Goddess of Vengeance - Jackie Collins [37]
‘How about your TV, your computer, your camera?’ Denver pointed out. ‘All valuable items.’
‘I’m hardly ripe for a robbery.’
‘Everyone should take precautions,’ Denver admonished. ‘Crime is all around us.’
‘Spoken like a true D.A.’
‘So,’ Denver said, throwing herself into the empty lawn chair beside Carolyn’s. ‘I’m dying to know – how was your walk on the wild side?’
‘Interesting,’ Carolyn said, as her front door bell chimed. She stood up and handed Denver the baby. ‘Some people ring before entering,’ she commented.
‘Some people haven’t known you since you were twelve,’ Denver replied tartly. ‘Are you expecting someone?’
‘You’ll see,’ Carolyn said, vanishing into the house.
‘I only brought enough salad for two,’ Denver yelled after her. ‘And I’m starving, so I’m not in the mood for sharing.’
Andy let out a big burp, and a dribble of drool slid down the side of his mouth. Awkwardly Denver tried to wipe it away with the back of her hand. She wasn’t used to babies; somehow the maternal gene had yet to kick in.
And then a vision appeared. A gorgeous woman with soft natural curly blonde hair, kindly eyes, and a bountiful figure.
Carolyn was right behind her. ‘Denver, meet Vanessa,’ she said briskly.
Denver was surprised and shocked. Somehow or other she’d imagined Vanessa to be big and butch with cropped hair, no make-up, and dressed in a manly leather jacket. This lovely feminine woman was the complete opposite.
‘Uh, hi,’ Denver said, embarrassed that she’d had such a clichéd view of what a lesbian should look like.
‘Hello,’ Vanessa said, proffering a firm handshake and a friendly smile. ‘Carolyn talks about you a lot. It’s such a pleasure to finally meet you.’
Finally? One date and now Vanessa was acting as if they were in a relationship. What the hell?
‘Vanessa works for a TV production company,’ Carolyn said, smiling blissfully at her new friend. ‘Documentaries and the like.’
‘Really?’ Denver said, suddenly feeling as if she was the odd one out.
‘Yes,’ Vanessa said, swooping down to steal Andy out of Denver’s arms. ‘I’m hoping to convince Carolyn to come join us. With all her Washington experience she’d be such an asset. Will you please talk her into it?’
‘I’ll try,’ Denver said with a weak smile.
Carolyn giggled. Carolyn was so not a giggler. ‘I’m thinking about it,’ she said coyly. ‘Nobody has to talk me into anything.’
‘Well, think faster,’ Vanessa chided, and the two exchanged an intimate look.
Oh my God! Denver thought. They’re acting as if they’re already a couple. Who knew?
* * *
Lucky’s apartment in The Keys was her dream home. Not that she didn’t love the Malibu house and spending time with her kids, but her haven in Vegas was her special place; whenever she was there she felt at peace. Sometimes she needed to be alone, and sitting in her penthouse above the Strip – looking out at the sparkling lights of the city – gave her immense satisfaction. It also reminded her of so many Vegas memories.
Sometimes the memories were overwhelming, good and bad.
Picking up the house phone she called downstairs to Danny, her personal assistant. Danny was the eyes and ears on everything Vegas when she wasn’t in residence. He’d only worked for her a year, but he was quite possibly the best assistant she’d ever had. He was young, twenty-something. Gay, in a long-term relationship with Buff, his high-school buddy. And he was on top of everything. She trusted him implicitly.
‘Did Gino arrive yet?’ she asked.
‘He’s here,’ Danny responded. ‘Feisty as ever. I cannot believe how old that man is!’
Lucky smiled, thinking of her ninety-something father who never slowed down. ‘Yes, he’s remarkable, isn’t he?’ she said. Gino had his own suite at The Keys, and there was nothing he liked more than sitting in a lounge chair outside his private cabana at the pool watching all the pretty girls pass by. He had not acquired the nickname Gino the Ram for nothing. Over the years he’d certainly lived up to his reputation. Married