Real Vampires Live Large Read Online Free Page B

but why bother?
    â€œI’m a woman, trying to support myself. Some people”— maybe I was digging a hole here—“don’t like independence or people who are different.”
    The reporter thrust the microphone at Flo who had somehow managed to pull her hair back into a chic ponytail, her sheet now a toga that Julius Caesar himself had probably taught her how to wrap.
    â€œAre you Ms. St. Clair’s partner?”
    Flo grinned, obviously reading the reporter’s mind too.
    â€œGlory and I haven’t been together long”—she linked her arm through mine—“and the business is all hers. Me, I’m into new. I have a wonderful shoe collection, spared by the fire, thank God. I just hope Glory’s business survives this.” Flo actually kissed my cheek and I swear I jumped a foot.
    â€œWe’re not—”
    â€œHush, Glory. Let me tell Donna about my shoes.” Flo began rattling off designer names until the reporter’s eyes glazed and she signaled the cameraman to cut.
    â€œI think we have enough. Excuse me, I see an arson investigator has arrived. Good luck with your business, Ms. St. Clair. Here’s my card. If you need to contact me for a follow-up.”
    Follow-up. I took one more long look at my shop, shook my head then went inside the apartment building. The halls were wet and the smell of smoke made my nose run and my eyes sting. I climbed the stairs, then stepped over the door Valdez had knocked down to get me out. The frame was broken, the locks shattered. I felt him beside me.
    â€œYou really are a hero, Valdez.” I dropped to my knees and buried my face in his damp fur. Oh, great. Now I cried. I held onto him and felt Flo patting my back. I know blood-sucking vampires are supposed to be tough, but we’re still human, sort of. We have feelings . I swear sometimes I think if I didn’t have bad luck I’d have no luck at all.

Three
    "Gloriana, sweetheart. Och now, don’t cry.”
    I was gently lifted off of Valdez and wrapped in strong masculine arms. Definitely an improvement over smoke-tinged dog fur. And don’t you love the Scottish thing? I’ve always had a weakness for it.
    â€œBlade.” I sagged against him, for once glad of his need to take care of me. When I’d first met Jeremiah Campbell, I was attracted to his take-charge attitude. Hey, it was 1604. That’s what men did back then. I closed my eyes and inhaled. Jerry smelled of male and midnight. One whiff and I was right back at the Globe and the early days of hot sex and his promise of “I’ll be here for you forever.” It was all I could do not to wrap my legs around his waist and beg him to take me.
    I got a grip. Barely. We’re friends now, sometimes lovers, but I couldn’t or wouldn’t just relapse into a quivering mass of female insecurities around him.
    â€œDid you see my shop?” I looked up and saw his teeth clench.
    â€œWhat was left of it.” His arms tightened around me. “Damn Westwood. I’ll find him and rip his throat out. Tear him apart. There won’t be enough left of him to interest carrion. He’ll pay for this, Gloriana.”
    â€œWhat if he didn’t do it?” I wiped at my eyes, then leaned against his hard chest for a moment longer.
    â€œWho else?”
    â€œI don’t know. I’ve had headaches. And a voice in my head. Menacing.” I looked up at Blade who was glaring at Valdez. Obviously the dog hadn’t mentioned this in his reports. Yeah, he’s Jerry’s furry spy.
    â€œA voice? What the hell is this?”
    â€œForget it. Had to be Westwood. The voice has to be another vampire—” I heard Jerry’s chest rumble. Had he growled ? “Come on, Jerry. A vampire wouldn’t burn up another one. Plus it was daylight.”
    â€œWith enough hatred, some would hire it done.” Jerry put me from him. “I can’t