Real Vampires Live Large by Gerry Bartlett Page A

been able to get inside without buzzing from downstairs. But then someone might have let this one in, since he’d been a regular visitor until a few weeks ago.
    â€œMainwaring. Let me in.”
    Orders. I felt my usual resistance, then remembered that I owed this guy a debt the size of Montana.
    â€œSure. Come in.” I flipped back the dead bolts and flung open my new door. “Thanks for not knocking the door down. I’m not sure how many Damian is willing to pay for.” Mainwaring brushed past me.
    â€œIs Florence here?”
    â€œNo. She’s moving back in tomorrow. Something about dry cleaning that won’t be ready. She wants to move everything at once.”
    â€œRight. Not that she’ll actually pick up anything herself. ” Richard stared down at Will. “I don’t know this one.”
    â€œWill Kilpatrick, Mara’s brother. You know Mara MacTavish. ”
    â€œYes. The grieving widow.”
    â€œHey. Where’s your respect?” Will showed some teeth, but one steely look from Mainwaring and he shut his mouth.
    â€œI have great respect for Mrs. MacTavish.” Richard nodded at Valdez. “But I wonder what you’re doing here and why you’re not comforting your sister.”
    â€œMy sister’s in Africa, with Blade. Hellbent on revenge.” Will sat down next to the door. “I’m on assignment. Guard duty.”
    Richard looked at me. “Two dogs? What’s the story? Doesn’t Blade trust you with a real bodyguard?”
    I wanted to smack his handsome face. “He trusts me. He just doesn’t trust men not to fall in lust with me and drive me crazy with their unwanted advances.” I gave him a head toss. “I’m irresistible.”
    Richard actually grinned. “I’m not arguing with you.” He looked around the living room. “Where’s your computer? Was it damaged in the fire?”
    â€œMy laptop is in the bedroom. I haven’t had time to check it out. Why?” I watched Richard prowl the living room. Something had him worked up. Maybe he’d hoped Flo would be here. For a month, the couple had been hot and heavy. Even short term, which is the way my roomie likes it, it’s hard to just turn off that kind of attraction.
    â€œI’ve thought of a way for you to repay your debt.”
    â€œNow this is getting interesting.” Will stood and walked closer. “You got debts too, Glory? This guy loans money?”
    â€œDown, boy. Glory had a little accident. She’s paying for repairs to Mainwaring’s vintage Harley.” Valdez pushed between me and Will. “It’s a sweet piece of machinery. Or was until Glory ran right over it.”
    â€œIt was an accident. And Richard was at fault too. He’d parked in my spot.” I went to get my computer. “If doing some computer work will get me off the hook, I’m all for it.”
    Richard followed me into the bedroom, Valdez on his heels. “I need you to do some research for me. And maybe it’s time I learned to navigate one of these things. You can give me lessons on how to use the Internet.”
    I grabbed my computer and took it to the table in the breakfast nook.
    â€œYou never learned how to operate a computer?” I wasn’t about to admit I’d been resistant to new technology myself for way too long. Then I’d discovered I could actually do some bargain shopping online. The rest as they say is history.
    I sat down, flipped open the computer and powered it up. To my relief, it seemed to be operating all right. We had good wireless Internet access here. Damian had made sure of that once he’d moved his sister in. Flo supposedly didn’t read or write, but she was hell on wheels when it came to online shopping. We’d spent many a fun evening on the Italian shoe sites.
    â€œLet me check my e-mail first.” I hadn’t done it since the night before the