Goddess of Vengeance - Jackie Collins [69]
‘There is no Plan B,’ Denver responded, as they sat in the back of a town car on their way to the airport and Bobby’s plane. ‘You had your chance.’
‘Not my fault,’ Bobby objected. ‘If there’s one thing I can’t control it’s the airlines.’
‘Apparently you can,’ Denver argued. And then she couldn’t help going there. ‘Where was your plane when you needed it? And how come we’re using it today? Isn’t it a somewhat extravagant move?’
‘Questions, questions,’ Bobby teased, trying to get her to lighten up. ‘My girlfriend the D.A. gets off on asking questions.’
‘Deputy D.A.,’ Denver corrected. ‘And your girlfriend is extremely disappointed you didn’t show.’
‘But sweetheart, I tried,’ he said artlessly. ‘My intentions were on the right track.’
‘Sometimes the best of intentions don’t cut it,’ Denver pointed out, deciding that in spite of the great morning sex, she was still somewhat annoyed that he hadn’t made it in time to meet her family. ‘I really wanted you to be there – everyone was expecting you. You not turning up made me look stupid.’
‘C’mon, babe,’ he said, throwing her a quick glance. ‘You could never look stupid. You’re the smartest girl I know.’
‘Says you.’
‘You gotta stop breaking my balls,’ he insisted. ‘This is supposed to be the start of a romantic weekend, so don’t go ruining it.’
Very romantic, Denver thought, surrounded by your entire family who will be judging me to see if I’m suitable girlfriend material for the heir to – who the fuck knows what?
She let out a long, deep sigh. ‘Whatever,’ she murmured.
Bobby couldn’t help laughing. ‘Now you sound as if you’re twelve,’ he remarked.
‘Sometimes,’ she said wistfully, ‘I wish I was.’
Chapter Twenty-Four
‘Good afternoon!’ Bright-eyed and full of good cheer, the two flight attendants, Hani and Gitta, welcomed Bobby and Denver aboard the Stanislopoulos plane.
Denver had flown on it a couple of times before, but not when she’d been Bobby’s actual girlfriend. She wondered if Hani or Gitta knew that she and Bobby were now a couple, then she decided that they probably did, because they looked like the kind of women who made it their business to know everything.
Max, Harry, and Paco were already on board. Harry was in a state of delight to be sharing the pleasures of a private jet with his new friend, while Paco was somewhat in awe. Meanwhile Max had already launched into a depression about the way Billy had ended up treating her. How dare he! She wasn’t a one-night conquest. She wasn’t some random girl he could screw and walk away from. And he’d taken her virginity. Snatched it from her like a thief in the night. She was mortified.
Lurid thoughts of punishment crossed her mind. She could tell Lucky and Lennie that Billy had forced himself on her. Ha! If Lucky thought he’d done that she’d blow his balls off. Her mom took no prisoners, everyone knew that about Lucky.
Or . . . she could mention it to Bobby, who was practically ignoring her now that he had a steady girlfriend.
Crap! She hated the fact that Bobby seemed really into this Denver person. Why couldn’t he have just gone on being a player? Girls were always chasing after Bobby. With his dark good looks and appealing personality, he could take his pick. So why had he picked Denver?
After a while she decided it was time to assert her authority, show Denver who really mattered in Bobby’s life. ‘Big brother!’ she squealed, dashing toward him and flinging her arms around his neck. ‘I haven’t seen you in ages. I’ve missed you sooo much!’
A startled Bobby extracted himself from her cling. ‘You remember Denver?’ he said pointedly.
‘Oh yeah, sure,’ Max said, purposely making it sound like she didn’t.
‘Hello, Max,’ Denver said, already sensing trouble ahead. ‘It’s nice to see you again.’
‘Hey—’ Max said, with a vague wave in her direction.
Damnit, Denver thought. Now I’ve got to deal with a truculent teenager who is not at all thrilled I’ve hooked up with