Real Vampires Have More to Love by Gerry Bartlett Read Free Book Online

there, a sad, sad trio for several moments. Then Richard stepped back and grabbed a roll of paper towels out of the bathroom.
    “Dry up, ladies. Thanks to Gloriana, the man will never kill another vampire or take another pair of fangs.” Richard handed us each enough paper towels to dry every window in my shop.
    “Sì, mia amica.” Flo sniffed and dabbed at her eyes. “Never forget that you did a wonderful thing, putting down that monster. We will make sure his children do not go on with their vendetta. Am I right?”
    “It’ll be tricky, but I swear it.” Richard sat in front of the computer again. “There’s this damned Web site, and he owned a tech company. I don’t see how we can crash the site.” Richard shut down the computer. “But, Glory, we’re in this all the way. Whatever needs doing, we’re here to help.”
    “Sì.” Flo smiled at Richard. “And pray for a miracle too, eh, Ricardo?”
    “Couldn’t hurt.” He smiled at his wife and pulled her into his arms.
    I wished for Blade’s strong arms then. But I was glad he hadn’t seen Mac posed as a trophy. I’d swear Flo and Richard to secrecy on that point. They had good intentions, and I appreciated that. But that’s all they were. Intentions. Right now what we needed was a solid plan of action. And right now we had zilch.

Four

    “I love purple. Not as slimming as black, but not all of us have figure issues.” Aggie and Flo had their heads together over the magazine picture of the new bridesmaid dresses. Flo had agreed to pay an extravagant amount to rush the order, and we were good to go. Unless I killed Aggie before the wedding.
    “When you were a disgusting scaly sea monster, you didn’t even have a figure, Aggie, so I wouldn’t go there, if I were you.” I’d called Aggie to come over to discuss the shower she’d proposed, not sure a Siren knew squat about wedding customs. That was the sixth dig since she’d arrived. We weren’t buds.
    “You’ll both look beautiful in this dress.” Flo ignored the tension. “This is my wedding. All eyes will be on me anyway.”
    “Right. They will be. We’re just the warm-up for the main event when we walk down the aisle in front of you.” Even I had to admit Aggie looked sexy and stylish now, but as a sea monster, she’d been willing to send me to hell to save her size-six butt.
    “You sure you need so many bridesmaids?” I stepped between Flo and Aggie.
    “You trying to cut me out?” Aggie pushed me aside. “I’m into this now. Get over it.”
    “I want both of you. But, Glory, you’re my number one, the maid of honor.” Flo smiled.
    “Exactly. So it’s my duty to make sure things are done right.” I fake smiled at Aggie. “Now tell us what you’ve got in mind for Flo’s shower.” I snatched the magazine.
    Aggie grinned, her once slimy green teeth now a gleaming white. “No worries. My boss the Storm God is all over it. There will be an awesome display of thunder and lightning, Flo. Then a water spout over the lake. Your guests will love it. I’m renting out the banquet room at that cute Mexican restaurant overlooking the water. I know you can’t eat, but the shifters can, and there will be drinks for them too. Margaritas. Olé.” Aggie fluffed her blond hair and gave me a look that said, “Top that.”
    “Get a clue. A bridal shower isn’t about the weather, Aggie. You shower gifts on the bride.” I glanced at Flo, sending her a mental message that this sometime mermaid had to go.
    “You think I don’t know that?” Aggie had her chin up. “Watch your mouth, fang girl. You have no idea what I had to do to get my boss to loosen the purse strings.” She smiled at Flo. “But it’s all good. Achy likes seeing me make nice with”—she looked me over—“the not-so-little people.”
    “Why you slimy—” I lunged for her, sick of her attitude.
    “Stop!” Flo jumped between us. “If you fight, where’s the fun? The celebration?” She glared at Aggie.