Real Vampires Have More to Love (16 page)

I shrugged and sat down again. “Business. Whatever it is, I’m not interested. This is a waste of time.”

“You’re not going to turn us down, Gloriana.” Simon smiled, his fangs gleaming in the light. He was basically ugly as sin—sharp nose, thinning hair and squinty eyes. But those eyes could promise you the pains of hellfire with just a glance. He gave me the creeps and scared me more than I’d ever admit.

“Watch me.” I hid my fear with a yawn.

“I’ve got to prove that I’m still alive.” Westwood fidgeted. “I want my money and to resume my old life as Brent Westwood, billionaire. I can’t just show up and claim it.”

“Why not?” I was interested in spite of myself.

“Because there were bodyguards who got away that night. They saw you take me out. I’ve been out to the ranch, in disguise of course. I heard what’s going on.”

“What did you do, shift into your natural form and slither in?” I saw him struggle to keep from lashing out again. Damn, he really did need me. This could work to my advantage. I peeked at Simon. He nodded, like there you go. Be smart.

“I went out there really late one night. I managed to destroy the vamp-detecting glasses, every pair. No one else knows exactly how they work, so we won’t be bothered with them again. That was my survival instinct kicking in, of course.” Westwood straightened, looking more like a man who’d made billions with his ideas.

“Of course.” I waited to see what was coming. Insane, talking to Brent Westwood without a stake aimed at my heart.

“There are statements from several witnesses who saw me go down under fire that night. You were identified as the shooter. One guard even had the foresight to take a video with his phone. It’s poor quality, but you can see enough to figure I was down for good. No one went to the police for a couple of reasons.”

“Oh? Like maybe the kids didn’t give a damn how you died or who killed you as long as they could get to your money?” I loved seeing Westwood lose his cool.

“Gloriana, quit goading him.” Simon’s quiet voice rang with authority and the implied threat that I could be a statue again if I didn’t shut up and listen.

Westwood, half out of his chair, glanced at Simon, then settled for a look that promised me payback.

“A couple of reasons. First, it was clear I had the drop on you first. You were acting in self-defense.” He frowned. “I’d underestimated you, and you managed to turn my own weapon on me.”

I leaned back. “The police are involved now anyway. Because of your stupid will that pitted both kids against each other. Did you tell Simon about that?” I turned to the EV leader. “Father of the year? Get this. First kid to take out Brent’s killer gets the whole fortune. How’s that for an equitable distribution.” I saw that Simon wasn’t surprised.

“We know all about that, Gloriana. And it seems Brent is now listed as a missing person.” Simon nodded toward Brent. “You’re going to help find him.”

“Again, when those monkeys . . .” I smiled.

“I wrote that will when I still thought vampires were out to get me. Damn, I hate that David ended up in jail.” Westwood sighed.

“Fortunately, your children have seen the light. Lawyers are racking up big fees getting that piece of crap tossed aside.” I sighed. “Seems Brent here was showing signs of losing his mind at the end. The will proved it. Along with that horrible Web site.” I glared at Westwood. “Simon, have you seen it? The pictures of his kills? Westwood, I don’t know why the law hasn’t come knocking on your door about those murders.”

Westwood flashed his fangs. “Because vamps live off the grid. No one was reported missing, no bodies were found.”

“You killed my boyfriend’s best friend.” I blinked back sudden tears. “I’ll never work with you.”

“Calm down, Gloriana. I’m sure Westwood has regrets now.” Simon toyed with a letter opener, sliced his own finger and licked it clean with his reptilian tongue.

I turned back to Westwood. “Screw your regrets. Those pictures and that Web site have to come down.”

“I agree. I’m no longer proud of my role in destroying vampires and sure don’t want to encourage hunters. But only I can crash the site. I used special codes and equipment I have at the ranch to build it.” Westwood’s eyes gleamed with pride. I wanted to snatch Simon’s letter opener and stab them out. Too bad he’d heal now.

I took a steadying breath. “Slither out there some night then and take care of it.”

“No. I want my life back. The ranch, the jet, all of it. I’m sure the Energy Vampires will enjoy some of my homes in other parts of the world. Right, Simon?” Brent looked at his mentor for approval and got a nod. “Good thing they need proof or my children would have already started dismantling everything I built.”

“So why can’t you just show up now and say ‘Daddy’s home’?” I was so ready to get out of here.

“Because we need to do this right. There’s a pile of evidence out there I’ve got to refute. I want to prove that the video was bogus and the witnesses who saw what went down were tricked. Got to show that the whole vampire thing, my kills on the Web site, all of that, was a scam too.” He darted a look at Simon.

“Yeah, well, what do
I
have to do with anything?” I got up, drawn by a bowl of Simon’s famous chocolate truffles near the door. I loved them, but what I’d just been through had given me trust issues with anything made by an EV.

“I want you to reenact the whole death scene with me. I’ll take my own video to them when I show up. There we’ll be, you aiming the crossbow, me pretending to go down, then jumping up again like it was a hoax. Claim that I was just trying to make myself look good. It’ll explain away the whole night.”

“And the disappearing act?” I shook my head. “Your kids think you’re dead, Westwood. They have for months.”

“We’ll work out the details later.” Simon sounded very sure of that.

“Yeah, right. An increase in their allowances and they’ll be okay.” Now Westwood wouldn’t look at either one of us. Obviously he didn’t like having to act the fool to his children or his adoring public who came to his Web site to feed their hatred of things that go bump in the night.

“What would be in it for me?”

“I’ll pay you.” Westwood’s jaw was tight. Aw, did he hate asking me for a favor? I smiled.

“Hmm. That job should be worth millions. Right, Simon?” No way did I trust either of them to actually pay up.

“Don’t be greedy, Gloriana. You’d be paid what amounts to a fortune for a working person such as yourself.” Now Simon smiled. “Westwood is becoming an Energy Vampire. In gratitude, he’ll donate part of his fortune to the goddess and her causes.”

Should I warn Westwood that deals with Simon usually ended up with everyone a loser except the king of the EVs? Naw, let him find that out the hard way. By the time Simon got through with him, Westwood would be begging for his own allowance.

“I’m really busy right now. Got Flo’s wedding coming up. Lots to do. Sorry, fellas, but I think I’ll pass.” I got up and strolled to the door. I glanced down at the chocolate again, my mouth watering. Damn, I hated depriving myself.

“Be reasonable, Glory.” Simon followed me. He reached into the bowl and took a chocolate, then popped the truffle into his mouth. “These are delicious. Remember when you were out here before? Take one.”

Why not? Had to be okay since Simon had eaten one. I selected the biggest and bit into it, savoring the burst of flavor as my taste buds went wild.

“Come on. I’ll pay you big bucks. It won’t take long to do the video.” Now Westwood was on my other side, his voice a whiny irritation that made me take a second chocolate.

“Forget it. I don’t trust you. You’d get the footage you want, and then I’d never get a stinking dime.” I smiled at Simon. “I know how Energy Vampires operate.” I gasped as a pain hit me. Too much chocolate? I didn’t think that was possible. I staggered back to my chair.

“Not this time. You’ll get paid. Cooperate for your own good, Glory. My kids are trying to kill you, aren’t they?” Westwood actually looked proud of this. “You want to take a chance that they’ll be successful before I can call them off?”

“Your kids took a shot, but their lawyers won’t have to break a sweat getting that dumbass will thrown out. I mean, vampires? What judge is going to think a competent man wrote that?” I laughed. “So Daddy’s crazy, and the kids will split your dough down the middle. They just don’t want to wait seven years to do it. Right now I’m their only hope of recovering your body, so I figure I’m safe from them.” I bent over as stomach pains hit me hard. “Simon, what was in that candy?”

“A little something to make you more cooperative, Gloriana. You forced me to use it. If you’d just said yes.” I heard this as I fell to the floor. The pain! Everything went dark.

 

I woke up in a room without windows. I was lying on a double bed, and I wasn’t alone. I rolled over and saw Rafe, seriously battered and bloody, unconscious beside me.

“Oh, my God!” I carefully touched his swollen jaw and torn lip. Blood seeped from several wounds on his beautiful face. One thing I knew how to do was heal. I touched the cuts I could see. He’d obviously put up a hell of a fight before he’d been thrown in here. But how did he know where to find me?

His eyes opened, and he stared up at me. I realized I was crying when a tear splashed on his scraped chin.

“Ow! Dry up, will you? That stings like a son of a bitch.” Rafe lifted one hand up to his face, his knuckles raw and bloody.

“What were you trying to do, take on the Energy Vampires single-handedly?” I sniffed, relieved when the worst of the cuts started healing under my fingertips.

“I knew you were in here. No way was I letting you face these creeps alone.” He sat up carefully. “I did some damage before three of them took me down.”

“Those are piss-poor odds, Rafe. You should have called in reinforcements. Or waited for word from me.” I looked around at what amounted to a jail cell. The walls were concrete and the door steel. Anything useful as a weapon had been removed. The bed was a mattress on top of a concrete shelf. We didn’t even have a sheet we could strangle someone with.

“What would your word have been, Glory? From what Aggie told me, you were a statue. Couldn’t move or talk.” Rafe lifted his shirt, and I saw a gash in his side seeping more blood. I inhaled and had to force back my fangs.

“Damn it, look at you. It’s a miracle they didn’t toss you to their goddess.” I put my hand over his wound and heard him suck in his breath. “Hold still, I’m healing this.”

“Yeah, I figured. Thanks.” His smile was lopsided because of a swollen lip.

“How did you know where I was? Did Aggie tell you what she did?” At least the bleeding stopped.

“I thought I heard you calling for help after I left your place. So I went back. Lacy said Aggie and Greg Kaplan had come by just before you took off without a word. She was worried.” He winced when I pulled up his sleeve. Another cut.

“You shouldn’t have come out here. Look at you. Your shirt is a bloody mess. Take it off and let me see what else is under there. I hate that you did this for me. You’re off the payroll, you know.” I still felt like crying.

“Glory, look at
me
.” Rafe put his hand on mine. “Forget the freakin’ payroll. I will always take care of you. End of story.” He ripped off his shirt. “Now go ahead. Fix me up so I can get us out of here.”

“I’m sorry, Rafe. I didn’t mean to sound ungrateful.” I put my hand on his chest, which was bruised but not cut anywhere. “It means the world to me that you would put yourself through this for me. But—”

“Forget it.” He smiled. “A good fight beats paperwork any day. You want to tell me why Greg dragged you out here? Obviously not to decorate the square in front of the golden dome since you’re not a statue anymore.”

“You won’t believe it. I’m surprised Aggie told you where to come.”

“Greg pissed her off because he left her behind.” Rafe rolled off the bed and walked slowly around the room, stopping to study the solid door. He tried the knob. Locked, of course. “When I tracked her down, she was happy to spill his secret. Besides, where else is an EV going to go?” He stopped in front of me. “Are you okay? What did they do to you?”

“Drugged me with some of Simon’s chocolate truffles.” I made a face. “Guess I’m pretty predictable around food. As soon as Simon ate one, I was all over them.”

“Hey, I get it. How are you feeling now?” He brushed my hair back behind my ear.

“I’ll live. The drug’s worn off.” I sighed. “But what’s next? Water boarding?”

“Why did they bring you out here?” Rafe sat beside me on the bed again. “Why the drug?”

“Seems Brent Westwood’s alive and ‘Livin’ La Vida Loca’ out here as a new vampire.” I still couldn’t believe it.

“You’re shittin’ me. I saw you take him down.”

“Yeah, well, he didn’t stay down. Wild, isn’t it? He’s now the one thing he hated most.” I studied Rafe’s pale face. He’d lost a lot of blood, and I wondered if I could get him to drink some of mine.

“Damn it, we were sloppy that night. I should have confirmed that he was dead.” Rafe swayed.

“Yeah, well. You had your hands full, taking care of me. You know, you don’t look so good. Lay back, and I’ll tell you the rest.” He didn’t argue, which meant he really was weak. He even closed his eyes while I laid out the facts. Rafe’s bare chest rose and fell, and I wondered if he was asleep. I snagged his discarded shirt and draped it over him. He grabbed my hand.

“I’m awake. Barely. Must have a concussion. Talk to me. Shouldn’t sleep.” He opened his dark eyes. “You going along with Westwood’s plan?”

“No way. I’d like to see him staked out in the sun to fry.”

“Yeah, that would be cool.” Rafe’s eyes drifted shut again.

“Wake up, Rafe. Listen. I’m going to pretend to cooperate, or Simon will never let us go.” I jiggled his shoulder. Was he out again? Damn it. I bit open my wrist and pressed it to his mouth. “Drink. Pretend this is from a juicy rare steak.”