Goddess of Vengeance - Jackie Collins [72]
‘I’ll drink to that,’ she said softly.
And suddenly she was delighted she’d agreed to come on this weekend.
* * *
Once more they were on the move, Frankie’s Corvette roaring down the highway at full speed. Somehow or other Cookie had convinced Angry Cop they were on their way to get married, and that the sex thing he’d thought he’d seen wasn’t what it looked like, and that her daddy – Gerald M., yes, the Gerald M. – was waiting to greet them along with several camera crews and a shitload of paparazzi – only she didn’t say shitload, she cooled it with the language.
At first Angry Cop didn’t believe she was Gerald M.’s daughter, but she had proof – several photos of them together on her iPad, and a copy of his latest CD in her purse. She carried it with her at all times for just such an occasion.
Angry Cop’s wife was a fan, so Angry Cop wasn’t so angry any more, and after a short lecture on road safety, he sent them on their way with a warning to be more careful in the future.
‘You should be a freakin’ actress,’ Frankie exclaimed, full of genuine admiration. ‘That little performance you just put on was insane!’
‘I know,’ Cookie said with a less than modest giggle. ‘I’m the real shit, right?’
‘You bet your ass,’ Frankie agreed.
‘My dad taught me t’use his name whenever it would get me outta trouble. There’s gotta be some perks to being his kid.’
‘Your dad sounds like a smart dude.’
‘Not so much. When it comes to pussy he’s a total douche.’
‘I’d still like to meet him,’ Frankie said, thinking of the possibilities.
‘One of these days,’ Cookie answered vaguely.
‘Well anyway, I’m impressed,’ Frankie said. ‘I thought we were definitely gettin’ busted.’
Cookie giggled again. ‘That’s the fifth CD I’ve used as payoff. It works every time.’
‘Yeah?’ Frankie said. ‘So tell me – how many dudes you bin caught givin’ head to in a movin’ vehicle?’
‘Wouldn’t you like to know,’ she murmured mysteriously.
No. Actually he wouldn’t. Some things were best left unsaid.
* * *
Feeling sorry for herself, Max decided a Mimosa was a fine idea. So even though she didn’t usually drink, she downed two, and immediately felt light-headed.
Too bad. Nobody cared. Bobby was too busy with his girlfriend to notice, while Harry was totally locked into Paco who didn’t seem at all gay – so what was that about? Was Harry delusional? Or had something actually taken place? She hadn’t bothered to ask him, she was too caught up with all the drama in her own life.
Tears threatened to flow. Snap out of it, she warned herself. Get a grip and stop acting like a girl. You’re a Santangelo. Suck it up. So you had a one-nighter with Billy Melina. Big freaking deal.
They hadn’t used protection.
Dumb.
Super dumb.
What if she was pregnant?
The very thought shocked her sober, and she moved as far away from everyone as possible, strapped herself into a seat, closed her eyes, and attempted to shut out the world.
* * *
‘I must say, you certainly know how to put me together with the classiest of people,’ Lucky complained to Jeffrey when they met up in her office adjacent to the conference room.
‘What are you talking about?’ Jeffrey asked, looking puzzled.
‘These Jordan Development people,’ Lucky said, tossing back her hair.
‘Yes?’ Jeffrey said, clearing his throat.
‘Apparently they’re into hooker paradise and not paying.’
Jeffrey adjusted the heavy old-fashioned horn-rimmed glasses he always wore to business meetings. ‘Is there some information I should know about?’ he asked, uncomfortable that Lucky apparently knew things he didn’t.
‘Yes,’ Lucky said, moving behind her oversized Art Deco desk and sitting down. ‘If I know it, so should you.’
Jeffrey pulled up a leather chair opposite her desk. ‘And how do we know this?’ he inquired.
‘We know,’ Lucky replied, tapping her fingers on the desk, ‘because Danny is the eyes and ears of everything that goes on in my hotel. Right, Danny?’
Danny, who was busy setting up his laptop at a side table so he could record every detail of the upcoming meeting, nodded.
‘What exactly did