Real Vampires Have More to Love (20 page)

“Don’t, uh, don’t make too much out of it, Rafe,” I said to the N-V on his chest. Another logo T-shirt, this one red with black letters. Envy. Maybe I did envy Flo her excitement and her big wedding. Not to mention all those honeymoons. To be so crazy in love . . . How long had it been since I’d felt so completely lost in a man’s arms, wild for his touch. Oh, wait a minute, that happened every time I was with Blade. Right? Or did it? The Vampire Viagra had helped. But without it?

“It was just one kiss.” I stiffened when Rafe pulled me closer.

“Then maybe you need another, for comparison. To see if the response is still there. What if it wasn’t just the circumstances? What if there’s more to this? Is that such a bad thing? I’ve made no secret of the fact that I want you.” He rubbed my back in a slow circular motion that was erotic and yet comforting at the same time.

Yeah, he wanted me. I could feel how much below his belt buckle pressed hard against me. I laid my hands on his chest.

“I can’t do this now, Rafe. I’ve got to go. Seriously. And what you’re suggesting could take a while.”

“Now you’re talking.” Rafe grinned, his dimples punctuating his relief as he released me and stepped back. “Go. But we’re definitely getting back to this later.”

I didn’t bother responding to that. I’d left the door open, which was wrong, wrong, wrong. I should just shut Rafe down. Instead I grabbed my purse and left without another word. Down in the shop, I took over from Erin and settled in for the night. We weren’t very busy, and I had way too much time to think. I’d just about talked myself down from my EV freak-out and fantasies about Rafe when Aggie walked in. Did she think I’d be glad to see her? I met her near the door, ready to go to war.

“What the hell are you doing here?” How’s that for customer service?

“I thought we should discuss Flo’s shower since you’re the expert on all things bridal.” She eased around me and began to flip through my cocktail-dress rack.

“Last time I saw you, you were happy to turn me into a freakin’ statue. I won’t forget that any time soon.” I wanted to snatch the sea green dress she was holding out of her hand. Damn it, she acted like nothing had happened.

“I was wrong. I admit it. Greg had convinced me I’d be doing him a favor, and he’d, well”—she smiled and winked—“he’d do some favors for me.”

“Then he left you here. Why didn’t you just thaw me out then and leave him in the lurch? Make
him
a statue?” I glanced at the price tag on the dress she was holding. Good profit potential. I’d like to toss her butt out of here, except if she was going to buy something . . . Damn, I hated that my finances didn’t allow me the luxury of alienating a paying customer. Westwood’s cash payoff couldn’t come fast enough.

“I sent your buddy Rafe out there to save you, didn’t I?” She held up the dress and looked at herself in the full-length mirror next to the dressing rooms. Yeah, she has a reflection. Me, not a glimmer. It’s a vampire thing.

“You sent him out to be beaten and tortured.” I itched to claw the smile off her face. “You buying that dress or not?”

“Sorry if Rafe’s visit didn’t go well, but that’s not my fault.” She swept her eyes, the same color as the dress, over me. “You look like you survived okay. Greg said they just wanted to talk to you, so why shouldn’t I help him?”

“I’m fine, no thanks to you or Greg. But believing anything Greg says isn’t smart. Haven’t you figured that out yet?” Had to stay on track here. As far as Aggie knew, I
had
just gone out there to talk. Greg wouldn’t have told her any EV plans. She’d blab to Flo if she thought she had a juicy tidbit.

“Sure. Now I have. But, unless your shifter suffered permanent damage, I’d say you need to relax and cooperate with me. We’re both supposed to help Flo have the wedding of her dreams. Am I right?” Aggie didn’t wait for an answer, just stepped into the dressing room. “I’m trying this on. Tell me what I need to do at a shower besides invite people and feed them.”

“You think I’ve been to a wedding shower?” I heard the rustle of her clothes behind the curtain. “All I know is what I’ve seen on TV and in movies. I think they play games. Oh, and wrap the bride in toilet paper. I have no idea why.”

“Making Flo into a Charmin mummy sounds like fun but I doubt she’d stand for it. Might not be a good look for her.” Aggie threw back the curtain. “Fits perfectly. What do you think?”

I thought that I’d kill to have her kind of figure. The vintage sixties shift could have been made for her. It was a size five, six max. The color did amazing things for her skin and eyes, and the hem hit her mid thigh. She had great legs that seemed to go on forever. Panting men would follow her anywhere in that dress. The short length would even allow for her fish tail if the Storm God got mad at her again. That thought made me smile. I’d like to see Aggie stuck on a rock singing for her supper again like a Siren should.

“Perfect. Where are you going to wear it?” I swallowed my snark for the sake of a sale.

“The bachelorette party. We should dress up, right?” Aggie bit her lip. “You said it’s at Rafe’s nightclub.”

“Sure, sure, dress up.” I couldn’t believe I was having a civil conversation with her. But she was more powerful than I could ever hope to be. I didn’t want to end up a statue again.

“What kind of games should I get for this shower? I’m not usually into them myself. Though I played strip Scrabble once.” She stepped back into the dressing room and shut the curtain. “I’m really good with words, but I lost on purpose. The guy I played with was unbelievably hot, but he didn’t like to lose.”

“No word games. Flo’s English isn’t so great. Do some research. Search the Web for bridal-shower games. See what comes up. You do have a computer, don’t you?” I took the dress she handed out to me. I realized I had no idea where Aggie lived or
how
she lived. As far as I knew, she still called a cave in the middle of Lake Travis home. But she dressed well and seemed to have plenty of money. Siren magic. I really didn’t care as long as she didn’t give me a rubber check for this dress.

“I’ll figure it out. Maybe I’ll see Greg again. He has a computer.” She stuck her head out. “I told you he has his uses.”

“Whatever. Just don’t plan to bring him to the wedding as your date. Flo won’t want any EVs there. Now I’ll write up this sale. Come out when you’re dressed.” I headed to the cash register. In a few moments, Aggie came out and stopped in front of the mirror again. She fluffed her hair and pulled a lipstick out of her purse, retracing her pink lips. Finally, she walked over to watch me fill out the sales slip.

“You know you could tell me what they wanted out at the EV headquarters.” She leaned on the counter. “I can keep a secret.”

“Yeah, right. Forget it. It was my personal business, none of yours.” I clipped the tag off the dress.

“Be that way.” She made a face. “At least tell me what the place looks like. Greg raved about it. That’s why I was so mad when he didn’t take me along.” Aggie handed me a credit card. The name on it was A. Sirena. Hmm. It went through without a hitch, so I was happy to answer her.

“It’s beautiful and scary as hell. Imagine a gilded mosque with an energy-hungry goddess inside, in the middle of a pine forest. If you were with Greg, you’d be safe, but the king out there, Simon Destiny, and I don’t exactly love each other. I’ve tried to kill him; he’s tried to kill various friends of mine. His goddess acts like a giant Shop-Vac, sucking energy out of paranormals. I used to be loaded with energy, so I had a near miss out there. I avoid it like plastic flowers on flip-flops.”

“Obviously. That’s why the statue thing was necessary. And the EV leader did snap you out of my freeze. Impressive.” Aggie signed the credit slip without even checking the total.

“Sure, if you like weasels. Be careful around EVs, Aggie. Ask your boss about them. He’d probably tell you to steer clear.” I figured I’d done my good deed for the night. Now I was ready for her to leave. I stuck the dress on a hanger and slipped a plastic bag over it.

“I don’t tell the Storm God squat about my love life. He’d try to interfere, and I’ve definitely decided to give Greg another go. He
is
amazing in bed.”

“TMI, Aggie.” I held up a hand. “I really don’t want details of your love life either.”

She grinned and took her purchase. “It’s too bad you don’t remember your time with Greg. He said he wiped your memory because you were too clingy. He didn’t want to be bothered by your whining when he broke up with you.”

“If you choose to believe that liar, go ahead. I’m glad I can’t remember being with him, obviously a low point in my life. But when a guy and I decide to part ways, I don’t cling or whine.” Apparently Greg and I had been together in New York City. I’d had other vampire friends there too. I’d tried my luck on Broadway but soon realized matinees ruined my chances of actually being in a show, and I’d ended up working as a waitress. I could remember all of that, but not a speck of my time as a couple with Greg Kaplan. The blank spot made me insane.

“Well, he’s the best I’ve got right now. Maybe at the wedding I’ll have better luck. I always wanted to hook up with Israel Caine. You know how I love his music.” Aggie stuffed her charge card and receipt into her purse.

“You tried to kill him, Aggie. I doubt he’ll be happy to see you again.” When would she leave? A new customer entered the shop, so I figured that was her cue to take a hike. I was right.

“You never know, Glory. You and I seem to have patched things up.” With that, she sashayed to the door like she owned the place. I just stared at her, my mouth open. Patched things up? Not even close. She stopped next to the new customer, looked her up and down, then glanced back at me. She mouthed a word, then hit the door and was gone.

I reached for the stake I kept behind the counter. A vamp can’t be too careful when she’s alone at night. And Aggie had said a word I didn’t hear too often. “Demon.”

“May I help you?” I kept the stake out of sight, not sure it would do much good anyway. Some demons were susceptible to them, just like vampires; others laughed when plugged. I wished I had something else, like holy water or a Bible. But then they didn’t always work either. Instead, I threw out a mind probe. Nada. Not surprising. Demons aren’t into sharing their thoughts.

“I’m looking for Glory St. Clair, and obviously I’ve found her.” The woman smiled and showed off a pair of fangs. She was posing as vampire. Didn’t fool me. I knew a demon when I smelled one. The evil has a sweet odor like baking donuts. It would make you hungry if you didn’t know it came straight from hell.

Of course she was beautiful; demons usually are when they’re in public. This one had long dark hair and amethyst eyes with long lashes against pale perfect skin. She was about Flo’s size, short with the same tiny waist and size-six figure. She wore an expensive designer outfit in a deep purple silk that set off those exotic eyes.

“Yes, I’m Glory. How can I help you?” I kept the counter between us. I’m a churchgoing Christian and try not to consort with demons as a matter of principle. Not to say that I haven’t hit a few low spots in my long, long life and been tempted to make deals with the Devil. A girl’s got to do what a girl’s got to do to survive. Am I right? But I’d squeaked by without resorting to that. So I was fairly calm. Unless someone had put a contract out on me . . .

“Relax. I’m not here to take you out. I’m here to find someone.” She smiled, and the fangs were gone. “Obviously you’ve figured out what I am, so I won’t try to play games here.”

“Yeah, I get that you’re from the dark side. So what’s your business, and who are you looking for?” Now I was worried. Someone close to me. Who could she possibly want and why?

“I’m looking for Rafael. I believe he’s using the name Valdez this century.” She’d quit smiling and was suddenly on my side of the counter. “I know he’s been near you. I can smell him.” She sniffed my blouse. “He’s been touching you.”

I almost jumped over the counter to get away from her. Almost, because she’d hooked me with a silver-painted fingernail, and I wasn’t going anywhere. It wasn’t brute force; it was more like an electrical current that jammed my feet to the floor. Similar to Aggie’s statue trick except I could talk and blink and move my arms. She looked up, her eyes gleaming.

“Why’s he been touching you?”

“He’s my bodyguard. Sometimes he has to get close. What’s it to you?” I tried to shove her away. Nope. I didn’t like where this was going. Powerful entity and demon. I knew nothing about Rafe’s history. Maybe he’d made a pact with the Devil, and this thing had come to collect a debt. I tried to wrench free and couldn’t make headway. Rafe was strong and clever, but against this? I was afraid he wouldn’t stand a chance. Could I get a message to him to run like hell?

“Bodyguard. That’s okay, then.” She removed her claw and gave me an inch of space. “So you have a business relationship.”

I didn’t bother to correct her. I mean, it was true. Somehow I didn’t think she needed to know that Rafe was also my best friend. I sent out a mental message to him to meet me upstairs if he could hear me, then realized this creature had been reading my every thought since she’d stepped through the door.

“What do you want with Rafael?”

The demon smiled and her eyes glowed red. “I’m his wife.”

Twelve