Real Vampires Don't Wear Size Six (22 page)

“Let’s get Freddy over here and see what he thinks about his father. Since he’s been out to the EV compound lately, maybe he’ll know if Simon might be interested in switching sides.” I clasped CiCi’s hand. “Will you call him?”

“Why not? It would be a way for Frederick to have a father, if we could lure Simon away from his goddess. I’d think he’d be tired of always pleasing a demanding mistress, wouldn’t you?”

I patted her hand. “My thoughts, exactly. You said Simon moved his crew here from Europe. Does this goddess just pop up in any convenient sinkhole or how does that work?”

“I’ve no idea, but maybe the boys will know.” CiCi put her hanky away and pulled out her cell phone.

I knew the “boys” were her son and his longtime partner, Derek.

“Derek loves Frederick, but hates his new fascination with Simon. Derek is a good man and he knows evil when he smells it. He’s certainly not blinded by riches either.” She hit speed dial. “I’ll see if I can get them over here.”

I stepped out to the shop and left CiCi to make her call. I should call Rafe and let him know I’d made progress. Then I’d run upstairs and check on Ray. I’d left the apartment in absolute chaos. What if a council member stopped by to check on Penny? I’d flunk mentoring, big-time. I was thinking about grabbing my purse when Erin waved frantically from the register.

“Glory, you have company.” Erin rolled her eyes.

“Glory! Ooooh. I didn’t realize till I saw the clip on YouTube that you’re the same Glory who used to go with Israel Caine!” Jenny grabbed me and jumped up and down like I’d just scored a touchdown. Three clones of her, only with varying hair colors, squealed and jumped too. Trust me, their boobs didn’t bounce.

“Hi, Jenny. These your sorority sisters?” I smiled and reminded myself I had to get along here.

“Yes. Girls, this is Penny’s roomie. Can you believe it?” Jenny had her arm slung around me like we were best buds and made quick introductions. The girls squealed again. I swear dogs could hear them in the next county. “Where’s Israel?” Jenny looked around like maybe I’d hidden Ray under a dress rack.

“Oh, he’s upstairs.” Never should have said it. The decibel level rose to shattering-glass range and they surged toward the door.

“And is Penny up there too?” Jenny dragged me with them.

“No! She went to the lab.” I put on the brakes and hid my smile at the moans of disappointment.

“I brought her a treat from home. Mom mailed it to me. Maybe I can take it up and leave it for her.” Jenny pulled a tin out of her Coach tote. The way it rattled, I figured there were six cookies left in it, max, and the Christmas tin was a dead giveaway that this wasn’t a recent care package.

“Give it to me. I’ll make sure she gets it.” I snatched it out of her hand and passed it to Erin. The werewolf stashed it under the counter and I knew she’d take care of it personally once the girls were gone.

“Has Penny met Israel?” Jenny raised her eyes toward the ceiling, like she wished she had X-ray vision.

“Of course. So embarrassing. She caught him coming out of the shower earlier.” Sorry, but couldn’t resist. My fledgling needed some points over the so-perfect Jenny and this was just too choice. Jenny collapsed on one of her friend’s shoulders and all of them moaned in Penny envy.

“How long will he be staying with you?” Jenny was obviously trying to figure out how to meet Ray. “Penny and I really need to get together.”

“Why don’t you just call her and meet for coffee somewhere?” I smiled. “Ray’s a private person. I’m sure you understand. Rock stars. It’s a nightmare the way the tabloids hound us. I never give out his schedule.” I gestured toward the three cameramen still lounging around the front of the shop, waiting for me to come out or, better yet, for Ray to emerge.

“Oh, my lips would be sealed.” Jenny actually did the old finger-locking-the-lips thing. “It would be so cool if I could meet him, get an autograph. Maybe he could sing for our end-of-year social.”

I laughed and walked the girls to the door. “Sorry, not happening. If you were on YouTube, you saw his horrific fall. Ray’s still recuperating. That’s why he’s with me. In fact, I’m going upstairs in a few minutes to check on him. Shouldn’t have left him alone this long.” I patted Jenny on the back.

“But—” Jenny could see opportunity slipping away.

“So sorry to disappoint you. Maybe I’ll get him to sign a few photos or CDs for you. Okay?” I eased them out the door, finally prying Jenny’s fingers off my arm. “Bye. I’ve got to go get my purse. You should call Penny.”

I shut the door and headed to the back room. CiCi was just coming out.

“They’ll be here any minute.” She looked stoked. “I told them to come to the alley door.”

“Great.” I hoped Ray was okay upstairs, but followed CiCi into the back room in time to hear a knock on the door.

Frederick and his partner were both handsome men. It made me remember Penny’s comment about vampire males. Yes, they usually were perfect specimens. What was up with that?

“Thanks for coming, guys. I’ve got a situation that I need help with. Did your mother explain, Freddy?” I settled on the table while CiCi took my one chair again.

“Something to do with my father? I hope you know I’m cutting all ties with him. I told him that the last time we were out there. I can’t take all that Energy Vampire crap.” Freddy glanced at Derek. “Derek made me realize I was letting Simon’s power go to my head. The bastard was doing a mind-control thing on me, trying to get me to come on board as his successor.”

Derek put his hand on Freddy’s arm. “It was because he was proud of you. He thought the offer was an honor. But your mother raised you to be decent, Fred. Obviously you couldn’t go that way.”

CiCi dabbed at her eyes. “Thank you, Derek. You don’t know what it means to hear you say that. I was so afraid . . .”

“Mother, I would never serve a goddess from hell.” Freddy lifted her hand to his lips. “I wanted a father, but not one who could sacrifice people to feed a monster. I told Simon that.”

“So you gave him an ultimatum?” I couldn’t believe it. If I’d planned this, it couldn’t have worked out better. Now if only Simon wanted a relationship with his son badly enough, maybe we could work a deal.

“Basically. But Simon can’t leave the EVs. No one can. The goddess doesn’t tolerate defectors. You sign on for life. If Simon tried to quit, he’d be terminated.” Freddy’s shoulders sagged. “I’m sorry. I really wanted to get to know him. He’s a fascinating man. Brilliant, really. And he could do so much good if he hadn’t tied himself to Honoria and her demands.”

“He did that long before he knew he would have a family, Frederick. I’m sure he has regrets now. But it’s too late.” CiCi looked at me. “Unless . . .”

“I don’t know. I guess the big question is, can she be taken out? That would free Simon from the EV thing.” I remembered the setup out there. The gold dome where Honoria resided, the moans and groans coming from a dark hole in the earth. Supposedly she sucked the energy from her victims to survive.

“I tried to find out more about the EVs while we were out there, Glory.” Derek sat on the table beside me. “That’s one creepy place. It’s not just a hole in the ground, it’s a tunnel. Simon actually walks down inside it when he confers with her. Which shows he’s either brave or nuts. I wouldn’t get within a hundred feet of the place. I swear you can hear the screams of the damned coming from there.”

“Wow. I had no idea. I had pictured a hose of some kind connecting to her. The Oreck from Hell, you know?” I shivered. “Guess the only one who could tell us how to take her out would be Simon. And that’s if he’s interested.” I turned to Freddy. “What do you think? Would your father give up the EVs for you?”

Freddy looked thoughtful, then took his mother’s hand again. “There’s only one way to find out. Glory, you’re going to have to ask him.”

“Me?” I swallowed, trying to picture that conversation. Simon had such power that he could be one of Lucifer’s demons. He could turn me to stone, read my mind past blocks, you name it. Probably all powers courtesy of Honoria. Yes, he scared me.

“Hey, this is your idea. I gave him my ‘ultimatum,’ as you call it. He didn’t exactly fall to his knees and beg me to take it back. Just sat there, like he had to think it over. Right then I realized that I’d probably expected too much. Unless there’s a way to kill the goddess, walking away from the EVs wouldn’t give us time together. Simon wouldn’t survive to be a father to me. Honoria doesn’t allow for defectors.”

“We don’t know that, Fred.” Derek frowned. “I say someone has to have a talk with Simon. Get some answers. You started this, Glory. Why not finish it?”

“Simon and I aren’t exactly best buds.” I could feel three sets of eyes staring a hole in me. Yeah, I’d started it. No, technically Rafe had started it. Me and my loyalty. It had really taken me down a dark and creepy path this time.

“But I think you’re the one to do it.” Freddy nodded. “Even if Simon survives leaving the EVs, you want him on Lucifer’s team. Mother told me the demons explained that’s what is necessary to get Rafe’s debt clear.”

“Yes, that’s right.” This was too messy, with way too much margin for error. Freddy put a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

“Relax, Glory. I’m assuming Lucifer can offer Simon some incentives to come over to his side after my father makes the break. Seems like that’s for you to explain too. If Simon shows an interest in leaving the EVs.” Freddy looked very serious and Derek jumped off the table to put his arm around him.

“He loves you, Fred. It was obvious to me that, if there is a way for him to make a relationship happen with you, he’ll do it. Don’t let pride keep this from working.”

“It’s not pride, Derek. But I don’t want to beg him to make the choice. Let Glory handle it.” Freddy leaned against Derek. “I’ve been without a father this long, I can make it without one forever if I have to.”

“Ah, darling, I’m so sorry.” CiCi stood and wrapped her arms around her tall son.

“Okay, I’ll meet with Simon. See what he says.” I took a shuddering breath. “You know how I hate this.”

“Sure we do.” Freddy smiled. “But don’t worry. Simon likes you. Even talked about making you an EV. I think Honoria shot down the idea though. Pissed him off. That’s another reason my father is ready to leave the EVs. He’s tired of taking orders from a woman.” Freddy glanced at his mother and then at me. “No offense, ladies.”

“Oh, I get it. Typical Simon.” I sighed. “Okay, I’ll make a call. Soon. Now I’ve got to go. This is a busy night for me. Paparazzi out back?”

“You bet. They were all excited that Israel Caine’s SUV is out there.” Derek grinned, obviously determined to lighten the mood. “You are so lucky. Don’t get jealous, Fred, but, Glory, any chance that bad boy swings both ways?”

“Not that I know of. But I’ll check.” I winked at Derek when Freddy popped him on the arm. “I’ll let you guys know what I find out.”

“Thanks. And be safe.” Freddy kissed my cheek. “And I’ve been known to swing both ways. You get tired of Blade, let me know.”

This time it was Derek who growled and hooked an arm around Freddy’s neck. I left them wrestling while CiCi fussed and hit them both with her purse.

I grabbed my own purse, called Rafe to give him an update, then braced myself for the paparazzi gauntlet. It was fairly painless since I wasn’t making statements and they had enough pictures of me without Ray. When I got upstairs, I unlocked the door and figured I’d have a mess to clean up.

To my amazement, the place was spotless, a little empty, but all cleaned up. No sign of blood on the hardwood floor and the couch was straight. Someone had moved the chairs that went with the dinette set in the kitchen to face the couch and there was a semblance of order in the living room.

“Okay, what good fairies have been at work in here?”

“Just one.” Jerry came out of the kitchen, a wet towel in his hand. “I came to my senses and realized we couldn’t leave you with this disaster.” He turned to toss the wet towel in the kitchen sink.

“You look better too.” I could see that he’d obviously been home to change clothes and his face had healed. That was probably due to a pit stop where he’d whammied some hapless mortal and taken a good long drink. I didn’t comment, just walked up to him and wrapped my arms around his waist.

“I won’t object if you examine me for injuries.” His grin made me shiver.

“Maybe later. First, thank you.” I kissed his smile. “I dreaded what I’d find when I opened the door.”

“Not my finest moment, trashing your place. So I put in a call. You’ll have two new lounge chairs, a coffee table and lamp by tomorrow night.” He ran his hand up my back. “I’m sending half that bill to Valdez. We were idiots, but I admit it felt good. I needed to give that shifter a pounding. I had a lot of issues with him. Still do.”

“Let’s table that for now, Jerry. I’ve got a hell of a situation on my hands and that’s a fact. I can’t have boyfriend drama too. It’s just too much. Remember that your territorial jealousy thing tends to end up with us taking breaks. You want that?” I looked up at him, really interested in his answer.

“I’d have an easier time reining in my jealousy if I didn’t have your other men in my face all the time.” Jerry rested his palms on my bum and pulled me against him. “And, yes, I plead guilty to being territorial. It’s a Highlander thing. You’ve known that about me for centuries.”

“Known it and not especially liked it.” I kissed his firm chin. “Can you try to work your way through it without using your fists and fangs?” I angled my head when he leaned down to deepen the kiss. Why not? I enjoyed kissing him and needed a reminder while standing in my almost empty living room that Jerry was my guy. He pulled back first and smiled.

“Yes, I will definitely try to stay civilized. Though when other men put their hands on you, I want to break out a claymore and use it on the nearest man who even looks at you.” He patted my bottom. “Patience, lass. I’m obviously a work in progress.”