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

needs a roommate and I’ve been saving. I’ve got a bank account Lee doesn’t know about. You know I make good tips here.” She stood suddenly, almost knocking me down. “I’d even stop drinking if I could start over without that damned bully.”

Tiffany came up behind us. “Men! I’m about to swear off them forever. Billy showing up like that is making me crazy. He’s out in the parking lot right now and won’t take off.”

“Really.” I glanced at Valdez. This was my chance to test my powers. “Valdez and I can run him off. If that’s what you really want, Tiff.”

“I never want to see that asshole again, Glory.” Tiffany was shaking. “If you can make him forget he ever knew me, I’d be so grateful.” She wiped a tear from her cheek. “But I know that’s not possible.”

“Don’t worry. Valdez and I will convince him to forget you exist. Misty can tell you Valdez can be really scary when he’s mad.” I patted V’s head. “You guys stay inside. We’re going to take care of your Billy right now.” I marched to the exit, Valdez beside me, then looked out. “Is he the guy in the jeans next to a blue pickup?” Had to be, no one else was out there.

“That’s him. He has pictures of me topless on his phone. Sneaked in here one night and took them.” Tiffany sobbed. “He says he’s going to show them to my mama and grandma.”

“I’ll make sure that phone has an accident. He won’t leave here with photos. I promise he’ll be gone by the time you’re ready for the first dance.” I opened the door. “No peeking now. If he sees you, he’ll think he needs to act tough.” I slammed the door behind me.

I walked up to the man who couldn’t be more than twenty-two. I kept forgetting that Tiffany was barely legal.

“Billy?”

“Who wants to know? You another one of those dancers?” He looked me over. “Guess so.” Of course, he’d zeroed in on my breasts.

“No, just a friend of Tiffany’s.” I stepped up to him. “She’s tired of fooling with you.”

“Then I guess I’ll have to send these pictures to her mama.” He pulled out his phone.

Valdez jumped up and knocked it out of his hand.

“What the hell?” Billy tried to push the dog out of the way. “Control your animal.” His face went pale when Valdez turned on his growl. “Honey, I don’t hurt no dogs, but seriously…” He backed up.

I grabbed his shirt and slammed him against his truck’s door. That got his attention. Too bad. He liked animals. The kid had potential. He’d just picked the wrong girl.

“What the fuck!” He struggled until I held his chin and looked into his eyes.

“A dog lover. I’m glad to hear it. But you can’t have Tiffany.” I managed to put him into one of those trances Jerry made mortals fall into with ease. This one took all of my concentration. I hadn’t lied when I’d told Valdez I didn’t like mesmerizing mortals. I also wasn’t great at it. Now I stared into Billy’s eyes and thought about what I wanted to tell him to do.

“Listen to me, Billy. Tiffany is not the girl for you. You are ready to move on. You will forget about her, starting tonight. When you saw her in Las Vegas she was waiting tables at the Pancake House and doing fine. She was mean to you and that was enough for you. Forget her. You are going back home and never thinking about Tiffany again. Nod if you understand me.” I waited until Billy nodded. I looked down at his phone. “You accidentally ran over your phone with your truck. Too bad but that wiped it clean. You need a new phone. Understand?”

“Need new phone.” He said it like he was a computer, his voice expressionless.

I put my foot on that phone and ground my heel on it. I still had on my tennis shoes and that wasn’t doing the job.

“Let me.” Valdez took a paw and did an impressive stomp that obliterated the screen. “Now set it down behind his front tire. When he backs out of the parking lot, he’ll finish the job.”

“Love it.” I grinned, took care of that, then turned back to zombie Billy.

I took a moment to enjoy the thrill of having him in my control. He reeked of a nice O positive and it seemed like forever since I’d had blood from a living, breathing mortal. Billy might be a pain in Tiffany’s backside, but he was clean and healthy. I leaned in, breathing in what would be delicious. I was ready to sink my fangs into his wrist when a car’s headlights hit us. Valdez barked and jarred me.

“Damn. I was so close.” I sighed when another car pulled into the lot. It was almost show time and customers were arriving. “Goodbye, Billy. Drive home and don’t come back here.” I touched his face and saw him relax before I turned and walked away, Valdez by my side again.

“Is he getting in his truck? I’m afraid to look.” I murmured this to Valdez.

“Yep. You did good. That was close, though.” Valdez bumped against my leg. “You actually remembered you were a vampire. Well done, Glory. You know we’re quite a team. Next, we take care of that asshole Lee.”

I smiled and looked down at him. “You are so right!” I pushed open the door.

After dealing with Tiffany’s gratitude, I realized the new dancer was waiting for me. She needed help learning the steps to the first song and I was happy to show her. Luckily, she had natural talent and didn’t seem shy when it was time for her to go topless. Liza had worked on the Strip before. When I looked at her more closely, I could see crow’s feet around her eyes. She whispered to me that she was in her thirties, too old for the best clubs anymore. Didn’t that suck