Real Vampires Have More to Love (7 page)

“That doesn’t seem fair.” Of course, was it fair to be shot with a crossbow? Rafe straightened from where he’d leaned against the doorway into the kitchen. Oops, forgot to block my thoughts, and Flo must have left out that detail. “Besides, it’s not that simple. They die, and the money goes to a vamp-hunting foundation dedicated to staking Glory St. Clair. Then I’ll have legions of vamp hunters after me.” I grabbed my empty and got up to recycle it.

Nadia smiled at Rafe, who looked like he was about to explode. “Rafael, give Glory another bottle of Diablo Red. She obviously needs it. Then tell me how you killed this billionaire. I love a good story that ends with death.”

“She took him out to save me.” Rafe handed me the bottle, then blocked me from leaving the kitchen. “Where’d you get hit?” He touched my shoulder, then tugged aside my sweater to stare at the pale pink scar that would be gone by tomorrow night. “Shit, Glory. Thank God this Westwood isn’t the shot the father was.”

“I had something to do with the miss. I ran like hell.” My skin tingled where Rafe’s warm fingers touched me, and I put my hand over his. “I’m fine. No worries.”

“For now. But I’m sure there’ll be a next time, and you might not be so lucky.” He stared down at me, his eyes dark and reeling me in closer.

“Lucky? Maybe I don’t need luck. I can take care of myself, Rafe.” I put my hand on his chest, feeling wobbly. “Now that I know I’m a target, I’ll be more careful.”

He steadied me with his other arm at my waist. “I can see that. What the hell were you doing that they got off this kind of shot? Hanging out in that damned alley again? Probably digging in your purse for keys or a lipstick.”

“You’re making me sound like an idiot.” I shoved back.

“No, just spoiled. Used to someone else watching your back.” He grabbed my arm when I tried to walk away. “Seven inches, Glory. Seven inches to the left and you’d be gone now.”

“Quit trying to freak me out.” I looked down until he released me. “I’m scared enough without you piling on.”

“Sparks are flying, you two. You sure there’s no hanky-panky here?” Nadia chuckled. “What’s going on?”

“Rafe won’t stop playing guard dog.” I immediately regretted that. Especially when Rafe’s lips firmed and his eyes narrowed.

“Damn straight.” He stomped into the kitchen, coming out with a cold bottle of beer and twisting off the cap. “Not every woman is as self-sufficient as you are, Nadia. Some vampires need keepers.”

“And some keepers need a muzzle.” I shot him a mental finger and, ignoring the fact that innocent Bulgarians might have been sacrificed in the making of this delicious drink, chugged another bottle. Then I told Nadia all about Brent Westwood. She gasped when I mentioned his vamp-detecting glasses.

“That’s horrible. If he sold those to every hunter, it would make us easy targets.” Nadia frowned. “How do they work?”

“It’s not new technology. It’s the same thing they use for night-vision goggles. Westwood just figured out that he could use them to scan a crowd of people, checking for body heat. Any person who isn’t giving off normal heat has to be one of us.” I sighed. “He made them look like regular sunglasses. So you never know whether a guy is someone who thinks it’s cool to wear shades at night or if he’s checking you out for fangs.”

“Very clever. The man was obviously a twisted genius.”

“Yes. Twisted for sure. He collected fangs. He had over a dozen pairs on a necklace he wore around his neck.” I shuddered. “One set was from a dear friend. When V’s life was on the line, I didn’t hesitate to kill the bastard.”

“Bravo.” Nadia smiled at me. “Rafael, admit it. Your friend here
is
a strong woman. Why did you need to guard her for so many years?”

“Her boyfriend hired me. Blade’s very protective.” Rafe polished off his beer. “Glory’s a little late to the game, but she says she’s through letting him interfere in her life. Or has that changed?” He smiled, like maybe he’d smelled Blade on me.

I smiled back. “No, he’s back in town, but I told him I’m still going it alone. No more of his hired goons.” I faked a wince. “I mean guns.”

“Blade is your sire?” Nadia looked from me to Rafe.

“And was my lover. So it wasn’t easy for me to refuse his help.” I realized that sounded lame, especially when I was talking to a woman like Nadia, who seemed so together. “Anyway, I’m on my own now. I have a business and it’s doing well. But these Westwood brats are trying to ruin it for me. I’ve got to figure out a way to derail the ‘Get Glory’ train. Without killing anyone,” I added, because it was clear Nadia was still on board with taking out the kids and worrying about the consequences later.

“I guess it’s out of the question to ask you to skip town, then.” Rafe grabbed my empty bottle then stalked to the kitchen.

“I’m not running away. I’ve got friends here, a business. I won’t let them spoil it.” I followed him. “That’s not fair.”

“Run or stay and fight. If it’s a fight, I’m in. Sounds like fun.” Nadia yawned, reminding me that it was just an hour from dawn. “You had a proposition, Glory. What is it?”

“I know you’re not open yet, but I was hoping I could rent your new place. For a bachelorette party. Is that possible?” I glanced at Rafe. We’d been sniping at each other all night, but I figured he’d still do me a favor. Nadia was an unknown quantity. Sure she was friendly, but when it came to business, I had a feeling she was all about the bottom line.

“What do you think, Rafael?” Nadia smiled at him.

“Why the hell not? I don’t think we can turn away business at this point, and this is for a friend’s wedding.” Rafe gave me a nod. “The bride’s my friend too. A party for a bunch of women? How much trouble can it be?” Rafe dumped the bottles in the recycle bin and walked back into the living room.

“Are you kidding? A bachelorette party? Listen, Rafael, you have no idea how ugly those things can get. I have experience in these matters.” Nadia looked around the apartment, assessing my net worth. “There will be a security deposit of course.”

“Sure.” I smiled. “The bride’s footing the bill. Damian’s sister. Maybe you know her too. Florence da Vinci.”

“Ah, Florence. Of course. She’s good for it, then. And she’s getting married?” Nadia’s eyebrows were up and her mouth amused. “The man who caught her must be something special.”

“Richard Mainwaring. Do you know him?” I saw Nadia shake her head. “Just as well. Flo’s the jealous type. Anyway, Richard knows how to handle her.” I grinned at Rafe. “Am I right?”

“No comment. Guys stick together. And any man who thinks he can handle a woman is clueless.” Rafe was on his second bottle of beer. “Bachelorette party. You ladies are going all out.”

“I want this to be amazing. I’ve got to find a male dancer. One of those Chippendale types.” I figured that was something Aggie couldn’t beat with her panty party.

“Look no further.” Nadia’s eyes gleamed. “Did Rafael ever tell you he’s one of the best?”

“What? Rafe, you can dance?” I looked at him slouched against the kitchen table. He certainly had the body for it. I remembered him in a towel. Now if he had the moves . . . I swallowed.

“Oh, yes. He can shake his moneymaker, eh, Rafael?” Nadia laughed and stood. “Why are you frowning? Surely you would do this for your friend. Think how this will make the party a success. When he danced in my club in Charleston, he was called the Fallen Angel, Glory. The wings were the first to go, of course. His G-string was made out of white feathers. Very few white feathers.” She laughed again and grabbed her suitcase.

“Thanks for sharing, Nadia.” Rafe slammed his empty bottle on the table.

“You said your bedroom is at the end of the hall, Rafael? I’m going to bed. It was a long flight from New Orleans. Thanks for letting me stay, Glory.” She stopped next to my CD collection and plucked out a case. “Put this on and let Rafael do his thing. I think you’ll like what you see.” She winked and headed down the hall.

“The Fallen Angel?” I grinned at Rafe.

“You want to see my moves?” He stalked over to my chair and pulled me to my feet. “Fallen for sure. Nothing angelic about it. The ladies wanted a bad man.” His lips parted, and I saw the tip of his tongue. “I could handle that.”

I sucked in a breath. I felt his heat, a shifter’s heat, an inferno compared to a vampire’s temp. Then there was his smell, earthy with a hint of the animal I knew he could be. I’d memorized it in the five years we’d been together and would know it with my eyes closed in a crowd of a thousand men.

Bad? Suddenly he had the vibe down, from the gleam in his dark eyes to the way he leaned into my space, just inches from the tips of my aching breasts. His gaze raked over my body like he was remembering how I looked naked. Oh, yeah, he’d seen me a time or two. Accidentally, but still . . . I wanted to step back, to touch myself, to do something to ease this damp welcome that hit me hard and fast.

Instead I smiled and shook my hair back, pretending I was unfazed by his act. Yeah, that’s all it was. A show. He didn’t mean any of it. He’d done the same hot-gaze thing hundreds of times with strangers in crowded clubs for tips. Good to know.

“Would you dance for Flo’s party?” Yay, Glory. Got that out in a normal voice.

“Not a good idea.” His eyes lingered on my lips, then swept over my body again, every spot sizzling where they touched.

“Why not? Nadia says you’re very . . . talented.” I didn’t shift so much as a toenail. God, but I was working my self-control.

“You decide.” He abruptly stepped away to pop the CD into the player and turned the music on loud enough so the bass vibrated. I knew the walls were well insulated, but my neighbors wouldn’t care that it was close to dawn. They were night creatures too. I did hear a laugh coming from down the hall. Forget the hall. Rafe shoved me onto the couch and pushed the coffee table out of the way.

“What are you doing?” I sat sprawled where I’d landed and watched him unbutton his shirt, his hips moving to the music. His chest was broad, strong, ripped. I knew that. Shouldn’t care. But combined with that sexy beat and those moves . . . Oh, my.

“Giving you the full effect. I’d take off my pants, but you know how I feel about underwear.”

“Damn.” I flushed from my cheeks to my toes. “I mean, for a really good audition I should see the whole act.”

“Use your imagination.” He moved closer.

No problem. His skimpy towel routine had given me plenty to work with.

Get with the program, Glory. Show him this is no big deal.
I jumped up, grabbed my purse and pulled a twenty from my wallet. I waved it in front of me, laughing when Rafe danced closer.

“What does this get me?” I looked to where his jeans hung low on his hips. The arrow of dark hair below his navel made my fingertips itch.

“In a club? Sit back down and I’ll give you a lap dance. But you’d need to add another couple of twenties to that.” He shoved me onto the couch again. “I’ll give you a discount.”

Then he was on the couch, his knees on either side of mine. The bulge between his legs brushed against my stomach as he braced his arms on the seat back. He lowered his head with a heavy-lidded stare before he pushed my hair back with his nose, his hot breath teasing my right ear.

“Gloriana.”

I was surrounded by his heat, the pulsing of the music echoing the throbbing inside me.

“Rafe, I ...”

He wasn’t actually touching me anywhere. Well, unless you counted the occasional bump of his zipper against my sweater. Trust me, I was counting it. And thinking about reaching for that weight that proved he wasn’t unmoved.

The music sped up, and Rafe was off of me again, my twenty between his teeth. What the hell?

He strutted over to the CD player and hit a button. The silence was startling. Worse. You could hear me panting like a teenager after heavy petting.

“So, how do you like my moves?”

“Fine.” Had I really squeaked? I cleared my throat. I tried again. “Great. The ladies will love them. So you’ll do it? Dance for Flo’s bachelorette party?” Flo would go nuts. Aggie would too. No way could she top this.

“Not a chance. Not for a bunch of vampires. One-on-one or in a regular club, no problem.” He picked up his shirt and shrugged into it. Darn. “But get a bunch of female vampires worked up like you were just now, and you’re liable to find yourself drained dry in a Dumpster. You think I can’t see you have your fangs down?”

“I wasn’t all that worked up.” Oh, wait. Maybe I did have a little bloodlust thing going along with the other kind of lust. I struggled to my feet and told my fangs to hide again.

“Yes, you were. I know the signs, sweetheart. Even the ones that aren’t so obvious.” He grinned and laid his hand between my breasts. “For a vampire, this heartbeat is pretty fast, and you didn’t drink enough of that Bulgarian brew to have cheeks that pink.”

“So I’m not immune. But that’s what you were after, wasn’t it? To get me stirred up? Mission accomplished. It’s a party for Flo. You’ll know a lot of us. Don’t you think I can control my friends?” I lifted his hand off me, though, truth be told, I’d have welcomed it a little closer to my tight nipples. Instead, I fluttered my eyelashes and put my hand on his chest, on top of his shirt. “Come on, Rafe. I need this.”

“Don’t take this the wrong way, sweetheart, but have you ever controlled anybody?”

For a moment I was too fascinated by the speed of his heartbeat (Hah! I wasn’t the only one turned on, now was I?) to realize what he’d just said. Then it sank in.

“Excuse me? That was unnecessary. So I have a few issues. I’ve been working on them, haven’t I? Didn’t I come back to Austin by myself?” I shoved back and headed for the hall.

“Yes, you did.” Rafe was by my side in an instant. “But I smelled Blade on you the minute I came into the apartment. He’s already back and got you where he wants you. Am I right?”

“Damn it. Maybe I’ve got
him
where I want him.” I blinked back tears. But Rafe was right and I knew it. “We have this connection. It’s in my blood.
He’s
in my blood.”