Double Lucky (44 page)

“What did Lennie say?” Lucky asked.

“He said yes,” Max replied, cheerfully lying.

“Then I don't see why not.”

How cool was this? She'd wrangled an invite for Ace to attend the opening, and she was determined he'd accept. They'd been speaking on the phone regularly since he'd finally called her back. She'd been delighted to hear from him, ridiculously so. And was it her imagination, or did he sound equally pleased to hear from her?

Yes, he did. She was sure of it.

Since they'd reconnected they'd been talking every day. He never mentioned his girlfriend. She never mentioned her nonexistent boyfriend. They talked about everything from their ordeal to music to movies to books. In fact, they talked nonstop.

She found out he was working as a ski instructor and saving up to one day open his own ski shop.

“No college?” she'd asked.

“The most successful people in America never went to college,” he'd informed her. “And one of these days I'm gonna have a chain of ski shops in every resort in America.”

He was ambitious, and so interesting and different from all the rich kids she'd grown up with. But best of all, he was so
hot!
And she couldn't stop thinking about him.

*   *   *

Things seemed comparatively calm on the Venus/Billy front. She was busy with her various projects, plus rehearsing for Vegas. And he was busy finishing up on Alex's movie.

They both decided that for the Vegas trip they would drive up on Venus's tour bus as opposed to flying. Billy's movie wrapped the day before they were due to leave, and Venus opted out of attending the wrap party. “You'll be bonding with the crew, and saying your good-byes,” she pointed out. “It's better I don't come.”

“If you're sure,” Billy said. “'Cause you know I'd love to have you there.”

“No, you go. If you feel like it, you can drop by my house later.”

“Sounds like an invite I can't refuse.”

“I appreciate a man who can't refuse me,” she purred.

Ever since the fight with Alex, Billy had been on his best behavior. Venus honestly felt they were right back on track. It was a satisfying feeling.

*   *   *

Billy and Kev went together to the wrap party on sound stage 3. The place was jammed with crew members and their significant others, most of whom were desperate to get their picture taken with Billy. He obliged, until after about twenty minutes he was startled to see Miss Broken Taillight—alias Ali—flittering around in her cutoff denims and skimpy tank top, long sexy legs tanned and appealing.

“What's
she
doin' here?” he muttered to Kev, who looked a bit sheepish and mumbled something about inviting her. “Why'd you do that?” Billy asked.

“'Cause she's a sweet kid,” Kev said, heading for the bar.

“Yeah, and she gives a sweet blow job, right?” Billy remarked, following him.

“Nothing wrong with that,” Kev said, requesting a beer. “
You
didn't seem to object.”

“I don't wanna see her around,” Billy lectured. “If Venus had come with me tonight, it would've been awkward.”

“Why?” Kev said, handing Billy a bottle of imported beer. “She's not gonna run up to Venus and say, ‘Oh, I screwed your boyfriend,' is she?”

“I don't know,
you
tell me,” Billy said pointedly.

“Did you hear that Alex gave her a line?”

“How'd
that
happen?” Billy said, swigging beer.

“Guess Maggie worked her magic.”

“At least it gets her off my case,” Billy grumbled, still not happy.

“There's somethin' I've been meaning to tell you,” Kev began, looking embarrassed.

“What now?” Billy sighed.

“I'm kinda into her,” Kev admitted. “Like I'm thinking of taking her to the party in Vegas.”

“You fuckin' nuts?” Billy said, frowning.

“No, I kinda
promised
I'd take her.”

“Jeez, Kev!”

“She lives in a rat hole in Hollywood with two gay guys and another girl. I feel sorry for her. I was over there the other night—the place is a pit.”

“What's
that
got t'do with anything?”

“Have a little heart. She's trying hard to make it, workin' any job she can. It's that same old story—she comes from a broken home, took the bus to L.A. to get away from her stepdad, and ended up livin' on the street until she hooked up with friends.”

“So now you're the knight with a permanent hard-on who's gonna save her. Right?”

“Maybe.”

“Of all the girls in L.A. you had to pick this one,” Billy said, shaking his head. “What's wrong with you?”

“Anyway,” Kev said, “thought I should give you a heads-up.”

“That's big of you, Kev.”

“Oh yeah, an' I made her swear she'll never mention anything to Venus about gettin' it on with you.”

“She'd better not, 'cause if she does, your ass is freakin' fired.”

“No worries,” Kev said confidently.

*   *   *

“I know I shouldn't be the one saying this, but my hotel is
amazing
,” Lucky raved to Venus over the phone. “Totally amazing and perfect and great. Better than I could possibly have imagined. Gino will
love
it.”

“I'm happy for you,” Venus said. “Can't wait to get there and check it out for myself.”

“We have a luxurious penthouse suite ready for you and Billy with its own pool and an incredible view of the Strip. Massage therapists are on alert, and anything else you want. Put in your requests now.”

“I'll ask Billy. Maybe a pool table.”

“Already in your suite.”

“A Jacuzzi.”

“Both inside and out.”

“How about a stripper pole?”

“Done!”

“I'm joking.”

They both laughed.

“I'm so pleased you're coming up the night before, so is Lennie,” Lucky said. “We'll have a great dinner, just the four of us. I've been testing all the restaurants. The food is sensational, world-class chefs everywhere I turn.”

“Billy and I are driving up, which means I'm not sure what time we'll get there.”

“Driving, huh?”

“We're using my tour bus—thought it might be fun.”

“Hmm … five or six hours on a bus. Doesn't sound like fun to me. Are you sure I can't send a plane for you?”

“No thanks. I can assure you—five or six hours on my bus with Billy is gonna
rock!
”

“Okay, so travel safely, I'll be thinking of you.”

Lucky put down the phone and surveyed her kingdom from the window of her penthouse. It was true. Everything about the Keys was looking awesome, and the hotel section was already running like a smoothly oiled machine. Her general manager was a real pro; so were the dozen or so undermanagers.

Since she'd planned and built two hotels before, she was well aware of what mistakes to avoid. Organization was the name of the game, especially for opening night, and especially with planeloads of celebrities flying in, and a ton of press waiting to cover the event.

It was going to be
the
most special and spectacular night Vegas had ever seen.

She couldn't wait.

 

CHAPTER SIXTY-EIGHT

During the car ride to Anthony's office Irma's mind was darting in many different directions. What did he want with her? Was it possible that he'd found out about Oliver?

One never knew with Anthony. He'd become so adept at completely ignoring her existence that being summoned to his office was quite alarming. When had Anthony ever been interested in her opinion of his business acquaintances?

He greeted her with an affectionate hug.

“Where are we going for lunch?” she asked. “And who is it that you want me to meet?”

“That was just my way of gettin' you here,” he said. “Is it a crime to wanna have lunch with my wife for a change?”

“Of course not,” she stammered, completely thrown.

He took her to the most expensive restaurant in the city for lunch, and all through the meal he was overly attentive toward her.

Something was definitely going on. She felt uncomfortable and horribly guilty about her one night with Oliver Stanton.

“Is everything all right?” she asked when they were almost finished.

“Why wouldn't it be?” he countered, tapping his fingers on the table.

“I thought you were leaving for Las Vegas, and then you call me for lunch.”

“You had something else to do?” he questioned, staring her down.

“Not at all,” she answered, lowering her eyes.

“I've bin thinkin' that I should spend more time with you.”

“Do you mean traveling?” she said hesitantly.

“Yeah, why not? We got the place in Miami, the apartment in New York—there's no reason you can't come with me sometimes.”

“I thought you wanted me to stay in the house here,” she said, picking at her dessert.

“It might not be such a bad idea for you to spend more time with the kids. Eduardo's a surly little bastard, an' Carolina's growin' up fast. Could be she needs a mother around.”

Was there a light at the end of the tunnel? Had she picked the wrong time to leave him? Could it be that Anthony was actually softening?

After they left the restaurant, he led her down the street to a jewelry store, greeted the owner, whom he knew, and instructed her to pick out a gift for herself. “Choose anythin' you want,” he said, lighting up a cigar. “Anythin' you think you deserve.”

“It's not my birthday, Anthony,” she murmured.

“I know that, but I feel like bein' generous. I can spoil my own wife, can't I?”

Was he sick? Did he have a brain tumor?

She stood in front of trays of lavish jewelry, finally picking out a modest gold bracelet.

“Nah,” Anthony said, vigorously shaking his head. “You wanna get somethin' with diamonds. You're my wife—you gotta have the best.”

The jeweler produced another tray, this time filled with diamond jewelry.

“Did I mention I'm thinkin' of taking you to Vegas?” Anthony said.

“You are?” she said, startled.

“Yeah, there's a big hotel opening. You might get a kick outta bein' there. It ain't healthy you bein' by yourself all the time. Go ahead, choose somethin' flashy, 'cause I wanna show you off.” He picked up a pair of flawless yellow diamond drop earrings. “How 'bout these?” he suggested.

“They're
very
expensive,” she demurred.

“My wife deserves expensive,” he said expansively. “Try 'em on.”

She did so. They were quite incredible.

“You like 'em, they're yours,” he said.

Anthony was like a changed man. Irma was perplexed, but at the same time secretly pleased because this was the man she'd always hoped he was. Attentive, generous, kind.

She settled on the earrings. The jeweler had them gift wrapped, then Anthony escorted her to the car and instructed the driver to take her home.

“I'm leavin' for Vegas now,” he said. “If I think you'll like it, I'll send for you. Okay, sugar?”

Sugar?
He was calling her sugar? Wasn't that a term of endearment strictly reserved for his mistresses? She was confused.

“Take good care of this little lady,” Anthony said, speaking to his driver. “She's precious cargo. She's my wife.”

*   *   *

Once he'd put Irma in the car, Anthony returned to his office. The Grill was waiting for him.

“You do it?” Anthony asked, his expression stony.

“All taken care of, boss.”

“Give it twenty-four hours, then get it outta there.”

“Yes, boss.”

*   *   *

Irma arrived back at the house clutching her gift-wrapped earrings, which she knew had cost over a hundred thousand dollars. She felt quite light-headed.

When they were first married, Anthony had bought her a few pieces of jewelry, but over the past several years he'd not given her so much as a birthday present. Was he trying to make up for it now?

She went up to her room, immediately heading over to the window to see what Luis was doing. He was present; the old gardener was not.

Maybe she should see him one more time. And after that she could be the faithful wife, because if Anthony was changing, she could do the same and allow him one more chance.

But still … Luis was a big temptation, and she didn't like that he'd rejected her. She craved one more opportunity to be in his arms. Just one more time.…

She hurried downstairs and out to the garden. “Luis,” she said, walking right up to him, “come with me.”

He shook his head, wary eyes darting this way and that.

“Now!” she said firmly. “I'm your boss, come with me.”

He didn't understand her words, but he certainly understood her tone of voice. Putting down his rake, he followed her into the house and up the staircase to her bedroom.

She locked the door and turned to face him. “Luis,” she said, “what
is
going on with you?”

“'Scuse,
señora
?” he muttered, wishing he was somewhere else.

“Do not call me
señora
,” she said sharply. “My name is Irma, you know that.”

“
Sí
 … Irma.”

“Why didn't you tell me you were married and your wife is pregnant?”

He shrugged. He understood two words—
pregnant
and
wife
. The American woman knew, but still she'd invited him into her bedroom, so she must not care. The sex with her was so different from the sex with his wife, and Cesar had not mentioned a word lately, so perhaps it was safe to make love to her one last time. It was obviously what she wanted, and even though she was pretending to be angry, her eyes were filled with anticipation and her cheeks were flushed.