Real Vampires: Glory Does Vegas Bartlett, Gerry (good fiction books to read .txt) 📖

office, his arm around Tiffany. She had a bemused expression on her face. I knew that look. Dom had mesmerized her, taken blood from her, then planted some false memory in her mind to erase what had truly happened. Hadn’t I done that to mortals back when there had been no choice but to stalk them and take their blood if I wanted to survive?

“Tiffany! Are you all right?” I rushed to take her hands. They were cold. I rubbed them, trying to restore some warmth. She’d been pale before, now she was white as a cocktail napkin.

“What? I’m fine. Dom helped me relax.” She seemed to realize she still wore his jacket. It was a suit coat of fine black silk and she let go of my hand to shrug out of it. “Oh! I’ve ruined your jacket. I got my boob makeup all over it, Dom.” She handed it back to him. “I’m sorry.”

He took it, smiling down at her. “Don’t worry about it. I’m just glad it helped make you feel more comfortable.”

Tiffany smiled at me. “I was being silly. Dom convinced me that I should be proud of my body. I was bringing pleasure to all these men who wished they had a woman like me. He keeps the bouncers around so the audience would never be allowed to touch me. I can always feel very safe here.” She looked up at him dreamily. “Isn’t Dom wonderful?”

“Uh, Tiffany, how do you feel? Are you weak? Do you need something to eat? I can grab a snack for you from behind the bar.” I glared at Dom. There were no fang marks on her, but he had erased them, of course. She had been taken down a few pints, I was sure of it. She stumbled when she walked toward me.

“I’m just really tired. I think I could eat. Maybe I’ll drive through a burger joint on my way home. A double meat with cheese sounds good right now. Want to go with me, Gloria?” She linked arms with me. “Look, I’m showing off my tits right now and thinking nothing of it.” She smiled at Jerry. “Hi, good looking. You want a picture with me?” She thrust out her breasts.

I pulled her away from him. Jerry had certainly noticed those sparkly things she was aiming at him. He smiled and shook his head when he saw me glaring at him.

“Tempting, but I’d better not. Glory wouldn’t like it.” He exchanged looks with Dom. “I want to keep her happy.”

“Oh, really?” Tiffany turned to me.

“Yes, Tiffany. This is my boyfriend, Jeremy Blade. You’re not taking a picture with him. He’s all mine.” I dragged her through the darkened and empty club toward the dressing room. Jerry and Dom followed us as far as the break room.

“You’re her boyfriend now?” Dom grinned and threw his suit coat on a chair.

“It seems that’s what she’s calling me these days.” Jerry looked amused. “I’ll take it.”

“Interesting.” Dom swept his gaze over me. “And she’s working here.”

I didn’t stay to hear how Jerry explained that as I jerked Tiffany into the dressing room and closed the door.

“Take off your costume and leave it in your locker. I’m sure you left your clothes in there.” I opened my own locker and checked out the choices there. Not much.

“I did.” She spotted Valdez who had followed us in. “Oh, there’s your dog. He’s just as cute as he can be.” She pushed his face between her breasts then kissed the top of his head. “I love dogs, did you know that?”

“I do now.” I hustled him out of the dressing room, ignoring Valdez’s doggy grin, and helped her change. “Are you okay to drive? Did Dom give you alcohol or something to drink? You’re acting a little tipsy.”

“No, yes, maybe. I’m high on life. That’s me, Gloria. I’m happy to be alive.” Tiffany pulled on a shirt and shorts then slipped into sandals. “I know I messed up your dances tonight.” She hugged me. “I’m sorry, I promise to do better tomorrow night. Donna said she’d help me practice in the afternoon, before we come in.” She grabbed her purse and walked to the door that led outside. “Night, Dom. Thanks for not firing me!”

I followed her then turned to Dom after I saw her struggle to unlock an ancient pickup truck in the parking lot. “She shouldn’t be driving. What did you give her?”

“A shot or two of fine bourbon. Why?” Dom seemed genuinely confused. “Donna has more than that before the first dance.”

“Tiffany isn’t Donna. Go out there and take her car keys. Drive her home. You can always shift back here later.” I didn’t care if he was my boss. He was going to do what was right. “Buy her a burger too. Have you forgotten how to treat mortals since you got into selling your synthetics?”

“Maybe so.” Dom smiled and hurried out the door. He caught Tiffany still trying to fit her key into the door lock. “Let me drive you home, my dear. Clearly, you are too tired to do it.”

Reassured when Dom bundled her into the truck then waved and drove away, I turned to Jerry. “Maybe I was a little bossy.”

“No, you were right. The woman was clearly unused to alcohol. But my God, the smell of her blood! Your favorite type as I recall—A-B Negative. No wonder Dom couldn’t resist her.” He grinned.

“He should have resisted anyway. The poor girl is his employee. That’s harassment!” I couldn’t deny though that her blood had been calling to me. No, I could and would forget it.

“I like to hear you issuing orders.” Jerry smiled at me.

“You do?” I moved in on him. “I’ll remember that. Later.” I ran my hand under his sport coat to tease the open neckline of his cotton shirt. As usual, he looked like a man with money. I’d taken the opportunity when I’d been in the dressing room with Tiffany to change