“Of course not.” I tried in vain to pull down my shorts then followed Manny through the dark club, Valdez trailing me. There was an office behind the bar, the door closed.
“I’ll leave you to it. I hope you aren’t hiding anything, Blondie. I need good waitresses and you filled the bill tonight. Dominic doesn’t like secrets. If he sees something that worries him in your papers, you answer him truthfully. Don’t try to bull shit him. Hear me?” Manny put his hand on my arm. He was clearly trying to help me.
“Thanks, Manny. No secrets. But I do have a spotty work record. Problem with an old boyfriend who couldn’t keep a job. We were always on the move. I finally got smart and dumped him. You’re right. Good tips. I want to keep this gig. I’ll be straight with the boss. Don’t worry.” Now I was nervous. A vampire’s life was nothing but secrets. Damn.
“Okay, then. Good night.” Manny knocked on the door, then left me when we heard a man’s voice say come in. “There you go.”
I opened the door and stopped. Valdez had gone rigid. His tail was out straight and his ears were up.
“Do you smell what I smell, Valdez?”
He nodded. “Vampire.”
4
“ I can’t believe it. This sure explains everything!” The man behind the desk stood and walked around to face me. He was short—five eight, maybe, and broad-shouldered. He wore an Italian suit well. He had one of those shaved heads that worked. Sexy, actually. His dark eyes seemed to miss nothing behind his black rimmed glasses. He’d probably been turned when he was in his early forties. He looked like the kind of guy you’d want doing your taxes, trustworthy, and for some reason I liked him instantly. He tossed his glasses on the desk then showed his fangs in a vampire greeting. Oh, give me a break.
“My work record. Afraid so. You get fired a lot when you can’t take a day shift.” I kept my distance. That fang display was a little unnerving. I offered a smile but kept my own fangs out of sight.
“Of course. It’s a bitch. Come on in, sit.” He gestured at a leather chair. There was a pair of them next to his desk. “What’s the deal with the dog? Shifter?” He shook his head. “Hey, let me see your true self, guy.”
“That’s not allowed in my contract. I’m Glory’s bodyguard. Her sire hired me to protect her. Since she doesn’t want a man around to cramp her style, we settled on this dog body. It’s a pain, but we’ve made it work.” Valdez jumped up on the other leather chair.
“No kidding.” Dominic settled behind his desk. “I had no idea you guys were here in the building. I think it’s cool as hell but wonder how you knew this business was owned by a vamp.”
“Oh, I didn’t know. This is just a freaky coincidence.” And maybe a lucky one. I leaned forward, hoping he was a boob guy. Yes, he did focus on my cleavage for a long moment, smiling like he knew a good pair of original double Ds when he saw them. Great.
“Dominic, I’ll be honest with you. I really need this job. I’m not one of those rich vampires you meet who have been smart in the stock market or buying up companies.” I looked around the room. The office was well-furnished, a nice setting for a successful businessman, but the Velvet Slipper itself was not such a great thing. Dominic might own this club but it wasn’t exactly thriving. “Maybe you understand where I’m coming from.”
“Completely. But couldn’t your sire do more for you than just hire this hound to watch your back?” Dominic steepled his hands. They were manicured perfectly. “He obviously cares about you or he wouldn’t bother with the bodyguard.”
“He does, he’s been great. But I won’t allow him to do more. His support would come with strings. I love him, but can’t live with him. I hope you’ll understand that my personal life is my business and respect my choices.” I smiled to take the sting out of that. Time for a subject change. “But, listen, what about you? How did you get to be a vampire? Have you been one long?”
“A while.” He was obviously keeping his own secrets. “I was mugged in New York. Luckily a vampire found me and saved my life. It took me some time to be grateful for that. No sunlight, no food.” He stood and walked around the desk. “I’m sure you went through those regrets too. Mine were a bitch. I was a restaurant critic for a newspaper. Talk about irony! I had to continue writing about food. Imagine doing restaurant reviews and I couldn’t taste anything. I tried doing it for a while, relying on my sense of smell and sight. But I was caught spitting out my dinner one night and that was the end of that career.” Dominic’s laugh was bitter.
“I’m so sorry!” I couldn’t imagine it.
“Water under the bridge. I found other things to do. I lost my girlfriend at the time, of course. I loved her, but I wasn’t about to turn someone else vampire. Not when I was so horrified with my new life. Drinking blood! God. After being so hooked on food, I thought I’d never get used to that.” He ran a hand over his head. “Never dying, though. I finally realized I had been given a gift. I got over the bad and embraced the good. What about you?”
“I became vampire for love. I miss the food too. Still mourn chocolate.” I smiled at Dominic and we shared a moment. “But I asked to be turned so I can’t say I have regrets. My sire and I part from time to time, that overprotective thing. I have to admit though, that it’s nice to meet the dawn with someone watching over me so I let him provide the bodyguard.”
“I get that.” He glanced at the clock. “I’d better let you go. I won’t be asking you to work a day shift, that’s for sure. We don’t open until late here anyway. Keep this job, but I do need to talk to you again. I might have an opportunity for you. When you come in tomorrow night, stop by to see me first.”
I wondered if he needed a vampire friend or if he had something else in mind. He wasn’t bad looking. He came closer, ignoring Valdez’s growl to take my hand.
“Vampires should stick together, don’t you think, Gloria?” He kissed my hand in an old-fashioned way that made me wonder how old he was.
“I agree, Dominic. I’m new to Las Vegas and haven’t made any connections here except for my synthetic dealer. He was referred by the guy who sold to me in Los Angeles, my last stop. I’d like to make more vampire friends. Maybe you can help me with that.” I eased my hand from his when Valdez wedged himself between us. I kicked my bodyguard, my heel making good contact.
“It’s hard to get to know vampires in a new town. Did someone tell you to come here?” He didn’t look at me, just walked back to his desk and picked up those glasses.
“No, it was dumb luck. Crazy, isn’t it?” I smiled. “See you tomorrow.” I walked to the door, very aware of the view my boss was getting of my abundant butt. If he was fairly ancient, that could work in my favor. Ancient men liked women with a little meat on their bones.
Once we were outside in the parking lot, Valdez let me have it.
“Are you telling me you have the hots for that guy? He’s exploiting women. Blade could take him apart and not even break a sweat.” Valdez groused as I opened the car door for him.
“I do not have the hots for Dominic. He’s trying to earn a living, I get that. Besides, he has nice manners and dresses well.” I threw the bag with my clothes in the back seat. “You have to admit it’s a lucky break that he’s my boss here.” I slammed the car door and walked around to the driver’s side. Even at night the seat was hot. I sat on a towel before I turned the key in the ignition. The car moaned before the engine caught.
“Just drive. The sun will be up in a matter of minutes.” Valdez put his head out the car window. “Yes, it’ll be easier with a vamp in charge of the club. Maybe you can hold onto this job for a while. Unless he makes a move.” He looked at me. “I saw the way he licked his lips when you leaned over to show him what you’ve got. Next, he’ll be ordering the waitresses to serve topless. What are you going to do then? Huh?” He raised a furry eyebrow.
I ignored him. I could feel the dawn approaching and now wouldn’t have time to shower before I died. My mind was spinning—a vampire boss. Who could
have predicted that?
Sid’s car was in our assigned spot at the apartment complex and I had fun finding a parking space anywhere near our place. I was finally staggering up the steps when Valdez stopped in front of me.
“Sid’s going to be a problem.”
“I already told him I’m not going to sleep with him. What else can I do?” I unlocked the door. The lights were off in the living room and Misty’s bedroom door was closed. “He’s with Misty. He won’t bother me now.”
“I wouldn’t bet on it. Don’t be surprised if I have to get serious with him today. You got my phony shot record handy? The one that proves I don’t have rabies and stuff like that?” Valdez stopped in front of Misty’s door. “Right now, he’s snoring. He got what he wanted and is sleeping it off, but I give him a couple of hours and he’ll try your door. Bet you a hundred bucks.”
“I won’t take that bet. You’re probably right.” This was the worst part of being a vampire, the total helplessness during your death sleep. I could only hope that Sid would sleep most of the day away. Then, surely, he would be scared off by Valdez’s huge teeth and serious attempt to keep him out of my bedroom.
I dragged myself inside and shut the door. Once I took off that bra top and shorts, I just stood there a minute, breathing a sigh of relief. The freedom of being out of those things made me want to flop down naked on those grimy sheets and die. But I thought better of it. What if Valdez couldn’t hold off Sid? I needed to at least be covered, even if he freaked out when he touched me and got zero response. Picturing that and his call to 9-1-1 almost made me smile. Until I imagined waking up at sunset in an emergency room or on a slab in a morgue. Oh, hell no.
I threw on a cotton nightgown and then used the last of my dwindling energy to put a fresh set of sheets on the bed. I left the dirty ones in a bundle by the door. I had to make time to get to a laundromat. There were a lot of things I needed to make time for. Damn the long summer days and the short summer nights. Those were my last thoughts before my head hit my pillow and I was out.
When I finally woke up, there was a silence in the apartment that seemed ominous, even before I opened my door. No Valdez. There was a note on the bar in the kitchen.
“Taking Sid to the emergency room for stitches. Valdez is at Animal Control. Take his shot records when you go. I tried to wake you up, but you sleep like the dead. See you later.
Misty”
Well, well. Guess Misty didn’t realize that Valdez only attacked Sid because he’d tried to get into my bed. I hoped Valdez had bit the hell out of that creep. I hurriedly showered and dressed. Animal Control. I pictured a kind of animal jail. I knew Valdez wouldn’t let them do anything drastic to him without shifting. Luckily, the vampire network could get you anything. I’d bought papers for him when I’d bought my own forged papers. I was glad Misty had put the phone number for the place on the bottom of her note. I called and got directions after assuring the attendant that I did have shot records and that Valdez was not a danger to the public.
Not a danger. Well, every member of the Valdez family I’d ever known had been very dangerous. But only when it was called for. My first Valdez, Diego Valdez, had been a handsome Spaniard who would have given his life to protect me. Back then it had involved Irish pirates. Now it was keeping sleazes like Sid out of my bedroom.
When I pulled up to the brick facility, I could hear dogs barking. I love dogs and it would be hard to resist bringing one home with me as a pet. Too bad I knew Misty was already over her limit with my Valdez.
My stomach churned when I approached the front desk. I handed over the shot records that proved Valdez had up-to-date vaccinations. The clerk looked unimpressed.
“We’ll still have to keep him for observation unless…” She studied the shot record. “You can keep him quarantined at home for ten days. Will you be able to do that?”
“What do you mean? Can he go to work with me?” I saw Valdez being led toward me down the hallway, a muzzle over his mouth. Oh, gods, but he looked pitiful. An act of course, or maybe not. I had no idea how long he’d been in a cage. Or how he’d been treated as a potential threat.
“No! He must stay in your home or apartment. He is only allowed out, escorted on a leash, for his bathroom needs, for the ten days.” The clerk stared at me, looking suspicious. “You’ll have to make arrangements for this or we’ll keep him here. This is very important. I heard the attack was vicious. The man had to be taken to the hospital to get stitches.”
“He wouldn’t have attacked that particular man if he hadn’t been trying to sneak into my bedroom while I was sleeping. I’m sure Sid, that’s the so-called victim, was planning attempted rape.” I leaned down and grabbed the leash the attendant handed me. “I have to get this muzzle off of him.” I rubbed Valdez’s floppy ears. “Poor baby.”
“Your poor baby almost took off my arm when I tried to put the muzzle on him. At least when I told him you were here to take him home, he calmed right down.” The attendant smiled at me. “You’d think he understood every word.”
“He’s very smart.” I ripped away the muzzle and tossed it on the desk. “That man he bit was up to no good. Valdez was just protecting me.”
“He still must be quarantined. What’s it going to be?” The clerk was serious.
“I’ll arrange for him to stay at home.” I reached for his papers.
“We’ll keep these for now. And we’ll be coming by your apartment to check from time to time. This is very important, Ms. Simpson. We can’t risk public safety with a violent animal on the loose. Are you sure this hasn’t happened before? If Valdez is a violent animal, he should be neutered right away.”
I could feel Valdez shudder as he leaned against my leg. “That won’t be necessary. He’s not a violent animal. He only attacked that man because he was trying to enter my bedroom. My roommate can tell you I am a very heavy sleeper. I didn’t hear a thing, if you can believe it.”
“We will be keeping an eye on the situation, Ms. Simpson. Home visits are part of our policy.” The clerk stared at Valdez, who gave her a doggy grin and a tail wag. “He is cute.”
“He’ll be there but I might be at work. You are welcome to ring the bell and look through the window. He’ll come to the door and bark. You’ll be able to see and hear him. How’s that? Come any day.” I tugged on the leash, eager to get out of there. I was late for work and Dominic wanted to chat. This night wasn’t going well. “Don’t come at night, you’ll wake up my roommate. She’s already upset that he bit her boyfriend.”
“Where are you going now?” The clerk eyed my hair, which I’d spent some time on the night before. The hair spray had held up and I looked like a five-dollar hooker. I was after tips so why not? Since my costume was going to be sluttish, I figured the rest of me should match. I’d slapped on some makeup before I’d come. Blue eye shadow and black liner went with the look. I wore jeans and a T-shirt. This one advertised a car wash where I’d spent a stint until I’d realized the night hours were few and the pay was lousy. My male co-workers enjoyed watching me get the shirt wet. It seemed no matter how long I lived, men never changed.
“I’m going to work. I’ll drop the dog at the apartment on the way. Satisfied?” I lied and then turned to go. I hoped like hell she didn’t follow me to see if that’s what I did. Luckily, we made it out of the building and into the car with no sign of a follower.
“I’m traumatized. Did you hear them talking about neutering me?” Valdez had his head on his paws. “Drive through MacDonalds. I need a Big Mac and a shake. Chocolate.”
“You realize how late I am?” I complained but did swing into the drive thru line. He deserved a treat after his ordeal. “Thanks for saving me from Sid. After you were hauled off to Animal Control, Misty went into my bedroom and tried to wake me up.”
“No kidding?” That got his head up. “What did she do?”
“I like her, but she’s not the brightest bulb. She thought I was just a heavy sleeper and left me alone.
I got a note that she’d taken Sid to the emergency room for stitches.”
“Yeah, I just bet he needed stitches.” He made a gagging sound. “I still can’t get the taste of that slimy asshole out of my mouth.” He looked at the line when I was about to move to the speaker to order. “Tell them no onions. I’ll have all those women loving on me again. Hate to have onion breath.”
“Fine. Torture me. You know how much I’d love to eat a hamburger? Just once.” I placed his order then dug in my purse for one of the twenties I’d got in tips the night before. I had no idea what Dominic wanted to see me about, but I did want to keep this job. The tips were good and I hoped Mae could make me shorts that didn’t grab me like I was wearing the world’s tightest thong. Ouch. Then again, showing a little butt cheek might be the reason my tips had been so generous.
“Seriously, Glory? You don’t mind showing off your ass for tips?” Valdez was mind reading again.
“I’ll do whatever it takes. I’ve decided that I need to start saving for the future. I want a business of my own someday. Most vampires have managed to become wealthy. Why can’t I?”
“Geez, how do I know?” He stuck his nose into the cup I slipped into the cup holder between us and drank. “Pull over and unwrap that burger. I’m starving. You think I’d eat that raw crap they served in the dog jail? It’s not exactly steak tartare.”
“Of course not.” I parked and opened the sack, first sniffing the burger before laying it out so he could eat. Oh, but it smelled wonderful. I figured he’d eat it in about three bites and I was right. While he delicately picked through the fries I dumped out on the paper, I spent the time counting my money.
I was going to start thinking about my future. Now. Las Vegas was a good place to do that. A bank was open across from the fast-food place and I wheeled in. I was opening a savings account with the three hundred dollars from the night before.
It was time I grew up and acted like an adult who made plans for the future instead of living from night to night. Too bad it had taken me four hundred years to decide that.
Real Vampires: Glory Does Vegas Page 3