Goddess of Vengeance - Jackie Collins [125]
These were the thoughts running through Annabelle’s head as they entered the villa, but they came to an abrupt halt when she saw the two half-dressed women lounging on stools by the bar.
‘Good evening, ladies,’ Armand said, not at all surprised that he had company.
Ladies! Was he kidding? These two were straight off Forty-Second Street on a bad night.
‘Hello there,’ Luscious said, greeting the client in what she considered a suitable manner. ‘Nice t’meet you.’
Seducta, who’d imbibed a little too much free vodka, burped discreetly.
Armand gave Annabelle a sly look. The expression on her face was all that he needed to fuel his sexual desire. He walked behind the bar and opened a bottle of champagne. Had to celebrate, for this was about to be an evening to remember. It was his personal celebration of what he knew was destined to happen to Lucky Santangelo.
Eventually.
It was a done deal.
All he had to do was arrange it.
* * *
The phone rang in Peggy’s suite. She immediately thought it was the messenger service she’d ordered to transport her samples to the DNA testing lab, who, for a price, had agreed to work on a weekend, enabling her to get fast results. Only in Vegas.
However, it was not the messenger service, it was Paige Santangelo.
‘I wanted to make sure you got back to your room safely,’ Paige said, her voice husky and intimate.
‘I certainly did,’ Peggy replied. ‘And thank you so much for a delightful dinner.’
‘I’m glad you were able to join us,’ Paige said. ‘It’s always nice to have new company. Spending time with Gino can sometimes be . . . difficult.’
‘Difficult, how?’
‘Gino is old, he’s set in his ways. When he was younger he was quite a dynamo.’
Oh yes, I know! Peggy thought.
‘Anyway,’ Paige continued with a deep sigh, ‘Gino’s not the man he used to be – if you understand where I’m going.’
Where are you going? Peggy wondered.
‘Can I be frank?’ Paige said after a long pause.
‘Certainly,’ Peggy replied, wondering if the messenger was on his way.
‘The sad fact of life is that sexually Gino no longer satisfies me.’
And here it comes, Peggy thought. She’s been heading in this direction all night, and I was too preoccupied to get it.
‘I see,’ Peggy said calmly.
‘Do you?’ Paige asked, sounding anxious.
‘Do I what?’
‘Do you understand that I have needs that are not being fulfilled, and I am getting the feeling that you might be in the same position.’
Peggy realized that she was being propositioned, and although it was not by a man, it was flattering all the same. Her sex-life had been dead on arrival since Sidney’s passing, so what would be wrong with indulging in a little Sapphic lovemaking? It wasn’t as if she hadn’t experienced another woman before, albeit a long time ago – during her fantasy life in the King’s palace. Paige might be older, but so was she. And they were both attractive, well-preserved women.
‘Your silence is making me uneasy,’ Paige said. ‘So why don’t we forget I said anything. I will—’
‘No,’ Peggy interrupted, a sudden recklessness flooding her senses. ‘I . . . I understand exactly what you’re saying . . .’ A long pause. ‘If you care to drop by for a nightcap, I would be delighted to see you.’
* * *
‘I didn’t know you were expecting company,’ Annabelle said, pointedly waving a stream of smoke away from her face as Seducta blew a series of smoke rings into the air.
‘These women are not company,’ Armand replied, drinking champagne. ‘They are paid-for whores here to entertain us. They will do whatever we want.’ A beat. ‘Does that excite you, Annabelle?’
She thought for a moment, realizing that she was heading onto dangerous ground. This was not what she’d expected, not at all. However, if she planned on nailing Armand, it seemed as if she would have to join the party or make a fast exit.
‘’Scuse me,’ Luscious said, hopping off her bar stool with an indignant expression. ‘We’re paid for, but that don’t mean you gotta