Read (Glory St Clair 11) Real Vampires Say Read My Hips Online
Authors: Gerry Bartlett
Tags: #Science Fiction & Fantasy
“Don’t you dare. If any harm comes to my in-laws, I’ll never forgive you.” I held onto his arm. “In fact, it would be wise of you to get one of your sorcerers to put a protective spell on the entire family.”
“Now Gloriana, that’s a little extreme, don’t you think?” Mars patted my hand. “I’d better go see to your mother. She’s into the champagne and looks ready to take on that Campbell woman again.”
“Yes, please keep them apart.” I had my own worries now. The band was arriving and, of course, Ray. I saw Jerry turn as if he had Israel Caine radar. Ray held some sheet music and walked over to the baby grand piano which had been wheeled out to the terrace a few hours before. Uh oh. Jerry had a determined look on his face. He was going to confront Ray about my confession.
I had to practically fly across the stone floor to beat Jerry there. “Ray, thanks for coming. Did you get my text? About the songs?”
“Sure, babe. Good choices. I’ve got a new song I’d like to sing for you tonight. See if it will work for your first dance.” Ray kissed me on the cheek then looked over my shoulder. “Blade.”
“Caine. We need to talk.” Jerry nodded toward the house. “Inside.”
“No, you don’t.” I slid my arm around Jerry’s waist. “Jer, Ray has things to do. And you two have absolutely nothing to say to each other.”
“Oh, don’t we?” Jerry stepped away from me. “I said inside, Caine.”
“What’s this about?” Ray looked at me. “Glory?”
“I told him. About us.” I had sworn I’d never freeze Jerry again and I wouldn’t now. So I just stepped between the two men. “Jer, it was nothing. Really. I love
you
.”
“I won’t do this here. Every vampire can hear us.” Jerry gently moved me out of the way. “Are you coming in, Caine? Or do I have to force you to move your ass?”
“You could try.” Ray grinned like he was looking forward to a fight. “But this is Glory’s party. I don’t want to upset her, so let’s go.” He strolled toward the house, hands in his pockets, like he didn’t have a worry in the world. The fact that those hands pulled his already snug jeans taut over his butt was just unfair.
Jerry noticed me watching Ray walk and snarled. “Will you ever quit?”
“What? I like eye candy. So do you. Are you telling me you don’t notice good looking women? Ever?” I teased his cheek with a fingertip. “And if you think I’m letting you two go in there without me, think again.” I sashayed after Ray, putting a twitch in my hips that I hoped would distract Jerry from thoughts of murder.
“You could at least pretend to be over him.” Jerry grabbed my elbow and jerked me to a stop.
“Ow! I am over him. I just like to watch. There are some Campbell cousins with great butts I’ve looked over tonight too. You mad about that?” I glanced at the way he gripped my arm. “Let go.”
“Sorry.” Jerry marched into the house. “You know I want to kill the son of a bitch. I keep seeing him with you. Fucking you. It’s making me crazy.” He finally stopped at the same door where we’d met with the priest, Damian’s study. Ray was staring into the fireplace but whirled when he heard what Jerry said.
“Yeah, that
would
bug the hell out of you.” Ray didn’t smile. “You won, man. You gonna begrudge me the few times I got to live my dream?”
“Shit. You talk like one of your sappy songs,
aesheʊl
.” Jerry had his hands fisted but was holding himself back. I was proud of him.
“She chose
you
. Made it clear to me. So let it go.” Ray strode past Jerry and out of the room, his face unreadable. He stopped and turned around, his fist raised. “But the next time you insult my music,
I
won’t let it go.” Then he was gone.
“Thanks, Jerry.” I leaned against him, so relieved I was weak in the knees. “You want me to tell Ray to forget singing at the wedding?”
“No, I can take it.” Jerry lifted my chin and kissed me hungrily. “He said it himself. I won.” He cocked his head. “Did you just hear thunder? Either the weather report was wrong or your parents are tuning up for a showdown.”
I ran for the terrace, determined to keep things calm. Twenty-four more hours. Then I was escaping with Jerry to an island somewhere and a magical honeymoon. If we could prevent the war sure to come, that is.
#
My wedding day. Technically speaking, it was night, of course. I was getting dressed in one of Damian’s bedrooms. Flo was on hand to help me with all those buttons. She looked great in her red bridesmaid dress. To my surprise, she, Charis and Lily had decided to add a sash of Campbell plaid to the dresses.
“The hem is perfect. You can just see the toes of your shoes.” Flo fluffed out my skirt.
“I was lucky to find these shoes. You sure they look all right?” I was unbelievably nervous. I kept worrying something would go wrong. Since the showdown between the parents the night before, things had settled down. The rehearsal dinner had been a lively affair at N-V with an impromptu performance of the sword dance by Jerry and his cousins. They’d been accompanied by the bagpipers brought in for the wedding. I would never forget Jer’s face as he’d laughed and jumped over his sword. My man.
“Earth to Glory.” Flo laughed and hugged me. “We have company.” She nodded toward the door. “The mothers are here.”
The mothers indeed. Mag and my own mother stood side by side in the hallway. I could tell it was a test to see which one I would invite in first. I compromised, stepping outside the door.
“How do I look?” I twirled in front of them.
“Lovely.” “Perfect.” They looked at each other in surprise, for once agreeing on something.
“We came by to help you put the finishing touches on your costume.” Mag held out a coin. “In Scotland a bride puts a sixpence in her shoe for luck.”
“Oh, Glory, we almost forgot.” Flo exclaimed. “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue and a sixpence for your shoe.” She handed me the heart shaped diamond ring from her finger. “Wear this on your right hand. You can borrow it.”
“Oh, Flo. I couldn’t. What if it slips off?” I shoved it on my ring finger anyway. No chance of that. The real question was how I was ever going to get it off.
“I trust you.” Flo looked at my mother. “Do you have something for Glory, Helen?”
My mother looked like she’d swallowed a porcupine. I was sure it was because Flo had addressed her so casually. “Yes. I brought something very old for you, Gloriana.” She handed me a delicate piece of lace, the trim like a spider’s web. “This handkerchief belongs to my mother. She wishes she could be here but never comes to Earth.” Mother glanced at Mag. “My mother doesn’t like to fly.”
“So many elderly people feel that way.” Mag said. We all looked skyward when thunder boomed. “Oh, dear. I hope it doesn’t rain.”
“It won’t.” My mother said decisively as I carefully tucked the handkerchief between my breasts. “Now, Gloriana, you need something blue and something new.”
“Well, the new is covered. Jerry gave me this last night.” I held out my wrist and showed them the diamond bracelet Jerry had surprised me with. It was covered by my long sleeve but I wouldn’t have taken it off for anything.
“My son is so thoughtful.” Mag preened.
“Here’s something blue, Glory.” Charis rushed in with a small box. “I hit the Internet and found out you should have a garter. To toss to the single girls in the crowd.” She pulled off the lid and showed us a blue satin and lace garter. “You put it on under the dress.” She winked. “And, yes, I paid for it. At that little boutique down the street from you, Girly Things.”
“Thanks, Charis.” I hugged her then held up my dress and set my foot on a chair so she could help me put it on. “I toss the bouquet to the girls though and the garter to the single guys. I did some research too.”
“Oh, right.” She laughed. “I knew I had a chance somehow.”
“Very nice of you, Charis.” Mother smiled. “You see, Magdalena, our family is thoughtful too.” Now it was Jerry’s mother’s turn to look like she’d swallowed something unpleasant.
“I think it’s time to head downstairs.” Flo shooed everyone out. “Give Glory a minute to breathe. I remember my wedding. I was going crazy, so surrounded by people.” She walked outside and shut the door.
I stared at the door, listening to the noises of the crowd as everyone went to get ready. I walked over to the window that looked down at the terrace. The moon was brilliant in the night sky and it was cool tonight but not too cold. The longest night of the year, always a great night to celebrate for vampires. There was a good crowd. Ian had been right—just about every vampire in town was here, plus a few shape-shifters, of course. Add the Campbells and the terrace was full.
Ray’s band was playing quietly. As I watched, Damian began moving among the guests, urging them to take their seats. This was really happening. I was going to get married. My heart was pounding and my palms were sweating. I found a linen hand towel to blot them with. I couldn’t believe this could go off without a hitch. I saw Jerry, Richard and Jerry’s brothers move to the front of the aisle where Father Tim waited. Jerry looked solemn and so handsome my stomach twisted with hunger. Would it always be so? Hundreds of years from now? I hoped so.
Ray’s voice soared above the crowd. He sang of love, of waiting for your one true love. When Flo opened the door and whispered that they were starting down, I felt like I was floating on a cloud of that love. She handed me my bouquet then left. I headed back to the window to watch. Lily moved away from the door first. She was a beautiful copy of her father. She did the Campbell plaid proud and the spray of heather pinned on her shoulder looked perfect.
Next Charis walked out onto the terrace. She’d pinned her plaid with a symbol from Olympus. Not many in the crowd would recognize the lightning bolt for what it was but my mother smiled and reached out to brush her hand when she got close to the altar.
Then Flo stepped outside. She was the tiniest of the bridesmaids but you would never discount my best friend. She walked regally down the aisle. Her plaid was pinned with a beautiful jeweled brooch that must have set Richard back a pretty penny. Her smile at him surely was full of the memory of their wedding here not so long ago.
Then the bagpipes began to play a traditional wedding song as I’d requested. I tore myself from my window and walked down the stairs to my father’s side.
“You are beautiful, Gloriana. I couldn’t be prouder.” Dad kissed my cheek then tucked my left hand in the crook of his arm.
We walked out onto the terrace and everyone stood. All eyes were on us but I couldn’t look at anyone but Jerry. He smiled and my heart turned over. He loved me. He was giving me
his
heart. When Dad placed my hand in Jerry’s, I never looked back. This was where I belonged. Forever.
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