Real Vampires Get Lucky (5 page)

"Hey! You can't just send me out there alone!" Lucky's eyes filled and she sniffed. "You did this to me, you
have
to help me figure things out."

"This is exactly why I never turned anyone before." I sighed and called the shop. "I hope my day help can stay late, because bringing you up to speed will take a while." The long list of "don'ts" ran through my mind. Don't go out in daylight. Don't try to eat. I could tell her horror stories about me and Cheetos. Don't bite humans unless you wipe out their memory. Hmm. I could wipe
Lucky's
memory and . . . Naw. I knew my duty. Unfortunately.

"Looks like we're going to be stuck with her for a while."
Valdez had read my mind, of course. I rubbed his silky ears.

"Yep, she's got a lot to learn." The phone in the shop was ringing. And ringing. When nobody answered after ten rings, I jumped up and headed for the bathroom. Either they were really busy down there or something was wrong.

"Trouble?"
Valdez stopped by the bathroom door.

I stopped and looked back at Lucky. She'd finished her Fangtastic and was busy trying to rub out the bloodstain on her boot.

"Yeah, trouble."

Four

"Come on, Lucky. Decide. Either come down with me or stay up here. Take a shower. Raid my roommate's closet." Did I have a death wish?
Nobody
raided Flo's closet. And she still hadn't come home, something I'd worry about later. "She's about your size. And she has great shoes." Hey, I was desperate.

Lucky sat slumped on the couch. In the same position she'd been in when I'd hit the shower. I
was
desperate to get downstairs and check on things. I'd called twice more and still no answer.

"Go. I'll stay here." She picked up her purse and pulled out her cell phone and flipped it open. "Oh, God."

"What?"

"My father's called six times. I didn't check in. If I don't report by . . ." She glanced at her wrist. "Shit. My Rolex is gone. Doesn't matter anyway. I've got to call right now or Daddy will send his goons to check on me."

"Goons?" I didn't have time for this. But if an invasion was imminent . . .

Lucky wasn't listening to me. She'd obviously hit speed dial.

"Dad, it's me. I'm, uh, okay." She put a shaking hand over her eyes and sobbed, then handed me the phone. Oh, swell. I cleared my throat. "Hello?"

"Who the hell is this? Why's my baby girl crying?"

"I'm Gloriana St. Clair, uh, Lucky's new friend." I tried to hand the phone back to Lucky but she slapped it away.

"Listen, lady, put Luciana back on. Now."

"She's a little upset, sir." Hey, this guy sounded like a "sir." "She had a near miss last night."

"Near miss? What the hell does that mean?"

"I'll let her tell you." I dropped the phone in Lucky's lap and ran into my room to get my shoes and purse. I could hear Lucky talking and crying. By the time I got back to the living room, she was sniffling and held out the phone again.

"Daddy wants to talk to you."

"I don't have time. I've got-"

"Goons on your doorstep?" Lucky stuck the phone in my hand. "Talk to him. He's, uh, grateful." A grateful loan shark. Okay, I guess I could spare a moment. "Hello, this is Gloriana."

"You got any idea who tried to take my girl out?"

Hmm. Cut to the chase, why don't you? "No, we didn't see anyone. And Lucky's bodyguard is missing. Maybe-"

"Don't make sense. Brittany's been with us for years."

"Well, sir . . ."

"Call me Carl. You did good, little lady. Sure, having a vampire daughter ain't my notion of a swell time, but we'll figure it out. I want to repay you. Anything you want." The man coughed. "Within reason, of course. Just tell Lucky what you want."

"That's very kind of you." I saw Lucky pull a tissue out of her purse and wipe her eyes. "There is one thing Lucky has . . ."

"Put her on. I'll make sure she gives it to you. And, little lady?"

"Yes?" I couldn't stop grinning. Maybe saving someone would actually pay off.

"You spread the word. There's a million cash for whoever finds the asshole who tried to take my little girl out."

"A million. Dollars?" Visions of financial freedom made the room spin.

"You bet. Put Luciana back on the phone. And thanks."

"You're welcome." I handed the phone to Lucky.

"Glory, we've got to go."
Valdez dropped his leash at my feet.
"I've
got to go
."

"One more minute."

Lucky snapped her phone shut, her face pale again. "He said to give you whatever you want. As a reward." She saw my gaze move to the object of my desire. "No! Please! You have no idea how many months I waited to get this. I had to bribe the salesclerk." She snatched up her purse and clutched it to her chest.

"Sorry, Lucky. But immortality comes with a price." I stalked to the kitchen and pulled out a plastic garbage sack. "Here, you can use this for your stuff." I dropped it next to her. "Have it ready for me when I come back." I almost skipped to the door, Valdez on my heels. My own Birkin bag. Sweet.

"Can't I just write you a check?" Lucky pulled out a leather checkbook.

"Nope. Taking cash for turning you vampire would seem kind of, umm, sleazy. But I'll accept a token of your gratitude." I ignored Lucky's grumbling as I walked to the door. "Come straight down to the shop when you're dressed. No wandering off."

"Maybe I should take a look around. Whoever attacked me thinks I'm dead. And Brittany's missing." Lucky had a speculative look I didn't like. "Got a stake handy?"

I grabbed her hand and squeezed hard enough to make her look at me.

"What? Ouch, you've got a grip like a linebacker." She jerked her hand free. "And trust me, I've been gripped by more than a few." Trust her? Not on your life. Especially not with a stake. I looked into Lucky's eyes and put the whammy to work. "Listen to me, Lucky. You are to come straight downstairs. My shop is right outside the door." I told her the code to get the door open.

"You are not to tell anyone you're a vampire until we've had time to go over the ground rules. Nod your head if you understand what I'm saying." She nodded, obviously unable to do anything else. God, I love the whammy. Maybe I'd hold off teaching her that particular vamp trick. I released her and told her to snap out of it.

"I'll change and come downstairs. You say I can raid your roommate's closet?"

"For now. When you come down, maybe we can find you a few things to wear in the shop. Unless you brought luggage."

"No, I was flying in and flying out. There's a makeup bag in my rental car downstairs. I don't suppose . . ."

"Use my makeup for now. I've got to go."

Lucky got up and sighed. "I don't know how the hell I'm supposed to do makeup without a mirror." She wrinkled her nose when she spied the blood-soaked coat I'd stuffed into a plastic garbage bag the night before. "Why don't you dump that thing on your way out?"

"Let's give a dry cleaner a shot at it first."

She shuddered. "I'll never wear it again. Toss it."

I picked up the bag and carried it to the door. If I could get it clean, it was perfect to sell in the shop. Oh, hell, the shop. What was going on down there?

"Fine." I opened the door. "Valdez stays with me. I'm worried about what might be going on down at the store."

"Go. I can take care of myself." Lucky headed down the hall toward Flo's room. I bit my tongue before I made a snarky comment. Take care of herself? I don't think so. If I hadn't stumbled across her, she'd be in the morgue downtown right now. My cell rang when I was halfway down the stairs. Caller ID told me Jerry was checking up on me.

"Hi, Jerry."

"Gloriana, what happened last night with the person you found?"

"She's now a vampire, thanks to me." I dropped the bag with Lucky's coat, punched in the security code and pulled open the outside door. "And I'm stuck with her. She's a very complicated person." I waited inside while Valdez darted to the park across the empty street and took care of business.

"Obviously she has enemies, unless you think the attack was random."

"Doubt it. She's a loan shark. Here to collect a debt. I figure someone owed her more than they could pay and decided to settle things permanently."

"This doesn't sound like someone you need to be involved with."

"Too late. I'm involved up to my eyebrows." Which could stand plucking. Lucky's had been perfect. Sure, our bodies never change, but our hair, nails and brows still grow. Fast if we've been drinking a lot of high-octane blood. And don't get me started on my legs.

I picked up the bag with her coat again. "Listen, Jerry. I've got to go. No one's answering in the shop and I've got to check on things."

"I'll be home tomorrow night. Be careful, Gloriana."

"Thanks for the concern. See you tomorrow." I snapped the phone shut and stepped outside, stopping to clip on Valdez's leash. Hmm. Shop lights on. I could see people inside, several gathered in front of the vampire mural Flo had painted on one wall. I know, but my roomie's not into subtle. She's studied
under
, if you get my drift, a lot of famous artists. So the mural was cool. I pushed open the shop door and looked around for the hired help. Lacy, the were-kitty, was one of them. A student, Melissa, was another. I knew I was late, but at least one of them should have greeted me when I came in. Customer Relations 101.

"I'm the owner here. What's going on?" I tied the bag closed and dropped it by the door. No need to start a freak-out over a bloodstained coat.

"She's hurt, but she won't let us call the paramedics." A brunette in faded jeans ran up to me. "She says someone attacked her right here in the shop."

"Who's hurt?" I surged forward, Valdez at my side. Lacy sat in one of the overstuffed armchairs a friend had consigned. She was pale as a ghost and I could see a bloody bandage wrapped around her neck.

"My God! What happened?" I looked around. No sign of Melissa. Had she taken off before or after Lacy had been attacked?

After and she was so fired.

"I'm okay, Glory. Just after Melissa left, I was in the shop alone. Someone"-she looked significantly at the small crowd of interested mortals-"came in and put a, um, knife to my throat. I guess he wanted to rob us, but two more customers came in just then and the guy panicked and took off."

"That was us!" A blond college-student type, her boyfriend hugging her like he'd never let her go, seemed thrilled to have been so close to death.

"Let's close the shop." I turned and smiled at the group. "Sorry, folks, but obviously Lacy needs medical attention. Come back in about an hour and say, 'I helped Lacy,' and I'll give you twenty-five percent off anything in the store."

"Good deal." College girl dragged her boyfriend to the door. "We can get a snack at Mugs and Muffins next door, sweetie. Check our e-mail on your laptop." She patted him on his stuffed backpack. "We'll be back."

"I told Barbie she didn't need to be hangin' out in a place called Vamps with a vampire painting on the wall." A middle-aged man in jeans, a plaid shirt and a sleeveless down vest elbowed his friend, who was dressed in similar fashion. Like they'd interrupted a hunting trip to check us out. "You see where she was hurt? Neck wound, Earl."

"Don't mean nothin', Leroy. And you can't tell a teenager where to shop, how to dress or who to date. She'll just start sneakin'

around. I figure she'll get over the black lipstick soon enough if you leave her be." Earl hitched up his pants. "Lady wants us to leave. Coffee sounds good. Got to admit though, that painting's pretty creepy."

"Told ya." Leroy and Earl headed out the door.

They weren't the first worried parents to check us out. Usually we passed with flying colors. Too bad they'd picked tonight to drop by.

Finally I turned the lock and got a good look at Lacy. She was pale and getting paler. I reached for the makeshift bandage.

"Not here. Let's go in the back." She got to her feet. Lacy wobbled and made a face. Once we were both in the back room, I helped her to a chair.

"What did he look like, kitty girl? Did you at least scratch his eyes out?"
Valdez was right beside me.

"He was butt ugly. And he caught me by surprise. I got in a few good swipes, but I never thought another vamp would come right here in the shop and attack one of us when a customer could have shown up at any time." Lacy put her hand to her throat.

"Ugly and dumb as dirt if he thought he could get away with this."
Valdez sniffed.
"Security cameras, Glory. We need them
in here. I'm talkin' to Blade about them when he gets back. What do you bet this guy was lookin' for you? It's
your
shop."

"Valdez, I don't want to make this all about me." I grabbed Lacy's arm when she swayed. "Go watch the front door. Lacy's hurt. Save this for later. And leave Blade out of this for now-until we know more."

"Just doin' my job,"
he muttered as he turned tail and walked stiff legged back to the door.

"Think, Lacy. Did you recognize this vampire? Ever see him before?"

"Someone from the EVs, I think. I didn't get to go to their headquarters with you guys, but Derek took pictures with his camera phone. I think this man was in one of them and not on our side."

EVs. Energy Vampires. The leader had wanted to drain my energy for his top-selling drug. Would you believe it? Vampire Viagra. But I'd managed to get the best of him, and I thought we'd called a truce. He'd promised . . . I pulled off the bandage. Fang marks.

"Oh, God, Lacy. I'm so sorry."

"Why? You're not responsible for every vampire in Austin. And I figure the EVs are wild cards anyway. Hey, I'm okay. I did fight the bastard." She shuddered and touched her throat. "He was so damned strong!"

"It comes with the territory." I grabbed a cloth, wet it and dabbed at the wound. "It's stopped bleeding."

"I know. I wrapped it so the customers couldn't see the marks. We get enough vamp-wannabes because of our name and the mural."

"Damn it. Maybe this
is
all about me. I'm really, really sorry. At least let me heal you." I put my hand on her throat and thought healing thoughts. Cool, huh? Just like with Lucky, I felt the wounds close under my fingertips. The back door crashed open, and I do mean crashed. With double dead bolts?