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

op, throwing down a shot. “Which one of you got Lee acting like a tame tabby cat when a few minutes ago, he was roaring like a lion? Lee on drugs? I don’t think so. You must have threatened to crush his manhood with your tray.” She laughed then nodded to the bartender for a refill. “Lee never should have come here. He gets so jealous. It’s stupid. He knows I’m doing the topless thing but when he sees me talking to other men looking like this…” She picked up the fresh shot. “Well, it drives him crazy.”

“You got carried away tonight, Donna. I think most men would object to what you let that guy do, touching your breast.” I called Caro over. “Caroline Turnbull meet Donna Sharp.” I had to give Caro points for sticking out her hand and shaking Donna’s like the dancer wasn’t nearly naked. “Caroline is Dom’s new bodyguard.”

“No kidding!” Donna got a good laugh out of that. “The way you both handled Lee was awesome.” She toasted Caro and drank. “I wish I could get him to calm down like that. He has such a temper.”

“I’ve had special training. I could teach all of the dancers some moves if you think they’d be interested.”

“Of course, we would be. Most of us have boyfriends who talk with their fists.” She shuddered. “I’d like to be able to hold my own.”

“It’s a plan then. Spread the word. I have some time before we open in the evenings. We can do it before your shifts start.” Caro nodded toward Dom’s table. “Excuse me. Those are my grandparents over there, drinking with Dom. My Gran’s staring at me. I’m going to have to convince her I want to stay here and work this job. She’s a little shocked at your costumes.”

Donna laughed. “What costumes? Most of us would die if our moms or grannies wandered in here.” She patted Caro on the shoulder. “At least you’re not topless. I’m glad to see a strong woman here. Stick to your guns. Of course, Gloria is no slouch. Did you see her hit that guy?” She looked at me admiringly. “Let me feel those muscles, Glo.”

I played along, talking about a workout video I’d seen on TV. Donna and I watched Caro thread her way through the tables and move to stand behind Dom. Maggie grabbed her hand then started talking rapidly. My vampire hearing came in handy and I could hear her trying to talk Caro out of taking the job where women were sex objects. Donna couldn’t hear her over the piped in music or the general noise of customers drinking. Dom just grinned, like he was loving the argument between his new bodyguard and her grandmother.

“Now I’ve seen everything. Her folks are clearly rich, but she’s working here as a bodyguard. How do you like that?” Donna stared at Lee after Dom stopped by his table.

Dom must have released my command for Lee to stay put. I couldn’t deny it was a good idea. People would start asking questions if the man kept sitting there like some kind of zombie.

Lee didn’t move out of his chair, just glared at Caro. Then he gestured for a drink from the waitress who served that section. She hurried to bring him a fresh one. When he casually tossed her a hundred-dollar bill and said keep the change, I wanted to scream. Why wasn’t I working that table? Oh, it was better that I didn’t. I really wanted to dump that drink all over Lee.

“It’s no stranger than you doing the topless thing when it’s making Lee crazy. Why don’t you quit?” I looked her in the eyes. I needed to read her mind, something I hated to do, but I wanted to help her.

“I’ve thought about it.” She kept watching Lee, who still frowned at Caro. I was sure he was trying to figure out how she’d managed to take him down in that fight.

“What’s stopping you? Lee obviously has money and that place where you live is beautiful.”

“Yes, but it’s his place, not mine. I keep thinking this won’t last. I don’t think he’s in love with me or anything. I’m just temporary for him and he has a wandering eye.” She dropped her empty glass on the bar. “I’m saving my money for the day when he tells me to get lost.”

“Maybe you should tell him that first.” I hated that she was so insecure. Donna was smart and beautiful. Surely, she could find someone who treated her right, who valued her.

“You don’t want to make Lee mad. You saw that.” She smiled when a customer waved at her. “Besides, I know things about his business that he wouldn’t want me to share. In a way, that’s my insurance. I’ll be with him for a while yet.” She threw back her shoulders. “If he tries to dump me before I’ve saved enough for a nice place of my own, I’ll just have to remind him of that.”

I shivered as Donna walked away with a sway to her hips. She was playing a dangerous game. I remembered those two bodyguards Lee traveled with. In fact, while I watched, one of them joined him at his table and leaned in to tell him something. That brought Lee out of his chair and they both left the club. Business? Donna watched them go but they ignored her. Whatever it was made them quicken their pace when they reached the door where the other bodyguard waited.

“I’m glad to see him leave. He’s bad news.” Caroline spoke next to me.

“I thought so too. I wish Donna wasn’t involved with him.” I turned to her. “Did you read his mind? What kind of business is he in?”

“Drugs, prostitution, you name it.” Caro frowned. “He’s not the head honcho. He’s got some pretty scary dudes he answers to. I wouldn’t be surprised if he wasn’t a hit man.”

“We have to get her away from him.” I