Read Online Goddess of Vengeance by Jackie Collins - Free Book Online Page B

rolled a twenty-dollar bill.
    Was he living the dream or what? After splitting with his longtime live-in – Annabelle Maestro – he’d figured he was done for a while. But after watching Annabelle shine as a TV personality, he’d gotten pissed and reconnected with Rick Greco – a former teen idol who’d parlayed his dead career into a successful gig as a club promoter. ‘We gotta open a club together,’ he’d informed Rick. ‘We can fuckin’ own this town between the two of us. Who do you think got Bobby Santangelo’s New York club off the ground? It was fuckin’ me, man. All me.’
    Which was not at all the truth, but what did he care? Frankie could spin a masterful story. The truth was he’d been a deejay in Bobby’s club, and that was about it. He’d also had a lucrative sideline selling overpriced designer drugs, and then there was the very successful business he’d created with Annabelle, running call girls. Unfortunately everything eventually had crashed and burned. Luckily he was Frankie Romano, therefore nothing fazed him.
    Rick Greco had taken to the idea of going into business with Frankie. Frankie had a big mouth and a big personality, and that’s what the club business needed – a front man who knew everyone and made them feel important.
    Frankie didn’t know everyone, but he was a fast learner, and he certainly knew the club business. So Rick had put together a group of investors, hence the birth of River. It was a new club, but Frankie was determined to make it as successful as Mood in New York and Vegas. Screw Bobby and M.J. They’d both deserted him just when he’d needed them. Bobby all cosy with his Deputy D.A. girlfriend, and M.J. with his hot sexy little wife. Fuck ’em both.
    Unfortunately Rick had not made him a full partner. Rick had come up with the weak excuse that since Frankie wasn’t putting up any money, it was not possible. So he’d had to settle for a percentage. But he’d soon figured out a way to make his own personal score.
    Seeing Max Santangelo had made his night; he’d always had eyes for Bobby’s hot little sister. But when he sensed he wasn’t about to get anywhere with her, he’d switched his attention to her cute friend – which wasn’t a bad thing, because Cookie had a famous father – soul-icon Gerald M. And it soon occurred to Frankie that if he started dating Cookie, the tabloids would immediately latch on, and he too could hit the rags.
    It was a plan.
    Frankie liked having a plan.
    *   *   *
    ‘I’m giving you my schedule,’ Lucky informed Max. ‘I’ll be taking off for Vegas tomorrow, staying there until after your party. I’ve got a board meeting of investors on Friday, and other business to take care of.’
    ‘Sounds like a fun time.’
    ‘Don’t knock it, Max, ’cause one day you’ll understand how much fun it can be running your own business.’
    ‘Not me,’ Max said, shaking her head.
    ‘What do you want to do then?’ Lucky asked, slightly exasperated that Max didn’t seem to have much drive.
    ‘Dunno,’ Max said with a casual shrug. ‘Gonna live life an’ find out.’
    Sure , Lucky thought. You’ll find out all right. Things are not always as easy as they seem.
    ‘Anyway,’ she continued, ‘you’ll find three e-tickets to Vegas on your computer for you, Cookie, and Harry. The five o’clock flight on Thursday.’ A beat. ‘Are you sure you’ll be okay in the house by yourself?’
    Will I be okay? Max thought. Hot shit! This is totally rad. I’m planning my own party. No parents. Lose the housekeepers. It’s all one big green light. I cannot wait.
    ‘Mom,’ Max said scornfully, ‘it’s only for like one night. I think I can manage that .’
    ‘Is Ace coming into town?’ Lucky inquired.
    Why was Lucky always carrying on about Ace? Did she think he was such a good influence? ‘Dunno,’ she muttered. ‘Maybe.’
    ‘You should invite him to your party in Vegas.’
    ‘Sure,’ Max said, checking out a