Goddess of Vengeance - Jackie Collins [103]
‘Could it be that you were too busy fucking Billy?’ Alex said, arching one of his thick eyebrows.
‘Or that you had a crush on our producer?’ Venus countered, not willing to be outdone. ‘You know you did.’
‘If you mean Lucky,’ Alex said, speaking slowly, ‘we’ve always been best friends.’
‘Hmm . . .’
‘What does that mean?’ Alex said with a deep frown. He took a long beat. ‘Has Lucky ever said anything to you about me?’
‘Wouldn’t you like to know,’ Venus teased.
‘If you’ve got something to tell me, dear, spit it out,’ Alex said, his tone tense.
‘Why would I have anything to tell you?’ Venus replied, delighted she’d hit on Alex’s weak spot. Oh yes, he definitely still lusted after Lucky – the woman he could never have. Typical behaviour. Show a powerful man an unobtainable woman, and he wanted her.
‘Don’t screw with me, Venus,’ Alex said, still frowning. ‘I do not appreciate being played.’
The edge in Alex’s voice attracted Jorge’s attention. The young Brazilian put down the spare rib he was nibbling on, turned to Venus and said, ‘Everything good?’
‘Ah, he speaks!’ Alex mocked.
‘Yes, Jorge, everything’s fine,’ Venus said, ignoring Alex, while placating her boy toy with a firm pat on his finely muscled arm. ‘Alex is a major director,’ she added, speaking slowly as she pantomimed operating a movie camera. ‘Very important.’
‘Jesus Christ!’ Alex scoffed. ‘The boy probably speaks perfect English, an’ you’re treating him like a dummy.’
‘He’s not a boy,’ Venus said, annoyed that Alex was getting on her case.
‘What is he then?’ Alex questioned, raising a cynical eyebrow.
Before Venus could answer, a plump woman in a flowered dress managed to circumvent Venus’s bodyguards who were sitting at a table by the door, and presented herself in front of their table.
‘You’re just so pretty,’ the woman cooed, fluttering her hands. ‘I simply had to tell you. I’m from Kansas, and I seen you on Tee-Vee, but you are much prettier in person.’ The woman took a deep breath. ‘And yes, I have to say it – years younger.’
‘Thank you,’ Venus said graciously. And where the hell are my bodyguards when I need them? She quickly glanced over at their table. The morons were actually eating, and had not noticed she was under attack. Security. What a crock.
‘You must get a ton of attention,’ the woman gushed. ‘What with your divorce an’ all, an’ your husband – or should I say your ex – sittin’ over there. An’ him bein’ a young man still. An’ – oh,’ she looked directly at Jorge. ‘Is this your son?’
Alex burst out laughing.
Venus was speechless with fury. At which point one of her bodyguards stumbled over – red in the face – placed a controlling arm on the woman’s shoulder, and moved her swiftly away.
Alex was still chuckling. Jorge looked casual, as if he didn’t know what was going on, although of course he did.
‘I think it’s time to leave,’ Venus said, cold as ice.
Was Billy really here? In this restaurant?
Damn him. What exactly was he doing in Vegas?
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Hyped up on too much coke and ready for action, Armand took a stroll through the casino while he waited for the prostitutes he’d ordered. He was in need of some kind of sexual release while he decided how he was going to deal with the Santangelo bitch.
His surroundings did not please him. The Cavendish was a shit-hole compared to The Keys.
And why was he staying in a shit-hole?
Because of Fouad and Mother Peggy – the whore mother of all time.
It all made sense to him now. Peggy might dress in fancy clothes and stink of expensive perfume, but when the King had discovered her she was probably a prostitute like all the rest of them.
After a while he approached a roulette table, and threw down several thousand dollars. In exchange he received a stack of high-denomination chips from an eager croupier.
A steely-eyed Pit Boss stepped forward and offered to open a private table for his pleasure.
Armand nodded. No need to mix with the sweaty masses. He abhorred crowds.