Goddess of Vengeance - Jackie Collins [119]
Watching Lennie in person, she’d already decided that he did not disappoint. He might be an older man, but he exuded a George Clooney under-the-radar kind of sex appeal. Lucky did indeed have it all. A mega-successful hotel and casino, a great family and a smart, talented husband. What more could any woman want?
‘We go dance?’ Jorge suggested in a surprisingly deep voice.
Was he asking her? Would it be inappropriate if she said yes?
He was already up and ready to go – she couldn’t just leave him standing there.
‘Sure,’ she said, glancing at Venus whom she hadn’t even met. The platinum star was busy talking to Lucky and Lennie. Would Venus even notice her boyfriend was missing?
Probably not.
Without thinking more about it, she got to her feet and followed Jorge onto the crowded dance floor. Bobby didn’t dance – early on in their relationship he’d announced it wasn’t his thing. At least there was something he didn’t excel at.
On the other hand she loved to dance, and since Jorge was no slouch either, the two of them were soon enjoying themselves to the sounds of Bruno Mars and Alicia Keys.
* * *
The Wonderball was one of the most popular clubs on the Strip on account of its no alcohol, no drugs policy. For a twenty-five-dollar entry fee, all the under twenty-ones could rave until it was time for a total collapse. The Wonderball featured live bands and guest deejays. It was a major mob scene, and naturally plenty of booze and drugs got smuggled in.
When Max, Cookie and Ace arrived, the club was filled to capacity. They barely made it through before the fire marshal turned up and posted a NO MORE GUESTS sign at the door.
‘This ain’t too bad,’ Cookie allowed, gazing around the cavernous space crammed with writhing sweating bodies, the music so loud conversation was an impossibility. ‘I could get into this,’ she yelled, heading for the dance floor. ‘It’s like my kinda crazy.’
‘We’re gonna try to find Harry and Paco,’ Max shouted above the noise. ‘If Paco’s playing we can hang out in the booth. See you there.’
‘Right on,’ Cookie agreed, dancing and checking her phone at the same time, which reminded Max she still hadn’t taken her phone off plane mode.
She quickly did so, and immediately saw that she had several text messages.
The first one was from her two younger brothers on their European tour wishing her a happy birthday. The second was from Bobby’s niece, Brigette. And the third from Billy.
YES, BILLY!
Her heart jumped. When had Billy texted her? How come she’d missed it?
WHAT THE FUCK?!?
Her hands began shaking as she started to read his message.
Hey – it’s me – Billy. Where r u?
I’M HERE. RIGHT HERE!
Been trying to reach u.
REALLY??
I’m in Vegas.
OMG!
Want to c u. Call me.
‘What’re you doin’?’ Ace shouted, making himself heard above the noise.
‘Nothing,’ she said, hurriedly clicking her phone off.
‘Are we gonna find Harry or what?’ Ace asked.
‘Yeah, sure,’ she yelled back, wondering exactly how she was supposed to make a clean getaway. Billy was in town, and seeing him was her number one priority.
* * *
Bobby met M.J. and Cassie at the door. They were with a man in an expensive suit and aviator tinted glasses. He had slicked-back hair and acted as if he and Bobby were old friends.
‘Eddie Falcon,’ he said to Bobby, proffering his hand. ‘You and I hung out at Brett Ratner’s house. You were diddling with two Playboy Bunnies, an’ I was flyin’ solo.’
Playboy Bunnies were not Bobby’s style. He had no idea who this Eddie Falcon was, and he didn’t much care.
M.J. filled him in as Cassie and Eddie headed off to a table.
‘Eddie’s the agent Cassie wants to sign with,’ M.J. explained. ‘She says he’s hot shit.’
‘More bad timing, huh?’ Bobby remarked.
‘I figure if she lands herself an agent it’ll make her happy,’ M.J. reasoned. ‘Then she can work on her music stuff while she’s sittin’ around pregnant. You know she’s into writing her own songs, so this could be a way t’go.’
Sometimes it amazed Bobby that M.J.