Goddess of Vengeance - Jackie Collins [135]
Oh yeah, right. She was thinking that Armand Jordan might be the catch of the day. How wrong she was about that.
Then – on top of everything else, she’d run into Lucky’s daughter. Where was Max going at such a late hour?
Not her concern.
After paying off the cab, she entered The Keys and headed straight for the ladies room where she attempted to clean herself up. Her white Chanel skirt had a few streaks of mud on it, and she realized she should’ve stopped off and changed. Too late now, she didn’t want to miss meeting up with Eddie, so after touching up her make-up, and brushing her hair, she headed for Mood.
Armand Jordan was just a distant creepy memory.
* * *
Lennie and Alex were embroiled in one of their favourite arguments – the death penalty. Alex was for it, Lennie against, and neither of them would give an inch. Lucky had heard it all before, and since she wasn’t prepared to take sides, she moved over to sit with Venus, Eddie, M.J. and Cassie. Jorge was perched uncomfortably at the end of the table.
‘So that’s your little plaything,’ Lucky observed, checking out Jorge.
‘Not so little,’ Venus replied with a wicked grin.
‘You do know you’re ignoring him.’
‘He’ll get plenty of attention later,’ Venus said, fluffing out her platinum hair. ‘Besides, Bobby’s girlfriend was entertaining him.’
‘She was?’ Lucky said, surprised. ‘How did Bobby feel about that?’
‘How would I know? You’re his mother. And if you weren’t – believe me – he’d be next on my list of things I have to do.’
‘Calm down, he’s way too young for you,’ Lucky said with a low chuckle.
‘Sorry to disappoint, only the way I’m going, Bobby is exactly the right age.’
‘Yes, I seem to remember that you’ve always had a crush on him.’
‘This is true,’ Venus confessed with an unabashed grin.
‘At least you admit it.’
‘And you have to admit that your son is one hot catch.’
Lucky nodded. ‘You got that right, which is why he has to be careful to avoid any girls who happen to be on the make. He’s rich, he’s handsome, and he’s available.’ A thoughtful pause. ‘What do you think of Denver?’
‘Didn’t get a chance to talk to her.’
‘She seems to be making Bobby happy,’ Lucky mused. ‘I think I might like her.’
‘How nice,’ Venus drawled. ‘Maybe they’ll get married and give you a bunch of sweet little grandbabies.’
‘Get the fuck outta here,’ Lucky said good-naturedly. ‘Bobby’s got a lot of living to do before he even thinks about settling down.’
‘Ohhh . . . Momma Bear’s veree protective,’ Venus said, laughing, before adding a succinct, ‘and here comes trouble.’
Lucky glanced up to observe Annabelle Maestro approaching their table. They all knew Annabelle from her days with Frankie, her famous parents, and her very public confessional book.
‘Remember what the late great Andy Warhol said about fifteen minutes of fame,’ Venus remarked, slowing sipping a cocktail. ‘Well, this one is milking it for the number one prize. I feel sorry for her father.’
‘You feel sorry for Ralph Maestro?’ Lucky said, quite aghast. ‘Why would you feel sorry for him? He murdered his wife, for God’s sake. He should be sitting in jail.’
‘He arranged her murder,’ Venus pointed out. ‘It’s not the same.’
‘Damn!’ Lucky said, shaking her head in amazement. ‘You should go sit with Lennie – the two of you can discuss the advantages of having murderers walk the streets. What fun you can have.’
‘Excuse me, everyone,’ Eddie said, standing up as Annabelle arrived at the table. ‘I’d like you all to meet my girlfriend, Annabelle Maestro.’
* * *
‘Hey,’ Billy said.
‘Hey,’ Max responded, standing at the door to his villa, feeling a tad shy.
Loud music was blaring from the villa across from them, a lizard darted in front of her, and there was a brisk night breeze. She shivered, Billy smiled, and all was well in Max’s world.
‘Can I get a hug?’ he said, his intense blue eyes drawing her in.
You can get anything you want, Billy Melina.
‘Of course you can,’ she said, falling into his arms, immediately forgetting how much she’d been hating him.