Goddess of Vengeance

by Jackie Collins

  Naturally Seducta was up for the gig; she was always complaining that she and Mikey were one step away from the poor house.

  Lying douche, Luscious thought. She was sure that Mikey was cheating Randy out of his fair share of the drug money. Mikey was a slippery character and Luscious didn’t trust him at all. Nor did she trust Seducta, but Randy insisted that Mikey was family and would never cheat him.

  Luscious knew a thing or two about family. A mother strung out on crack, a stepfather who was always trying to slip her his limp cock, and an uncle who’d raped her repeatedly when she was twelve.

  Family indeed. They’d stab you in the back and bury the corpse if they thought they could get away with it.

  * * *

  Armand placed a ten-thousand-dollar bet on number 11. The roulette wheel spun around and 11 came up. He let his original bet ride, and 11 came up for a second time.

  He’d won three-hundred-and-forty-thousand dollars in less than ten minutes. Time to walk away.

  Or stay.

  It didn’t matter. His winnings meant nothing to him. His mind was racing on overtime. How could he go about hiring a hit man? Was it like in the movies?

  No. Of course it wasn’t. He had to be careful and think this through.

  He was in Vegas. Anything could be arranged in Vegas.

  How much for a hit?

  The money was of no consequence. Finding the right person to take care of it was all that mattered.

  Where was Fouad? Not that Fouad would approve, he was no longer the loyal lackey Armand depended on. Fouad was a weakling who couldn’t arrange anything.

  Armand needed another hit of coke. His mouth was dry, his mind was spinning. After taking a gulp of Scotch from the glass a scantily clad cocktail waitress handed him, he threw a large tip at the croupier and got up. Just as he was about to leave, a girl approached him, a pretty girl in an all-American way. She had long golden-red hair and exceptionally high cheekbones, and acted extremely confident as she slid onto the seat next to him. ‘Armand,’ she said, greeting him as if they were old friends. ‘Long time no see. Are you here for the fights?’

  ‘What fights?’ he mumbled.

  ‘Oh please!’ The girl gave a tinkly laugh. ‘I’m sure you have the best seats in the house.’

  He had no idea who she was, but she obviously knew him.

  ‘Not here for the fights,’ he said, getting up from the roulette table.

  ‘You know,’ the girl said, lowering her voice and leaning toward him, ‘I thought we had a good time together, and yet you never called.’

  ‘Ah . . .’ he said, trying to recall through a haze of too much coke where it was he’d had her – New York? London? Vegas? Or maybe she was one of the imported call girls who’d been flown in for the King’s birthday in Akramshar. ‘Did I pay you?’

  ‘Pay me?’ she said, an uncomfortable expression crossing her face. ‘Why would you pay me?’

  ‘Remind me,’ he said gruffly. ‘What’s your name?’

  Instead of being insulted she seemed relieved. ‘Ah, so many women, such a short memory,’ she trilled. ‘Annabelle. Annabelle Maestro.’

  And then it came to him. Annabelle, the daughter of Hollywood movie stars – one of them brutally murdered. She’d written a book about it, and about how – for a time – she’d acted as a madam in New York, and for the right price sold herself on occasion.

  Sure, he remembered her now. They’d met at a dinner party in New York and he’d had her in the bathroom between courses. She hadn’t minded when he’d ravished her against the cold marble of the vanity. And the next night he’d taken her to the opening of a play, then back to his apartment – where once again the somewhat raunchy sex was consensual.

  As far as he could recall she was up for anything, so of course he hadn’t called her. Where was the kick if he couldn’t humiliate her? He hadn’t paid her either. She was obviously under the impression he had not known of her past history.

  The woman was a reformed whore. The best kind. Maybe she could help him find what he was looking for.

  ‘Would you care to join me for a drink, Annabelle?’ he asked, turning to her with a plastered-on smile.

  She nodded eagerly.

  He had plans for this one.

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Although Denver liked M.J., she wasn’t that comfortable with his young, overly ambitious wife, Cassie. The girl couldn’t stop talking about herself and her burgeoning career – which, as far as Denver could decipher, had failed to take off. She’d had one shot at making a record and a few singing gigs in hotel lounges, but Cassie kept on boasting about how she was about to sign with a new agent – a man who’d promised he could jump-start a fabulous career, making her into the next Rihanna.

  This girl has no intention of staying pregnant, Denver thought. This girl has major ambition on her mind, certainly not babies.

  ‘I’m younger than Katy Perry,’ Cassie mused. ‘Way prettier than Ke$ha. And way hotter than Taylor Swift. Which means my chance of making it to the top is huge. Right, baby?’ she said, turning to M.J., finally acknowledging his existence.

  M.J. nodded, although he didn’t look too happy about his young wife’s enthusiasm for a career that had yet to happen.

  Denver could understand why. Surely he knew that there was no way he could persuade Cassie to change her mind about getting an abortion. She shot a quick glance at Bobby. His expression was impartial. One thing about Bobby – he was not into confrontations unless there was no other way. ‘I’m going to the ladies room,’ she said, rising from the table.

  ‘Me too!’ Cassie squeaked, jumping to her feet.

  ‘Talk to her,’ Bobby mouthed to Denver.

  Right, so that’s why she was in Vegas, to induce a would-be pop star into giving up her dreams and having a baby.

  Cassie beat her to it. As soon as they reached the powder room she threw her sparkly purse on the counter, turned to Denver and said, ‘Can you keep a secret?’

  Oh no! Denver thought. Please don’t make me your confidante.

  Cassie was determined. ‘Can you?’ she repeated.

  ‘Uh, not so hot with secrets,’ Denver managed, quickly ducking into a stall to escape.

  Cassie was waiting when she emerged, standing at the counter applying cherry red lip-gloss with her finger. ‘You’re so lucky to be with a dude like Bobby,’ Cassie sighed. ‘All the girls in the club are crazy for him.’

  ‘Good to know,’ Denver said, washing her hands while wondering who ‘all the girls in the club’ were. Customers? Staff? What the hell.

  ‘My friend, Lindy – well, she says Bobby’s into you ’cause you’re so smart.’

  ‘Also good to know,’ Denver said dryly.

  ‘I bet he’s a total stud in bed.’

  ‘Excuse me?’

  ‘Is he?’

  ‘I don’t think that’s anyone’s business except mine.’

  Cassie giggled. ‘You’re such a lady! I guess that’s another reason Bobby likes you. Y’know, he has a big rep for lovin’ an’ leavin’, but you’re hangin’ in there.’

  Jesus Christ! Denver thought. Why do I have to stand here listening to some young girl telling me what a stud Bobby is and how lucky I am to have him. How about he’s lucky to have me?

  ‘I’ll see you back inside,’ Denver said, preparing for a quick exit.

  ‘Wait!’ Cassie implored. ‘I need your help.’

  ‘Help?’

  ‘Well . . . kinda. Y’see, it’s like this . . .’

  And the story of her pregnancy came tumbling out – all about how there was no way she could have the baby, and M.J. was being stubborn, and what was she supposed to do?

  ‘Look, I’m not a marriage counsellor,’ Denver said patiently. ‘However, it seems to me you’ve got a choice here – have the baby and keep M.J., or go the career route.’

  ‘I know,’ Cassie agreed. ‘But all I want is for M.J. to get it. I can have a baby anytime – the career thing i
s right now. Why doesn’t he get it?’

  ‘You should speak to your mom,’ Denver suggested. ‘I’m sure she’ll advise you.’

  ‘Done that,’ Cassie replied with a careless shrug. ‘My mom doesn’t care.’

  ‘Come on. I’m sure she does.’

  ‘No,’ Cassie said, shaking her head. ‘She’d like me not to have a kid. She’s only thirty-five an’ doesn’t fancy being a grandma.’

  ‘Well,’ Denver said briskly, ‘I wish I could help you, but unfortunately I can’t. All I can say is follow your inner self and work out what you want most.’

  ‘Got it!’ Cassie said cheerfully. ‘Knew you could solve it for me.’

  Denver frowned.

  As far as she was concerned, she hadn’t solved anything.

  * * *

  ‘I think we gotta hit a strip club,’ Kev announced as they exited Asian Fusion.

  ‘No way,’ Billy replied, standing still for a minute. ‘You think I wanna be all over TMZ with a bunch of strippers tellin’ everyone how much I tipped?’

  ‘Where’s TMZ?’ Kev said, playing dumb. ‘Don’t see ’em hidin’ under a palm tree waitin’ to pounce, do you?’

  ‘Trust me. They’re everywhere,’ Billy assured him, itching to try and reach Max again. The fact that she wasn’t picking up her phone was becoming an obsession. He’d flown to Vegas, for crissakes, screwed up his entire weekend, and now she wasn’t answering her damn cell. Could it be that she was purposely blowing him off?

  ‘What’s up with you?’ Kev questioned. ‘I’ll protect you from the paps. I’m an expert at runnin’ interference.’

  ‘Yeah?’ Billy said shortly. ‘Then where were you when I was gettin’ attacked in the casino earlier?’

  ‘Those were fans,’ Kev said, as if that explained everything. ‘Fuckin’ fans who worship at your cock.’

  ‘Knock it off, Kev.’

  ‘You could’ve had any one of ’em. You know it, so do I.’

  ‘Thanks,’ Billy said caustically. ‘I think my tastes run a little higher than that.’

  ‘Not the Billy I know,’ Kev said with a knowing leer. ‘Back in the day you would’ve fucked a log if it winked at you.’

  Kev was starting to get on Billy’s nerves. Back in the day indeed. Didn’t Kev get it? Things had changed. He’d forgotten how jarring his old friend could be.

  They lingered outside Asian Fusion too long, because before he could even think of escaping, Venus stalked out in full star glory, trailed by Jorge and her two bodyguards. Alex had lingered behind attempting to hook up with the waitress.

  Billy realized there was no way they could avoid a face to face. ‘Hey,’ he managed, caught off-guard.

  For a moment he thought Venus was about to blank him. But she didn’t, she rallied, hung onto Jorge’s arm and threw him an icy, ‘Hello.’

  So much for remaining friends, which is what she’d said in a recent interview. ‘Billy and I are, and always will be, the closest of friends. I wish him nothing but the best.’

  Knowing Venus as well as he did, what she actually meant to say was – ‘Fuck that sonofabitch. I hope his career implodes and I never have to see him again.’

  ‘You’re lookin’ good,’ Billy muttered. It was all he could think of to say. One thing about Venus, she was always in spectacular shape – too much for any one man to handle.

  The dude she was clinging onto was young – young enough to not know what he was getting himself into. At thirty, Billy felt like a veteran of the star wars. Maybe he should warn the poor bastard, help him out.

  ‘Hey – Venus,’ Kev piped up. ‘Long time no see.’

  Venus gave Kev an imperious wave of her hand – her signature move when dealing with an annoying presence. She and Kev had never gotten along. When Kev was his assistant she’d insisted that Billy fire him. He hadn’t done so, which had made her resent Kev even more.

  Suddenly the theatre next door to the restaurant began hemorrhaging crowds of people. The Gerald M. concert was over, and hundreds of excited fans were on the loose.

  Venus’s bodyguards closed ranks around their precious star, and immediately began moving her off.

  Billy decided he’d better get going before he was spotted.

  Too late. A gaggle of delirious women descended on him yelling his name. Soon he was surrounded by screaming fans.

  Where was Kev when he needed him?

  * * *

  ‘I get edgy in crowds,’ Ace said, as they fought their way out of the theatre. ‘This is a freakin’ nightmare.’

  ‘Stay cool,’ Max whispered, as a fat woman inadvertently shoved her in the back. ‘It’ll soon be over. Then we’ll go find an In-N-Out Burger – that’ll put a smile on your face.’

  ‘You got that right,’ Ace said, grabbing her hand.

  ‘Shouldn’t we be heading backstage?’ Frankie said, stopping and indicating a side door where a select group of VIPs were being assembled to be escorted back to pay homage to Gerald M.

  ‘Yeah, right,’ Cookie answered vaguely. She’d hoped he wouldn’t notice, but obviously he knew the routine. Major stars always had their assistants gather together the people who merited a pass, then bring them back to the luxurious private bar where they patiently waited their turn for an audience with the star. Such bullshit.

  Frankie changed direction and headed for the side door, while Cookie pulled on Max’s arm and hissed, ‘You gotta come with us. Puh-leeze!’

  ‘Oh, for crap’s sake!’ Max complained. ‘This entire night is turning out to be all about you.’

  ‘Ten minutes,’ Cookie pleaded. ‘Then we’ll go wherever you an’ Ace want.’

  ‘What he wants is for us to be by ourselves,’ Max said, wishing she was anywhere but here.

  ‘You can do that anytime.’

  ‘Not really, considering Ace doesn’t live anywhere near me.’

  ‘He should move,’ Cookie sniffed.

  ‘Maybe he will. But tonight I have to do what he wants. He drove all this way just to be with me, that has to count for something.’

  ‘Okay, okay,’ Cookie said impatiently. ‘Ten minutes, that’s all I ask.’

  ‘Fine,’ Max sighed. ‘After that you’re totally on your own.’

  * * *

  It didn’t thrill Venus, running into Billy. She supposed he must be in Vegas for the fights. He was with his horrible friend, Kev – always a bone of contention in their marriage. She’d always suspected Kev was a bad influence, therefore she’d never trusted him. She was sure he’d always been trying to hook Billy up with random girls on the side.

  At least Billy wasn’t with that little tramp, his most recent co-star, Willow Price – famous for flashing her snatch at every photographer in town.

  Her bodyguards hustled her through the casino and into a waiting limo hovering kerbside. Jorge trotted behind them, and jumped onto the seat next to her.

  ‘Where to, Miss Venus?’ the driver inquired.

  ‘Back to The Keys,’ she said to the driver, removing Jorge’s hand from her thigh. ‘Stop at the private entrance to Mood.’ She turned to Jorge. ‘Do you dance?’

  He nodded.

  ‘Excellent, ’cause I feel like letting loose.’

  * * *

  ‘You told Cassie about the Bahamas yet?’ Bobby asked.

  ‘I’m gonna surprise her,’ M.J. replied. ‘Kinda zip her out to the airport from Max’s party. She’ll never know what hit her.’

  ‘Girls don’t like surprises,’ Bobby warned. ‘They’re into preparing and all that crap.’

  ‘Preparing what?’ M.J. said. ‘I’ll buy her anything she needs when we get there.’

  ‘If you really think that’s the way to go.’

  ‘Yeah. She’ll love it.’

  ‘Okay, she’ll love it,’ Bobby said, although he didn’t believe it for a moment.

  ‘Cassie wants me to meet up with some super-agent who’s considering representing her,’ M.J. said, signalling for the check. ‘We’re havi
ng a drink with him at The Cavendish, then we’ll swing by Mood. Okay with you?’

  ‘Sure. I’ll hold things down.’

  ‘We’ve got a lot of VIP reservations tonight,’ M.J. said. ‘Everyone’s in town for the fights on Sunday.’

  ‘And you’re not staying,’ Bobby stated. ‘What’s up with that?’

  ‘Yeah, bad timing,’ M.J. said. ‘But here’s the good news – I’m givin’ you my tickets.’

  ‘Jeez,’ Bobby exclaimed. ‘True love rules.’

  ‘Ringside, my man,’ M.J. boasted. ‘Primo position. Cannot be beat.’

  ‘Problem is, I don’t think I can use ’em,’ Bobby said, watching Denver and Cassie as they walked back to the table.

  ‘Why not?’ M.J. asked. ‘Aren’t you listening? Ringside, man.’

  ‘I’m not so sure it’s something Denver’s into.’

  ‘Exactly what am I not into?’ Denver asked, sliding into the booth.

  ‘Boxing,’ Bobby said. ‘Not your thing, right?’

  ‘How did you guess?’ she said coolly. ‘Two grown men beating each other’s brains out is hardly my idea of a brilliant time.’

  ‘Yeah,’ Bobby said. ‘I kinda had a hunch you’d feel that way.’

  ‘I’m crazy for the fights,’ Cassie piped up. ‘We’re goin’ Sunday night, yes, hon?’

  M.J. exchanged a quick glance with Bobby and nodded. ‘’Course we are. Wouldn’t miss it.’

  Denver wondered what was happening back in L.A. She missed her apartment, her dog, and her work.

  So far, Vegas was not doing it for her – she couldn’t wait to get home.

  Chapter Forty

  Luscious and Seducta set off in Seducta’s 1998 shocking pink Pontiac, her pride and joy – a wedding present from Mikey after they’d gotten hitched by a Lady Gaga lookalike six months ago after indulging in a drunken orgy with several Scottish footballers. Seducta harboured fond memories of such a special day; she’d even had the date tattooed on her ass.