Real Vampires Know Size Matters

by Gerry Bartlett

Page 27

 

  “I don’t give a damn if Jerry wants you or not. I’m over the unfaithful bastard. ” I said it one more time. I wanted to be sure she heard me and knew I meant it.

  “Then you won’t care what happens next. ” She smiled, smoke and mist filled the alley, then she and her entourage disappeared.

  I released my hold on Rafe.

  “Damn it, Glory. Why’d you do that? I could’ve taken her. ” Rafe stomped over to where Mel had been standing and began searching the alley. “She’s gone. ”

  “Maybe you could have handled her. Maybe not. I still don’t know what she can do. Did you feel those creatures hit you?” I looked down at my arms, expecting to see blood or at least some red marks. Nothing.

  “Yeah. Stung like a son of a bitch. ” Rafe rubbed his cheek. “But I still think . . . ”

  “Let it go. Looks like she’s done with me. But I’m afraid she’s still after Jerry. We’ll see. ” I pulled out my cell and called upstairs, giving Sienna and Aggie the all clear to come down. “When we go to the seminar Saturday night, we’ll see how she acts. ”

  “You still want to do that?” Rafe looked at me like I’d lost my mind. Maybe I had. I either had a bad case of “Know your enemy” or I was letting Lily’s fab apartment get to me.

  “Why not? Sin bought those expensive tickets and I’m interested in Mel’s message when she’s doing her motivational thing and not channeling evil spirits. Own the world. I could get behind that. The woman may be a few ghosts short of a gaggle, but she’s got plenty of confidence. And her Web site impressed me. It’s about time I got ambitious, don’t you think?” I heard the back door open.

  “Not touching that one. ” Rafe shrugged. “Guess you want to spare the ladies the details of what just went down?”

  “Definitely. Just another ordinary night in this alley. ” I laughed, relieved to have gotten through the confrontation with Mel without either of us getting hurt.

  Rafe shook his head. “Let’s go then. Shop first, but only for an hour. I need to get to N-V. ”

  “Thanks, Rafe. You were awesome. Sorry about the kiss and turning you into a statue. ” I hugged him then kissed his cheek.

  “I figured the kiss was a perk. Feel free anytime. ” He didn’t let me go. “The freeze thing? Lose it. Makes me crazy. ”

  “I know. I’m really sorry. ” I touched his cheek. “It comes so easily . . . ” I kept my arms around him. Maybe Mel was still lurking close enough for a glimpse, though I couldn’t smell her now.

  “Yeah, well. Use it on bad guys, not your friends. ” He stepped back and grabbed Sienna’s guitar when she handed it to him as soon as she cleared the door. Then he made up a story about a false alarm when Aggie and Sienna peppered us with questions.

  We headed into my shop. Aggie couldn’t quit talking about new clothes, and flashy stage clothes didn’t come cheap. We were trolling through my evening wear when the candidate for Sienna’s bodyguard came in.

  Danny Potter was a shape-shifter who’d worked for Rafe in the club for a while but had been looking for something that paid more than bouncing out unruly college kids. Rafe vouched for him and we all liked him on sight. He was big, could look mean when he needed to, and his size was intimidating. He stood about six foot six and had a neck the size of Sienna’s waist. His dark skin and eyes matched his black cotton shirt and jeans.

  “Call me Danny. ” He shook hands with everyone except Rafe, who got a serious fist bump. Then he proceeded to stand back and watch the room. I immediately felt safer.

  “Hey, Danny. ” Sienna called him over. “Have you met Israel Caine?”

  “Sure. He’s played the club several times since he moved to town. Great guy. ” Danny smiled.

  “Wrong answer. From now on, he’s on your shit list. ” Sienna pulled Danny to the back room, I assume to fill her guard in on why she hated Ray.

  Fine by me. If she wanted to use her bodyguard to intimidate Ray, that was between them. That left me with Aggie, who had an armful of cocktail dresses and was headed for the dressing room.

  “Hold it. Let me look at your choices. ” I grabbed the stack.

  “What? You said I could shop. ” Aggie glanced around the store. We were fairly busy, with only a week until Halloween. I wasn’t going to let her pick my best looks for herself when I might never get paid for them.

  “These are going back. ” I took the most expensive and separated them from the pile. “Try on these two, then I’m finding you a pair of good silky black pants and a few glitzy tops to go with them. You’re going to have to be practical. If you don’t get a regular gig, you may have to bring this stuff back and let me resell it. ”

  “Seriously? What are you? The fashion police?” Aggie frowned down at my choices. “These are the cheapest things you’ve got. And I hate black. I need color! Pizazz!”

  “You need black if you’re singing backup. And it’s kinder on those new bulges you developed when you pigged out on Halloween candy, Aggie. ” I had no sympathy when all I could do was sniff the candy she’d brought home by the bag.

  “Halloween candy? I hear you. ” A woman stopped on her way to the costumes. “I’m a sucker for candy corn. ”

  “Candy corn?” Aggie got interested. “I haven’t tried it yet. ”

  “Pure sugar and pure heaven. No fat grams either. ” She looked Aggie up and down. “You look great to me. Honey, quit ragging on her. ” This was addressed to me with a glare. “The girl’s got a nice rack. She should go low cut and the muffin top won’t be noticed. Am I right?” The stranger gave Aggie a friendly elbow.

  “That’s what I’ve always said. Show off your boobs and the men never look past them. ” Aggie snatched back a green dress, the color of her eyes. It did have a deep vee neckline. “This one will look fantastic. ” She turned to her new friend. “I’m a singer. These will be my work clothes. ”

  “No kidding? Here’s my card. June Raymond, wedding planner. If you call me, I might be able to try you out. If you’re interested in another gig. We’re always looking for entertainment. I’d have to hear you sing first of course. ” The woman slapped a gold-trimmed card into Aggie’s hand. “‘Wedding’s by June. ’ Catchy, don’t you think?”

  Clearly Aggie didn’t have a clue about that but she smiled and nodded. “I may be singing backup on Halloween at N-V for Sienna Star and Israel Caine. Come catch the show and see for yourself if I’ll do for your weddings. ”

  “Wow. Seriously? You’d have to be good to sing with those two. ” The woman walked with Aggie toward the dressing room. “That show’s a sellout. But I heard they may be adding another one at midnight. Know anything about that?”

  I felt a presence at my back. “Rafe. Are you adding a midnight show? Can I get a ticket?”

  “Have you ever needed one?” He rested his hand on my shoulder. “Yes, I’m in talks with Nate about a midnight show. Agents. He’s being tough with the negotiation but I think we’ll have a deal. You definitely have to come. Get Flo and Richard to come too. Even Damian. I’ll reserve a table for you guys. The usual spot. ”

  “I wish Jerry . . . ” I sighed. “Well, maybe he’ll be back and this Mel thing will be over by then. ” I turned to the customer. “This is the owner of N-V. Give her the scoop, Rafe. ”

  He smiled at June. “Midnight show is in the works. Check our Web site for ticket info. News really soon. ”

  “Is it a costume party? Halloween night at N-V?” June looked Rafe over and clearly liked what she saw.

  “Yes, there will be a contest too. Big prizes. Buy one here. This shop has the best costumes in town. ” He glanced at his watch. “I hate to break this up, Glory, but I need to get over there. Nate is meeting me. ”

  “Don’t you think I could just stay here?” I watched June rush over to the costume rack. She glanced back at Rafe then grabbed a naughty pirate girl outfit. I could tell from here that it was going to be t
oo small, though maybe that was the look she was going for—too tight and skimpy.

  “No, I promised Blade I’d stick close. Come with me. It should be worth it just to watch what happens when Sienna drags Aggie in there to sing with Ray and the band. ” Rafe grinned.

  “You are so right. ” I looked up in time to see Aggie come out in the green dress. I had to admit, it was the right look. I nodded and she squealed and rushed over to hug me.

  “Thanks, Glo. I’m wearing it to N-V right now. ” She handed me the tag. Obviously she’d counted on winning that decision. “Can Megan hold my old clothes behind the counter for me?” She thrust the bundle into my hands.

  “Guess so. Good luck tonight. I’ll see you later. ” I watched her scurry to the back room where Sienna and Danny waited.

  “She did look good. ” Rafe hadn’t missed the amount of cleavage she was showing.

  “On my dime. ” I walked over to the counter and told Megan what to do with Aggie’s clothing. After a brief conference to make sure the shop was in good hands, Rafe and I headed to N-V. Sienna waved us off, still interested in shopping. Now she had Danny to help her with any paparazzi who might show up, and obviously she wanted Ray to have to wait for her. More games. This night had already worn me out and I figured there was more excitement yet to come.

  The club was busy of course. I was glad for Rafe’s sake. He’d been able to buy out his partner recently and it was all his now. He headed for his office and I trailed along. Sienna and Aggie were supposed to stop by the office before they went up to the practice room. I wanted to go over some guidelines with Danny. The bodyguard claimed to be familiar with vampires, but had never taken on a new one before. I had to be sure he had a handle on how Sienna might react around mortals during these early nights after her transition. Rafe opened his office door and we found Nate and Ray had beat us there.