Goddess of Vengeance - Jackie Collins [19]
Stop thinking about Bobby and get to work.
Okay, okay, I will.
* * *
‘You’re up early for you,’ Lucky said, regarding her daughter as Max came wandering outside onto the patio. The girl was all long bronzed legs, a colt-like body, her green eyes still sleep-filled, her dark hair a cloudy mess. ‘Hard day’s night?’ Lucky questioned, thinking what a beautiful child she and Lennie had created. Although Max was no longer a child, she was a young woman getting ready to take off.
‘What?’ Max mumbled.
‘A Beatles reference.’
‘Wow, Mom, you can be so obscure,’ Max complained, flopping into a chair.
‘And good morning to you too,’ Lucky said dryly.
Yawning, Max reached for a jug of orange juice.
‘What were you up to last night?’ Lucky inquired.
‘Oh wow! You’re not gonna question me, are you?’ Max said, flashing her a disgusted look.
‘Why? You got something to hide?’ Lucky replied, faintly amused.
‘Oh yeah, like anyone could hide shit around you.’
‘Nice,’ Lucky said, thinking how much Max reminded her of herself as a teenager. Restless, full of sass, yearning for adventure, determined to do things her way, yet still not quite sure of herself.
‘Sorry,’ Max allowed after a few moments of silence. ‘Crappy night.’
‘That’s okay,’ Lucky said, taking the understanding route. ‘By the way, I spoke to your brother yesterday – he sends much love.’
‘Bobby?’ Max said, perking up.
‘No, Gino Junior. He’s loving their trip, so is Leonardo. They’re currently in Switzerland, skiing mad. Apparently they’re having a fantastic time.’
‘Where is Bobby?’ Max asked, wondering if she should tell him about Frankie. Or not. He’d probably be furious at her for taking Cookie and Harry to River in the first place. But how was she supposed to know it was Frankie’s club? She wasn’t a mindreader.
‘Not sure,’ Lucky said. ‘However, I do know he’ll be at your birthday party in Vegas.’
‘Mom . . .’ Max ventured. ‘I’ve been thinking about it, and I’m not certain I want a party.’
‘Do not even attempt to back out,’ Lucky said firmly. ‘You’re going to be eighteen. It’s a big deal. Everyone will be there. Gino, Lennie, Bobby . . .’
‘Is Bobby bringing his girlfriend?’
‘Which one?’
‘You know perfectly well which one. Denver. They’re like a major hook-up.’
‘They are?’ Lucky said vaguely.
‘Oh please!’ Max said, laughing. ‘You know it.’
‘No, actually I don’t.’
‘Wow! Then you’re the only one who doesn’t. Why do you think Bobby keeps coming to L.A. when his clubs are in Vegas and New York?’
‘How do you know he keeps coming to L.A.?’
‘’Cause I just do.’
Lucky was silent for a moment. She hadn’t realized that Bobby was getting serious with anyone. Like his grandfather before him, she’d always thought that Bobby was the love ’em and leave ’em type. He was still in his twenties, too young to tie himself down. She’d met Denver maybe once, but she hadn’t taken much notice of the girl since – like all the others before her – she hadn’t thought Denver would be around for long. Apparently she was wrong. Therefore if Bobby was bringing her to Max’s party, she’d better make some kind of effort to get to know her.
What really surprised her was that Bobby was, according to Max, spending a lot of time in L.A. and not even calling.
Who was this girl? And what kind of hold did she have over Bobby?
It was obviously time to find out.
* * *
‘So you’re gonna have a baby,’ Bobby said, as he and M.J. made their way into the Art Deco glass elevator that led them upstairs to Mood. ‘That’s really something. Daddy M.J. Never thought the day would come!’
‘Yeah,’ M.J. said ruefully. ‘Kinda weird, huh?’
‘Getting married in Vegas overnight was kinda weird,’ Bobby pointed out. ‘Starting a family goes right along with