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

to play on or choose to get your slip of paper like we did last time. At the end of the evening, we go to the cashier and get your winnings.”

“I’m willing to try another hand.” I hit the button and this time two hands came up. The choices in one were fairly simple, the other was what would be called a bust and I discarded all five cards. This time I didn’t win a thing. Wait! I lost everything. “No! I even lost what I’d won the first time!” I slammed a fist on the front of the machine and it suddenly lit up, beeping and playing that merry pay-off tune.

I looked at Davenport as a paper flew out of the machine and landed at my feet. “What just happened?

He laughed and picked up the paper. “You just used your power, you naughty girl.” He studied the printout then handed it to me. “Oh, I love it!”

“Glory! You won?” Misty appeared on my other side. “Let me see!” She grabbed the paper. “Holy shit! Ten thousand dollars. You must be lucky or really good at poker.” She hugged me and handed the paper back. “Who’s this?” She smiled at Davenport.

“Davenport. You don’t need to know him.” I stared at the paper. “This isn’t right. I can’t cash this in.”

“Don’t be silly. Of course, you can.” Davenport took it from me. “Hello, Beauty.” He handed it to Misty. “Glory is still in shock. Why don’t you cash it for her?” Before I could stop him, he’d taken her arm and was whispering in her ear as he steered her toward the cashier’s booth.

“Stop!” I started to go after them but my feet were rooted to the floor. I tried, but I couldn’t move an inch.

“Are you going to play that machine or just stand there?” A man stood a few feet away and tapped his foot. “I’ve been waiting for it. Either put some money in or move on.”

I tried to move on but Davenport had done something to me. I looked down at Valdez but he just shook his head. He even tried to help by tugging on his leash. Nothing. So I stuck a five dollar bill in the machine and played a hand. It was hard to concentrate. Either luck was with me or I’d broken the machine because I got a straight and earned another good payout. When I saw Misty and Davenport coming, I grabbed the paper and was finally able to step away from the machine.

“Here, it’s all yours.” I turned around and looked for the man. He was gone, settled at another machine.

“I got your money for you, Glory.” Misty had a banded pack of bills. “Davenport is acting as my security. Isn’t that sweet?”

“What happened with your own strategy?” I clutched my slips of paper. I had made a little money and I’d keep what I’d made honestly. What had happened with Davenport? I was still confused.

Misty’s eyes filled. “I lost. Nothing worked. It’s as if I’m cursed.”

Davenport sniffed the air then walked around her. “No, I assure you, my dear, you are not cursed. But the house always wins. That’s a lesson you need to take to heart. Now I believe Glory wants to say something about what she won tonight.”

“Yes.” I didn’t need a mental message from a demon to know what the right thing to do would be. “You can keep that ten thousand if you promise to pay Lee with it. It should get him off your back for a while. Then go back to the Gamblers Anonymous meetings. Can you do that?”

“Wait. You’re giving me this money?” Misty held the cash to her chest. “Seriously? I know you were saving to open your own business.”

“Yes, I am. You’ve been a good friend and I still feel bad about what happened with Sid. Consider this a way to ease my conscience.” I took her arm. “Thanks, Mr. Davenport. We’re going home now.”

“Without champagne to celebrate?” He held onto Misty’s other arm.

I could see this could end in a tug of war. “Misty has a debt she must pay. She needs to call her loan officer and arrange to give him this money.”

“Tomorrow is soon enough.” Misty smiled into Davenport’s bright blue eyes. “Back off, Glory. I’d love some champagne.”

“You heard her, Glory.” The demon grinned. It seemed the Devil was about to win. He knew I couldn’t drink champagne.

“Misty, would you excuse us for a minute? Davenport and I need to have a little chat. Here, hold Valdez’s leash for me.” I thrust it into her hand and dragged the demon down a row of slot machines before Misty could object. I’d seen a look in her eyes I didn’t like. She’d pegged Davenport as a rich man who’d work just fine as her next boyfriend. The offer to buy her champagne had sealed the deal. If he produced a golden egg, she’d marry him.

“Hey, I was making good progress.” He looked back at Misty. “She’s beautiful. And her soul! What a fine catch to take home with me.”

I saw red, something I’d never done before. I grabbed Davenport by the lapels and slammed him against a slot machine. It flashed, sang and then died in a spray of sparks. People around us screamed and security came running.

Davenport smiled gleefully as he brushed off his suit coat. “My, what a temper.”

“Don’t you dare involve my roommate in your hellish enterprises.” I turned to face security. “Oh, my goodness. He tripped and your machine almost electrocuted him. I hope I don’t have to call my lawyer. Those things are a hazard!” I pointed a shaky finger at the machine and it suddenly spewed sparks again. Where this power had come from, I had no idea but Davenport was laughing so hard, he doubled over, covering his glee with a bout of coughing.

“I can’t imagine what went wrong.” A stern security guard eyed Davenport. “Do we need to call in