The Last Don - Mario Puzo [215]
When she was safely back in her Villa, she called Cross and told him that she was on her way over.
The first thing Athena was aware of was the security. There were guards on the elevator to the penthouse suite of the Xanadu Hotel. There was a special key to unlock the elevator. The elevator itself had security cameras in the ceiling, and its doors opened up into an anteroom that held five men. One was at the elevator door to greet her. Another man was at the lone desk that held a bank of TV screens, and there were two other men playing cards in the corner of the room. Another was seated at the sofa reading Sports Illustrated.
They all looked at her with a special appraising, slightly astonished look she had encountered many times, acknowledging that her beauty was of a special variety. But it had long since failed to rouse her vanity; now it only made her aware of some danger.
The man at the desk pushed a button that opened the door to Cross’s suite, and she went in, the door swinging shut behind her.
She was in the office part of the suite. Cross met her and led her into the living quarters. He kissed her briefly on the lips and then led her into the bedroom. Without saying a word, they both undressed and held each other naked. For Cross it was such a relief to hold her flesh, to look into her radiant face, that he sighed. “I’d rather just look at you than do anything else in the world.”
In reply, she caressed him, made him kiss her, drew him down on the bed. She felt that this was a man who truly loved her, would do anything she commanded, and in return she would give him his every wish. For the first time in a very long time, she responded both physically and mentally. She truly loved him and loved making love to him. Yet she always knew he was dangerous, even to her, in some way.
After an hour they dressed and went out onto the balcony.
Las Vegas was showered in neon lights, the late sun baked the streets and gaudy hotels in a great band of gold. Beyond was the desert and the mountains. Here in time, they were isolated; the green flags of the villas hung limply in the air.
Athena held his hand tightly. “Will I see you at the movie and the wrap party?” she asked.
“I’m sorry, I can’t,” Cross said. “But I’ll see you in France.”
“I’ve noticed it’s very hard to get to see you,” Athena said. “The locked elevator and all those guards.”
Cross said, “It’s just for the next few days, too many strange people in town.”
“I met your cousin, Dante,” Athena said. “That detective seems to be a buddy of his. They make a charming pair. Losey was very interested in my welfare, and my schedule. Dante offered his help too. They were so worried about my getting to L.A. safely.”
Cross pressed her hand. “You will,” he said.
“Claudia said you and Dante are cousins,” Athena said. “Why does he wear those funny hats?”
“Dante is a nice guy,” Cross said.
“But Claudia told me the two of you were enemies since you were kids,” Athena said.
“Sure,” Cross said amiably, “but that doesn’t make him a bad person.”
They were silent, the streets below were clogged with vehicles and walking people migrating to different hotels for dinner and gambling. Dreaming of pleasure fraught with risk.
“So this is the last time we will see each other,” Athena said and pressed his hand as if to nullify what she said.
“I said I’ll meet you in France,” Cross said.
“When?” Athena asked.
“I don’t know,” Cross said. “If I don’t come, you’ll know I’m dead.”
“Things are that serious?” Athena said.
“Yes,” Cross said.
“And you can’t tell me anything about it?” Athena asked.
Cross didn’t answer for a moment. “You’ll be safe,” he said. “And I think I’ll be safe. I can’t tell you any more than that.”
“I’ll wait,” Athena said. She kissed him and then walked out of the bedroom and out of the suite. Cross watched and then went out to the balcony to see her emerge from the Hotel and onto the colonnade. He saw the car with his security guards drive her to her Villa. Then he picked up the phone and called Lia Vazzi. He told Vazzi to tighten security