(Glory St Clair 11) Real Vampires Say Read My Hips (31 page)

“Hold it.” Of course this was like a dream come true. Or would be if the very mention of New York City didn’t make my stomach churn. “I can’t just take off again. I have a shop to run. I’ve neglected it for way too long.” Yes, that was a good, legitimate excuse.  I really wasn’t
afraid
to go back to New York. No, I couldn’t be.

“Surely another week or so won’t make a difference.” Mars frowned. “And your mother is anxious to help you with this.”

“Oh, now I see where this is going.” I stood. “Payback for getting us home. How much are you going to make me suffer for getting Jerry back here?”

“Glory, calm down. Since when is dress shopping suffering?” Flo jerked on my pants until I was down on the couch again. “Your father is trying to make you happy. So we have to take Hebe along. She’s trying to win your favor now. Remember? So she should be on her best behavior.”

“Great. How lucky can we get?” I couldn’t imagine my mother on her best behavior. That would last about five seconds. New York and my mother doing her level best to drive me crazy. Could this get any worse?

“Glory, Father’s willing to shell out big bucks for bridesmaids’ dresses too. Flo and I can pick out whatever we want.” Charis and Flo smiled at each other. Both of them were tiny, though Flo was the smaller of the two. I really didn’t want to think about following them down the aisle with me in white, a color I never wore because it made me look like a snowball.

The program was still going, but on mute, as we debated the issue. I didn’t have time for this. Flo thought I should get my priorities straight. I knew it could take months to get the right dress ordered and into the store. Flo pointed out that they already had some in stock. In
my
size? Charis admitted she’d done research on the Internet, her new favorite toy once her father had explained it. She was sure she could find the right dress in the right size once I picked it out.

Why was I arguing? Because I hadn’t been back to New York City in decades and there was a reason why. I had a history there but with gaping holes in my memory of that time. My boyfriend back then had somehow managed to erase my memories. How? I had no idea. But I did remember how helpless I’d been back then, refusing to use my powers and letting Greg Kaplan run all over me. Yeah, the Glory years in the Big Apple hadn’t been good ones.

“Glory, are you even listening to us? We could have fun in New York. A girls’ only road trip,
amica
. You should be all over this.” Flo was looking at me strangely.

I was beginning to feel outnumbered and bullied when Jerry appeared in the doorway. He was dressed in jeans and a white dress shirt and had never looked so good to me.

“What the hell is going on here?” He held out his hand and I ran to him. “Glory, you look like you’re about to cry or hit someone.”

“Wedding plans. I guess I’m afraid we’ll never get to the altar, Jer.” I wrapped my arms around him.

“We will. I’ll see to it. Remember, we had it all figured out before. Richard and I were just discussing it. But that booking fell through since you disappeared.” He glanced at Mars. “Now I find out from Richard that we are expected to be civil to your mother. Not sure I can do that. Considering how she interfered before.”

“Gloriana made a promise.” Mars stood and faced us.

“But
I
didn’t.” Jerry didn’t back down. “As far as I’m concerned, this wedding can be anywhere anytime. But I don’t want Hebe near it.”

“I did promise, Jer.” I rubbed his back, trying to calm him. I still couldn’t believe he was standing here, strong and whole, himself again. “It was necessary to get you home, love. She has to come to the wedding and be part of the festivities.”

“Damn it, Gloriana, she almost got me killed. You wouldn’t have had to bargain for my life if it wasn’t for her interference in our lives in the first place.” He pulled away from me. “I have work to do. Make whatever plans you wish. But I am telling you now, Gloriana, that if she is there, I won’t be.” He turned on his heel and strode away. I heard the front door slam and sagged against the door frame.

“Has a temper, doesn’t he?” Mars settled back into the recliner. “But he certainly seems fully recovered.” He smiled like he didn’t care that I was almost in tears. “Relax, Gloriana. He’ll come around. If he loves you.”

“He has proven he loves me more than any man should have to, Dad.” I wanted to scream. “How far are we going to push Jerry before we push him away?” I left them then, sick of the whole wedding discussion. Flo followed me to the living room.

“I’m surprised you and Richard are still here, Flo.”

“We are going soon.” Flo touched my shoulder. “
Amica
, Mars is right. Jeremiah will calm down and see that he must put up with your mother one more time.” She sighed. “Don’t look so worried. It was only last night that he was close to death. Am I right?”

“Yes, of course.” I collapsed on the couch. “He looked well, didn’t he?”

“
Sí
. But he is still recovering from a terrible accident.
Mentalmente
. In his head, you would say. All that time in Olympus. The fight that he lost. He will want to prove his
virilità
. Understand? That he is still the man you need. Can you blame him if he’s touchy now?”

“No.” I rubbed my forehead, getting a headache. “And the first thing we do is try to shove my mother down his throat. Take over his wedding.”

“It’s your wedding too,
amica
.” Flo sat beside me and gave me a hug. “Just give him some space.”

“I know. I just feel all this pressure.”

Richard walked in and stopped next to the front door. “Darling, can we go home now? I have business to attend to.” He grunted when Flo ran up and threw her arms around him.

“Yes! We go home now.” She pulled his head down to kiss him thoroughly. “I feel like we’ve been gone forever.”

“What happened with Jerry, Gloriana? Why did he run off like that? He should stick close to home for a day or two. The man came close to death not twenty-four hours ago.”

“First, he’s mad about the wedding. My father’s taking over.” I sighed and leaned back. “Second, Jer likes his mortal donors. He’s probably trolling Sixth Street right now for a live one.”

“Oh, right. Sorry. Should have remembered that.” Richard was clearly anxious to leave. “About the wedding. We can probably still get the venue you wanted. The Tuscan villa on the hilltop. If you have the wedding after midnight. The owner told me that it’s rare that they can’t fit us in at that time. It costs extra, of course. But they will manage it.”

“Money is no object now. My father is paying for everything. Which will probably also put Jerry’s tail in a knot.” I sighed, then noticed Alesha hovering in the kitchen doorway. “Yes, Alesha?”

“May I bring you something, mistress? I mean, Glory?”

“A bottle from the fridge. One marked A-negative. Thanks, Alesha.” I waved at Flo and Richard. “Go, you two. I love you both and can’t thank you enough for everything you did. Up there and down here.” I was feeling teary again and sucked it up. “As soon as I drink this, I’m taking Alesha and going down to the shop. Hopefully Jerry will catch up with me there. My guests here can fend for themselves.”

“Thanks for the clothes.” Flo looked down at her jeans and sweater. “Now I am my size and feel like myself again.” She checked me out. “Sorry you couldn’t--” She must have decided there was nothing to say that wouldn’t offend me. “Well, you are back to your usual self. It is good everything in your closet still fits.”

“Exactly, pal. I tried a while ago to snap on an outfit like I did up there. It was a no go. Guess turning vampire again killed that power.”

“Hah! It made me crazy jealous anyway.” Flo pretended to pout.

“Let’s forget what happened in Olympus, shall we?” I laughed. “No one has to know that Florence da Vinci was ever anything but a perfect size six.”

“Thank you, my friend.” Flo dragged Richard out the front door. “Come,
mio caro
. I want to soak in my own bathtub with the many jets. Bubbles too. And you in there with me. How does that sound?”

Richard rolled his eyes at me. “Did you hear me say I have business, darling? You can enjoy your bubbles but I am getting on the computer when we get home. My investments may have gone to hell for all I know. We’ve been gone for months.”

“Months?” Flo pulled on his arm. “
Impossibile
.”

“That’s what I thought. Just wait till you get a look at a calendar.” Richard gave me a rueful smile as he was dragged out the door.

I took the cold glass from Alesha as the front door closed behind them. “Thank you. Some vampires like their synthetic warmed, others straight out of the bottle. I spent a lot of time in Las Vegas, a part of Earth that is in the desert, so I learned to enjoy the drink cold. Always ask a vampire how he or she prefers it.”

“That is good to know, Glory. I will remember that.” Alesha stood next to the door. “You told them we were going downstairs. To your shop? I’m sorry if my clothes embarrass you.”

“You see how I dress. And now Charis is here and dressing in a similar fashion. I want you to fit in so
you’ll
feel more comfortable.” I drank quickly then handed her the empty glass. I would never admit to her that her mortal blood had started to smell a little too good to me. “My shop is a vintage clothing store. It will be fun for me to find some things for you to wear.” I looked her over. “You’re about a size ten, I think. And with your brown hair and eyes, you’d look good in greens, blues, many colors. You can pick what you like, of course.”

“But the expense! How can I repay you?” Alesha hurried into the kitchen and rinsed out my glass. I was right behind her.

“This will be my treat. Then we have to discuss salary of course. I won’t toss you out on the street to make your own way. Did you bring your papers? The ones that say you belong to me?” I couldn’t imagine how they would look or what they would say.

“Yes, mistress.” Alesha dug into the deep pocket of her shapeless dress and pulled out a folded packet of parchment paper. They looked very official with a seal on the bottom of page three. “Here they are. Your mother insisted I bring them with me. I wasn’t allowed to pick up anything else when she came to get me. All I have are these clothes I am wearing.”

“Oh.” I saw her face work, like she was holding back tears. “What or who did you leave behind, Alesha?” She
had
begged to come with me.

“A few trifles, nothing more.” She bit her lip. “Before I was taken, I managed to save a scrap of embroidered cloth that my mother had made for me in my home country. It is still in my room on Olympus. I hope my friends there will keep it for me. When we go back…”

“Yes, I’ll make sure you get it. But I don’t plan to return for a long time.” I fumed. Seriously? My mother didn’t even allow the girl to pack a bag? I could see this new relationship with Hebe was going to take some work. “Anything else you want? I can get it sent here. I’m pretty sure my connections are good enough for that to happen.” If my mother wanted my favor, she could damn well arrange it.

“I can make a list, if it pleases you.” Her face brightened. “There are just a few things. All of them are in a box beside my bed.”

“It pleases me. But what about home? Would you like to go back there? Once you are free?”

“Oh, no, Glory. There is nothing for me there now. I had word my parents are dead and the wars have destroyed much of what I remember.” Alesha rubbed her eyes. “You are too kind to even mention it. I am very happy to be here in this new place. To work for you. Everything is so new and clean.”

“I know. Jerry tore out two old apartments to make this giant new one. I still can’t believe it.” I took a few minutes to show Alesha around the kitchen. The microwave amazed her. I nuked a cup of water as a demo. The dishwasher scared her with the noise it made when I turned it on. She claimed she would never use it when she could wash the few glasses we needed by hand. I reminded her that if Charis stayed, she’d probably have to cook for my goddess sister and for herself, of course.

“We’ll go to the grocery store later.” I sighed. “I guess I’d better invite my sister to come along with us down to the shop. She’ll probably get a kick out of seeing it.”

“Here you are. Father had to leave, Olympus business.” Charis appeared in the kitchen door. “We’re out of these orange things, Alesha. I love them. So crunchy. What are they called, Glory? Or do you know since all you drink is blood?”

“Cheetos.” I made a face. “I wish I could eat them too. But, you’re right. I’m back on the liquid diet.”

“That’s tough. Will you show me your fangs?” Charis moved closer. “Vampire. I can’t believe you chose that over being a goddess.”

“I’m a little of both, I guess. I still have a few of my Olympus powers.” I gave her a fanged smile and laughed when she backed up a foot.

“I can get more Cheetos for you, Lady Charis.” Alesha hurried to the pantry and pulled out a new bag. She was surprisingly cool with having a vampire close to her. I had a lot of respect for the woman and deliberately stayed out of her mind. It wasn’t the nicest aspect of being a goddess or a vampire and I’d had way too much mind-reading done to me recently.

“Instead of eating, why don’t you come with us down to my shop, Charis? I’m taking Alesha to shop for some clothes.”

“Seriously? Am I dressed right for it?” She looked me over then snapped on leather pants and a long white shirt. “That’s better.” She grinned. “You look cute, Glory. Red is definitely your color.”

Of course I’d put on the red sweater with Jerry in mind. He loved me in red. My black leather pants were some of my favorites. I missed my big closet in Olympus, but I had some great clothes here, collected over the years. My boots were vintage and fit perfectly. Charis added some boots to her outfit and we were ready to go.

“Will I have to wear leather clothing, Glory? In my religion it is frowned upon.” Alesha looked worried.

“Religion?” Frankly, I’d been guilty of treating Alesha like a servant and had never considered she might have issues like religion to think about.