Real Vampires Get Lucky

"Yep. Enough that I can open my own casino." He glanced at me. "Well, maybe I've changed my views on that since seeing what that kind of business can do to people like you and Will. Now I'm thinking a restaurant. Or even a hotel. Yeah, I'd like to own a hotel for freaks like us. Look what happened to Ray when he happened to stay where a vampire was hanging out. Bad news."

"Good idea, puppy. Just the other night Jerry and I would have loved a place to stay instead of going home to Mom, Mara and Randolph." I made a face. "You can imagine."

Valdez shook himself. "Yeah, thanks for leaving me at the apartment. But you'd better be prepared to come back home. Ray's probably coming by tonight to turn in his keys. Maybe you'll get to meet his dad."

"Did Ray tell his father the truth? About being vampire?" I was now busy stitching a Princess Leia costume out of harem pants and a sequined halter top. You didn't think I was going to go as Frumpy Leia, did you?

"Yeah." Valdez yawned and stretched. "That's why I'm so tired. The man took it really hard. I was up practically all day, listening to him carrying on about it."

"Well, yeah, it would be a major melt-down moment. Ray's his only child." Thank you, unauthorized biography. "How'd Ray do it?"

"It was rough. I don't know about you, but my dad never gave a damn about me. Shifters, we're not like were-wolves or the cats. It'slike you procreate and forget about it." Valdez chuffed. "Sometimes we make mortals, sometimes not. Basically we're freaks of nature."

I rubbed his ears. "I'm sorry, puppy." I hadn't had such great parental units myself, but not as bad as that.

"Hey, how'd I get off on that shit? Anyway, Ray's dad . . . He's something else. I never saw a man so heartbroken. The two of them sat and talked for a long time. Then Des, that's his dad's name, Desmond. Des gets on the Internet, wonders if there's a cure,

like that." Valdez chuckled. "Got to like the guy. Once he got past the first shock and denial, he was all over the security thing. Really concerned about the daylight. Really happy Ray had quit drinking too. Tabloids ran with that one."

"Which just shows what a problem Ray had." I hadn't seen him since my confrontation with the paparazzi. Of course I'd picked up copies of the papers after that. No unflattering pictures of me. Instead they'd run old photos of Ray obviously under the influence, with headlines like "Caine Drying Out" and "Rehab or We're Done Says New Caine Cutie." I liked that Cutie label, but Ray was shown slumped in the back of a limo, stoned out of his mind.

"Yeah, more than once I caught his dad just sitting by Ray's bed while he slept, staring at him. You have no idea how you guys look during the day. Dead. It's pretty freaky."

I wiped my eyes. "Wow. You have to feel sorry for the family. I wonder if Ray will tell his mother."

"I don't think so. Ray and his dad seem convinced she couldn't handle it." Valdez lifted his head. "We've got company." The bells on the front door tinkled.

"Glory." Brittany smiled tentatively. "Rafe." She looked around and even sniffed the air.

"Hi, Brittany. I hope this doesn't mean Lucky is on the way. She's not welcome here." I glanced at Valdez. I hadn't told him about Lucky's drink-a-thon in our alley.

"Hey, Beth." Valdez stood and walked closer to her. "Are you okay?"

"No, I'm not okay. I don't know where Lucky is and I don't care. I quit." Brittany glanced at the chair next to the counter. "Can I sit down?"

"Sure. You quit the Carvarellis?" I pulled out the stool we kept behind the counter and sat. Cute boots are not good work boots.

"What happened?"

"I couldn't take it anymore. Lucky's always been a grade-A bitch, but becoming a vampire just made her worse. Now she's got Etienne to protect her in bed and out. I just got in the way."

"What do you think about Etienne?" I glanced at Valdez.

"I don't trust him, but then what do I know?" Brittany's eyes sparkled with unshed tears. "I think Mr. Carvarelli's still suspicious of me. He wants me to go back to work as a clown demon." She turned to Valdez. "I can't do it, Rafe. You remember what that's like. 'Knock knock' until you want to kill yourself or your poor victim. I'll starve first." Valdez growled. "You won't have to starve, baby." He showed some teeth. "Damn me if I ever sign another contract. Glory, help me out here. Can't you find Beth something?"

"Brittany, Rafe. All my ID says I'm Brittany Raines now." She smiled at me. "I know I screwed up that night here in the shop, but I'm a fast learner, Glory. If you still need help . . ."

"Brittany, I think-"

The bells over the door tinkled again. Will, Ray and an older silver-haired version of Ray walked in.

"Glory, I want you to meet my father." Ray was his usual dazzling self in snug denim and a leather blazer. He led the older man toward me.

I jumped up from my stool and held out my hand but was enveloped in a warm bear hug that would have knocked the breath out of me if I'd been a mortal female.

"Gloriana St. Clair. How can I ever thank you for all you've done for my boy, Ray?" Desmond Caine held me away from him and smiled, his eyes wet. "Oh, but you're a pretty one. Too bad you're already taken or I'd make a run at you myself."

"Let her go, Dad." Ray grinned and shook his head. "Dad's not kidding." He looked down when Valdez bumped his leg. "What's up, Valdez?"

"Meet Brittany Raines. She's a shape-shifter and one of the best bodyguards in the business. I think she's just who you need for daytime duty, Ray." He looked at Ray's father. "Des, Brittany is perfect for backup during the day now that you're moving out. She can sniff out predators while Will's asleep."

"I'll never get used to a talking dog." Des smiled at Brittany. "But another pretty lady. What's not to like? Are you vouching for her then, Valdez?" This was obviously a man who let nothing slip past him.

"Yes, sir."

Will eased into the circle and put his arm around me. "Isn't this the bodyguard who disappeared when Lucky Carvarelli was attacked?"

Valdez sent him a look that should have flattened Will. I stepped between them. All eyes were now on me. Brittany's were begging me to help her. In my gut, I didn't think she could have conspired to kill Lucky. Now that I knew her ex-boss, I figured Brittany would never have left the scene without making damned sure Lucky had truly breathed her last.

"It was one mistake, Will. You ever make one?" I looked him in the eye, then turned to Ray and Des. "I'm convinced a vampire whammied her then attacked Lucky. That's why you need two paranormal guards you can trust. Daytime, you'll usually be locked up in your house with electronic security and Buster and Sam. But none of that will stop a paranormal. Brittany will sense that kind of threat, wake up and deal with it. Like Valdez can do for me."

"Exactly. She does get it." Valdez was very pleased with me. "Brittany, show Ray and Des your golden retriever."

"Rafe, I mean Valdez, I'd like to save the shape-shifting for emergencies." Brittany smiled at Ray. "Love your music, Mr. Caine. It would be an honor to work for you." She turned her baby blues on his father. "His safety would be my number one priority twentyfour seven." I smiled at Brittany. "There you go, Ray. Can't ask for more than that. When you're out at night, you should always have a paranormal tag team watching your back."

"Sounds right, son." Des hadn't taken his eyes off Brittany. I didn't blame him. The blond commando Barbie was pretty mesmerizing in black jeans and a leather jacket. And he hadn't even seen her kick butt yet.

"Yep, Will and Brit for the paranormal threats, and Buster and Sam get panty patrol." I grinned.

"Can we switch?" Will said, and everyone laughed. The doorbells tinkled and two women pushed inside.

"Oh, my God! Israel Caine! I told you, Lisa! And there's that blueberry he's been dating! The Nosy News said she owns this shop. Quick, take a picture!"

Ray grinned and slung an arm around me. "Ladies, please. Glory and I are just friends. How'd you like a picture with me? My bodyguard will take it for us."

"Oh, my God! Oh, my God!" The two women were hopping around like bunnies at Easter. Will took the camera phone and had a good time posing them all in front of the mural. Then he led them over to the T-shirts.

"Buy something and I bet I can talk Ray into autographing it for you."

Squeals of joy. Ray just grinned and gestured for me to follow him to the back room.

"I haven't seen much of you lately."

"No, you've been busy; I've been busy." Actually, I'd only gone up to change clothes, then run down here. We weren't exactly avoiding each other, but Will had assured me that he was being careful to teach Ray what he needed to know about being a good vampire. One thing he'd done was order a different brand of synthetic. We'd decided there was definitely something lacking in the Bloodthirsty. I was drinking Fangtastic at Blade's.

"I'm packed and we're moving into our new place tonight. You can have your apartment back."

"Great." I looked away from his eyes, so blue, so intense. "I mean, that was fast."

"Yeah, Nathan knows how to get a job done. He leased a fantastic house on top of a cliff on Lake Travis, fully furnished. He arranged the blackout drapes for the master bedroom today. It even has a boat dock with an elevator that goes from the house down to the water. I figure I can still enjoy the water at night."

"Yeah, sure." I hated the wistful look in his eyes. He had a lot of adjusting to do that I had never experienced. Outdoor sports in the 1600s? Walking to the privy and back in winter.