Hmm. Aggie definitely had a dark side. But Flo sighed.
“No mortals for drinking. The Austin vampires have rules against that, and my brother is on the council. I promised him I would obey their stuffy rules.” Flo smiled. “Margaritas for vamps though? Go for it.”
“Why’s the Storm God involved in Flo’s shower? I figured he’d be back in the Mediterranean by now. Doesn’t he trust you on your own?” I’d had a run-in with him, and he was freaky scary. Any place where he hung out was a place I didn’t want to be.
“Aw, Glory, afraid he’ll zap you with another lightning bolt?” Aggie laughed. “Flo, that would make your shower sizzle.”
Flo shook her head. “Forget it, Aggie. Last time Glory got hit by lightning, her hair was ugly frizzy for days. I want her to look nice for the wedding.”
“Not to mention it hurt like hell.” I sat on a stool. “I hope you have some control over Achelous.”
“Yeah, right.” Aggie sighed and grabbed the magazine again to stare at the bridesmaid dress. “He’ll do what he wants.” She ran her hand down her perfect figure, which was poured into a green sweater and skinny black jeans. “I have to let him play weather guy at the shower, or it’s back to sitting on a rock in the lake with my fish tail, singing for my supper.” She wrinkled her nose. “I’m so over that this century.”
For a moment I almost felt sorry for her. Then she gave me an evil look and turned to Flo. “Flo, honey, I need a guest list and your sizes. I’ll send the invitations out this week. Here’s the date I’ve reserved. Will it work for you? I bet Glory hasn’t even started working on her party yet.” Aggie whipped out a pocket calendar from her designer handbag.
“You’d be surprised at what I’ve got going.” I glanced at the date and made a note of it. “I’m going upstairs to nail down details right now. Flo, I’ll let you know all about it later.”
My ex-roomie dabbed at her eyes. “I’m so lucky. Such thoughtful friends doing this for me. I can’t believe I never got married before. Glory, marry Jeremiah. We’ll throw many parties and a giant wedding. Lots of presents. You’ll love it.”
I grabbed my purse. “Thanks but no thanks. See you later. I’m sneaking upstairs. Front door. Hopefully no one will try to shoot me this time. Maybe I’ll use a customer as a human shield.” I heard Aggie bombarding Flo with hopeful questions as I stepped into the shop. Like maybe I’d be killed and she’d win by default? Bitch.
My night clerk had come in to relieve Lacy, and there were no human customers. I glanced out the plate glass window, and the sidewalk in front of the store seemed clear. Three in the morning. A dead time of night but staying open twenty-four hours was still a novelty that had served me well. I knew the action would pick up later when shifts changed at a nearby hospital and the downtown hotels.
I’d called him earlier and expected Rafe to be waiting for me, but once safely upstairs, there was no sign of him. I kicked off my shoes and pulled out my cell phone. Wait a minute. Was that the shower running? Hadn’t we just had this conversation? I stomped over to the bathroom door and pounded on it with my fist.
The water turned off immediately, but I felt heat through the door. There wasn’t going to be a speck of hot water left. I’d worked up a good mad by the time the door opened a crack.
“What the hell are you doing?” I kicked at the door.
“Taking a shower. Who the hell are you?” The door opened wider, and the woman wearing a towel looked me over from head to toe, then sniffed.
I recognized that look and that sniff. Had endured that treatment for centuries. It was the “I’ve got what you wish you had, honey, now get out of my way” look. I stood my ground. I mean, it was my apartment, wasn’t it?
“I’m Glory St. Clair, the woman who pays the rent on this place and who gets first dibs on the hot water here. Who the hell are you?” I checked her out. Didn’t take long. She was tall and slim. Her dripping hair was midnight black and so thick it would probably take her an hour to blow it dry. The towel was knotted between small perky breasts. That same towel barely met around me and had certainly never tied into a firm knot. Damn.
“Nadia Komisky, Rafael’s business partner. I’m sorry if I’ve inconvenienced you.” She smiled, showing perfect teeth, shiny white with cute little fangs, and held out a hand.
“Ah, Nadia. So glad you’ve decided to help Rafe.” Against my better judgment, I shook her hand. She didn’t do any creepy vamp moves on me, just touched palms and backed up to grab another towel for her wet hair. She was so damned gorgeous with her pale skin, dark eyes and thick lashes, I wanted to hate her. Too bad her smile was friendly and she was actually being nice as she kept apologizing while she wrapped her hair in the towel.
“Rafael didn’t warn you, the bad boy. But when I got to Austin, I found there was no safe place to stay. This town is so primitive!” Nadia laughed. “Well, for vampires anyway. I told Rafe we should open a vampire hotel. But he is hot to do the club thing. Really wanted a cozy bar, but I said that is silly with the college so close. Students like music and dancing, and the space he’s leasing is perfect for a nightclub.”
I followed her out to the living room. Did she plan to put on clothes? She had long legs and bare feet that were elegant with pretty red-painted toenails. Mine needed a fresh coat of something.
“Students do love a good club. And something new. Sounds great.” I noticed a small open suitcase by the door.
Nadia casually dropped her towel and stepped into a black thong then pulled a black T-shirt over her head. Next came a stretchy black skirt, and she was dressed. She sat on the couch and went to work on towel drying her hair. I couldn’t imagine being that unself-conscious about my body in front of a stranger. I kept my double-wide hips hidden from everyone but Blade, who had a weird liking for them. No wonder I loved him.
“We have a name for the club now. N-V. What do you think? Can you see it? In bloodred neon? For Nadia and Valdez, of course.” Nadia pulled a brush out of a black leather tote and ran it ruthlessly through her hair.
“N-V. Yes, I get it. Like envy. Has a sexy vibe. What does Rafe think?” I turned when the hall door opened.
“Rafe thinks money talks. We’re still working out the kinks, but Nadia’s an old pro when it comes to the club scene. I see you two have met.” Rafe walked in with a grocery bag and set it on the kitchen table. “Sorry about this, Glory, but there was nowhere else for Nadia to stay.”
“No problem. Vampires have to stick together. Will you two be sharing your bedroom?” I got that out with a straight face, though I felt my cheeks go warm.
“What do you say, Rafael? Do you want me to sleep on the couch? Glory wants to know if we are lovers.” Nadia raised an eyebrow.
Rafe glanced at me. “We’re all just friends here. But you can use my bed during the day, Nadia. I’m sure I’ll be busy with the club.”
“Listen to him, breaking my heart.” Nadia sighed. “We used to be lovers. Now he offers me his bed to die in during the day. No hokeypokey, Rafael?”
I hid my grin. Rafe laughed out loud.
“Look out, Nadia, your Russian roots are showing. I think you mean hanky-panky. And we’ve got a lot to do to get this club up and running. Let’s keep us strictly business.”
“Too bad. You were a very talented lover, my friend.” Nadia smiled and looked me over. “Are you and Glory exclusive?”
“Rafe and I are just good friends. But you can stay here as long as you need to.” I got up, my mind full of Rafe’s “talents.” He just grinned and winked. “Can we talk business? I have a proposition for you. Nadia, I’ve got synthetics. Not the best, but you’re welcome to try one.”
“No need, Glory. Rafe went out to get some of my brand. I insist you try it.” Nadia gestured, and Rafe pulled a six-pack out of his bag. It was an exotic synthetic I’d never heard of.
“Where’d you get that? I’d love to try something new.”
“Damian had some. Nadia wants what she wants, so I called and he agreed to sell her some.” Rafe went to work on a sealed cap. “He charged you big bucks for it.”
“Of course. Damian and I had a hookup in Belgium once. He and I are both business people, so I didn’t expect a discount. You gave him my credit card number?”
“Yes. He’ll keep it on file, he said. I guess he’s remembering that hookup fondly, because he said just call when you want more. He’ll have it delivered next time to wherever you end up staying.”
I held out my hand and took the bottle from Rafe. The aroma was incredible and the taste . . . Well, whatever Nadia had paid was well worth it. I’d planned to sip, to make it last, but it was gone way too soon.
“That was delicious.” I sighed and put the empty on the table next to me. I guess I’d known Damian sold high-end synthetics to vamps who could afford them, just never paid attention because I wasn’t in his league. I ordered my budget stuff off the Internet.
“It’s made in Bulgaria. I suspect there’s genuine blood in here. Which makes it extra fine, don’t you agree?”
“Oh, yes.” I noticed Rafe frowning at me. “What? Surely they use a blood bank.”
Nadia laughed. “Whatever you say, Glory.”
“It’s not that. You can drink whatever you want as long as I’m not your donor.” He focused on me. “Glory, why didn’t you tell me there’s a bounty on your head?”
“Because there’s not. Exactly. And how did you find out? Damian?” When Rafe nodded, I sighed. Flo must have called her brother. He wasn’t just a member, he was head of Austin’s vampire council. I hoped the council didn’t decide to get involved in my personal problem. If they thought I was a threat to the vampire community, they could demand I leave the city.