Goddess of Vengeance - Jackie Collins [28]
He was faithful. She simply hadn’t believed him.
One divorce coming up.
He was relieved.
Freedom meant he had his life back.
* * *
Max, Cookie and Harry were working on texting big time.
‘This is gonna be one flat way-out cool rave!’ Cookie decided. ‘We should have In-N-Out Burgers come by – I’ll organize the truck. I can use my dad’s credit card, he’ll never notice.’
‘And we should get pizza,’ Harry said. ‘Everyone’s always up for pizza. My dad has a charge at Cecconi’s. I’ll order from there.’
‘No deadbeats and losers,’ Max instructed. ‘It has to be kids we know an’ trust. An’ I don’t want anyone hangin’ around in the house – they can only use the patio, the pool, or the beach.’
‘Whatever,’ Cookie said, waving her beringed hand in the air. ‘I’m telling Frankie he can only bring way hot guys.’
Max frowned. ‘You’re inviting Frankie?’ she said, not happy at the news. ‘Why are you doing that?’
‘’Cause why shouldn’t I?’ Cookie responded, immediately combative. ‘He’s cool. He’ll fit right in. Besides,’ she added succinctly, ‘he could be my future boyfriend.’
‘Gimme a fuckin’ break,’ Harry muttered, snorting with disgust.
‘What if I wanted to invite Bobby?’ Max argued. ‘You know they kind of fell out.’
‘Bobby? Here – at our party?’ Cookie said, pulling on her dreadlocks. ‘No way. Bobby’s a killjoy – he’d stop the booze an’ all kinds of crap. He’s like your way too protective big brother; forget ’bout inviting him.’
‘Cookie’s right,’ Harry said, fingering his spiked hair so it stood up even higher. ‘Bobby’s always checking out what you’re drinkin’ an’ watchin’ out for you. It’s sick.’
‘That’s ’cause he cares about me,’ Max said, getting all defensive.
‘Well, you don’t want him caring when we’re tryin’ to have ourselves a time,’ Cookie remarked. ‘What fun is that?’
‘Yeah,’ Max admitted. ‘I suppose you’re right.’
‘You askin’ Ace?’ Harry wanted to know.
Max thought about it for a moment. Should she ask Ace? Or would he do the Bobby thing and prevent her from having fun? And she really wanted to have fun, maybe even get a little crazy. Why not? It was about time. ‘Dunno,’ she answered vaguely. ‘Maybe.’
‘Or maybe not,’ Cookie said with a knowing smile. ‘I’d keep it loose if I was you. Who knows what tomorrow night will bring. Let’s go for it all the way. Let’s PARTEE!!’
* * *
M.J. and Bobby’s Russian investors consisted of two burly men, and an exceptionally tall woman in her fifties with yellow vampire-like teeth, thick legs, and an overbearing critical attitude. Not to mention a hideous fuchsia, masculine-style business suit. She spoke in her native tongue to her two companions, and practically ignored Bobby and M.J. who were showing them around the premises.
Bobby was getting slowly aggravated. The woman was a rude piece of work, and he couldn’t stand her. However, these investors represented major money, so he attempted to stay cool.
M.J. calmed him down. ‘They’ve already agreed to put up all the money for the L.A. and Miami clubs,’ he said in a low voice. ‘This is just a courtesy visit. I got the contracts all ready for them to sign.’
Fuck ’em, Bobby thought. I don’t need their money, I could finance both clubs with my own money.
If he wanted to.
Which he didn’t.
Long ago he’d made up his mind that his success could not depend on his inheritance. For some insane reason he had it in his head that he had to make it on his own. It was something he felt strongly about.
The Russians finally finished their tour, whereupon M.J. suggested they sit in a booth so that they could sign the contracts that both sets of lawyers had already approved.
‘We sign, we sign,’ Vampire-Teeth said, scarlet lipstick caking on her thin lips. ‘Later. We come back later, see club full.’
‘Sure,’ M.J. said, all easy charm as he guided them toward the glass elevator.
‘Sure my ass,’ Bobby grumbled when they’d left. ‘I’m supposed to be on a plane to New York tonight. I’ve got meetings.’
‘Don’t sweat it,’ M.J. said. ‘I can look after them.’
‘No,’ Bobby said. ‘You’ve got too much on your