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