Dangerous Kiss (8 page)

'Is that an ordeal?' Mary Lou asked.

'Not really,' Lennie said. 'Alice has mellowed as she's gotten older. Years ago she used to be something else. My dad was a comedian in Vegas and Mom was a stripper - Alice the Swizzle. We were quite a family!'

'Wow!' Mary Lou exclaimed. 'Your mom was a stripper. Didn't that give you hang-ups with women?'

'Not really. I guess it could've, though. Never thought about it.'

'I love how you and Lucky first met,' Mary Lou said, sighing. 'It's so romantic, what with you both being married to other people and all.'

'Well, you know the story. Things worked themselves out. She left her husband and I split up with my wife. Then Lucky and I got together, and neither of us has ever looked back.'

'You're a great couple,' Mary Lou pronounced.

'Same goes for you and Steven.'

Mary Lou grinned, totally happy. 'I know.'

Chapter Fifteen

Instead of leaving as she wanted to, Brigette allowed Lina to talk her into making a round of the clubs. Lina insisted, although Brigette would have been much happier at home, in bed, watching TV.

Fredo continued to pay her plenty of attention, but she tuned him out. She was too busy thinking about the men in her life and how dangerous they'd all turned out to be. Sometimes, when she was alone, her thoughts drifted to Tim Wealth and how he'd lost his life because of her. His gaunt face haunted her. Oh, sure, he'd taken advantage of her youth and treated her badly, but he hadn't deserved to die for it.

Tim Wealth was her recurring nightmare.

Lina kept on pleading with Carlo to dance with her. 'I do not dance,' he said politely, dismissing her with an elegant wave of his hand.

'Then I guess I'll 'ave to make do with you, Fredo,' Lina said, jumping up, her long lean body already moving to the beat. 'Let's go show 'em how it's done,' she said, dragging him on to the crowded dance floor.

Brigette stared straight ahead, her mind still on Tim.

'What are you thinking?' Carlo asked, sliding along the banquette, getting uncomfortably close.

She noticed that he had hardly any accent at all, and she wondered where he'd learned English. Lina was right, he was a babe, only she was totally uninterested.

'Oh… stuff,' she replied vaguely, sipping more champagne because he made her nervous.

'You are different from other girls,' he remarked.

'What "other girls" did you have in mind?' she asked flippantly.

'Every time I come to New York, Fredo attempts to impress me with his model friends. They are usually quite stupid. Beautiful but dumb.'

'Now that's a myth,' Brigette said, annoyed that he would lump every model into the same category. 'All models are not dumb.'

'I can see that now,' Carlo said, his probing ice blue eyes making her more and more uncomfortable.

She took another gulp of champagne. 'Uh… I'm quite tired,' she said. 'Would you mind if I took a cab home?'

'It's still early,' Carlo pointed out. 'Besides, I cannot allow you to go home alone.

A gentleman would never do that.'

'Nobody minds,' she said, feeling suddenly hot and flustered.

'I do,' he said, putting his hand on her arm.

His touch made her even more nervous. She edged away. 'Y' know,' she said, struggling to stay sober, 'Lina really likes you.'

'I like her too,' he answered mildly. 'That doesn't mean I have to be with her, does it?'

And then his eyes were all over her again, and she didn't know what to do. For the first time in a long while she felt a slight flicker of something. Was it attraction? Fear? Too much champagne? She wasn't quite sure.

She stood up from the table, swaying slightly because she was not used to drinking so much. 'I absolutely have to go,' she said, feeling dizzy and lightheaded. 'Please say good night to everyone for me.'

He stood also. He was much taller than she, and he had extremely broad shoulders. He smelt of some masculine scent that she found quite intoxicating.

'I will escort you home and come back,' he said.

'I told you, it's not necessary,' she said, panicking slightly as the room began to spin.

'I will be most insulted if you don't allow me to do this.'

Who cares? she wanted to scream. Who cares if I insult you?

'Come,' he said, taking her arm. 'I will have the maitre d' inform our friends that I shall return shortly.'

What could she do? Lina and Fredo were on the dance floor, lost in a sea of gyrating bodies. And she knew if she didn't get out of there fast she might faint.

'Okay,' she said at last, knowing she should have said no, absolutely not, but somehow or other, Carlo had managed to penetrate her defenses.

They got into a cab outside the club and rode in silence to her apartment. She closed her eyes and almost fell asleep. When they arrived she leaned across the seat and attempted to shake his hand. 'Thanks for bringing me home. Good night.'

'An Italian gentleman would never allow a lady to go up to her apartment alone,'

he said. 'I will escort you to your door.'

'No, please,' she protested, getting out of the cab. 'I'm perfectly safe.'

But he was already right behind her.

They walked into the building together, past the night porter, into the elevator and up to her apartment. She fumbled in her purse for her key, found it, and couldn't fit it in the lock.

Very gently he removed the key from her trembling hands and inserted it himself.

Before she knew it he was in the apartment with her.

Why are my hands shaking? she thought, furious with herself. Why am I allowing him to cross the line?

She hit a light switch. Her apartment was all pale beige and marble, with huge Moroccan pillows scattered across the floor, oversized coffee tables, Tiffany lamps and real art on the walls.

'You have a most interesting style, Brigette,' he said. 'May I fix us a drink?'

'I'm sorry,' she said quickly, feeling even more disoriented and dizzy. 'I can't let you stay. Lina's waiting for you, so's Fredo. You've got to get back to the club.'

And she turned away.

Her mistake. He grabbed her from behind, surprising her completely, turning her towards him, crushing his mouth down on hers so hard that she could barely breathe.

She struggled to get free, but as she did so a strange thing happened - her body reacted in such a way that she found herself unable to resist. It was almost as if she were powerless.

'Why are you doing this?' she managed.

'Because we both want me to,' he said, and immediately began kissing her again.

This was crazy. She'd held out all this time, and now suddenly here was this stranger, this Italian who lived in London, and he was kissing her, and she was incapable of fighting him off.

Too much Cristal. No more drinking for you, young lady.

'Carlo, you've got to go,' she said, finally summoning the strength to push him away.

'Why?' he said calmly. 'Are you married?'

'No, of course not.'

'Engaged?'

'No.'

'Do you have a boyfriend?'

'I don't.'

'Then what is stopping us? Are you a lesbian?'

'That's ridiculous…'

He thrust his strong hands into her long blonde hair and concentrated on her mouth.

She tried to pull back, but her body wouldn't let her. Besides, everything was spinning again…

'Brigette,' he murmured, between deep, soulful kisses. 'Ah, my sweet, adorable Brigette…'

Chapter Sixteen

It was past nine and dinner was finished.

'You've got to make your speech without Lennie here,' Steven urged. 'It's getting too late to wait any longer.'

'Where are they?' Lucky demanded, impatiently drumming her fingers on the table. 'They left the location an hour ago. It doesn't take that long at this time of night.'

'I don't know, Lucky, but you have to make your speech. You can't do it after the entertainment - half the people will have left by that time.'

'All right, Steven, don't nag,' she said irritably, signalling one of the organizers.

'I'm ready,' she said briskly. 'Let's get going.'

'Good,' said the man, relieved. 'I'll see if I can find Mr Dollar. He's making the introduction.'

'Charlie Dollar is introducing me?' she said, unable to conceal her amusement.

'Whose brilliant idea was that?'

'It was supposed to be a surprise, but uh… due to the delay we had to keep him in the back. I hope he's still here.'

'You mean you left old Charlie alone with a bottle of Scotch. That was daring!'

'If you'll wait a few moments I'll try to locate him.'

Charlie Dollar was one of Lucky's favourite people. He was a fifty-something movie star with stoned eyes, and an off-the-wall, irreverent attitude. Women loved him in spite of his generous gut, slightly receding hairline and penchant for eighteen-year-old beauty queens. He'd won an Oscar for his last movie, and kept it propped against the door of his guest toilet. Typical Charlie.

When they found him he was stoned and drunk - nothing unusual for Charlie. He swayed his way on to the podium with his usual shit-eating grin, trademark tinted shades, and a glass of Scotch in one hand, which nobody had managed to extract. He immediately began speaking.

Lucky listened with a smile as he extolled her virtues, ending up with, 'An' now…

I wanna introduce you to one of the greatest broads in this town. She's a friend.

She's a beauty. An' I love her. May I present - Lucky Santangelo.'

The audience responded to his introduction with enthusiasm, leaping to their feet and applauding heartily. Charlie was a popular number.

Lucky took a deep breath as she made her way up to the podium. She'd learned her speech, doing away with any prompters. The only disappointment was that Lennie wasn't there to hear it.

The audience were quiet as she reached the microphone, patiently waiting to hear what she had to say. She took another deep breath and started off slowly, telling them how delighted she was to be there and how satisfying it was to have helped raise so much money for Aids awareness and research. Then she related a story about two very young brothers she'd met who both had the AIDS virus, inherited from their mother who'd been infected by a blood transfusion. The two boys had convinced Lucky to become involved. 'Mark and Matthew are no longer with us,' she said quietly, 'but I do know they'd be happy to see the progress being made to find a cure.' The audience applauded. 'On a personal note,' Lucky continued, 'I have decided, after a great deal of thought, to step down as head of Panther Studios.'

This was a bombshell. The audience gasped.

'Many movies and a lot of fun later, I feel the time has come to move on and explore other things. And while I'll miss the nonstop action in Hollywood, I've decided to concentrate on my husband and family. Oh, yes, and maybe write a book about all of you.' Another gasp from the audience. 'Seriously,' Lucky continued, 'if I do decide I'm capable of writing a book, it'll be dedicated to women and how to make it in what is still mainly a man's world. I feel if I did it, anyone can. So… I guess there's nothing else to say except keep up the good work for AIDS research. Good night and thank you. I leave you with good thoughts and may the best studio win.'

Charlie was waiting to escort her off the podium. 'You're freakin' unbelievable!'

he muttered.

'I am?'

'Walkin' away from a studio when you're kickin' prime ass.'

'I'm bored.'

'Bored?'

'Movie stars are boring.'

He raised an incredulous eyebrow. 'You talkin' to me?'

'No. You, Venus and Cooper are the only exceptions.'

'Sheeit!'

'What?'

'You're crazier than me. An' that ain't easy.'

Then the press were coming at her, cameras and tape recorders on red alert; a babble of voices and questions.

She was cool and polite. 'I've said all that I'm going to say,' she murmured, moving forward, somehow making it back to her table where everyone wanted an explanation.

'Why?' Venus demanded.

'When?' Cooper questioned.

'Mom,' Bobby complained, thinking of all the benefits he'd miss out on, 'your decision sucks.'

'Thanks, Bobby,' she said evenly, 'but here's the thing of it, it's my decision, not yours.'

'Congratulations, kiddo,' Gino said, beaming. 'You make an old man proud.'

'Is Lennie here?' she asked anxiously.

'Not yet.'

'Then I guess he doesn't know,' she said, disappointed that he still hadn't shown up. She hoped nobody would tell him on his way in - that would really go down well.

Now she was regretting that she hadn't discussed it with him first because, knowing Lennie, if he heard it elsewhere, he'd be pissed - maybe even hurt.

She'd been thinking about doing it for months. Being the head of a studio took up too much time and energy. There were always decisions to be made, producers and agents on her case trying to sell her this movie, that star. Problems with back-end, development, giant egos, distribution. Since she'd taken over at Panther she'd turned the studio around, which is exactly what she'd planned on doing. She'd made several movies she was extremely proud of, movies that portrayed women as strong, independent, sexually equal beings who could achieve anything they set their minds to. And in this day of ageism and sexism, that was quite something.

Now all she wanted to do was nothing for a while.

Maybe she would write a book, it could be a challenge, and she always had relished challenges.

Perhaps Lennie would help her.

No. Bad idea. She didn't need any help.

She glanced across the table to see how Alex was taking the news. He appeared to be deep in conversation with Pia, which Lucky knew meant he was ignoring her on purpose, probably because he was pissed she hadn't confided in him.

Jeez! How many people did she have to check in with before she made a move?

She slid into her seat beside Gino, just as the David Foster-produced show commenced. The MC was the adorable and very funny Howie Mandel, who was set to introduce talented singer and producer, Baby Face, the scintillating Natalie Cole, and finally Price Washington, the superstar comedian. Quite a line-up.