Real Vampires Get Lucky by Gerry Bartlett Read Free Book Online Page A

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?
    "Get your hands off my daughter, vampire!"
    I jumped back from Lacy like my hands were on fire. "Hey, I'm healing her." Okay, so I was a wimp, but if you've never seen a mama were-cat with a mad on, don't judge me.
    Valdez landed in front of me on legs that were springloaded. "There's nothin' that tastes nastier than were-kitty, but, lady, you come one step closer to Glory and I'll take a chunk out of your hide that even a designer suit won't disguise." The woman, who stood a good six feet tall not counting her four-inch heels, merely sniffed. "And why did she need healing in the first place?"
    I took a second to admire her shoes, this season's Dolce & Gabbana pumps, before I realized she was stalking me. Valdez growled and Lacy edged toward the door. I grabbed Lacy's arm.
    "Oh, no, you don't. You're not leaving me here with your mother." Not that we'd been introduced, but even if she hadn't screamed
    "daughter," I could smell were-cat on the lady. And then there was the fact that she had Lacy's red hair and creamy skin. Who knew Lacy even had a mother nearby? She'd begged me for a job here. Was always short of funds. And, while she usually had a boyfriend, I'd never known her to entertain family.
    "Mother, please leave. I'm okay. Glory would never hurt me. She's my friend and boss." Lacy gave me a look that said let her go before her mother decided to take on Valdez to defend her. I dropped her arm and put a foot between us.
    "Listen to Lacy, I'd never hurt her." Mom-cat just gave me a look like she'd be a fool to believe a vampire.
    "Another vampire attacked me. And I'd like to know how the hell you knew about it anyway? It only happened twenty minutes ago." Lacy was braver than I was, actually stepping around Valdez and going toe-to-toe with her simmering mother.
    "Darling . . ." Mom-cat gave me a look that had me edging toward the door. "I had this feeling . You know how I am about my kittens, especially you, my little one. And I could smell vampire a block away."
    "I'm not a kitten, Mother. And it's not like we're pack animals. I'm an adult. I have a life. And you can see I'm fine." Lacy was a few inches shorter than her mom, but she matched her stare for stare.
    Both were impressive, slim hipped, toned and athletic. The way they were making eye contact, I expected hissing and clawing any minute.
    "Ms. Devereau?" I held out my hand, maybe not my brightest move. Valdez sure didn't think so. He