Goddess of Vengeance - Jackie Collins [81]
Frankie decided he wanted one of those. How come Bobby had never offered him one?
The porter entered with their bags. Frankie tossed him the hundred-dollar bill the douche at reception had refused to accept. Always good to get out the word that there was a big spender in town.
He wondered if Cookie’s magic credit card covered gambling, then smirked at the thought of losing Lucky Santangelo’s money in her casino. What a coup that would be.
Thinking about Bobby’s foxy mom, he realized he hadn’t seen her in a while, ever since he and Bobby had lost touch. Lucky and Lennie had always been laid back with him, always friendly. They were a major power couple, and a kick to be around. He decided that he should try to see more of them, invite them to his club, get reacquainted.
Yeah. This was going to be some weekend, and Frankie Romano was expecting to take full advantage of whatever Vegas had to offer.
* * *
‘Where we gonna stay?’ Kev asked as they boarded the plane.
Billy had been so intent on getting to Vegas that he hadn’t bothered to work out the details. Obviously it would not be wise to stay at The Keys. He called Bambi, his publicist, and told her to book him into The Cavendish.
‘Why exactly are you on your way to Vegas?’ Bambi was curious to know. ‘Are you going for the big fight?’
‘You know I’m not a boxing fan.’
‘Well then,’ Bambi said, ‘is something happening that I’m missing out on?’
‘Nothing but a twenty-four-hour crazy gamble with my friend, Kev,’ Billy assured her.
‘Okay,’ Bambi said, somewhat put out. ‘Only please don’t forget that you have a cover shoot for Vanity Fair on Monday.’
‘Wouldn’t miss it, Bamb.’
‘You say that now, Billy,’ Bambi lectured, worried that her star client was up to no good. ‘However, you kept the reporter from Rolling Stone waiting for three hours, then you proceeded to cut the interview short. She wasn’t happy, and I can’t say I blame her.’
‘The she who wasn’t happy was aiming to talk her way into my pants,’ Billy explained. ‘You know how it is with some female reporters, they’re only around for the perks.’
‘You’re a big boy, Billy,’ Bambi admonished. ‘Surely you can handle that sort of thing?’
‘Hey, Bamb,’ Billy said, deftly switching subjects. ‘I got a question.’
‘Yes?’
‘When your parents named you Bambi, did they expect you to be a porn star or a stripper?’
‘Billy! That’s so inappropriate.’
‘Just askin’.’
‘I’ll arrange a comped villa at The Cavendish,’ Bambi said snippily. ‘Goodbye.’ And she cut him off with a determined click.
‘What’s she look like?’ Kev immediately wanted to know, conjuring up a vision of a juicy blonde in hot pants and a nipple-revealing tank.
‘Think about her name, and then imagine the exact opposite,’ Billy said. ‘She’s a dragon lady with teeth that could bite your cock off with one fell swoop. So fuhgetaboutit.’
‘Copy that,’ Kev said, shuddering at the graphic image.
* * *
Ace had spent time at The Keys with Max on several occasions, which meant he was aware of the routine. There was a reserved underground parking section for the Santangelo/Golden family and their guests, so he drove his truck right to it. The valet parker greeted him like an old friend. After exchanging pleasantries he grabbed his overnight bag and headed upstairs in a private elevator that deposited him on the Santangelo/Golden floor. There he was met by Betty, the middle-aged concierge. Betty was armed with a list of expected guests. Fortunately he knew her, and he quickly informed her that he was Max’s birthday surprise, so not a word that he was here.
Betty nodded agreeably. After dealing with Cookie and her obnoxious boyfriend, Ace was a delight, a nice-looking young man, tall and lanky, and always polite.
‘Any idea what time Max is getting here?’ he asked.
‘Soon,’ Betty replied. ‘The Stanislopoulos plane landed twenty minutes