash the attendant handed me. “I have to get this muzzle off of him.” I rubbed Valdez’s floppy ears. “Poor baby.”

“Your poor baby almost took off my arm when I tried to put the muzzle on him. At least when I told him you were here to take him home, he calmed right down.” The attendant smiled at me. “You’d think he understood every word.”

“He’s very smart.” I ripped away the muzzle