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

Valdez sneezed and I stopped breathing. Misty believed you couldn’t use too much hair spray.

I was not happy leaving her with Davenport turning into her hero. She was getting too tangled in his web. The truth was I had no choice but to go on with my own life. I stopped at the bottom of the stairs when I saw a black limo pull into the parking lot. The demon was making sure Misty was impressed by his wealth, which seemed to have no limit. I waited for him to emerge from the back seat, a uniformed chauffer holding the door for him.

“Really? All this for Misty?” I admired the fit of Davenport’s black tuxedo. It was obviously a designer number and had dark satin lapels that matched his bow tie. His white shirt was crisp with a wing collar.

“I want to show her what she can have if she chooses my side.” He grinned and produced a dozen red roses from behind his back. “I’m not doubting the outcome. Are you?”

“Please leave her alone. She has a good heart.” I blinked back tears. Begging? I thought about frying his flowers or maybe him with my new electric finger, but he suddenly emanated a surge of power that rocked me back. I hesitated to start a faceoff with Misty right upstairs.

“A good heart and a great body.” He chuckled. “Are you going to let me up those stairs? Or shall we play games here?”

“What do I have to do to get you to back off?” There, I’d said it. The way his eyes lit up, going red, I knew my question was what Davenport had been waiting for. He had suddenly hit the demon jackpot.

“Ah, you want to bargain with the Devil. How interesting.” He gently drew me closer, ignoring Valdez who growled and showed his teeth. “Down, boy. You know better than to try to take me. I could blister you where you stand.”

Valdez lifted his head. “Bring it, demon.”

“Why bother? You have too much to lose, remember?” Davenport held up his hand and Valdez stopped fighting, hanging his head before trotting toward my car with his leash dragging behind him.

I couldn’t believe Valdez had backed off like that. “I don’t know what you have on him, but don’t you dare hurt him.”

“Forget him. We were about to negotiate for your roomie’s soul, weren’t we?” He looked past me, up the steps. “She must have heard my car arrive and is about to open the door. You’d better hurry, Glory. What can you offer me to back off? Because Misty has a very tasty little soul.” He leaned closer, his eyes boring into mine.

I could smell him, his dark power that made me think of blast furnaces and a dry desert wind.

“I warn you now, Glory, give me something big. The woman is already mine. One more jackpot and she will do the Master’s bidding eagerly, no questions asked.” He smiled, his eyes flickering in the moonlight when the lone working streetlight nearby suddenly blew out with a tinkle of broken glass.

“You make me sick.” I shoved him back. Thank the gods he didn’t resist. He just laughed and looked down to make sure I hadn’t wrinkled his suit.

I took a breath and almost choked before I could say it. “A favor. Is that what you want? Name it. I won’t kill, but I might be willing to do a favor for you or your,” I shuddered, “master.” I could almost feel the heat licking my toes in my pretty gold sandals.

“Favors are nice.” Davenport looked past me and grinned. “My, don’t you look lovely, my dear. I was just telling Glory how I was looking forward to our night out.” He pushed me aside and walked up to meet Misty. She gushed over the roses and ran to put them in water.

“Hurry. She will only take a moment.” He stood on the step above me, looming.

“I need for you to help her pay off her debt then make an excuse and disappear. I’m sure you can do that.” I clutched my tote which held my bikini and my laptop. I planned to ask Dom to help me with my business plan tonight. Now I was in no mood to think about business. I was quivering inside, sure this demon was going to ask me to do something horrible. What could it be? Steal something? Deceive a friend or hurt them? I wouldn’t put anything past a minion from Hell. He didn’t say a word, just turned to help Misty down the stairs when she reappeared.

“Glory, I thought you’d be gone by now.” She held her evening bag and a tote of her own. I was sure the tote held her cash for Lee. It might hold a nightie too. She had a collection that would make Victoria’s Secret blush.

“I was on my way to my car when the limo pulled up.”

Davenport took Misty’s arm. “You really do look beautiful.” He kissed Misty’s cheek. “Red is one of my favorite colors. How did you know?” He winked at me.

“I’m glad. And a limo!” Misty hugged him, then gave me a knowing look as they walked past me. Davenport helped her into the back seat. He’d already told the chauffer to wait in the driver’s seat, out of earshot.

“I’ve poured some champagne, Misty. Help yourself. I’ll be there in a moment.” Then he turned to me and lowered his voice.

“A favor to be named later, Glory. She will be all yours again by tomorrow night. Her debt will be paid and she will lose her taste for gaming. How does that sound?” He looked over at Valdez, staring at us from beside my car.

“Too good to be true.” I waved when Misty leaned out of the limo and toasted me with her glass of champagne. “That also sounds like a very expensive favor.”

“You’ll see. It won’t require murder, but you may come to regret our deal. Is Misty’s well-being worth