Goddess of Vengeance (20 page)

She took Amy for a walk around the block, and returned to find that Sam had left another message. He was certainly persistent.

And normal.

And attractive.

Why not go for him instead of the dazzling, rich, too handsome for his own good, Bobby Santangelo Stanislopoulos?

Interesting question.

Easy answer.

I love Bobby, and that’s all there is to it.

*   *   *

Prowling around Kennedy airport was giving Bobby the distinct feeling that he was trapped in a maze of bars, fast-food restaurants, donut and magazine stands, plus a hundred other useless stores. The flight he was supposed to be on was cancelled at the last minute, while the current flight he was booked onto kept getting delayed.

It occurred to him that he was an idiot not to have had the Stanislopoulos plane pick him up in New York. Such a dumb move. What was he thinking?

After trying to get on an earlier flight – fully booked – he made his way back to the lounge with the latest Harlan Coben thriller, and attempted to read and chill out. But he soon found it impossible to concentrate – too much going on in his head. The new clubs he was planning to build were a real challenge. Exciting, but at the same time quite daunting. He’d conquered New York and Vegas with Mood, so bring on L.A. and Miami. After that, who knew?

His big ambition was to create an empire.
His
empire. And maybe, like Gino and Lucky before him, he would eventually move into the hotel business. He had in mind small boutique hotels that would cater to a very distinct clientele, people who were looking for somewhere special and private.

‘Bobby?’

He glanced up, and there stood Annabelle Maestro, Frankie’s ex-girlfriend, now a minor TV personality since the murder of her movie-star mother and the arrest of her action-star father. Annabelle was a true child of Hollywood. She had written a book about growing up in L.A. with famous parents, and then all about the year she’d spent running call girls in New York. Like most of the people who became stars of reality television, she’d made a career out of simply being seen around, appearing on talk shows, and doing nothing much at all.

‘Annabelle Maestro!’ Bobby exclaimed, putting down his book. ‘How’re
you
, stranger?’

Annabelle immediately sat down next to him without being invited to do so. ‘I’m doing so well it’s ridiculous,’ she gushed, pretty and powdered in a slightly plastic way, with her very long pale golden-red hair, high cheekbones, and suspiciously plump lips.

Bobby had known her way before she’d hooked up with Frankie. Along with M.J., Denver and Carolyn, they’d all attended the same Beverly Hills high school.

‘My schedule is completely insane,’ Annabelle continued. ‘Ever since the success of my book . . .’

‘What book?’ Bobby was tempted to say, but then he vaguely remembered Denver mentioning something about it.

‘My Life – A Hollywood Princess Tells All,’
Annabelle said, reminding him of the title. ‘Currently out in paperback, which is why I’m in New York doing publicity. I was on
Watch What Happens Live
this week with the adorable Andy Cohen. Did you see it?’

Was she kidding?

‘’Fraid not,’ he said, flipping open a courtesy packet of nuts. ‘This has been a quick trip for me.’

‘Trip?’ she questioned, fluffing back her long hair. ‘I thought you lived in the city.’

‘Uh . . . yeah, but now I kinda spend most of my time on the West Coast.’

‘Hmm . . .’ Annabelle said, giving him a piercing look. ‘Don’t tell me you’re still seeing Denver? That’s a surprise.’

‘Why is that a surprise?’ Bobby asked, sensing a bitchy response was headed in his direction.

‘You know,’ Annabelle said, with a dismissive shrug. ‘Denver’s hardly the girl I see by your side.’

‘Yeah?’ Bobby said, not about to put up with her crap. ‘And who
would
you see by my side?’

A coy giggle. ‘Someone like me.’

Jesus Christ, did she honestly imagine he would ever go for someone like her? All fake – from her hair extensions to her obviously enhanced cheekbones. No freaking way.

‘The thing is,’ Annabelle continued, unfazed by his lack of response, ‘you and I come from the same backgrounds. We’re pedigrees, while I guess you would have to call Denver some kind of mutt.’

‘Jesus, you’re a real bitch!’ Bobby exclaimed. ‘Are you listening to what you’re saying?’

Annabelle shrugged. ‘The truth can be a harsh pill to swallow.’ A beat, and then, ‘Where’s your plane? Shouldn’t we be taking
that
to L.A.?’

Bobby stood up abruptly. ‘Go fuck yourself,’ he said, loud and clear. And then he walked off.

*   *   *

Dinner with Gino again, not such a bad thing. This time Paige, his third wife, was with him. And Jeffrey Lonsdale joined them, along with the owners of The Cavendish Hotel – a lesbian couple, Renee and Susie, whom Lucky liked very much. Renee was a ballsy old broad, and her partner, Susie, was an ex-Hollywood wife. They both had plenty to say for themselves, and Gino always enjoyed their company.

Lucky had organized a window table at François, the best French restaurant in Vegas. Since it was located at the top of The Keys, the view of the sparkling Las Vegas lights was breathtaking.

Sitting across the table from Gino, Lucky couldn’t help staring at him and wondering what the hell she’d do without him. They shared such a rocky history, but she loved him with every bone in her body, and she was fiercely protective of him, as he was of her. Over the years they’d fought off so many enemies from Gino’s past, but in the end they’d reigned victorious, although it had not been an easy ride.

Never fuck with a Santangelo
, the family motto. Lucky smiled. They were words to live by.

Earlier she’d called Max at the house to see how she was doing. No answer there. No answer on her cell. Lucky wasn’t worried – Max could take care of herself. She’d thwarted that crazy pervert who’d attempted to kidnap her a year ago, and she’d come out a winner.

In her heart Lucky knew that Max was a true Santangelo and could protect herself come what may.

*   *   *

Max took a cab to Billy’s house. Like most L.A. cab drivers her driver barely spoke English and drove as if he was involved in a high-speed car chase with cops inches behind him. The cab stank of garlic, and the driver kept on muttering in a foreign language under his breath. Several times he applied the brakes so hard that she almost fell on the floor. Lovely!

By the time they reached Billy’s, she was nervous and flustered, a combination of the out-of-control ride and seeing Billy again. She hadn’t mentioned what had taken place between her and Billy to anyone, not even Harry, who at times could be relied upon to be fairly discreet. Harry had dropped by her house earlier, apologized for running out on the chaos and mess, then proceeded to smoke a joint and rave about Paco for one full hour. Eventually she’d told him he’d better leave because she had to get ready for a hot date. Interest piqued, Harry wanted to know who her date was with. She’d managed not to tell him, even though she was dying to confide in someone.

Arriving at Billy’s house, Max was horrified to observe a bunch of paparazzi milling around outside the gates. Hurriedly she instructed the driver not to stop, and had him take her around the corner, where she pulled out her cell and called Billy.

‘There’s an alley behind the house,’ he informed her. ‘Take that an’ I’ll make sure the back gate is open.’

Her heart was beating fast. She had a date with Billy Melina. She’d actually
screwed
Billy Melina. Or he’d screwed her. Whatever. She’d done the deed, and that was all that mattered.

Man, this was totally surreal.

*   *   *

Over coffee and dessert Lucky grilled Jeffrey about their morning appointment. ‘Exactly
why
do you feel it necessary for me to meet with these people from Jordan Developments?’ she asked.

‘Because they have plenty of money to invest in future projects, and in my opinion it’s always prudent to keep that money close,’ Jeffrey explained. ‘Who knows what you’ll decide to do next, Lucky. And in this economy, investors with actual cash are gold.’ Jeffrey had worked with Lucky for several years, and he always tried to keep a step or two ahead of her. Knowing the way her mind worked, eventually he was sure she would want to expand, so he was merely putting everything in place should this happen. ‘I checked the company out,’ he continued. ‘It’s solid, Armand Jordan is legitimate. He’s a billionaire and a useful man for us to know. Fouad Khan is his right-hand man.’

‘Isn’t this the company you told me wanted to buy The Keys?’ Lucky asked, sipping a limoncello.

‘Initially yes. But they know it’s not an option. No harm in seeing what they have to offer.’

‘I suppose you definitely want me to be there?’ Lucky questioned.

‘It’s a meeting,’ Jeffrey said firmly. ‘What’s to lose?’

‘Fine,’ she said, downing the rest of her limoncello in one quick gulp. ‘And now, it’s time to get personal. What’s all this about you getting a divorce?’

Jeffrey fidgeted uncomfortably; he wasn’t expecting this.

‘Tell me everything,’ Lucky continued. ‘Don’t hold anything back.’

Reluctantly Jeffrey began to reveal every little detail. Lucky had the knack of getting people to talk; she would have made an excellent interrogator.

‘Enough,’ Gino said at last, intervening with a hoarse chuckle. ‘Give the poor bastard a break. You’re makin’ him sweat.’

‘Sure,’ Lucky said with a half-smile. ‘I’ll let Jeffrey off the hook. Only you have to agree that I would’ve made a great shrink. Oh, and Jeffrey, after the board meeting tomorrow, I expect plenty more info on your marital woes, so be prepared.’

‘Yeah, and you’d better come up with somethin’ juicy,’ Gino added, with a crafty grin. ‘You know my Lucky, she always goes straight for the goods.’

‘Ah yes, and guess who I learned it from,’ Lucky replied with a wink.

‘I do believe a toast is in order,’ Gino’s wife, Paige, announced, lifting her glass of champagne. ‘To the Santangelos. May they never stop bickering!’

Everyone laughed and clinked glasses.

Chapter Twenty-One

‘H
ey,’ Billy said, greeting Max at the back gate, barefoot and casual in jeans and a faded denim work shirk.

‘Hey,’ she replied, thinking he truly was so major hot that it almost hurt.

Leonardo, Taylor, Rob, take a backseat. Billy Melina is the hottest dude in town – any town.

‘Wassup?’ Billy asked, heading toward the living room.

‘Had a cab driver from hell,’ she complained, trailing behind him. ‘He drove the freeway like a maniac. Thought I’d be like
dead
before I even got here.’

‘That sucks.’

‘Totally,’ she said, her eyes darting around his living room which was all sparse concrete curves and modern furniture. ‘This is different,’ she remarked.

‘I’m renting,’ he explained. ‘Not my style really.’

‘Nice pool,’ she said, moving toward the glass doors that led outside.

For a brief moment he was tempted to take her out to the pool, have her blow him the way he enjoyed, then send her on her way.

But no. Max wasn’t that kind of girl.

‘I guess when the divorce is finalized I’ll be lookin’ to buy,’ he said. ‘Maybe at the beach. I kinda love Malibu.’

‘When’s that gonna be?’ she said, thinking how cool it would be if Billy was her neighbour.

He gave a casual shrug. ‘Dunno. Soon, I hope.’

‘Uh . . . how was your inter view?’ she asked, wondering if she should sit down, or were they going straight out?

‘Some pissy uptight girl with attitude. All she wanted to talk about was Venus an’ the divorce. After ten minutes of her crap, I cut the interview short.’

‘What did your PR say? She must’ve been pissed.’

‘Who gives a shit,’ he said, moving to the open-plan kitchen. ‘Want somethin’ to drink?’

‘Yes please,’ she said, testing him. ‘I’ll have a double vodka on the rocks with a twist.’

‘Very funny.’

‘You asked.’

‘A Coke? 7UP? Sprite?’

‘What makes you think I don’t drink?’

‘Do you?’

‘Not much.’

He gave her a quizzical look. ‘So what’s it like being Lucky’s kid?’

‘Don’t call me that.’

‘You get along, don’t you?’

‘I take after my brother, Bobby,’ she explained. ‘Of course I love Lucky,
and
my dad. But I gotta forge my own identity, that’s why I’m moving to New York.’ She hesitated for a second, then added, ‘Uh, maybe.’ Because now that she’d met Billy she wasn’t so sure that she still wanted to make the move east.

‘I get it,’ Billy said, nodding. ‘That’s exactly how I felt being married to Venus. It was a total downer, I was never my own person. However famous
I
got, she was always more famous. It’s a drag tryin’ to live up to somebody else’s success.’

‘Don’t I know it.’

‘Uh-huh, I guess you do. You got it comin’ at you from both sides. Your mom, an’ then Lennie.’