Real Vampires Have More to Love (9 page)

“Is she all right?” Nadia.

Well, if that didn’t put the icing on my shit cake. I opened my eyes and saw Rafe reaching for me.

“Don’t move, Glory, I’m going to be very careful. You don’t want to lose a foot or, uh, wing.” Damn it, he was trying not to laugh.

“Not funny, Rafe.”
If my thoughts seemed a little defensive, blame it on the fact that my mouth was sealed closed except where I darted out my tongue for a last lick of that delicious syrup. Rafe didn’t say another word, just eased me out of my sticky prison.

Between Rafe’s gentle handling and Nadia’s excellent self-control—not a smile on her gorgeous face—I would have cried if I thought roaches had tear ducts.

“That woman was the enemy after you?” Nadia glanced down the alley. “We should have left Glory here a little longer and taken care of her when we had the chance, Rafael.”

“No, Glory asked us to wait and try to solve the problem another way, so that’s what we’ll do.” Rafe had me out of the mess. Now he nodded toward Nadia. “I’ve got shop keys in my left front pocket. Would you pull them out? We need the red one.”

“Of course.” Nadia grinned and took her time probing Rafe’s pocket. At one point he grunted and gave her a look that should have warned her off, but she just laughed and finally held up the set of keys. “Got them.”

In moments, we were inside. Rafe stuck his head inside the shop and let the clerk on duty know that we were in the back and not to be disturbed.

“You ready to try shifting back, Glory?”

“I’m covered with syrup. I’m afraid I’ll end up with that gunk all over the clothes I’m wearing.”
I saw Nadia nod.

“She’s right. Give her to me. I’ll take her in the bathroom I see here and carefully clean off the mess. She may end up a little damp, but better than sticky, eh, Glory?” Nadia smiled and held out her hand.

“Hey, woman to woman, I understand.” Nadia carried me into the bathroom and was meticulous, using paper towels and even cotton swabs to get the sticky mess off me. Finally, she sighed. “That’s the best I can do. Shift and let’s see what we’ve got.”

I concentrated and ended up hobbling into the back room. Sean’s kick had done a number on my backside. I had a feeling I had a boot print on my butt. My own boots stuck a little when I walked across the floor and I needed to wash my hands, but other than that, my clothes and everything else were in great shape. I impulsively hugged Nadia, careful not to touch her with my hands.

“Thanks so much. I know you guys have an appointment and I’m making you late. You went above and beyond here.” I smiled, then rushed over to rinse the sticky off my hands.

“No worries.” Nadia shook her head at Rafe. “This man wasn’t leaving your side until he was sure you were okay.”

“And still won’t until I’ve ripped you a new one. Are you friggin’ nuts?” Rafe put his hands on my shoulders. “Sean could have stomped you, and no amount of vamp healing could have brought you back. I was seconds away from shifting and ripping his damned head off.”

“But you let me do it my way. Thanks for that. And I get it. I’m an idiot.” I put my hands over his. “Sorry I freaked you out. Temporary insanity. Won’t happen again.” I smiled at him. “Thanks. For sticking around. I do appreciate it. Now go take care of your business. I’m fine. I’ll be surrounded by people here, and it’s not your job to keep me safe anymore.”

“I know. But I can’t seem to break the damned habit.” He stepped back. “Try not to do anything stupid while I’m gone.”

“I’ve reached my quota for tonight.” I rubbed my sore butt. “I’m taking it easy for now. Sean must have been a kicker on his high school football team. He sure drop kicked me.”

“Don’t remind me.” Rafe grabbed the back doorknob. “Let’s go, Nadia. I’m done here.”

“So I see. Glad you’re all right, Glory.” Nadia followed Rafe. “Lock the door behind us. I don’t like these people stalking you. Anyone who wants to kill one vampire is an enemy to all of us.” She shut the door.

Well. I stared at the closed door, trying to work up warm fuzzies for Nadia, who had been pretty cool about this, and Rafe, who’d actually respected my wishes. But my butt was killing me. Bottom line? My playtime
had
been a dumb stunt. Hindsight. Oh, I could do jokes like that all night long. Instead, since I was safe inside, I would do a little work for the shop. Too bad Flo and Aggie arrived just then. They were chattering about the latest Victoria’s Secret catalog. Shower research. Fine. Concentrate on the wedding. So I’d make some calls to show Aggie that my party was on track too.

“Simon Destiny, please. Tell him it’s Glory St. Clair.”

Flo gasped when she heard me. “Glory, hang up. You know he’s dangerous.”

She was right. The leader of the Energy Vampires could arrange to have the stuffing sucked right out of you, and had tried to get to me, Rafe, and even my buddy Flo more than once. But recently we’d called a truce, and now he had something I wanted. This bachelorette party had to rock. And the EVs made stuff you couldn’t get anywhere else.

“Gloriana. How did you know I was just talking about you?” Simon’s snake-oil-salesman voice came on the line. And the idea that he’d been discussing me? Well, it was enough to make the room spin and my stomach camp out in the back of my throat. I’d have sat down, but it wasn’t worth the pain.

“Must be boring out there in EV land. What on earth would you have to discuss about me?” I held off Flo and shook my head when she tried to snatch my phone.

“Don’t try to deflect, dear. Why did you call? What can I do for you? Is your friend Israel Caine in town again? I read in the paper that he’s performing here. Also that you two broke up. So sorry to hear that.” Simon oozed fake sympathy. Well, maybe not so fake. He knew Ray could afford his services, including a daylight room and chocolate that vamps could actually eat.

“Don’t believe everything you read, Simon. Ray and I are still tight, just not engaged. But I’m not calling for Ray. I’m throwing a little party and want to buy some of your special treats.” I smiled when Flo backed off and settled down to listen.

“Now, Glory, I know you like my chocolate truffles, but those are only available here at headquarters.” Simon chuckled. “Bring Israel out here again, and you can have my treats. We’ll arrange a romantic weekend that should have him yours again in no time.”

“Thanks, Simon. When I want relationship advice, I know where to come. But don’t you have a menu of things I can do for takeout? Like you do with the Vamp Viagra. Come on, Simon. Flo’s getting married. I’m throwing her a bachelorette party. This is a once-in-a-lifetime deal. We hope.” I gasped when I got a stiletto in the instep. “We
know
. Anyway, I’m sure Energy Vampires have some great products that a group of ladies could enjoy. Anything margarita flavored?”

Aggie gave me a narrow-eyed look, clearly seeing me trying to steal her thunder. Oops, bad choice of words. She had the thunder all tied up. Rain and lightning too. Anyway, I heard Simon talking to someone in the background.

“Well?”

“Of course. I’ll send Greg Kaplan to you with samples. Unless you’d like to suck it up and come out here.” Simon chuckled, like he didn’t believe I’d have the nerve.

“Yeah, I know what gets sucked up out there. Hate to disappoint, but I’ve been shifting lately. A lot. My energy level’s at an all-time low.”

“Sorry to hear that, Gloriana. Your value to me just took a nosedive. But I’d still like to see you. I’ll play nice.”

“Really? Nice? Somehow that’s one four-letter word I doubt you know.” I patted Flo’s hand when she put her arm around me. She knew how much I hated dealing with Simon. And that I was doing this for her.

“Is that any way to talk to a man who can give you what you want?” Simon’s voice cooled, and I figured I’d pushed too hard.

“You’re right. I’m sorry. But we’re talking business, and I’ve got Flo’s platinum card ready to close a deal. You really don’t want me anywhere near your place anyway, Simon. The last time I was out there, my new boyfriend and old boyfriend almost tore the place apart and got you some bad publicity. Besides, that energy-sucking goddess of yours creeps me out. No offense.”

“None taken. You’re wise to be cautious around our supreme being. Many foolish vampires have ignored her power to their regret. But you’d be perfectly safe
this
time. There’s someone I want you to meet.”

“No, thanks. I’d rather suck blood from a rabid hyena.” I smiled at Flo. “I’m surprised Greg hasn’t been sucked dry by now. Seems like he’s always on your to-do list.”

“True enough. But then he comes up with something valuable, and I spare him one more time. What can I say? I guess I’m a soft touch.” Simon said something to whoever was with him, and I’d heard enough. It wasn’t just his goddess who creeped me out. I was going to hang up or hurl right into the phone if I had to put up this brave front one more minute.

“Send him out, then. When can I expect him?”

“Later tonight. No reason to delay. I’ve heard the wedding is in a few weeks.” Simon tossed this off casually while I felt my heart freeze. How did he know that?

“What do you know about Flo’s wedding? You’re not on the guest list.” I glanced at Flo, and she shook her head.

“I know everything that happens in the vampire world in Austin, well, even in Texas, Gloriana. Why, I know a lot about your recent trip to California.”

“Oh, yeah? Stay out of my business, Simon. Just sell me some of your goods. That’s all.” I ended the call.

“Greg Kaplan’s coming over with some samples. We can pick out what we want. Aggie, maybe you’ll find something you want for the shower too. That’s why I asked about the margarita stuff.” Guess near death by tennis shoe had rattled my brain tissue. I was actually being nice to Aggie.

“Who’s Greg Kaplan?” Aggie smiled, folded down a page in the catalog and tossed it on the table.

“An old flame of Glory’s. Ended badly, right, Glory?” Flo picked up the catalog. “No more black, Aggie. I want some color in my underwear drawer. Red, violet, tiger print.
Molto
sexy.”

“Let’s hear the story.” Aggie smiled at me. “He dump you?”

Of course she would assume that. “I don’t have a clue. The loser is a vampire who wiped out my memory so I wouldn’t remember dating him. Can you believe it? Like he’s such a catch I would have stalked him to try to get him back.” I grabbed a pink silk bustier from a shelf, ready for a subject change. “Flo, this is vintage, but you’d look hot in it. Try it on.”

“I want to hear more about this vamp who made a fool out of you.” Aggie snagged the bustier out of my hand. “This is great, though. Maybe I’ll try it on and buy it for myself.”

“Leave her alone, Aggie. And she showed it to me first. I try.” Flo took the bustier and stalked over to the bathroom. “Greg is a toad, but he has good connections, so we’ll be nice to him. Simon Destiny is worse than a toad. He is
il diavolo
. I would kill him with my bare hands if I wasn’t afraid of him and his goddess.” Flo shuddered and slammed the bathroom door.

“Wow. Is she kidding? I didn’t think Flo was afraid of anything or anyone.” Aggie was wide-eyed.

“Smart people, vamps, Sirens, whatever, are afraid of Simon Destiny. He’s got power on top of power. I’ve come up against it and almost didn’t live to tell about it.” I leaned against the table. “It’s kind of like that freeze thing you do. I bet your boss can do that to you. Am I right?” Aggie could freeze you in place, and you couldn’t even
blink
. It’s a skill I’d like to have, I tell you that.

“Yeah, and I hate it. You feel freakin’ helpless.” Aggie shuddered.

“Well, Simon can do it too. And he can read your mind past any block. Totally blows your defenses.” For once, Aggie and I were in sync.

“Bet he couldn’t read
my
mind.” Aggie’s chin went up.

“Not a bet I’d take.” I sighed, tentatively tried to sit on the stool and hopped up again. It was better, but it would take a day of vamp sleep before my bum would be 100 percent. I wished for my computer mirror upstairs. I just knew there was a boot print on one or both of my cheeks.

“I’m sure a throw-down between the Storm God and Simon would be quite a sight, but I wouldn’t want to be close by. Simon’s got a goddess backing him that’s from some part of the Underworld. So we tread carefully around the EVs. Unless we have no choice.” I grinned. “I almost skewered Simon once. To save Rafe. Simon’s never forgiven me. So I don’t trust him. I don’t doubt he’ll try to get even with me someday.”

“But you called him and sounded calm as can be.” Aggie actually sounded admiring. “Didn’t think you had it in you.”

“Don’t underestimate my BFF. Eh, Glory?” Flo stepped out of the bathroom, a vision in pale pink and lace. When Richard saw her in that, he’d swallow his tongue. “How I look?”

“Gorgeous. That’s your shower gift from me. Take it off and I’ll wrap it. Save it for your honeymoon.” I grinned and got up when I heard a knock at the back door. I knew who it was, could smell him through the door, but asked anyway. “Who is it?”

“Your long lost love, Glory. Who else?” Greg said cheerfully. “Why are there mortals with crossbows and your picture lurking in your alley, lady? Want me to take them out?”

Six