Goddess of Vengeance - Jackie Collins [79]
Lucky rose to her feet, her dark eyes flashing danger signals. She’d had it with this expensively clad douche bag. ‘Get the fuck out of my hotel, moron. And never bother coming back. Because if you ever do, I promise you’ll regret it.’
Before Armand could reply, Fouad managed to hustle him out the door.
As far as Fouad was concerned, this was one deal that would never happen.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Arriving at The Keys, Max felt as if she was coming home, for she knew the place as well as their Malibu house. She’d swum in every pool, availed herself of all the spa facilities, eaten in every restaurant, shopped in every high-end shop, and explored the lush gardens countless times. She had her own suite in the hotel, on a special floor reserved strictly for family and friends.
Lucky’s apartment was off-limits. ‘It’s my haven of peace and quiet,’ Lucky had explained when she’d started spending time in Vegas. ‘It’s a no-kids zone unless invited.’
At first Max was furious when her mom had informed everyone of the rule. But then again – her mom was Lucky Santangelo, and everyone knew that Lucky did things her way. Now Max was totally into the fact that she could come and go as she pleased, and have her friends to stay whenever she wanted. It was a way cool situation, except when her younger brothers were around, Gino junior, and her step-brother, Leonardo. Fortunately the two boys were gone for the entire summer, travelling around Europe with a guardian. It was Lennie’s idea that they got a view of life other than Beverly Hills and Vegas. Max was psyched to be rid of them; they were both younger than her and major annoying, especially when they all ended up having to spend time together in Vegas.
Bobby had arranged to have his Lamborghini waiting for him at the airport, so the moment they arrived he and Denver had taken off. An SUV and driver collected Max, Harry and Paco, and headed straight to the hotel.
‘Are you sure Paco is gay?’ Max whispered to Harry on the drive to The Keys. ‘He doesn’t seem as if he is to me.’
‘Shh . . .’ Harry scolded, his pale face turning bright red. ‘That’s such a random thing to say.’
‘Only asking,’ Max said irritably, thinking that Harry should be a little nicer to her considering she’d got his new friend a ride on Bobby’s plane. ‘No need to throw a fit.’
‘He’s sitting two feet away,’ Harry hissed. ‘For crap’s sake – shut it!’
Oh great. What a birthday this was going to be. Bobby in a mood, plus Harry acting like a dick, no boyfriend, and Cookie would be all over Mister Cokeaholic when they arrived.
Fantastic fun. She may as well drown herself in one of the pools.
* * *
‘How very thoughtful of you – my favourite car,’ Denver said dryly, as she gingerly lowered herself into the passenger seat of the Lamborghini. ‘I love it because it’s so low key.’
‘Hey,’ Bobby said, with a quick grin. ‘A boy’s gotta have some toys.’
‘And you are such a boy,’ she responded. She couldn’t help laughing, because it was true. At times Bobby could be quite serious, but it was his playful streak she couldn’t resist. The private plane, the fancy car – all big boy toys. He’d never admit it, but he had very expensive tastes.
‘By the way,’ Bobby said, revving the engine, ‘guess who I ran into at the airport in New York?’
‘Hmm, let me see . . . The Pope? The President?’
‘Very amusing.’
‘I try.’
‘Annabelle Maestro.’
‘Oh my God! Not Annabelle,’ Denver said, flashing onto her old school friend who’d always treated her like a poor relation – even though they weren’t related. And when Annabelle’s movie-star mother had gotten murdered, and Denver was involved with defending Annabelle’s famous dad, she’d still gotten treated like the poor relative even though she was a respected attorney with a top Beverly Hills law firm. ‘How is she?’
‘The same entitled bitch on wheels, minus Frankie.’
Now Denver flashed onto Annabelle’s ex – the coke-addicted Frankie Romano, who used to be one of Bobby’s best friends. ‘Well,