Full-Figured Vampire 1 - Real Vampires Have Curves

by Gerry Bartlett

  Chapter Seven

  "Enjoy your night, Gloriana?" CiCi was counting out change to a customer in front of the register. The woman had a bulging bag and glanced at me, then did a double take.

  "I'd say she did." The woman stuffed her change into her Louis Vuitton bag and winked before heading toward the door. "Whisker burn and love bites. And that was a good-looking man in that convertible."

  "He's gay. Tonight he was experimenting with hetero-sexuality. The experiment failed." Take that, Damian! He gunned the vamp-mobile's motor, tires squealing as he drove away.

  "I don't think so." The woman laughed. "But you're obviously pissed at him. Naughty boy?"

  "Nasty, not naughty." I ran a hand over my hair and pulled up my collar. Of course Damian hadn't erased the bites. He'd been proud of them. Jerk.

  "This is a great shop, by the way. Austin needed a quality vintage-clothing store. And open all night. I'm an ER doctor and just got off duty. Too wired to sleep, so this is prime shopping time for me." The woman waved and headed out the door.

  "This great shop was closed when I dropped by earlier, Gloriana. That woman just spent three hundred dollars and we almost missed the sale. Thank God she didn't want to use her credit card. I have no idea how to do those, you know." CiCi slammed the register shut. "I thought we were to be open twenty-four hours."

  We'd almost missed the sale? Obviously CiCi had decided she was my partner and maybe she deserved to be, the way she'd helped me set up. But while I was grateful to her, I was sole proprietor here. It said so on the papers Freddy's lawyer had filed for me.

  "I had an emergency. I had to leave." I looked down a little late to make sure I was zipped high enough for decency.

  "An emergency." CiCi plucked a red rose from the vase and waved it toward the door. "I would say so. If nasty, naughty Damian Sabatini crooked his, um, finger at me, I'd certainly never look back."

  Wow. I sat down in the nearest chair. This was an interesting development. CiCi had the hots for Damian. Well, who didn't? Not Glory St. Clair, not after the past hour.

  "You want Damian? He's all yours."

  "No. Obviously he wants you whether you want him or not. But I'm thinking it's been a while since I've taken a lover." CiCi held the rose to her nose and sighed. "Too long. I will remedy that immediately."

  A horn honked. "Freddy's here. To pick me up. You'll be all right until Lacy gets here?"

  I jumped up and hugged CiCi. "Thanks for skipping the lecture and reopening the shop. I really did have an emergency. A man came in with fang marks babbling about a white-haired vamp who said prayers the entire time he was feeding. The vamp didn't even bother to erase the marks, much less the man's memory. Damian helped me take him home."

  "A white-haired vampire. Yes, I know such a one. A very handsome one, in fact. But in Austin? This is news to me." CiCi walked to the door and waved at Freddy. "I'll tell Frederick about this. We must find this vampire and educate him on how we do things here. We've been able to enjoy our life because we don't call attention to ourselves." CiCi smiled and patted my cheek. "A lesson you learned long ago."

  "Yes. It's a basic survival skill."

  "But what is the point of surviving if you are lonely and miserable?" CiCi gave me a searching look. "Give Damian a chance to make you happy."

  "I make myself happy. I'm not lonely or miserable. I have this shop and my friends." I grabbed the vase full of roses. "You want these? Otherwise they're going in the Dumpster out back."

  "Oh, my. You have had a busy evening. Of course I read the card that came with these." CiCi sniffed, then picked up the vase. "Mmm. These are divine. But obviously Jeremiah is also on your 'I hate men' list." She headed to the door. "These will look wonderful on my dining room table."

  I held open the door and waved at Freddy. "Did you see how much we sold tonight?"

  CiCi laughed. "Yes, indeed. That's why I couldn't be too mad at you for leaving. You've sold clothes, my sideboard, and the customer that just left bought a piece of Sabino glass I'd consigned. We're rich!"

  As if CiCi hadn't already been rolling in dough. But I agreed that it was pretty special to know you've made it yourself. Lacy bounded down the stairs and out the entrance of the apartment part of the building just as CiCi got into the car.

  We both watched Freddy drive off. Lacy nodded toward the building.

  "You'd better get upstairs. That mutt of yours is going nuts worrying about you. He barked for hours. Ruined my beauty sleep." She ran a hand over her hair.

  "You look great, as usual." She was sticking with a vintage look. A seventies tie-dyed T-shirt and bell-bottom pants today.

  "Thanks. But, much as I hate to say it, I think we're going to have to let fur face come down to the shop with you from now on."

  Fur face had used his Glory radar, ratting me out to Blade when I left the shop. Blade would never have hunted me down at Damian's otherwise. Damn it. This was intolerable. I hadn't bothered to listen to my voice mail and wasn't sure I ever would. The sky was getting lighter, I felt like the living dead and I still had to walk Valdez.

  "Flo walked him." Lacy made a face. "Oops. Sorry. I don't want to read your mind, it just happens. Now go up to bed. You look exhausted. And I think you're getting a rash." Lacy patted my shoulder.

  I rubbed my cheeks, still tender from Damian's kisses. My breasts had the same "rash." I'd kept my collar up so at least Lacy hadn't spotted those marks. But I was a mess, from wild hair to aching toes.

  "I am tired. But the register…"

  Lacy pushed me toward the resident entrance. "I'll count the receipts for the night and lock them in the safe. We should start each morning with just a small amount of cash on hand."

  "Thank you." I hugged her. "You did great last night. I'm thinking of adding a commission to your pay. If I don't have to fire you, that is."

  "You won't. I promise. A commission would be fantastic." Lacy punched in the code on the keypad next to the door. "I know I persuaded you to lock up the mutt last night, but I'm serious. Flo was carrying on about something bad that happened tonight. Maybe Valdez should be here with you."

  Something bad. I hurried up the stairs, making a mental list of vampires I'd met. Flo was all right, upstairs with Valdez. I'd just seen Freddy, CiCi and Damian. Damian had infuriated me, but vamps stick together. If bad things were happening, we needed to protect ourselves and figure out how to stop them.

  Flo flung open our door before I got down the hallway.

  "Where have you been? When I came home and saw the store was closed, I worried."

  "A little emergency. I'll tell you about it later. I'm fine." I sat on the love seat and kicked off my shoes. Valdez just stared at me, his head on his paws. He was pouting next to the television which was off for a change. Flo must really be upset.

  "I'm sorry I worried you. What's this trouble Lacy mentioned?"

  Flo shuddered and sat across from me in one of the club chairs she'd added to the decor. My own furnishings were pretty sparse, especially after I'd decided to sell most of them.

  "I was with my lover." She held up her hand when Valdez growled. "None of your business, signor." She kicked off her high-heeled pumps. "I broke it off with him. I'm sick of sneaking around. I don't know why he doesn't want anyone to know he's in town. Everyone would welcome him." She looked at me for confirmation.

  "Right. I'm sorry. Is that all?"

  Flo sat up straight. "You think that is my trouble?" She snapped her fingers. "Lovers are nothing to me. One goes, mother appears. He did not break my heart, Glory."

  "Fine. So what's your trouble?"

  "Tell her, green eyes. Maybe she'll get the message that I ain't stayin' locked up in this apartment another night."

  Green eyes nodded. "I saw the hunter. Westwood."

  "Here? In Austin? Does Blade know?" I remembered my cell phone in my pocket. Of course Blade knew. Maybe he'd actually had a reason to call me, besides to ruin my sex life.

  "He's on his way as soon
as he wraps up some business."

  Why was I not surprised? But this wasn't about me now. Blade would want to take out Westwood himself. For Mac.

  Valdez stood and stretched. "It's almost daylight, ladies. Let's hit the hay."

  "Just a minute." I saw Flo staring at her feet as if considering whether to keep her toenails scarlet or go for pink. "Flo, look at me."

  She looked up. "Pink, I think. See? You read my mind, I don't care."

  "Forget that. How do you know it was West wood? He's pretty ordinary." I picked up the photo we'd printed from the Internet. Every vamp in Austin had one.

  "I wouldn't have recognized him, except he took a shot at me."

  "Oh, my God!" I rushed to her side and pulled her up to give her a hug and look her over. "Are you all right? Did he hit you anywhere?"

  "I saw him notch that arrow and, poof, I was a beautiful black bird, flying away into the night. The arrow hit a tree behind me."

  "What the hell were you doin' out by yourself?" Valdez walked up to us and sat at her feet. "It ain't safe."

  "You're sweet." Flo patted his head. "But I'm fine. Just worried about others who"—she gave me a look—"are afraid to shape-shift. He's an excellent shot, Glory. If I hadn't flown out of there, he'd have my fangs right now." She shuddered. "Such tacky jewelry. What is the man thinking?"

  "All men are beasts. That's my new philosophy and Westwood proves the point." I pulled my phone out of my pocket. Should I listen to Blade's message? Not now. I was dead, well almost. The sky was getting lighter outside and I needed my bed and the blackout drapes in my bedroom.

  I checked the deadbolts. "Let's go to bed. We'll talk about this tomorrow." I looked down at Valdez. "You ready?"

  "I got my orders. I ain't leavin' your side until Blade gets here."

  "Fine." I would deal with that macho mind-set later. I hugged Flo again. "I'm glad you got away from him. Valdez is right about one thing, you shouldn't go out alone after this. Westwood knows what you look like now."

  "I'll be careful." Flo patted my back. When she released me, she had a puzzled look on her face.

  "Sleep well." I headed for my room.

  "Wait!" Flo hurried after me.

  Now what? I was too tired to think. I unzipped my jumpsuit and dropped it on the floor.

  "I knew it! I smelled… Damian. You've been with my brother." She grabbed my chin. "Bastard! Look at you. Mauled. Couldn't he bother to shave?" Then she saw my neck.

  "You let him taste you?"

  Valdez growled and I shoved him into the living room land slammed the door. Maybe he could hear through it, but I didn't need a third party observer right now.

  "I didn't let him do anything, Flo. He forced me." I heard Valdez's enraged barking. Great, now Blade would know. I rubbed the marks. I should have erased them immediately, but they'd be gone when I woke anyway.

  Flo muttered something in Italian. "I hope you ripped off his man part and stuffed it down his throat."

  Now there was a visual to savor. "I should have. I certainly felt like it. Unfortunately it would probably grow back." God, did we have to go into this tonight? "I handled it, him, Flo. Please don't get involved in this, okay?"

  "How can I not? My brother attacks my roomie?" She swept her gaze over me. "You wear a thong for him. Pah! He deserves granny pants and one of your sexless sacks."

  "I didn't wear this for him. I wore it for me. And my sacks are all downstairs, for sale." Unfortunately. I could have really enjoyed vegging out in something sexless right now. Instead, I rummaged in my dresser and pulled out a blue lace-trimmed nightie. "You staying for the show or heading to bed?"

  Flo sighed. "Bed. This has been a horrible night. I am almost killed. My lover is a jerk. And my brother…" More Italian. "You can't expect me not to say anything, Glory. I would like to grind his fangs into dust. Let him try drinking Bloody Merry the rest of his days through a straw. Biting my roomie." Muttering in Italian, she pulled open the door and slammed it behind her.

  Maybe she'd cool off by evening. I dropped my underwear into a laundry basket and pulled on the gown. Valdez scratched at the door and I let him in before I turned out the light. I could tell he wanted to lecture me, but I sent him a stern mental message to just shut up and go to sleep.

  I lay down then felt the bed shake as Valdez jumped up to settle next to my feet. I usually like my bed, but it was a slab compared to Damian's. What a hell of a thought to go to sleep on.

  World War III had broken out in my living room. Barking. Shouting in at least three languages. Would anyone notice if I just stayed in bed with the covers over my head for, say, the next year?

  But I was anxious to get down to the shop to count yesterday's receipts. And how had we done during the day today? I pulled on another vintage outfit and took plenty of time with my makeup. I used to get help with my stage makeup, but for every day I do it by feel. After decades of practice, I've got it down to a science. I added a little contouring to give me the illusion of cheekbones, then reluctantly opened my bedroom door.

  Silence. All nations had either declared a cease fire or they'd killed each other. No such luck. Flo had collapsed on the love seat, her head thrown back as she stared at the ceiling. Blade glowered near the front door, in his fighting stance and wearing full Clan Campbell regalia. Damian lounged in one of the club chairs until he saw me in the doorway. He leaped to his feet and winked. Valdez trotted up to me representing Fido-land. He and Jerry stared at me as if I'd suddenly sprouted horns and a tail.

  "What?" I strolled into the kitchen and pulled a Bloody Merry out of the refrigerator. This silence was even worse than the yelling had been.

  "Damian brought your keys, Gloriana." Blade fingered his broadsword. "He claims you left them in his bed."

  Damian grinned, obviously quite happy to drive Blade insane. And what was wrong with that, now that I thought about it?

  I yawned. "Is that where I left them?"

  Valdez woofed. "You got a death wish, Blondie? Anybody," he glanced at Damian—"anybody could have gotten hold of those keys. Besides, you never shoulda left me up here."

  I reached down to rub his ears. "Sorry, pup. When you're right, you're right. From now on, you can stay in the shop with me."

  "I should hope so. None of us need to take foolish chances." Flo had finally found her voice. For a woman who usually chattered nonstop, she was being very subdued now that the shouting match had stopped.

  "How are you feeling?" I moved closer and put my arm around her. "You look like hell."

  "Compliments. That's all I needed."

  To my horror, Flo welled up and fled to her bedroom. She slammed the door on a sob.

  "Whoa. Was it something I said?" I looked at Damian. He shrugged again.

  "I don't know what her problem is. She and Blade were busy yelling at me about those keys." He strolled over as if to put an arm around me. I gave him a look that stopped him in his tracks. He threw up his hands. "Women!"

  "It's not just women, Damian. Flo's obviously still upset about last night." Could Damian really not know about his sister's near miss?

  "Why?" Damian smiled at me. "Is my sister saying I shouldn't date her roommate? You won't listen to her, will you, cara?"

  "You're not the center of the universe, Sabatini. This isn't about you. Florence has good reason to be upset." Blade didn't seem surprised by the brother-sister thing. Of course he'd probably been reading minds right and left.

  Damian looked at me. "All I know about is Gloriana's encounter."

  "What encounter?" Blade grabbed my arms and made me face him.

  I wondered if I could sharpen the wooden spoon I'd seen in a kitchen drawer and use it to shut Damian's big mouth, permanently. Blade was on the protect Glory warpath now. Which I didn't need. Damian had better get a clue if he had any notion of getting something going with me.

  "Let me go, Blade." I gave him a hard look. "I don't respond well to manhandling, remember?"

  Blade stepped back a
nd held out his hands. "Fine, but again, what encounter?"

  "No big deal. A man wandered into the shop and had been with a vampire. I freaked because the vamp hadn't erased the man's memory or the fang marks on his neck. You know how I feel about blending." I sipped my drink. "I sure don't want my shop to become a magnet for vamp wannabes."

  "It's that name." Valdez had decided to put in his two cents. "I told ya, Blondie. You're just askin' for it."

  "Nonsense. The name is clever, Gloriana." Blade gave Valdez a look and the dog lay down and lowered his head to his paws.

  Clever? Wow. But maybe a little too clever if my shop turned into a Goth hangout.

  "So what's wrong with Florence?" Damian glanced at her closed bedroom door.

  "She's upset about Westwood, Sabatini. He shot at her last night. If she hadn't shape-shifted, he would have killed her." Blade scowled at Damian like he should have been protecting his sister instead of frolicking in bed with me.

  "Dios mio!" Damian swore and strode down the hall to Flo's room. He jerked open the door and went inside. Italian. Loud Italian. He slammed the door so at least the volume was muted.

  "Are you starting a relationship with Damian, Gloriana?"

  I didn't owe Jerry an answer, but saw no point in playing games.

  "I doubt it."

  "Then come home with me." He stepped closer.

  "Because Westwood's in town?" I moved away to sit on the love seat. "No way. I'm staying here. I'll take Valdez down with me from now on, but the shop had a great start. I think it's going to be a moneymaker."

  "You could open a shop like that in Lake Charles instead. I'd feel better if you were close."

  I sipped my Bloody Merry, grateful for the energy it gave me. Blade just stared at me. I was not caving. Even though I could practically feel his frustration.

  "I haven't lived close to you in decades, Jerry, and we've always had hunters to deal with." I held up my hand when he opened his mouth to argue. "I know. Westwood's more high tech than the others, but I'm sure not abandoning my shop to chase you to Lake Charles and hide inside your casino. Sorry, Jerry. You mean well, but I'm staying."