Goddess of Vengeance - Jackie Collins [111]
‘Okay, okay,’ he said, grinning. ‘I guess we did, an’ now look at us – an old married couple with kids.’
‘Easy on the old, mister,’ Lucky said, throwing him a playful punch.
‘However, Mrs Golden – you’re still as beautiful now as you were then. Besides, I like a woman with a little seasoning on her.’
‘Seasoning, huh?’
‘Oh yeah.’
‘Fuck you, Lennie Golden!’
With one swift move he rolled on top of her, pinning her beneath him. ‘Sure, love of my life, I live to oblige.’
* * *
Most stars usually conduct a meet and greet after their concerts. Sometimes Gerald M. couldn’t be bothered, but in Vegas he was never sure what celebrity could be lurking in the audience, so tonight he hung around to see who might appear. Besides, he was staying in town for the fights, and since he’d recently broken it off with his latest conquest – an ambitious actress (weren’t they all?) – he’d decided to sample the local talent.
The last person he expected to see was his almost unrecognizable daughter. Without her trademark dreads Cookie looked quite different.
‘What’s up with your hair, chicken?’ he asked, as she and her group were ushered into his large but crowded dressing room adjacent to the hospitality bar.
‘Don’t call me that,’ she said, rolling her eyes in horror. ‘It’s so uncool.’
‘This girl is my little chicken,’ Gerald M. crooned to the assorted gathering. ‘Hatched her myself. Now look at her – she’s all grown up.’ A lackey handed him a rum and Coke which he downed in two big gulps. ‘What you doin’ here, sweet thing? How’d ya like the show?’
I hated the show, Cookie was tempted to say. I hated seeing my father up on stage thrusting his leather-clad dick at a screaming audience of middle-aged loser women desperate to get laid.
‘Your show was phenomenal,’ Frankie announced, manoeuvring himself in front of Cookie and shaking Gerald M.’s hand. ‘You are the consummate artist. You always rock their fuckin’ world – ’scuse my language.’
‘And you are?’ Gerald M. said, backing off.
‘Frankie Romano, Cookie’s friend. Pleasure to meet you, sir.’
‘Sir!’ Gerald M. spluttered with laughter. ‘How the fuck old d’you think I am?’
Oh crap, Cookie thought. This is so bad. They’re bonding already.
Max hung back. She figured she’d fulfilled her obligation as a friend, and now it was time for her and Ace to duck out.
Cookie was not having it. ‘You’ve gotta stay with us,’ she begged. ‘Otherwise Frankie’s gonna want to hang with my dad, an’ there’s no way I can handle it!’
‘But Cookie—’ Max objected.
‘Puh-leez! I’ll never ask you for anything again!’
And so it was that they stayed.
* * *
Bobby and Denver were sitting at a table in a candle-lit poolside cabana at Mood with people swirling all around them. It was almost midnight, the music was loud and the club was packed. Beautiful girls abounded – even the cocktail waitresses were great-looking in their skimpy uniforms. Denver was feeling out of place and inadequate. Club scenes were not her favourite venues.
‘What’s with the attitude?’ Bobby asked, catching her mood.
‘What attitude?’ Denver shot back, unable to help herself from taking her frustration out on him.
‘You just seem,’ he shrugged, ‘I dunno – kinda uptight.’
‘As opposed to not uptight like all the girls that keep coming over and talking to you?’ she retorted, wishing she didn’t sound so damn jealous.
‘Hey Denv, you know it’s only work,’ Bobby said, stroking her arm. ‘Since it’s my club, what do you expect me to do – ignore them?’
‘That’s an idea.’
‘C’mon, drink your wine, loosen up.’
‘I thought tonight was going to be all about us. Instead it’s me trying to talk Cassie out of getting an abortion, and you working the room. Not my idea of a romantic evening.’
‘Sorry you feel like that. But surely y’know I’ve only got eyes for you?’
He gave her the look – a look she couldn’t resist.
The trouble with Bobby was that he was so damn good-looking, and on top of that – genuinely nice. Then of course there was the rich factor – so naturally women