Goddess of Vengeance - Jackie Collins [116]
In Europe he was still an enormous star. In America – not so much. Although tonight his fans had come out in force and his assistant had collected an array of panties thrown on stage to prove it.
Gerald M. was feeling on top of everything.
Cookie wasn’t. Max was so right, Frankie Romano was a major star fuck. He was all over her dad as if Gerald M. was the Second Coming. She was being ignored, and it was pissing her off bigtime.
Max – who was now back at the table – bit her tongue so as not to blurt out I told you so. Frankie’s always been this way. He’s a major loser.
‘What’s up with his crap?’ Cookie complained. ‘He’s all actin’ like a freakin’ fan. I can’t even watch it!’
‘Most people get like that around stars,’ Max offered matter-of-factly. ‘When Lucky owned Panther Studios, kissing ass was a daily occurrence.’
‘He’s like so ignorin’ me,’ Cookie said, her eyes flashing daggers.
Although Max was trying to concentrate on what Cookie was saying, to her horror she suddenly observed Venus making a grand entrance.
OhmiGod. Lucky’s best friend. Billy’s soon-to-be ex. OhmiGod!!
Quickly turning to Cookie she said, ‘Y’know what, we should take off, teach your boyfriend to pay you more attention. Besides, Bobby’s getting all uptight ’cause he doesn’t want us in the club on account of his precious licence, so we can’t even dance or score a drink, plus my parents are all over me, so whyn’t we hit one of those clubs where we can do what we like an’ not be under constant scrutiny?’
‘Yeah,’ Cookie agreed, still shooting Frankie dirty looks. ‘Let’s go. I’ll show Frankie Romano who he’s screwing with!’
* * *
Sitting next to Lucky Santangelo Denver felt all her insecurities come rushing back. Bobby had just told her he loved her, followed by the instant intrusion of the irritating and rude Max, and now Lucky and Lennie Golden had joined them. She was overwhelmed, even more so because Lucky was extremely friendly and nice, not to mention totally stunning.
Likewise Lennie.
It was all too much.
‘So . . .’ Lucky said to Bobby, while smiling warmly across at Denver. ‘This is the woman you’ve been keeping a big secret.’
‘No secret,’ Bobby replied with a sheepish grin. ‘You’ve met, haven’t you?’
‘Maybe once,’ Lucky said, sipping a Martini. ‘Very briefly.’
‘Well, we certainly haven’t met,’ Lennie said, extending his hand to Denver. ‘It’s a real pleasure. Where has Bobby been hiding you?’
If she was intimidated before, Denver now felt completely out of her depth. Lennie Golden was a force unto himself. She was a longtime fan of his movies, which only made things worse. How embarrassing to find herself trapped in this situation. Wasn’t it enough that they would all be together the following night?
Oh God! Why hadn’t she pursued a relationship with laid-back uncomplicated Sam? Why had she picked Bobby?
Or had he picked her?
She didn’t know. She wasn’t sure. She was confused.
‘Bobby tells me you’re a D.A.,’ Lucky said, leaning toward Denver as if she was really interested in hearing her reply.
‘Uh . . . Deputy D.A. actually – that’s what they . . . uh . . . call us.’
Oh great, now I sound like the idiot girlfriend who comes to Vegas with one dress – and now what am I supposed to wear tomorrow night? And Bobby’s mom is too gorgeous for words – slim and sexy in a sliver of a top and black leather pants, with numerous diamond bracelets stacked up her toned and tanned arm, and a huge emerald ring on her engagement finger. She looks like some kind of exotic supermodel.
‘You should meet my brother, Steven,’ Lucky said. ‘He’s living in Rio at the moment, but when he visits, we must all get together.’
What the hell – was Lucky trying to fix her up? Please no!
‘Steven used to be a lawyer, then switched and became a D.A.,’ Bobby hurriedly explained, noting her confusion.
‘Really?’ Denver murmured.
‘Yeah,’ Bobby said. ‘You two probably do have a lot in common. Steven started