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

me?” I stared up at him. “I’m on the job. I can’t just leave. Look around. There are thirsty customers and I need to take drink orders.”

He did look around, his eyes widening when Donna took a hundred-dollar bill from a man then the photographer snapped a picture of her leaning against the customer. “Seriously? There are naked women walking around here. What the devil is this place? What are they selling?”

I had to admit Donna had pushed the limits of what the girls were supposed to do. She’d pressed a bare breast against the man’s bicep. He slipped her another hundred as we watched and she whispered something in his ear, slapping his hand playfully when he gave her breast a squeeze.

“She shouldn’t be doing that.” I grabbed an empty tray. “I need to take drink orders. Please sit with Fergus and Maggie until the club closes. It won’t be long now.” I touched his cheek. “I’ll make it worth your while.”

“Oh, you will, will you?” He grinned then looked at his very expensive watch. It was new, one of those computer things that also sent him messages. “Very well.” He frowned when I lowered my tray. “Must you dress like that? You are showing entirely too much skin.”

“It’s a costume, Jerry. Now, go. I’ll bring you a glass of Dom’s good synthetic. Hot or cold?”

He kept staring at my breasts. “Hot.” His voice was low and full of meaning. “I like it hot.”

I pushed him toward that table. I was hot. That man could warm me up with just a word. I told the bartender what I needed and carried it back to where Jerry had settled in with the other vampires. I was surprised the mortals in the room hadn’t noticed the power that seemed to come from that group. To me it was obvious. Each one of them could have easily drained dry more than one of the men around them. My friends were laughing and talking now, but the mood could turn on a dime. Vampires. Who knew what they could do?

When a man cursed, a chair crashed and slid across the floor, and a woman screamed, all four of the vampires stood, ready to take care of business. Caro moved across the room at a dead run and even I was ready to jump into the fray. Especially when I saw who was in the middle of the fight.

Two men were using their fists to pummel each other. A woman was trying not to get in the way. Or was she? I feared the worst when she picked up a champagne bottle. I doubted it was because she was thirsty.

“Drop it, Donna!”

She just looked at me and lifted it over her head, ready to swing.

13

Donna looked eager to hit one of the men with that champagne bottle. I ran toward her, pushed her out of the way, then used my tray to knock the man across the room. He sailed so far, he hit the wall next to the entrance then slumped and fell to the floor.

“My God, Gloria, how did you do that?” Donna stared at me.

“Hey, I work out.” The sound of glass breaking behind me made me turn. In one of those slick shifter moves that you have to see to believe, Caroline jumped between two men and slammed a hand in each of their faces. “Stop this!” Caro’s voice had the ring of authority.

“Says who?” Naturally it was Lee who challenged her. He smacked her hand and she sent him staggering into a table. “That asshole was feelin’ up my woman. I’m givin’ him a beat-down. Stay out of it.” He grabbed for something to break his fall and only succeeded in sending the table over, drinks and all. The men who’d been sitting there enjoying the fight were suddenly not happy when their drinks landed in their laps.

“Hey, watch what you’re doing!” One of them threw back his own chair. “You want to see a beat-down, come on.” He raised his fists like he was practicing with a heavy bag in a gym.

Caroline lifted Lee up by his jacket and threw him into a chair.

“Don’t you fucking move.” She glared at him and he was stupid enough to ignore her.

“You try to keep me here. That’s my girl over there.” Lee made an effort to push her away and Caro gripped his shoulders.

“Glory?” She glanced at me.

I took Lee’s chin and stared into his eyes. “You can’t move.” I rarely mesmerized mortals but this one was easy. He stared straight ahead, ignoring the noise of two bus boys sweeping up glass and righting the table and chairs. The bouncers had cleared out anyone else who wanted to fight.

“What’s wrong with him, Gloria?” Donna stared at her boyfriend.

“I was checking his eyes. I think he’s on something. Let him sit there and sober up while you circulate and earn some money.” I guided her toward a table full of men who certainly seemed interested.

“I bet you’re a lover, not a fighter.” Donna looked the first man up and down. “I just hate to see a good-looking guy all battered and bruised. How would that look in our picture?” She gestured to the photographer. “Al, get a shot of me with this guy. What’s your name, honey?” Since she was about a foot taller than the customer, her bare breasts were swaying near his nose. So far, he was speechless.

I left him in her capable hands and turned back to see how Caro was handling Lee and the altercation. A very efficient bus boy had cleared up the broken glass and you couldn’t tell there had ever been a fight. The man who’d made a move on Donna was gone. I noticed one of the bouncers hustling him out of the club. Lee still sat at his table with that dazed look.

“Who is that new girl? Another bouncer?” Donna was back at the bar after her photo