Goddess of Vengeance - Jackie Collins [164]
Peggy agreed, and it was then that Fouad revealed that Armand had a wife and four children in Akramshar.
At first Peggy was horrified and shocked. How could Armand have a family she knew nothing about? Why had he never told her? It was unbelievable.
But as the news settled in, she experienced a strong feeling of excitement and anticipation.
She had grandchildren. Four of them. She was not alone, she had a family.
Peggy couldn’t wait to meet them.
On the plane to Akramshar, sitting beside Fouad and his lovely wife, Alison, she reached into her purse and took out the envelope from the DNA sample lab. She had not opened it, and now she decided she never would.
In her mind Armand was a Prince, may he rest in peace.
* * *
Ace returned to Big Bear, where he hooked up with a young, pretty waitress who came from a similar background to his. He tried to forget Max Santangelo. She wasn’t for him – why had he been fooling himself? They lived in two different worlds, and much as he’d tried to fit in, he’d finally realized it was never going to happen.
* * *
Kev became rich, or relatively so, for Ellie’s pictures caused a bidding war amongst the tabloids, and – true to her word – Ellie cut him in for half.
But Kev wasn’t happy. He’d betrayed his friend, and not only that, he’d stayed hidden in the bushes like a coward as the dude with the knife had started attacking everyone. He hadn’t even emerged to help Billy, and the guilt was killing him.
He took his money and slunk off to New York.
* * *
Ellie sold her pictures to the tabloids before talking to the police. As a potential material witness she was sternly warned that she should have come forward instead of concealing evidence. She never mentioned that there was someone with her. Kev had begged her not to say he was present, so she’d complied.
Eventually she’d hired a lawyer, pleaded innocence and handed over all her photos.
All her photos except one.
She’d captured the image of a tall African-American man in a black suit, slipping quietly into the villa as Randy emerged.
Was she the only one to see him?
Apparently so.
She placed the photo in a safe deposit-box, and wrote a note to her significant other that if anything happened to her it should be given to the police.
Ellie was nothing if not street smart.
* * *
Sam’s movie came out and was a big hit. Hollywood wanted him, and was prepared to pay for the privilege.
He still sent Denver the occasional text, but she had yet to visit him on the set.
In Sam’s mind, there was always tomorrow.
* * *
Gerald M. took off on a European tour with a Swedish blonde he’d met in Vegas. He was proud to have her visit London, Paris, and Berlin with him, countries where he was still a certified superstar. The fans appreciated the smooth soul that was the sound of Gerald M. They worshipped at his feet.
He asked Cookie if she’d like to accompany them.
She declined. Having the run of the Bel Air house all to herself was a far more tempting prospect.
Since moving on from Frankie, and hitting the street with a sexy new hairstyle, Cookie had discovered there were far more interesting prospects out there than a coked-out old loser like Frankie.
Cookie decided she wanted to be an actress, and enrolled in acting class.
Young, hot would-be actors were everywhere.
Soon Cookie was having herself a fine old time.
* * *
Dumped by a truculent, spoiled teenager, Frankie Romano drove back to L.A. determined not to sleep with any girl under twenty-one. He was part of the Hollywood club scene, for crissake. Pussy abounded. He was a star in his own world.
His drug business was out of control. Supply could not keep up with demand. He’d partnered up with a young Colombian, Alejandro Diego, who had big family connections back in Colombia, and who assured him he could keep the supply coming. Now the money was really rolling in.
Frankie loved his life. He wouldn’t have it any other way.
* * *
Max and Billy. Caught on camera for all to see. Cover of the tabloids