Real Vampires Get Lucky (40 page)

"Well, that was quite a gift." Jerry took his handkerchief and tucked it into his sporran. That's a Scotsman's purse. I happened to know he also had our cell phones in there.

"I had no idea. I guess he really is grateful I didn't kick him to the curb after Lucky dumped him on me." I looked at Jerry. "I should go thank him."

Jerry put his hand on my arm. "Seems there was a hint of something extra in that song."

"Extra?"

"Sounded like a love song to me."

"Oh, come on, Jerry. Israel Caine? He writes for the public. He was probably trying to make it commercial by taking the idea of my name and putting it to music. I thought it was pretty clever to get in the whole night thing and mortals won't have a clue what he really means."

"Oh, yes, the man's very clever. Made mention of your skin, he did. Like he'd been touching you." Okay, now I was pissed. "What are you insinuating, Jerry? That Ray and I have been up to something behind your back?" I dropped my cloak on a chair. "Like dance lessons? Oh, wait. That's you and Mara. And it wasn't me flashing ass during the jitterbutt, I mean bug." I scanned the crowd. Where was Jerry's partner in crime anyway? "Would it kill you to wear underwear?" Jerry crossed his arms over his chest. "A true Scotsman doesna' bind himself under his plaid. And I'd not be casting stones if I were you. Every man here was hoping your straps would give way when Igor threw you over his shoulder." He winced and dug into his sporran. "And would you answer your phone or turn the damned thing off? It's been vibratin' me privates every few minutes since we got here."

I looked down at said privates. "Ooo. That can't have been-" I gasped when he jerked me against him. "Well, maybe you didn't mind it so much."

Jerry and I locked eyes until we both grinned.

"Did I really show my ass?"

"And a fine ass it is, my love." I kissed his cheek, then flipped open my phone. Hmm. Every call was from one of my so-called partners in the reward for Lucky's killer. I'd made the mistake of giving them a deadline. Tonight actually. With Lucky sure to be headed out of town, I'd hoped to wrap up this reward thing, then never hear the name Carvarelli ever again. Unfortunately they'd all be disappointed. My story was going to be that Mr. C. had taken care of it himself and we'd been cut out of the action. I just hoped I could work things out with Diana. Obviously I was never going to have that emergency fund I'd always dreamed of.

"Glory, lass, everything all right?" Jerry rubbed my back.

"It will be." I turned off the phone. "There. No more vibrating to jiggle your joystick, big guy. Here comes Nathan." I slipped my phone into the sporran.

Nathan was grinning as he rushed up to us. "Great song, wasn't it, Glory? I think it should go on the new album. I don't know how Ray does it."

"He's brilliant." I smiled. "I should go over and thank him. Tell me about Hanukkah, Nate. How many nights does he give gifts?" Nathan grinned. "Eight. The last night Ray gives gold. It's great being on Ray's gift list, let me tell you. Then I spring for one Christmas present in return. Not fair, but there you go."

"Jerry, you want to come with us?" I held out my hand.

"No, go ahead. My mother is waving at me. She plans to leave for Paris tomorrow, so I can spare her some time tonight." He smiled, obviously over his jealousy. "Tell Caine the song is fine."

Nathan shook his head. "More than fine. It has top ten written all over it. Wait till Ray gets it in the studio." The crowd around Ray was clamoring for an encore.

Nathan scowled. "Not sure about that, folks. Night air's not good for Ray's vocal chords."

"Ray's vocal chords will be golden forever now, Nate. But don't sing, Ray, unless you feel like it." I put my hand on his shoulder.

"Thanks for the song. That was the most amazing gift I've ever received."

"You're welcome." Ray grinned at me. "I just heard my girl Flo got married. So I'll take a request. Flo, get over here and tell me a song you and the lucky groom would like me to sing. Something you two can dance to for your first dance."

"Dio mio."
Flo leaped across the piano. Yes, completely over it. Ray's mouth dropped open. "I'll teach you that little trick, Israel. Oh, please sing 'My One True Love.' My Ricardo and I can dance to that." She held out her hand to Richard. "
S
ì, Ricardo?"

"Whatever you want, Florence." Richard was clearly in way over his head.

Ray grinned and sat at the piano. "You sure you don't want 'Hurt me'?" He pounded out the chorus of one of his hard rock hits. The look on Richard's face was priceless. "Relax, Rich. I'll slow it down. The rest of you let the happy couple take a few spins, then feel free to join them on the dance floor." Ray winked at me. "Glory, why don't you sit here next to me. You can sing backup if you want."

"No, Ray. Trust me, you don't want me singing. But I want to hear you." I sat while Ray sang and dozens of couples swayed to one of the most romantic songs I've ever heard. I could feel Ray's body close to mine while I went over the words to that song he'd written for me in my mind. What did they mean? A love song? Ridiculous.

Then Ray nodded to a piece of paper on the piano. The words. He'd signed the paper at the bottom. "Always yours, Ray." I folded the paper and tucked it into my bra. This was definitely going in the Israel Caine shrine right after I copied it so I could study it. But that was the future. This was now. I swayed to the music and savored the moment. Ray had just come to the end of the song when I felt a presence at my elbow.

"Oh, great. There he is, Israel Caine, with Glory by his side. Way to mentor a new vampire, Glory." I jumped up when the piano suddenly slid away from us. Ray jumped in front of me.

"Lucky. What the hell are you doing here?" I put Ray behind
me
this time. "Stay," I hissed. "Let me handle this."

"I came to bring a donation. For the poor little were-kitties." Lucky held on to Etienne. "And to say good-bye to all the wonderful people of Austin, of course."

"A donation?" Igor stepped forward. "Thank you. I am Prince Igor of Transylvania. The orphanage in Budapest is in great need of donations." He took in Lucky's costume, one of her more outrageous Goth getups. This one had a ragged hemline with a low-cut top that emphasized her abundant cleavage. Igor was obviously a boob man. He probably didn't even notice her spiky multicolored wig and overdone black eyeliner. If he did, he probably thought she'd come as a character in a slasher movie.

"Transylvania? That's in my new territory. I'm going to be my father's representative in Eastern Europe starting in the new year." Lucky gave me a fang-filled smile. "Thanks to my friend and maker, Gloriana."

"What kind of business does your father conduct? Perhaps we will be in touch." Igor was nothing if not a businessman. He led Lucky to the punch bowl and gestured to the band to start the music. A welcome diversion. Ray and I hustled out of the way, and the band broke into a medley of Ray's greatest hits.

"Loans, Prince. Are you in need of one?"

"Not at all, my dear." Igor looked around for help and gestured for Diana, who was hurrying in the opposite direction. She pretended not to see him. "Damian, will you help Miss, um . . ."

"Carver. Lucky Carver."

I decided Diana had the right idea and pursued her down the hall. I managed to catch up to her in a small study next to the library.

"Diana, can I talk to you for a minute?"

She turned and smiled. "Oh, sure, Glory. Wasn't that a fantastic surprise? I assume you didn't know what Ray was planning."

"No, not at all. A song dedicated to me. That was the most amazingly cool thing." I patted my chest. "I have a copy of the original right here." I noticed she'd already put up her cloak and muff. "Didn't I see you with the ermine muff outside?"

"Yes, I got it at your shop. I just love it. I thought it was perfect with my costume." She flushed and stepped inside the study. "Can we sit down a minute? My feet are killing me. I had to fill in at Mugs and Muffins for a few minutes before this shindig started because my help was late. Can you believe it?"

"Oh, yeah. Happens to me too." I stepped inside and shut the door. "I need to ask you some questions." I turned the lock, and Diana's eyes widened.

"What's this about?"

"D. L. March."

"Oh, my credit card? Diana Lynn March. One of my previous identities. No big deal. The card's good." She made a face and slipped off her high heels and began to rub her feet. "I admit I had some credit-card trouble a few years back. Had to take a loan out to keep my business afloat. But Kenny's money was a godsend."

"Did you spend some time out at the EV headquarters lately? For a little R & R?" I stretched, like I was tired too. Fat chance. I was totally revved up, like I was on the verge of a major breakthrough. "I know I've said I wasn't into it, but maybe that Vampire Viagra, under the right circumstances . . ."

"Okay, okay, you've got me. I went out there." Diana giggled. "They've got whatever you want. Not only the VV, but some hot young studs who will do whatever you want to go along with it." She pulled out a lace-trimmed fan and used it on her face like a Southern belle. "I tell you, honey, I was as relaxed as you get by the time those fellas got through with me."

"Hmmm." I leaned forward. "Hate to break it to you, Di, but I happen to know that you might've done another kind of business out there. Like hire a hit man to take out Lucky Carver." I peered into her eyes and saw the answer before she had time to block her thoughts. "Damn it, Diana. Why couldn't you just pay your debts with your inheritance?" Her eyes filled, and now a lace hanky came out of her reticule. "Do you know what it's like to be poor?" She dabbed at her eyes.

"Oh, of course you do. Sorry, Glory, I'll save the sob story. Damn it, for the first time in my life I had real money of my own. Not some man to support me, not a business that barely made enough to pay expenses with a little left over for me at the end of the month if I worked twenty shifts myself." She kicked one shoe across the room. "No! I had real money. The Carvarellis didn't need my money. It would represent spit to them."

"But you borrowed it, you pay it back. That's the way it works." I knew how she felt. Unfortunately. But a hit man. That was way beyond drastic. "Come on, Diana. Wouldn't being debt free be enough for you?"

"You obviously don't get it, Glory. The interest rate is humongous. By the time I paid all I owed, I'd be right back at square one. Nothing left but my business. One bad month and I'd have to borrow again." Diana sniffed. "But then I met this guy out there. He made it clear he'd do anything for money, even take out Lucky." She grimaced. "Yeah, sounds cold saying it like that. Anyway, at the time, it seemed like the right idea. This guy would take care of Lucky, and I'd tell the Carvarellis that my payment must have been stolen when she was killed."

Yeah, this was really logical. In hell, maybe. I wouldn't let myself glance at the door
I'd
locked.
Really smart, Glory.
I wasn't about to let Diana see that she'd just scared the be-jesus out of me. I strolled around the room and idly picked up a nice antique letter opener that could work as a weapon in a pinch. Hey, hanging out with Blade had taught me a few tricks. I also put a chair between us.

"Listen, Di, whoever you hired screwed up. First, he didn't finish the job and second, he should have taken Lucky's purse or at least her BlackBerry because she keeps records of all her appointments and payments in that thing. Her father could have checked to see if she'd collected from you earlier that night."

"Well, you can be sure I didn't pay that screwup another cent." Diana studied me closely, but I was blocking my thoughts big-time.

"What are you going to do with this information?"

"First, don't even think about killing me, Diana. I've made sure to put what I know in several safe places where it will be found if something happens to me. And you know Blade. He'd make sure you didn't live past sunrise." I actually kept a straight face through those lies. "Second, I need the name of your hit man."

"Why?" She slipped on her shoes.

"I'll tell you, but first give me his name."

"Oh, what the hell. I don't owe him discretion. He's Etienne, Lucky's bodyguard. Funny, isn't it?"

"Oh, a laugh riot. And I kind of suspected it anyway." I had. I mean, look at the timing of his appearance in my shop. "Now here's what I need for you to do. Pay back the Carvarellis. Every cent you owe them."

"No way in hell."

"Diana, it's only a matter of time before they track you down anyway. Come forward and pay before the interest doubles again. I met with Mr. C. myself last night. He's not a nice man. Don't mess with him. No more hits. Just forget penthouses and pay off your debt. Mugs and Muffins is a nice business. You had a great party. Move on before Mr. C. shows you what an efficient hit man can do."

Diana bit her lip. "And I had an incredible weekend out at the EV compound. Okay, I hate worrying about that debt. And the penthouse is not as convenient to the coffee shop as my old apartment."

I knew rationalization when I heard it, but I let it go.

"What about Etienne, Glory?"

"From now on, I own the hit. I need to have that power. Tell him that you've transferred it to me. If I need him to take Lucky out, I'll pay the freight. How much is the balance due?" When Diana told me, I blinked but didn't say a word. Obviously murder doesn't come cheap.

"So we're clear now?" I eased around the chair and moved to the door.

Diana sighed and stuck her other shoe on her foot. "Oh, yeah. I go back to being a regular vampire with a coffee shop. The high life was nice while it lasted." She grinned. "Igor was cute, but actually these high society things would end up boring after a while. Unless Israel Caine dropped in at all of them and brought his cute friend Nathan. I think I'll console myself with a little gladiator action."

I started to warn her off, then decided that would be pushing my luck. So I unlocked the door, and we headed our separate ways. I was sorry to find out a woman I'd called friend had such a dark side, but then even I think I would be willing to use Etienne if I had to.