Real Vampires Have More to Love Read Online Free PDF Page B

Right?”
    “I don’t know that. She recognized me. Guess her father left records, maybe a photo album.” Which was a creepy thought. Westwood’s most-wanted list. “She knew I’d been the one to take out her father. Maybe one of his bodyguards got away the night I—” I shut up. Didn’t want to go there again. Sure I’d been stalked by that lunatic. But it still bothered me that I’d killed a human being, though I’d known at the time I had no choice. It had been kill or be killed. I’ve gotten used to the immortality thing.
    “Glory, quit second-guessing. You did what you had to do.” Jerry put his arms around me. “I won’t go on a killing rampage. Yet. But she did attack you. I won’t let that happen again.”
    “How? Whammy her into forgetting the whole thing? Maybe tell her that Daddy dear died in a hunting accident?” I said this into Jerry’s sweater since dredging up the whole Westwood fiasco had me near tears and he’d pulled me close.
    “Sounds like a plan to me.” Jerry stepped back and stared into my eyes. “Valdez told me exactly what happened. Westwood brought on his own death. The fool should have known better than to take on a vampire, especially one with your skills. I’m proud of you, Gloriana. And I’m damned glad he’s dead. I just wish you’d made him suffer more at the end.”
    “I know you do, Jerry. Because he killed your best friend and flaunted his kills with his sickening fang trophy necklace.” I cupped his cheek. Jerry had taken the loss hard and almost inherited his friend’s widow on top of everything else. Mara. No man deserved that woman.
    “So you did all vampires a service that night.”
    “Sure, I’m a freakin’ hero.” There had been a dozen or more fangs on that necklace. I shuddered, remembering it.
    “Yes, my hero.” He kissed my palm, then stepped back. No sign of the emotions that his own memories must have dredged up. “Now open the door to the alley, Gloriana. Then lock it behind me. Promise you won’t go out there without shifting first yourself. It’s your best defense.” He gave me a searching look. “You’re easier with the shifting now, right?”
    “Right. Good idea.” I’m not crazy about shape-shifting, but I’ve learned to do it without freezing in fear that I won’t get back to Glory as usual after I’m done. For centuries I’d had a phobia about that. “My car’s dead anyway.”
    “I’m sure Westwood’s daughter doesn’t just use the alley. Crowds are a great protection. Use them. And—” He shook his head. “Damn it, where’s Valdez? I want to hire him again.”
    “Forget it, Jerry. He’s into this nightclub he’s opening. He’s done with the bodyguard gig.” I gave Jerry an “I mean business” look. “Even if I would tolerate it. Which I won’t.”
    “Hardheaded woman.” He stared at me until I wanted to kiss his stubborn mouth.
    “Exactly. You should be used to it.” I gave in to the impulse and pulled his head down to trace his firm mouth with my tongue until he pulled me hard against him.
    When he finally lifted his head and licked his lips, I couldn’t read his mood. “At least the rest of you is soft.”
    I laughed up at him. “Yep. And you seem to like me well enough to overlook my faults.”
    “Unfortunately I’m a man enslaved by his cock.” He squeezed my backside then turned toward the door.
    “Jerry!” I fumed as he shifted into a blackbird. “Yes, fly the hell away while I’m still speaking to you. And be careful, damn it!” I opened the door and watched him fly into the night. Thank God no arrows hit the door as I closed it and threw home the dead bolts.
    Flo would give me knowing looks once I walked into the shop. So what? Jerry and I were two of a kind. If he was a slave to his cock, then I was a slave to my . . . I grinned. Yes, and wasn’t I lucky to have a man who could satisfy me so unbelievably well?
    I touched the table where we’d just made love. What did they