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

around at his fellow wolves who were waiting for some kind of signal from him. “We will see who is the last one standing.”

There was no rallying cheer from his packmates. They were all suffering from wounds. The one I’d cut with my sword was bleeding heavily and suddenly woke with a cry, changing into a man who was pale and holding his stomach. Two wolves suddenly changed and picked him up, carrying him to a jeep that was parked with two others on the road at the end of Dom’s driveway. They drove away in a hurry, scattering gravel in their wake.

Caro’s Bengal tiger stood close behind us, her stare so menacing that even I shivered. I still held my sword, bringing it up as a reminder that I hadn’t hesitated to use it.

“That wound looked bad.” I said it calmly but I did hate the thought that I might have killed him.

“He’ll heal.” Bob faced Dom. He was not backing down.

“Are you willing to risk your wives and children?” Dom suddenly shifted into a hawk and screamed, before he landed next to us then just as swiftly became a man again. “You see how I can become anything, anyone, and at any time? How are you going to guard against that, wolf?”

“Stop threatening each other.” I had heard enough. “Coming out here was an act of war, Bob. You may have cost yourself a man because of this. But Dom started bad feelings by throwing you out of his club. You know he has the right to do that. We all have baggage, history that makes us dislike a certain type of,” I glanced around, searching for a way to spin this. I gave up and told the unvarnished truth. “animal. I’d say you two are even. What do you think, Bob?” I waited while Bob looked again at the damage done to his men. His own shoulder was bloody, his left arm hanging uselessly by his side. He’d heal too but it would take a while.

Another man spoke up. “We have no desire to go back to your club, Mayer. We can look at women elsewhere, Bob.” This man was also wounded, claw marks seeping blood where someone had made him pay for his decision to attack.

That seemed to have done it for the pack leader. Bob gazed at his men who nodded, agreeing with the one who’d dared speak out.

“Very well. I will not shake your hand, Mayer. Nor will I torch your home as long as we understand each other. I have pride. Insult me in public or disrespect me and mine again and I will make you sorry.”

Dom stared at Bob, probably reading his mind. “I cannot pretend to like wolves. Come against me again and I will not spare any of you. Am I being clear?”

“Clear enough.” Bob turned toward his men then led them to their jeeps. In moments they were gone.

“My God, are you all right?” I could see blood seeping from a cut on top of Dom’s head. Besides the shoulder wound, he had claw marks on his chest. He still wore his pants and was barefoot.

“I’m fine. I’m already healing. But look at you!” He grinned and gestured at the sword in my hand. “Defending us all! Valdez, was she really the one who may have sent one of those wolves to hell?”

“Yes. Look at the wolf blood on her sword.” Valdez sat next to me. He looked a little bloody himself. “She tried to clean it, but there’s still some there.”

I leaned down and looked Valdez over. I didn’t want to think that I’d killed that man. I hoped Bob was right and he’d heal. “Are you okay? Injured anywhere?”

“No, this is wolf blood on me too. I’ll have Caro stick me in the shower so I don’t reek of it.” He trotted over to where she was now looking mortal again. “Hey, shifter, are you up for a shower?”

“Nice try, Valdez. There’s a garden hose right here. I’ll wash you off with that.” Caro winked at me. “If anyone cares, I’m fine too. No injuries.”

“I was going to ask you next.” I flushed. I really had wondered how she’d fared. “You were one scary tiger. Did you learn that from Jerry’s shifter Sherie?”

“Yes, she’s awesome. I decided to try it out. I’m glad it worked. Those wolves didn’t know what to make of me in that form.” She was grinning. “I’ll have to text Sherie and thank her.”

“Glory, come inside. We didn’t finish our shower.” Dom took the sword from my hand. “I need to clean this.”

“It’s a beautiful weapon. Did you ever use it or is it just part of a collection?” I followed him into the house. He pulled out cleaning supplies and made sure the sword was spotless before he put both swords back above the fireplace.

“I was in a fencing club in New York. I always enjoyed the sport. You must have used the sword for something more than sporting the way you went after that wolf and scored a hit.” He stopped in the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of synthetic. “God, I can’t get the taste of wolf out of my mouth.” He unscrewed the cap and took a drink. “I hope the truce holds. I never want to bite one of those furry creatures again.” He went on up, obviously expecting me to follow him. “Come back upstairs.”

I had no choice since my bra was there. “Too bad you missed seeing it. I had my share of battles back in the day.” I found my bra and thong near the bed. I needed to get to the club where I had fresh clothes. My hair was going to be a fright since it had been left wet and had almost dried in the desert air.

“Here, have a drink. It’s harmless, just an ordinary A-B Negative.” He held out the bottle.

I sniffed then took a drink. I was still pumped after