Glacier (VLG Book 9) Read online

  Glacier

  VLG – Book Nine

  Vampires, Lycans, Gargoyles

  By Laurann Dohner

  Glacier by Laurann Dohner

  Since that fateful day she was snatched from her job and turned into a Vampire, Mandy’s life has sucked—literally. Forced to become an assassin for the Vampire Council, she finds solace in taking out the scumbag rogues she’s often assigned to kill. Things go south when she realizes her next mark is an old coworker from her human days…a seriously hot one, who she had deep feelings for. Worse, the council was wrong. He’s not a villain, but a protector. One she refuses to kill, regardless of orders.

  Glacier’s astonished to come face to face with Mandy in a dark alley. Even more so to learn the sweet one-time human is now an assassin—assigned to kill him, no less. His orders are clear. Eliminate her. But what’s a GarLycan to do when duty conflicts with his desire to protect the woman he once had feelings for? He’s about to find out.

  VLG Series List

  Drantos

  Kraven

  Lorn

  Veso

  Lavos

  Wen

  Aveoth

  Creed

  Glacier

  Glacier by Laurann Dohner

  Copyright © February 2018

  Editor: Kelli Collins

  Cover Art: Dar Albert

  eBook ISBN: 978-1-944526-88-7

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal, except for the case of brief quotations in reviews and articles.

  Criminal copyright infringement is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is coincidental.

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Epilogue

  Glacier - VLG – Book Nine

  By Laurann Dohner

  Prologue

  The floor under her feet thumped to the tune of the beat in the club. Massive speakers stood nearby, making her grateful for earplugs. They didn’t mute out the music entirely, but they would prevent her ears from ringing long after she went home. Mandy’s gaze traveled over the crowd on the dance floor and a smile curved her lips. Working at Bucket had turned out to be the best job ever.

  She turned her head, meeting and holding the gaze of the band manager. He inclined his head to assure her that he was happy. The only downside of her job was when the bands Mike hired made her life a living hell. But this one had been cool. None of the members had made her reach for the knife she kept strapped to her thigh. At least so far.

  Tommy, one of the bouncers, came up to her but didn’t bother speaking over the loud music. He used his hands to let her know Mike wanted her in his office. She motioned back that she understood and for him to take over playing babysitter for the band. The office was to the left of the stage, where she currently stood, so she spun, strode to a heavy door, and shoved it open.

  Mandy removed her earplugs once the door closed at her back. She could still hear the song the band played but the volume was a lot lower thanks to thick walls and some attempt to soundproof this part of the club. Some of the band groupies took up space in the hallway beyond. “Excuse me.”

  She passed the room where the band would take their break and reached the door at the end of the hall. There was no reason to knock. Mike expected her. She twisted the handle and pushed it open. “What do you need, boss?”

  Mike sat behind his desk but he wasn’t alone.

  The sight of the club’s head of security always did a number on her. Ice, his nickname, was tall, gorgeous, and the biggest bouncer employed by the club. The silky black work shirt he wore stretched tightly over his bulky arms, wide shoulders, and thick chest. He gave her one quick look and then shifted his stance. That drew her attention to his black slacks. They were molded to narrow hips, muscular thighs and, even though he faced her at that moment, she had already memorized his amazing ass. No flat butt there. She’d checked it out plenty of times, watching him work as he walked the floor in front of the stage to make sure nobody attacked their performers.

  “Make the band leave the premises right after they finish their set. No hanging around in the green room area. Lead them from the stage to the back door.”

  She loved Ice’s deep voice. Not only did he look like some kickass bad boy, but he sounded like one too. She’d tried to sneak a peek into his employee file to learn his real name but it hadn’t been in Mike’s drawer. But it was easy to guess where Ice had earned the nickname. He could be utterly cold, and she’d seen him fight a few times. He didn’t lose his temper or show emotion when he dealt with drunks or someone violent from drugs. Ice stayed cool and collected at all times. His eyes fit the name, too, a light blue color that tended to make her compare them to icicles.

  “They only had a few drinks last night and I made them put away the drugs. I reminded them we have a zero-tolerance policy about that here because of that bassist a few months ago who overdosed on heroin in the bathroom.” She sighed. “And it was only some coke. The lead singer whined a little but their manager took my side.”

  “It’s not that.” Mike stood. “You fill her in. I’m going to warn the bar staff.” He pointed at her. “You do exactly what Ice says.”

  She frowned, watching her boss stalk out of the office and close the door behind him. Ice stepped closer and she held his gaze. He towered over her.

  “A group of troublemakers came into the club and we’re expecting violence.”

  She felt a little fear. “Why’d you let them in?”

  “I didn’t. Rod had the door.”

  She couldn’t see the local thugs enjoying the kind of music the club played. They sure weren’t there for that. “Shit. Are they armed?”

  “Just get the band out of here when they end the set. No encores.” He surprised her when he gently gripped her arm. “Transportation for the band has already been called and has arrived. I will have security in the back waiting for you to exit. You will leave too, as soon as you’ve put them in their van. Get in your car and go. No help with cleanup tonight. Got it?”

  “Do you think they’re planning to rob us?”

  “I don’t know what they’re going to do, but I don’t want you here when shit hits the fan.”

  “Are the cops on the way?”

  He arched a black eyebrow at her.

  It was a dumb question. While Mike took a hard stance about the staff and bands keeping it clean on the drug front, the club regulars were another story as long as they weren’t blatant about it. A group of cops bursting in the doors would cause a panic. At least three hundred people would stampede for the exits.

  “Be careful.” She had the biggest crush on Ice and couldn’t bear the thought of anything happening to him.

  “Always.” He released her arm. “Go on. I need to get back out there.”

  She turned away but paused before opening the door. They were never alone. Now might be her only chance. She looked at him over her shoulder. “Would you like to go out on Monday?” The club was closed that one day each week.

  Surprise flicked across his face but he locked it down fast. “That wouldn’t be a goo
d idea.”

  She faced him, her heart hammering. It was the first time she’d asked a man out but the attraction she felt toward him had grown to the point that she was willing to risk rejection. He starred in her dreams almost every night, and now she’d begun to fantasize about him while awake.

  “I’m flattered, but you’re too young for me.”

  Ouch. “I’m twenty-one.” She straightened her shoulders. “I’ve been living on my own for the past five years. You only look about eight years older than me.”

  His gaze slowly traveled down her body. She held still and let him look his fill. Men hit on her all the time. Her day job was teaching aerobics at the gym five days a week. It not only kept her in shape but she didn’t have to starve in order to stay under a hundred and fifteen pounds. Maybe he preferred tall, more curved women. That wasn’t her, at five feet two and with her small-boned frame. Short jokes had always been told at her expense. She would also never call herself beautiful, but as far as looks went, she could hold her own.

  His blue gaze lifted until he could study her hair and he cocked his head a little. She had to admit it might be off-putting for some. “I work at a dance club that plays new wave music.” She reached up and ran her fingers over the soft fuzz where she’d shaved part of her head, from the hairline at the side of her face to behind her ear. It fell long to her waist everywhere else, but it was dyed jet black with wide, bright blue streaks. “I need to fit in. I promise I don’t wear this much makeup when I’m not here. My clothes normally aren’t as slutty, either.”

  “I like the way you dress.”

  She smiled. “Most men don’t complain about bustier tops with peek-a-boo skirts.”

  “Do you get hit on a lot by the entertainment?”

  “More than I’d like to admit but I handle it.”

  “Debbie quit within three weeks.”

  She remembered the woman who used to have her job. “She didn’t know how to deal with jerks.”

  “You do?” He straightened his head.

  “Ask your security staff.”

  He didn’t seem to like that answer, considering his eyes narrowed. “What does that mean?”

  “They hit on me all the time.” She reached down and turned her leg, using the side split in her skirt to reveal the knife strapped to her thigh. “I only had to show this to one of your goons. Remember Randy? He was pretty pushy and wouldn’t back off when I made it clear I wasn’t interested. You fired him about three weeks ago for drinking on the job.” She released her skirt and hid the knife. “I’m not into one-night stands, and I’m interested in you. I’d like to get to know you better.”

  “I don’t get involved with women beyond sex, and I never sleep with the same one twice.”

  It disappointed and gutted her at the same time. Any hopes of a future with him died at his words. Players only meant heartbreak and that’s the last thing she needed. Life was tough enough. “Oh. Well, be careful tonight.” She turned, trying to play it cool, and gripped the knob to leave the office. The urge to flee was strong.

  “Mandy?”

  She froze and glanced back at him. “What?”

  “It’s not you. It’s me.”

  She couldn’t help but snort. “Right. I’ve said that to men, too, but it’s really them. I’m just trying not to hurt their feelings. I better go. Just forget I ever said anything.” She turned the knob and looked away from him as she cracked open the door.

  “Mandy, I’m flattered. I’m just not the kind of man for you. I’m darkness inside, and while you dress as if you know all about sin, you’re pretty damn innocent. I don’t want to taint you.”

  She closed the door and turned, frowning at him. “You don’t know anything about me.”

  “I get that you’re tough but you’re a good girl. I’m trying to protect you from getting hurt, especially from someone like me. I’m not the kind of man you need in your life. Mike might never mention it, but he knows you deal with a lot of self-entitled assholes who think you should come as part of the backstage benefits. You haven’t quit though, like the other women have. It makes me worry. I’ve actually asked him to put you behind the bar.”

  She smiled, amused. Both bartenders were big enough to be bouncers. “No need. You could say I’m not as defenseless as I look.”

  “What does that mean?”

  She hesitated but then closed the gap between them, staring up into his handsome face. “I usually date guys that are about five feet six at most. Under a hundred and forty pounds. I can take them in a fight. Big men scare me because I know how much damage they can inflict on a woman…but for some crazy reason, I’m drawn to you. You make me feel safe.

  “I grew up with a lot of domestic violence, Ice. My father was a mean drunk, and he took his frustrations out on his wife and kids. It was worse if you stayed down once he put you on the floor. That’s when the kicking started. We got up or we probably would have been killed. My brothers took after him. I’m one of five kids. The baby and only girl.” She sighed. “It’s why I left home at sixteen. I got sick of being a punching bag for the men in my family, and I knew I’d end up in prison for murder if I ever really lost my temper.”

  “It would have been considered self-defense if you’d ever killed one of them.” He looked pissed.

  She gave him a sad smile. “My family would have testified about how vicious I could be at times. When I was thirteen, my father put my mom in the hospital, then the moron passed out in the living room. She almost died. I kinda lost my shit. I figured he couldn’t hurt her for a while If he had two broken arms. And I was right. Baseball bats are very effective for that.

  “Then there was the time one of my brothers decided to kill my pet hamster by stabbing it with his pocket knife. He left Buttons on my bed with the knife still in her. He thought it would be funny to see me cry, since I never do that. So, I gave him his knife back. He needed a trip to the emergency room, since my version of returning it was to stab it into his thigh a few times until it stayed put. He learned to fear me.

  “I’m not as innocent or as sweet as I look. But it’s probably best that we don’t date. You sound like a player, and I wouldn’t be okay with that. I deserve a good life with someone who can commit to me.”

  She spun and stalked out of the office, leaving him with his mouth hanging open.

  In a bad mood now, she just shoved her way through the groupies instead of waiting for them to step aside. The music blasted loudly as she returned to the stage, putting in her earplugs. The fact that her hands shook made it a little harder to do than normal.

  Regret came next. She shouldn’t have shared her dirty secrets with Ice, but it upset her that he thought she was too sweet for him. Except now, he had an idea how messed up her life had been.

  The band finished out the set and she hustled them offstage. The DJ took over as more music filled the club and she slammed the door, yanking out her earplugs. “Listen up.”

  The manager turned toward her but his group was too busy messing with the pretty girls making passes at them. “What?”

  “The head of security thinks trouble might go down. We need to get your guys out of here.”

  “What kind of trouble?”

  “Gang violence. Let’s go.”

  “What about their equipment?” The manager looked pissed.

  “Already taken care of. The stage manager will have everything packed up and sent to your hotel. Right now, the important thing is getting the group out the back. The van will be waiting and security is in place.”

  “Goddamn it!” He looked furious.

  She didn’t blame him. “Grab your band and I’ll lead the way out.”

  He cursed more, but did as she said. She got in front of them, shoving groupies aside again. “Coming through!”

  They made it out the back door and the hotel van sat waiting. She breathed out a sigh of relief, nodding at the manager’s rants as if she gave a damn about how upset he felt. The band got into the van and
she saw them off, waving. It was their last show at Bucket anyway. They’d drawn a good crowd during their three-night gig. It meant they’d probably be back. She spun around but Tino gripped her arm.

  “You’re to leave now.”

  “I’ve got to grab my purse.”

  “Fuck. Ice said you aren’t to go back in.”

  “It’s hard to leave without my keys. I’ll only be a minute.”

  “Fine.”

  She rushed inside to the break room, opened her locker, and grabbed her stuff. She took the time to put on her coat. By the time she reached the back door again, Tino was gone. One glance and she realized the second security guard had returned back inside, too. Ice wouldn’t like that they’d abandoned her, but she wasn’t a tattletale.

  She headed to her car and unlocked it, opening the door.

  A slight rustle of clothing made her turn—and stare at the man who towered over her. He wore pale makeup, all black clothing, and showed off a set of sharp fangs when he smiled.

  Shit. She put one hand on his chest to keep him from trying to get any closer and slid the other one down her body, going for her knife.

  “You need to back off. I’m not into the whole Vampire fetish thing.”

  “I am.”

  “I guessed that. Do those fangs pop out or are you one of those people who pay a crazy dentist to glue those babies on like crowns?” She inched her fingers into the slit on her skirt, staying close to him so he wouldn’t notice what she was doing. “I have to say, whoever it was did a good job.”

  His grin widened, showing off how seamlessly the fangs went up to his pale gums. “They aren’t fake.”

  He was one of the fanatical freaks who did more than role-play. She guessed he’d probably bought a coffin to sleep in at home. Some of them hung out at the club and bragged about that kind of crap. They even carried pictures to impress the other fang lovers. She also knew they usually kept razor blades on them, slicing the skin of Vampire groupies, and would lick the blood they drew from the idiots who allowed it. It sounded nasty to her, and a disease waiting to happen.