Goddess of Vengeance - Jackie Collins [122]
‘Then what’ve we got ourselves stuck with?’ Seducta said, gulping down her cocktail. ‘Some sexed-out freaky momma’s boy?’
Luscious shrugged. She wasn’t sure herself.
After a few moments, Peggy emerged from the bedroom and hurried to the door. She’d gotten what she’d come for, and she had no desire to run into Armand, not with these two dreadful women present. Her disgust was so palpable that she didn’t even bother saying anything as she slipped out the door. Tomorrow she vowed that she would sit down with Armand and discuss with him his choice of female companions. He might be a grown man, but it was blatantly obvious that it was time someone gave him guidance.
She was his mother.
She was entitled.
Chapter Forty-Six
‘We could hit another club,’ kev suggested.
‘Why’d we wanna do that?’ Billy responded.
‘What the fuck’s the matter with you, dude?’ Kev asked, squinting. ‘You’re acting like you don’t wanna do nothin’.’
‘Maybe I don’t,’ Billy replied. He simply wasn’t feeling it, and the more time he spent with Kev, the more his old friend was getting on his nerves. Some people you eventually outgrew. Kev was one of them.
‘This is Vegas, man, freakin’ Vegas!’ Kev said, venting his frustration. ‘Land of pussy an’ cream.’
‘So go get yourself some,’ Billy suggested. ‘Me – I’m headin’ back to the hotel.’
‘Why’d you wanna do that?’ Kev complained. ‘We should be out there rippin’ up this town, tearing it to shreds.’
‘Like I said, you’re on your own. You don’t need me.’
‘Why not?’ Kev said, sensing that a fun evening of debauchery was slipping away from him. ‘You’re a pussy magnet. The girls cream their panties just lookin’ at you.’
‘Thanks, Kev,’ Billy said grimly. ‘Exactly the description of my talent I was jonesing to hear.’
‘It’s a freakin’ compliment, man,’ Kev insisted.
‘Yeah, yeah. Pussy catnip,’ Billy said, getting more irritated by the minute. ‘Just the compliment I was hoping for.’
‘Don’t take it the wrong way,’ Kev said, finally realizing he was pissing Billy off and that it was time to backpedal.
‘What way should I take it, Kev?’
‘Okay, okay, I get it, we’re on our way back to the hotel.’
‘You can stay here an’ do your thing, it’s not like I need an escort.’
‘Yeah, I think you do. All those bachelorette parties goin’ on in the hotel lobby. You need me t’run interference.’
Billy’s cell buzzed. Turning his back on Kev, he fished it out of his pocket and answered.
‘Hey,’ said Max, sounding very young and very excited. ‘It’s me. What are you doing here?’
* * *
Although Jorge was quite a dancer, after a while Denver could tell he was dying to talk. She was very adept at reading people, and this poor guy seemed so damn desperate, as if he was in way over his head and didn’t quite know what to do.
‘How long have you and Venus been together?’ she asked, not really interested but making conversation anyway.
‘Today. Tonight,’ Jorge said with a helpless shrug. ‘Not sure about tomorrow.’
‘Well, if Venus invited you to Vegas with her, then she must really like you,’ Denver said encouragingly.
‘She ignore me,’ Jorge said glumly. ‘In front of people she treat me like pet. Like little dog.’
‘Oh dear,’ Denver said sympathetically. ‘That’s not okay.’
‘She not even introduce me,’ Jorge complained. ‘Like I no matter.’
‘Venus is a big star. I’m sure she doesn’t mean it.’
‘We see,’ Jorge said resignedly. ‘I come long way to be in America, to make success here.’
Then, whether she wanted to hear it or not, Jorge launched into the story of his life.
Denver realized she was trapped, but at the same time she felt sorry for him, so she remained on the dance floor and listened.
* * *
Frankie Romano in all his boastful glory was quite a show.
‘What up?’ he said to Bobby and M.J., happy to see them.
‘Same old,’ M.J. replied, exchanging a quick fist pump with his old friend.
‘Hey,’ Bobby said, repeating the gesture. ‘Long time no see.’
‘You two guys, you never change,’ Frankie said, his left eye twitching. ‘Sonofabitch! You both smash it out the park. A coupla