Lovers & Players

by Jackie Collins

  Max threw himself back into his business, ignoring the scandal that swirled around him. His multi-million-dollar commercial building project was almost completed. The Japanese bankers were so delighted that they wished to invest in any other projects he might bring them. Max had plans for several new towering apartment buildings to be built near the river. The Japanese assured him that money was no problem.

  Socially he was invited everywhere. He was rich, successful and single, so every New York hostess had him on their A-list.

  So far he had not met anyone he cared to spend time with. But it would happen. He was confident that there was someone out there who’d be right for him.

  Free at last, Diahann left the house on 68th Street and moved in with her sister for a while. Liberty wasn’t speaking to her, but Liberty was still in touch with Aretha, so Diahann felt that at least she had some connection to her daughter.

  One afternoon, out shopping for groceries, she stopped off at a used record store she’d been meaning to visit. The place was full of old-time LPs with glamorous shots of stars like Aretha Franklin and Diana Ross on the sleeves. Flipping through the albums, Diahann recalled her days’ singing at Gloria’s, and how much she’d loved it. She wondered if the club was still there, and if Gloria was looking for a somewhat rusty jazz singer.

  Why not? she thought. She could still sing, she looked okay, and she wasn’t even forty, so why not? Shivering with excitement just thinking about it, she chose a Billie Holiday album, and took it up to the counter.

  ‘This is out on CD,’ the young girl behind the counter informed her.

  ‘That’s not what you’re supposed to say in a store that sells old records,’ the owner of the store said, emerging from an office in the back. He was tall and nice-looking very black and very familiar.

  ‘Leon?’ Diahann questioned, recognizing him immediately.

  ‘Diahann?’ he said, his face lighting up.

  She nodded.

  He beamed.

  It had been twelve years, but within two weeks they were living together again.

  It took several arduous months for Chris to painstakingly restore his house to its pristine state, but once it was done, it was worth it. Then, a few weeks later, he received a call from Gianna.

  ‘I am in ’Ollywood,’ she announced, in her charming accent. ‘I am doing beeg movie. I play the Italian girl.’

  Surprise. Surprise.

  ‘You called me once, a while ago,’ he said. ‘Then I never heard from you again.’

  ‘I didn’t want to bother you, Chris, with your family–how you say?–difficulties. My English bene now, sì?’

  ‘Sì,’ he answered, smiling, because he was genuinely pleased to hear from her.

  A few days previously, sitting in his office with Birdy Marvel–currently engaged to a raunchy rock ’n’ roller–the sexy young singer had leaned across his desk and said, ‘Like, what you need, dude, is some fun. You’re getting so freakin’ serious in your old age.’

  Old age indeed! He was only thirty-three.

  Now here she was. Gianna. On the phone. And she represented fun with a capital F.

  ‘How about dinner tonight?’ he suggested.

  ‘Is good,’ she said.

  ‘Is very good,’ he agreed. ‘Where are you staying?’

  ‘L’Hermitage.’

  ‘I’ll pick you up. Eight o’clock suit you?’

  ‘Bene, Chris. Molto bene.’

  That was a few months ago, and they’d been together ever since. Nothing serious. Just fun.

  Sitting in her dressing room, waiting to appear on The Tonight Show, Liberty picked up the phone and called her mother. She’d heard all about Diahann reconnecting with Leon, and she was pleased for her. She hadn’t seen Leon since she was seven, but she remembered him as a great guy–always looking out for her.

  A man answered the phone.

  ‘Leon?’ she said tentatively.

  ‘Is that my baby girl?’ he responded warmly. ‘My partner in long walks through the park an’ all those visits to the zoo?’

  ‘Yes, it is,’ she said, smiling. ‘And guess what? I’m all grown-up.’

  ‘So I notice. Your mama’s got that photo of you from the front of your CD all around our apartment.’

  ‘I’m really glad you and Mama are back together,’ she said, genuinely meaning it.

  ‘You’re glad,’ he said fervently. ‘How you think I feel after all those years without her?’

  ‘Well, you left.’

  ‘She threw me out, baby girl, ’cause I wasn’t in a marryin’ mood.’

  ‘Are you in a marrying mood now?’ Liberty asked, still smiling.

  ‘You bet I am. Only your mama ain’t.’

  ‘Is she around?’

  ‘Hold on. She’s sure gonna be happy t’ hear from you.’

  Penny, one of the record company’s publicists assigned to look after her, came into the dressing room.

  ‘Give me a minute,’ Liberty said, waving her away.

  ‘Sure,’ Penny said. ‘I’ll go check out the Green Room, see who the other guests are.’

  Liberty waited patiently for her mother to pick up. Speaking to Leon had summoned up a lot of memories. She remembered the three of them sitting around listening to Leon’s record collection. They’d made sure she was exposed to the best–Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Al Green. Great early influences. Then there were the special nights when Leon and Mama had sung their duets for her. They’d seemed so happy together.

  ‘Libby? Is that really you?’

  Her mama’s sweet voice, and she wanted to hug her, because it can’t have been easy, and now it was definitely time to put the past to rest.

  ‘Yes, Mama,’ she said softly, ‘it’s me.’

  Amy and Jett were sitting in the back of a limo on their way to The Tonight Show. Chris had invited them as they were visiting L.A. and Gianna was appearing on the show.

  ‘I am so not jealous,’ Amy said.

  ‘You’re sure?’ Jett asked.

  ‘Why would I be? I like her.’

  ‘You do?’

  ‘Well, I did when I met her. Granted that was over a year ago, but I’m sure she can’t have changed.’

  ‘I liked her too.’

  ‘Now, wait a minute.’

  ‘Hey,’ he said innocently, ‘nothing wrong with liking someone. An’ now she’s with Chris, so everything’s cool. Right?’

  ‘You bet right,’ Amy said sternly. ‘Let us not forget you are a married man, Mr Diamond.’

  ‘Yes, Mrs Diamond.’

  ‘You have responsibilities.’

  ‘I certainly do.’

  They both grinned and exchanged a hug.

  ‘I suppose she’s considered a movie star now,’ Amy remarked.

  ‘Not after one movie, which hasn’t even opened yet.’

  ‘She’s beautiful enough to be one,’ Amy said wistfully.

  ‘You’re more beautiful,’ Jett insisted.

  ‘Liar!’ Amy said, blushing.

  ‘I mean it.’

  She glanced at their driver, sitting ramrod straight behind the wheel. ‘How do you close the privacy panel in this car?’ she asked Jett, lowering her voice.

  ‘Huh?’

  ‘Can you close it?’

  ‘Oh, I get it,’ he said, leaning forward to press the button. ‘We’re gonna make out in the back of a limo. It’s our Hollywood thing–kinda rite of passage.’

  ‘Honestly, Jett!’

  ‘What?’ he said, reaching for her as the dark glass slid into place, cutting them off from the driver. ‘Don’t you wanna make out?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘So?’

  ‘First I have something to tell you.’

  ‘Go ahead.’

  ‘We’re pregnant,’ she whispered.

  ‘Come again?’

  ‘Pregnant. You, Mr Diamond, are about to become a daddy.’

  ‘Holy shit!’ he said, breaking out an enormous grin. ‘Daddy J
ett.’

  ‘Yes,’ she said softly, kissing him. ‘Daddy Jett.’

  Penny, the publicist, returned to the dressing room exactly five minutes later.

  ‘Gotta go, Mama,’ Liberty said, into the phone. ‘Don’t forget to watch.’ She clicked off.

  ‘Nervous?’ Penny asked.

  ‘I’m trying not to be.’

  ‘The rehearsals went well,’ Penny said briskly. ‘Kevin Eubanks seems charming.’

  ‘Hmm…’ Liberty murmured, happy that she’d had a really nice conversation with her mother. They’d arranged to get together as soon as she got back to New York. She couldn’t wait. And she’d see Leon–how great was that?

  ‘There’s a guy in the Green Room who wants to stop by and say hello,’ Penny said, helping herself to a Diet Coke.

  ‘Who?’ Liberty asked, adjusting her leather gown.

  ‘He’s here with his girlfriend, Gianna–she’s a guest on the show.’

  ‘Who is he, Penny?’

  ‘Uh, Chris Diamond. Says you know him.’

  Chris Diamond. This was a surprise.

  She was silent for a moment, trying to decide what to do.

  Well…since she was mending bridges, why not see him?

  ‘Okay.’ She sighed. ‘Where is he?’

  ‘I’ll go get him,’ Penny said. ‘Unless you want to make the trek to the Green Room and meet him there.’

  ‘No. Bring him here.’

  ‘Sure,’ Penny said.

  This was turning out to be some night–first her mom, now Chris Diamond. Over the past year she’d often thought about her three half-brothers and the little sister she’d never met. Somehow or other she’d locked herself into a mindset that they wanted nothing to do with her.

  Now Chris Diamond was here at The Tonight Show, and he was asking to see her.

  She attempted to compose herself while Penny went to fetch him. What was she supposed to say to him? It was such an insane situation.

  Chris burst into her dressing room, not giving her a chance to say anything. ‘Y’ know, this is ridiculous,’ he said. ‘And I want to start right here–right now–to get to know you.’

  Penny, immediately behind him, rolled her eyes and mouthed, Who-is-this-guy? Shall-I-get-rid-of-him?

  ‘That’s okay, Penny,’ Liberty said quickly. ‘Give us some privacy.’

  Penny frowned, backed out and shut the door.

  ‘So,’ Chris said, ‘we’re blood. Unfortunately it’s Red’s blood, but we can get over that.’

  ‘We can?’ she said unsurely.

  ‘Yes,’ he said firmly. ‘And you should know, up-front, that this is not about the money.’

  ‘I don’t want the money,’ she said. ‘I never did.’

  ‘Well, it’s yours and Lulu’s to do whatever you like with.’

  ‘I’d like to give it away to different charities who need it more than I do. I can make my own money–I don’t want his.’

  ‘Fine with me.’

  ‘Yes?’ she said tentatively.

  ‘It would drive Red crazy, so I’m all for it.’

  ‘Good.’

  ‘Then that’s taken care of. And now, in the future, I’d like to get to know the sister I never had. Can we do that?’

  She smiled, a small smile, but it was a start. ‘I think I can definitely say I’d love it.’

  As soon as Chris left, Penny put her head round the door. ‘Okay to come back?’

  ‘Sure,’ Liberty said.

  Penny was dying to find out who Chris was, but she managed to restrain herself, as Liberty didn’t seem in a talkative mood. However, she couldn’t stop herself saying, ‘Handsome guy.’

  Liberty nodded.

  ‘I just found out that Jay Leno might stop by the dressing room,’ Penny said. ‘He usually tries to greet his guests personally before they go on.’

  Oh, great! Something else to make her feel nervous.

  ‘Do you mind if I take a little alone time?’ Liberty murmured.

  ‘Absolutely,’ Penny said. ‘Get your head together. You’ve got at least an hour before you go on. I’m on my cell–call when you need me.’

  Liberty nodded again, and once more Penny took off.

  As soon as she was alone, Liberty checked out her reflection in the full-length mirror. Various stylists had attempted to change her look, but she’d insisted on keeping it simple. Her hair, long and dark, fell past her shoulders. Her make-up was sexy and seductive, and she’d elected to wear the Versace leather dress from her L.A. photo shoot with Chip. The moment she’d started making money, she’d tracked it down and bought it. She referred to it as her lucky dress.

  Five minutes later there was a knock on the dressing-room door. She prepared herself to meet Mr Leno. Jay Leno. The Jay Leno–a man she and Cindi had grown up watching on TV.

  ‘Come in,’ she called.

  And he did. Only it wasn’t Jay Leno. It was Damon. And he was carrying a huge bowl of purple and white orchids. ‘Delivery,’ he said, cool and casual. ‘Where do you want ’em?’

  ‘Damon!’ she gasped, totally surprised. ‘What are you doing here?’

  He placed the orchids on a table. ‘You’re my artist. You record for my label. So I kinda figured that I should be the one to tell you that your CD hits number one next week. You’re knocking off Eminem and Mariah Carey–so I guess we can safely say you’ve made it. Here,’ he said, thrusting a large manilla envelope at her. ‘Read this.’

  ‘Another contract?’ she asked, struggling to remain in control of her emotions.

  ‘Kinda. Sorta,’ he said casually. ‘Read it.’

  ‘Not now,’ she said, because she didn’t need this–she was nervous enough about appearing on Leno.

  ‘Now.’ A long beat. A long look. ‘I’m askin’ nicely.’

  She stared at him for a moment. He was still as handsome as ever, with his close-cropped hair and diamond stud earring. Tonight he had on white–white suit, white silk T, thin black leather belt with a diamond buckle and the usual Nikes. Damon had a style that was all his own.

  ‘If you insist,’ she said, tearing open the envelope.

  ‘Thanks,’ he said.

  ‘What is this?’ she asked, after a few moments of reading.

  ‘You don’t get it?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘A signed, sealed and witnessed agreement between me and Tash.’

  ‘Your wife?’

  ‘Now you’re gettin’ there,’ he said, giving her a long intimate look.

  ‘How come you’re showing it to me?’ she asked, quite puzzled.

  ‘It’s a property agreement dividing up our assets.’

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘Y’ see, when I married Tash, I didn’t think it was cool to start askin’ her to sign a pre-nup an’ all that shit. So now that I’m gettin’ a divorce, I wanted it all worked out up-front. I’m givin’ her half of everythin’. That way she’ll let me walk away clean.’

  ‘She will?’

  ‘Oh, yeah. No hassle. No bad vibes.’

  ‘Can I ask why you’re doing this?’

  ‘You really mean to tell me you don’t know?’ he said quizzically.

  ‘No. I don’t know,’ she said, thinking, Damon is getting a divorce!

  ‘It’s all ’cause of you, baby.’

  ‘It is?’ she asked, feeling light-headed and slightly breathless.

  ‘Yeah. I kinda got your message.’

  ‘Um…what message would that be?’

  ‘That I couldn’t play hit it an’ run with you. That you, LL, are a total commitment. So…if you’re still interested, I’m makin’ myself available. An’ these papers prove I ain’t talkin’ whack. We together on this?’

  ‘Yes, we’re together,’ she whispered, trying to stop the shaking in her heart.

  ‘Then it’s all good. An’ I was thinkin’ that after you’re through with the show tonight, my plane is waitin’ an’ so is Cabo. Seems like a plan to take up where we left off.’ A long beat.
‘Y’ know what I’m sayin’? You an’ me–Cabo?’

  ‘Separate rooms?’ she teased.

  ‘No freakin’ way.’

  ‘Then, Damon,’ she said, her spirits soaring, ‘I’m on.’

  About the Author

  Jackie Collins is one of the world’s top-selling writers, with more than four hundred million copies of her books sold in more than forty countries. Her twenty-five bestselling novels have never been out of print, and have all been New York Times bestsellers. She lives in Beverly Hills, California. Visit her website at www.jackiecollins.com

  Also by Jackie Collins

  Lethal Seduction

  Hollywood Wives–The New Generation

  Deadly Embrace

  Hollywood Divorces

  Thrill!

  L.A. Connections–Power, Obsession, Murder, Revenge

  Hollywood Kids

  American Star

  Rock Star

  Hollywood Husbands

  Lovers & Gamblers

  Hollywood Wives

  The World Is Full Of Divorced Women

  The Love Killers

  Sinners

  The Bitch

  The Stud

  The World Is Full Of Married Men

  Married Lovers

  THE SANTANGELO NOVELS

  Lady Boss

  Lucky

  Drop Dead Beautiful

  Dangerous Kiss

  Vendetta: Lucky’s Revenge

  Chances

  First published in Great Britain by Simon & Schuster UK Ltd, 2005

  First published by Pocket Books UK, 2006

  This edition published by Pocket Books UK, 2009

  An imprint of Simon & Schuster UK Ltd

  A CBS COMPANY

  Copyright © Chances Inc, 2005

  This book is copyright under the Berne Convention.

  No reproduction without permission.

  ® and © 1997 Simon & Schuster Inc. All rights reserved. Pocket Books & Design is a registered trademark of Simon & Schuster Inc.