Dangerous Kiss (38 page)

'If you… would like to,' he finally managed.

'Course I would, otherwise I wouldn't've asked.'

'Then… all right.'

'All right, 'e says,' Lina crowed, with a big grin. 'Don'tcha know that most men would cut off their right ball for a night with me?'

She was not very modest, but that was okay - he wasn't planning on spending the rest of his life with her. Just one night of pure, unadulterated pleasure. He deserved that, didn't he?

'I told her I thought she's doing drugs,' Lennie offered, catching Lucky on her way out of the dining room.

'What?' Lucky said. 'Why did you do that? I'm seeing her for lunch tomorrow, now you've probably frightened her off.'

'I did it in a very laid-back way.'

'How laid-back can it be when you tell somebody you think they're doing drugs?'

Lucky said, exasperated. 'What was her reaction?'

'Naturally she denied it.'

'You should've asked me first.'

'I needed your permission?'

'No… but—'

'Why does everything have to be a fight with us?' he said angrily. 'Why is it always a fucking battle?'

'There's no battle. It's you. I thought you'd recovered from the whole shooting incident, but I guess I was wrong.'

'Incident?' he said, outraged. 'Is that how you regard it? A fucking incident?'

'You know what I mean, Lennie,' she responded, regretting her choice of words.

'Anyway,' he said stiffly, 'I thought I should warn you.'

'Where is she now?'

'In the bathroom.'

'I'll try to catch her when she comes out, make sure she's not freaked.'

'I'm sure you can do it, Lucky. Let's face it, you always get your own way.'

'I'm getting a little tired of your snide remarks.'

'And I'm getting tired of always jumping to your tune.'

'Hey, if you don't like it…'

They locked eyeballs, both angry, both refusing to back down.

'… I know what I can do,' Lennie said, finishing the sentence for her.

'Fuck you, Lennie. Just fuck you!'

'Thanks. Now I know how you really feel.'

'It's like this,' Steven said.

'Like what?' Jerry replied.

'Well…' Steven said, frantically trying to think of a good enough excuse. 'You'll have to get a ride back to your hotel. There's plenty of people who'll be driving to town. Or you can call a cab.'

'Are you shitting me?' Jerry said. 'Why would I need a ride?'

'Because uh… I have to leave soon, and I know you want to hang out.'

'Of course I do. It's a Hollywood party, isn't it? There's broads a-plenty, and I don't plan on missing a thing.'

'Exactly,' Steven said. 'I have to meet with the district attorney early in the morning, she's trying to get the case put on an accelerated schedule, so I'm sure you'll understand if I split.'

'You can't stay for another hour?' Jerry said, sounding disappointed.

'You'll get along fine without me,' Steven assured him.

'What am I supposed to do? Walk up to somebody and request a ride?'

'Ask Gino. You know him.'

'Gino's eighty-seven years old. He'll be staggering out of here any moment.'

'Don't bet on it. He's a Santangelo.'

'I forgot about the freaking Santangelos,' Jerry said, raising his bushy eyebrows.

'They can walk on water, right?'

'Only Lucky,' Steven said, straight-faced.

'Yeah, yeah,' Jerry said. 'Okay, get lost, leave your friend here all by himself. See if I care.'

While Steven was talking to Jerry, Lucky grabbed Lina. 'What do you think?' she asked.

'I think I'm leaving any moment with the most gorgeous man,' Lina said breathlessly, perfectly happy.

'I'm not talking about your sex life,' Lucky said. 'And, anyway, since when was Charlie Dollar so gorgeous?'

'Not Charlie,' Lina said. 'Steven.'

'My Steven?'

'Oh, yeah, your Steven. I forgot - he's your half-bro, right?'

'Exactly.'

'I don't quite get it,' Lina said, cocking her head on one side. '

'Ow come 'e's black an' you're white?'

'Steven's mother was a beautiful black society woman with whom Gino had an affair many years ago,' Lucky explained. 'It took Steven a long time to track down his family roots, and when he did - we stuck.'

'Holy cow!' Lina exclaimed. 'Life's always stranger than fiction, in't it?'

'You could say that. Especially this situation. Now, what's your take on Brigette's husband?'

'What's yours?' Lina countered.

'I think he's after her money,' Lucky said bluntly. 'Can't you see that?'

'I wasn't exactly looking, but now that you mention it I can't help remembering what happened in New York when she thought 'e raped her.'

'Lennie thinks she might be into drugs.'

'Who? Brig?' Lina hooted. 'She won't even smoke a joint!'

'Things change.'

'All I know is that when we girls used to get together on a shoot, y' know, when everyone was doin' blow an' 'aving fun, Brig never got involved. Although, now that you mention it, she does look kind of zonked tonight.'

'We're having lunch tomorrow. Can you come?'

'If I'm not on call.'

'Good,' Lucky said. 'I've got a hunch Brigette needs us.'

Brigette ventured out of the bathroom, hoping not to bump into Lennie again.

He'd unnerved her with his accurate assessment of what she was doing. How did he know?

She wished she could shoot up right now. She needed the feeling of peace and calm it gave her.

Occasionally, in moments of lucidity, she thought about quitting. Only, when she was straight she felt so empty and alone - it was as if she was nobody, nothing, like she didn't even exist. And that Carlo was the only man who would have her because she was so worthless.

Ah, Carlo… when he was nice, he was very, very nice…

And when he was bad, he was horrid.

'Hey,' Lina said, racing up to her. 'We 'aven't 'ad a chance to get together all night.'

'Oh, hi,' Brigette said.

'Did you get an eyeful of Steven?' Lina said excitedly. 'What a babe!'

'I certainly noticed you lusting after him all through dinner.'

'Was it that obvious?' Lina said, delighted.

'Very.'

'Anyway,' Lina confided, 'he and I are making a discreet exit. And since you an' I

'aven't had any time together, I'm coming to lunch tomorrow. I've sooo much to tell you. You must've heard I'm making a movie with Charlie Dollar? Is that cool or what?'

'I'd love to see you, Lina,' Brigette said wistfully. 'I miss you.'

'You, too, sweetie. I miss working with you, 'aving you disapprove of all the things I get up to. An' I certainly miss not telling you all the good stuff. Have I got gossip!'

'I guess I was busy getting married.' Brigette sighed.

'Do you love 'im?' Lina asked. 'Do you really, really love 'im? 'Cause if you don't, get out now, girl. Make a run for it.'

'Of course I love him,' she said defensively.

'He 'asn't got you doing stuff you don't want to, 'as he?'

'What do you mean?'

'You seem kind of - I dunno… distracted.'

'I'm not distracted, I'm pregnant.'

'Yeah, well, I guess that'll do it every time.'

Brigette nodded.

'I'm outta here,' Lina said. 'Lucky will set a time and place so I'll see you tomorrow.' She gave Brigette a big hug. 'It's cool about the baby, but listen to me, girl, you gotta put on a pound or two.'

'I will,' Brigette promised.

'God!' Lina said. 'Now I gotta deal with dear old Charlie.'

'I shouldn't think he'll mind too much,' Brigette said, gesturing towards the terrace. 'He's making out with that TV actress by the pool.'

'What am I gonna do with that boy?' Lina said, rolling her eyes. 'He's, like, unbelievable. Oh, well,' she added, 'at least I don't have to say goodbye to him.'

And with that she made her way to the front door, where Steven was waiting. '

They walked outside, almost bumping into Alex, who was entering the house accompanied by a young woman and a small boy. 'Seen Lennie?' Alex asked.

Lina shook her head. 'He's around somewhere.'

'Thanks,' he said. 'Wait here,' he instructed the woman, stationing her by the door. She stood very still, the small boy clinging to her skirt while her huge eyes darted nervously around the spacious hallway.

'Don't move,' Alex warned. 'I'll be right back.' He found Lennie drinking at the bar.

'There's somebody here to see you,' he said.

'Who?' Lennie said dourly.

'Come with me and check it out.'

'Y' know, Alex,' Lennie said aggressively, 'I want you to stay away from my wife. I know what's going on, and I don't fucking like it.'

'Well,' Alex said, 'it's not really your decision whether I see Lucky or not. It's hers.'

'Fuck you,' Lennie said. 'You're the cause of nothing but trouble between us.'

'I thought you and I were friends,' Alex said.

'That's the way Lucky would like it,' Lennie responded, half drunk. 'But I know what you're trying to do.'

'Yeah, well, maybe you'd like to see what you've been doing. Follow me.'

'What the fuck is this shit?' Lennie muttered belligerently.

Spotting Lucky, Alex waved her over. 'You might want to be along for this,' he said.

'For what?' she asked.

'You'll see.'

The two of them followed Alex to the front door.

Claudia was standing where he'd left her, the child still clinging to her dress.

When she saw Lennie, her face brightened. 'Lennie!' she exclaimed excitedly. 'I have prayed for this moment so long.'

'Claudia?' he said, hardly able to believe she was standing in front of him.

'Yes, it is me,' she said.

'Jesus!' he said. 'What are you doing here?'

'I came to America to find you,' she said. 'And now that I have, I am the happiest woman in the world.'

Chapter Sixty-two

'I suppose you are satisfied,' Carlo said, his face grim.

Brigette slid along the leather seat in the back of the limo, moving as far away from him as she could. She sensed the mood he was in and did not care to be the recipient of his anger. 'The party was nice,' she said noncommittally.

'Nice for you' he said, steaming. 'You did not have to sit around and be insulted by that bitch!'

'What bitch?' she asked, with a sigh, for now it would start, the nagging and the screaming and the cold-blooded fury that somehow he'd been slighted.

'Lucky Santangelo.'

'She's not a bitch, Carlo,' Brigette said patiently. 'She's merely looking out for me.'

'Do you realize how badly she insulted me?' he said, his voice becoming loud and accusing.

'No, what did she do?'

He reached up and pressed the switch for the tinted privacy glass, cutting them off from the driver. 'She implied that I, Count Carlo Vittorio Vitti, am after your money.' A glowering pause. 'I do not need your money, Brigette, I have plenty of my own. My family goes back hundreds of years. Who are you! You're nothing.'

'My grandfather was a very well-respected Greek billionaire,' she pointed out. 'He was a friend of kings and presidents.'

'Pity that your mother turned out to be such a piece-of-shit whore,' Carlo sneered.

'Don't say that,' she cried out. 'My mother might have had her problems, but she was not a whore.'

'I abhor your attitude,' he said. 'Try to behave like the wife of a count. I gave you that honour, and you spit on it.'

'Perhaps getting married was a mistake,' she ventured bravely.

'My mistake,' he said harshly.

'Then what shall we do about it?' she said, trying to keep her composure.

The thought crossed his mind that if they were to divorce, he would certainly be able to claim millions. But why claim millions when he could control an unbelievable fortune?

'You used to be such a beauty,' he said spitefully. 'Now look at you.'

'What do you want from me, Carlo?' She sighed, tired and dispirited. 'What do you really want?'

'For you to respect me as a proper wife should.'

'I try,' she said wearily.

'Tonight you did nothing to support me.'

'What do you mean?'

'You allwed that Santangelo bitch to insult me.'

'I have no idea what she said.'

'I can assure you, Brigette, I will never allow you to see her again.'

And he determined that as soon as they got back to the hotel, he would call the airlines and book them on an early-morning flight to Europe, away from the people who dared to threaten his future.

'Slow down,' Steven said.

'What?' Lina said, half-way out of her Versace dress.

'You're moving too fast.'

'For what?' she asked, genuinely confused.

'For me.'

'I thought—'

'Don't think. Slow it down.'

Lina was puzzled. The first thing guys wanted to do was to get her out of her clothes. So what was with Steven and his request for her to slow down? She knew what she was doing. Oh, yes, and so she should, she'd been doing it since she was fourteen.

They'd walked into his house five minutes ago. 'Would you like a drink?' he'd asked.

'Champagne,' she'd answered. And when he'd gone over to the small bar in the corner of the living room, she'd started to remove her dress, thinking he'd be totally turned on. Instead of which he was asking her to slow down. Talk about being embarrassed!

She quickly pulled the top of her dress up, insecure for once. 'I have no champagne,' Steven said, still at the bar. 'Only white wine.'

'That'll do,' she said, feeling awkward, for she really liked this man, and now he probably thought she was the world's worst tramp out for a quick fuck.

He poured her a glass of wine, took a Diet Coke for himself, came over and sat beside her on the couch.

'Lina,' he said gently.

'Yes, Steven?' she said, switching from wild party girl to demure good listener.

'Always let the guy set the pace.'

'Huh?'

'You're young, famous, extremely sexy - not to mention beautiful. I'm sure you're rich, too. So, lay back.'

'I don't think—'