Real Vampires Have More to Love (38 page)

“We’ll see how it goes.” I dredged up a smile. “Thanks, Rafe. Is it any wonder I love you?” I made myself put some space between us. “Can I do what you just did? Flame something?” Might come in handy. As long as I was stuck with Alesa, I should get something out of her.

“You could. And turn people into crispy critters too.” Rafe clearly struggled to stay in friend mode.

“Cool. Wish I’d known that. I’d have loved to set Westwood’s hair on fire.”

“For God’s sake, promise me you won’t ever do anything like that.” Rafe grabbed me, his hands biting into my arms. “Every time you use one of your powers, you remind Lucifer you’re up here. Hate to think he’d send a minion to see what’s up.” He let me go and looked around, doing a three-sixty of the view. “Damned dumb of me to remind him I’m around. I’ve had to do a couple of jobs for him. They’re a bitch.” He shook his head and turned back to me.

“I’m sorry, Rafe.” Now I was really freaked out.

“Aw, Glory, this just makes him more interesting. Don’t dump the guy. Kiss and make up.”
Alesa poked me in a few places to make her point.

“Promise me you’ll never try to flame anyone or anything. You hear me?” Rafe pulled me into his arms.

“Loud and clear. I’ve got enough problems with Hell Girl here. I sure don’t need a visit from her buddies down below.” I leaned against him. My legs felt heavy, and the sky seemed to be lighter in the east.

Rafe noticed. “I’d better get you home. Ray didn’t score any points with you tonight?”

“Nope. The pass was more of a kneejerk reaction than a serious effort. Anyway, drunk or sober, he’s done.” I sighed and slipped away toward the car.

“He’s a fool, then. Because I’m not.” Rafe beat me to the SUV and opened the passenger door. He pressed me against the steel frame, his arms blocking me in. “We’ve got lots going for us, Glory. When Blade finds out about us, you’ll need a friend. That’s me. Here for you, always.”

His hard body felt good against me, and I tried not to react to it. Too bad I remembered how we’d been together.

“This guy is a keeper. Don’t be stupid, Glory.”
Alesa pushed me closer, but I wasn’t having it.

“You won’t tell Jerry about us, will you?” My heart dropped to my toes, then bounced around my body a few times before landing in my throat, a bowling ball in a pin-ball machine.

“No, that’s on you. But too many people have seen us together. If you don’t want him to find out the hard way, you’d better get to him quick.” Rafe slid his hand down my arm, reminding me that we did have chemistry. My demon girl shouted a
“Hell, yes!”

I slid into the seat, feeling that tinge of morning in the air weighing me down and dread smothering me. Rafe slammed my door, then got into the driver’s seat and started the engine.

“So it’s all going to come out. Nice of you to stand by ready to play catch when Jerry kicks me to the curb.”

“Yep, I’m your man, Blondie, and don’t you forget it.”

 

“Call Westwood’s ranch and arrange for the children to meet at your shop tonight at midnight.” Simon wasn’t asking, as usual.

“Tonight?” I glanced at Flo and CiCi, who’d just arrived at my apartment. They were here for moral support and good gossip. I’d just handed out some Blud-Lite and wasn’t in the mood for Simon the dictator.

“The video’s ready. I’m sure you’d like to get this done.”

“You’re right. I’ll make the call. Hope they can make it.”

“Tell them you have positive proof that’ll help them get their father’s estate settled by end of business tomorrow. That should light a fire under them.” Simon laughed. “I’ll meet you in your back room at half past eleven to fill you in on the story we’re using. I think you’ll enjoy it.”

“Oh, I’m sure. Everything to do with this has been a laugh riot. If they can’t make it, how do I—” I was talking to dead air. Okay, I guess Simon was counting on them to jump on this and counting on me to do his bidding.

“Sorry, ladies, I’ve got to make this call.” I’d programmed in David Westwood’s number and hit speed dial.

“Westwood.”

“Hi, this is Gloriana St. Clair. You asked me to call if I had proof your father is dead.”

“Yes! Are you telling me you found something?” David sounded excited, not grief stricken. He obviously realized it. “I mean, of course we hoped the old man would be found okay, but either way, we need to know what happened, you know?”

“I get it, David. Can you meet me at my shop tonight at midnight? I have commitments before then.” If I’d had a father like Brent Westwood, I’d be shooting off fireworks at his funeral.

“Sure, I’ll bring my sister with me.” David cleared his throat. “You really have something? The lawyers keep putting us off, and we’re stuck here on the ranch with this ridiculously inadequate allowance. You wouldn’t believe it.”

“Just bring that reward you mentioned because I’m going to have proof that will help you settle the estate by tomorrow.” I ignored the questioning looks I was getting from CiCi and Flo.

“You’re kidding me! Finally!” David couldn’t hide his relief. “We’ll be there. Midnight.”

I ended the call, then turned to face the music.

“What’s this about, Glory?” CiCi put her glass on the coffee table. “Westwood? And I heard Simon Destiny’s voice on that first call. What are you doing consorting with that creep?”

“Seems Brent Westwood’s now a vampire. I didn’t kill him after all. Simon’s got him out at the EV camp. He wants Brent’s money. We made a video so it looks like Brent’s whole vamp-hunting Web site thing was bogus. He’ll reveal himself to his kids tonight so he can gain access to his money. Simon will get it, then Brent is going to pay in more ways than one.” Whew. How was that in a nutshell? I collapsed on the couch.

Flo sat next to me and hugged me. “So stressful. How did this video go? Was Rafael with you every minute?”

“Yes, he was.” Tears. Of course he had been. Like he always was. Why was I dumping him? Oh, yeah, in a desperate effort to keep Jerry, the love of my life. As if a prideful Scot would want me once he found out I’d cheated.

If only we could have a sizzling reunion first. A night that would convince him Glory was still his girl no matter who else she . . . Oh, hell. I knew better. Jerry would have his broadsword out and up Rafe’s butt before I could stop him. Then he’d drop me like a hot rock. My friends were staring.

“What?”

“You made a video. What’s in it?” CiCi sat on my other side. Her presence was a great comfort. I wanted to bawl.

“I pretend to kill Westwood again, but he jumps up afterward.” I sighed. “Tonight we’ll show the kids the video. Westwood will appear and confess to being a lying loser and a nutjob. Not sure how Simon is setting up this scenario.” I managed a smile. “Simon’s rewarding me, so it’s not all bad.”

“But you didn’t want to do this. Why’d you go through with it?” Flo frowned. “No reward is worth it.”

“Blackmail. Simon hid a video camera in the back room. He has tape of me confessing my fling with Rafe. Then another of Rafe and me kissing, making it obvious we were lovers. He threatened to send it to Jerry while he was in Florida. I couldn’t hurt Jerry that way.”

“That bastard!” CiCi hugged me. “No wonder you were drinking so heavily at the shower. Drowning your sorrows. Did you have to work on that video last night too?”

“Yes! And that’s not all.” I let some tears fall. “I’m possessed! Richard tried to kill a demon in my shop, but he didn’t. It’s—it’s inside me. It talks to me, urges me to do bad things. I’m pretty sure that’s why I slept with Rafe in the first place.” I knew as soon as I said it that I was lying. At least about Rafe. I’d had fantasies about him way before Alesa had moved in.

Exhausted by Alesa’s nonstop harping on the subject, not to mention my own agonizing over the hurt I’d caused Rafe, I sobbed and fell against CiCi’s shoulder. Oh, probably shouldn’t have done that. She had on a nice cream Chanel jacket that my mascara was ruining. But when I tried to pull back, she held me firmly against her.

“You’re hysterical, Gloriana. Calm down. That’s probably just your conscience talking to you. Cheating on Jeremiah with a shifter. That’s not like you.”

“CiCi, I think she’s telling the truth.” Flo patted my shoulder. “Ricardo chased a demon in her shop. He said prayers, threw the holy water on it. But I guess it’s possible it climbed into our Glory’s body.
Aye, Dio!
” Flo crossed herself. “What can we do?”

“Call Richard.” CiCi said firmly. “Obviously we need an exorcism or something.” She crossed herself too and pushed me back to study me. “Still, we can’t rule out guilt. What were you thinking, Gloriana? You had Jeremiah, such a fine man, wrapped around your little finger when I left here.”

“Hah! That man can’t be wrapped.” I sighed. “What I mean is, I love him, but Rafe, well, we got really close. And he’s a fine man too.” I looked to Flo for confirmation.

“He is. He saved our lives, CiCi. And he’s handsome.” Flo kissed her fingertips in a classic Italian gesture. “Glory wanted a little something extra. Who can blame her? He lives in this very apartment in my old bedroom. Temptation, eh?”

“A recipe for disaster.” CiCi disapproved.

“Or for
amore
, right, Glory?” Flo winked.

I sat up, wiped my eyes and decided to come clean with them and myself. “It’s leaning toward disaster. I can’t blame the demon for this. Rafe is sexy, made moves, and I let it happen. But now I’ve decided Jerry’s my guy, and I want to be with him. If he’ll still have me. As for the demon, I’m dealing with her. She hurts me sometimes, but I’ve got her under control.”

“Control? As if, bitch. Someday I’ll show you what I can
really
do.”
A megahot flash had me bolting for the kitchen. I opened both refrigerator doors and stuck my head in the freezer until a blast of cold air hit my cheeks.

“What are you doing? What’s the matter with you?” CiCi and Flo had run after me.

“The demon—Alesa is her name—punishes me by giving me these heat waves.” I grabbed a handful of ice from the icemaker and shoved it down my bra. “I’ll be all right in a minute. Sit. Finish your drinks. I’ve got to go down to the shop in a little while, and we haven’t figured a way out of my man trouble yet.”

“So when is Jeremiah coming back?” Trust CiCi to get back to the issue at hand.

“Late tomorrow night, but I won’t see him until Thursday. We’ll all be at the opening of Rafe’s club. Rafe and Nadia have arranged a special table for us on one of their balconies.” I sighed, hoping that part of the evening went smoothly.

“I saw the ad in the newspaper. Israel Caine is performing.” CiCi raised an eyebrow. “The tabloids had you engaged to him. Interesting story there?”

“Not nearly as interesting as it should have been.” I polished off my bottle of Blud-Lite, a tingling awareness reminding me of its side effect that would torture me for the rest of the evening. “If Jerry’s it for me, I can’t go messing around with every guy who makes a pass, now can I?” I turned to Flo. “Flo, you can understand. It’s like you are with Richard.”

“Monogamy. Yes. I admit I’m surprised I am in it. But a man like Ricardo? He’s enough for me.” Flo waved her hand with the diamond ring on it. “So
arrivederci
, Israel. What about Rafael?”

“I told him we’re done too. He’s not happy, but he’s accepted that we can only be friends again.” I said it but wasn’t sure I believed it. “Maybe he’s just going along so he can pick up my pieces when Jerry explodes and dumps me.”

“You really think when Jeremiah finds out that you and Rafael . . .” Flo stared down at her hands.

I grabbed one of them. “You’ve got to make Richard keep his mouth shut, Flo! At least until I can tell Jerry myself.”

“I’ll try to stall him, but, Glory, Ricardo is determined to tell Jeremiah as soon as he sees him. His conscience is bothering him.” Flo looked up, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears. “I’m really sorry,
mia amica
, but you’d better hurry up and spill the garbanzos. The
merda
is about to hit the fan.”

 

“Westwood’s staying in the back room, and we’ll bring his children here for the reunion.” Simon rubbed his hands together, clearly in high spirits. “You’ll love the story we’ve cooked up for the time their father’s been missing.”

“I don’t love any part of this.” I opened the door and glanced into the shop. I did have a business to run and should get out there and help Erin deal with customers.

Greg grinned. “Brent’s been in rehab.” He slapped Westwood on the back.

That got my attention. The former hunter had been silent since they’d arrived at my back door promptly at eleven thirty. Guess he was nervous about seeing his kids after months of making them think he was dead. Serve him right if Viv brought her crossbow and plugged him herself for the deception.

“Rehab? Drugs? Alcohol? Oh, wait, sex addiction. That’s a trendy one.” I looked him up and down. “But a tough sell.”

That earned me the first spark of life from old Brent.

“Bitch. I’ve had many beautiful women. I wouldn’t waste my time on a fat ass—” Brent shut up because he had Greg’s fist in his mouth. Wow, who knew?

I grinned. “Thanks, Gregory. What brought that on?”

“Hey, you and I hooked up. The man insulted my taste in women. Can’t have that.” Greg shoved Westwood toward the bathroom. “Stay inside until Simon calls you out. Shut the hell up until you’re told to speak. Got it?”

I ignored my horny demon and Brent’s glare when he wiped his bleeding mouth with his sleeve.

“Gee, Brent, look. You’re bleeding, and my fangs can’t even work up interest. Bet you had to pay top dollar for those beautiful women.” I grinned when he growled but just stomped into the bathroom without another word. “What have you done to him, Simon? Shown him the energy vacuum pump?”