"Is the deal signed?" Lucky had asked, and finding out it wasn't, had offered Susie more money and extra points in the picture.
There was nothing like the mention of extra money to change an actress's mind. Besides, this was the opportunity Susie had been waiting for. She said yes.
In the short time she'd been at Panther, Lucky felt she'd accomplished plenty.
One of the things she'd attended to was reviewing the footage of Macho Man. If Lennie was prepared to work on it again, it was certainly salvageable.
Maybe she should cal him.
No.
Maybe he should cal her.
Just as she'd predicted, Motherfaker was failing dismal y at the box office. Although there had been a rush of business the first weekend, word of mouth soon kil ed it stone dead.
Johnny Romano was not a happy superstar.
The weekend came as a welcome break. After lunch on Saturday, Steven suggested he and Lucky take a walk along the beach.
"I wanna come too," announced Bobby.
"No," said Lucky.
"Yes," pleaded Bobby.
"No. I want to be with your mommy alone," Steven explained. "I never get to see her. This is our one opportunity."
Lucky grabbed his arm. "That's not true, big brother."
"Oh yes it is!"
"I'm here now."
"That's why we're taking a walk."
They set off along the beach.
"I'm so glad you and Mary Lou could make it. Not to mention Carioca Jade she's, total y gorgeous!" Lucky squeezed his arm. "You're right, Steven, we don't get to see enough of each other."
"She's admitting it!"
"O. K., father of the year, what else have you been up to?"
"More to the point, what have you been up to?" He studied her for a moment. "I heard about your undercover scam.
You're real y something, Lucky."
"Yeah," she said rueful y. "And look where it got me. I gained a studio and lost a husband."
Steven stopped walking. "What does that mean?" "Haven't you heard? Lennie went berserk when he found out what I'd done. He's not thril ed about my owning Panther. In fact . . ."
She hesitated. "We're talking divorce."
Steven shook his head. "No way."
"I'm afraid so."
"Your problem is you always expect to get your own way.
No roadblocks."
"Oh, like you've known me al my life, right?" "Hey--it hasn't been that long, but I feel real close to you. Having you as a half sister is an experience." "Yeah. You too. Remember when we first met? The elevator?"
He couldn't stop grinning. "Ah, the famous elevator. When we were trapped during the big New York blackout. Two strangers with nothing in common--little did we know. . . ."
"I was pissed off about Gino coming back into the country from his tax exile. And you were real y uptight!"
"Yeah, and you were a crazy one. There we were, stuck in the dark, didn't even know each other, and al you could talk about was sex--and I'm thinking to myself, Who is this insane woman I'm trapped with?" She laughed rueful y.
"That was when I was wild and young."
"Hey, Lucky--nothing's changed. You're stil the same pain in the ass!"
She gazed at him earnestly. "Is it such a terrible thing I've done to Lennie?"
"Wel . . . it's not exactly sharing a relationship, is it? Mary Lou taught me that to make a marriage work you have to do things together. Confide in each other. Don't hold back."
"So you're saying I shouldn't have surprised Lennie with Panther? I should have told him and let him be part of it."
"That's it, kid."
"Steven! You're beginning to sound just like Gino!" "Not such a bad thing."
"Can you imagine growing up with Gino as a father? Do you realize how dul and boring most people's lives are?
And I had Gino--the most exciting father in the world."
"Sorry I missed out."
"You've got him now. He loves you, Steven." She reached up and kissed him. "And so do I."
"Mutual, kid."
"Stop cal ing me kid!"
They resumed their walk.
"Do you think Lennie wil come back?" she asked wistful y.
"For sure."
"How do you know?"
"Because you're you. And no guy's gonna walk away from you."
She grinned. "Thank you, Steven. Just what I wanted to hear."
"I'm a lawyer. I give good advice."
"Am I about to get some?"
"Not that you'l listen."
"What?"
"When Lennie comes back, tel him you'l sel the goddamn studio if that's what he wants."
"Hey, hey, hey--hold on--I'm not about to become the little woman at home."
woman at home."
"Lucky--give marriage a chance. There's nothing wrong with sharing, remember that."
"I'l try."
Back at the house, Carioca Jade gurgled in her cot, Mary Lou sunbathed, and Gino slept, while Bobby dragged buckets of sand up from the beach and dumped them on the deck.
Miko gave Lucky a pained look.
"I told Mr. Bobby not to bring the sand up, but he informed me you gave him permission."
"No big deal, Miko," she replied casual y. "It's a weekend.
Let him have fun."
"If you say so, madame."
Miko certainly wasn't enjoying this influx of house guests.
But Lucky was loving every minute.
"We're flying back to America," Lennie said. "What?"
Brigette jumped with surprise. "We've only been here a short while. Why are we leaving?" "Don't you want to see Lucky and Bobby?" "Wow, I'd love to, but I thought you and Lucky weren't talking."
"You know something?" Lennie said. "Life's too short. It's about time we tried to work it out." Brigette nodded happily.
"So you and Nona get packed, and I'l take care of the arrangements. Not a word. I want to surprise Lucky. O. K.?"
The cal came at noon on Sunday. Lucky picked up the phone as she sat at the pool. Carlos Bonnatti's low, grating voice was unmistakable.
"Pay up, bitch," he said. "I'm tired of waiting. I'm giving you twenty-four hours. If I don't get my money by then--you're in deep trouble. The Santangelos have fucked with the Bonnattis long enough, an' now it's time for retribution. So pay, bitch, or you know what's gonna happen."
She didn't say a word. She replaced the receiver and glanced over at Gino. He seemed so relaxed lying in a beach chair, his head back, catching the sun, Bobby playing nearby.
Screw Carlos Bonnatti and his threats.
Lucky Santangelo wasn't intimidated by him or anyone else.
She could handle it. She'd think of a way.
Chapter 91
Tony Maglioni was a handsome, slick-haired, big-nosed hood who sat in the neighborhood corner pizza parlor and held court. Emilio made his entrance dragging Rita behind him.
"What are we doing in this piss palace?" Rita asked in disgust.
"Securing my future," Emilio replied, wondering where she'd learned such a colorful turn of phrase. "So try be nice to everybody, 'cause we're gonna score big."
Rita scowled. She was fed up with being nice to everybody.
She'd thought that when she'd final y arrived in Hol ywood she'd left al the old neighborhoods behind. Especial y Brooklyn.
Vaguely Emilio remembered Tony, even though the guy was younger than him.
"Yo, Tony!" he greeted. "Emilio Sierra."
Tony was no slouch in the remembering-names
department. He leaped up from the table. "Emilio, my man.
How ya doin'?"
"Found myself in town. Didn't wanna miss seem' ya," said Emilio.
Getting a firsthand look at Tony, it was al coming back to him. Venus Maria had liked this guy a lot. She'd had a real schoolgirl crush, trailed him for months, and eventual y nailed him in the kitchen one evening when everyone was out.
"I hear you're drivin' a cab no
w," said Emilio. "Takin' over Manhattan, huh?"
Tony laughed. "Yeah, I drive a cab. I part own it, y'know? An'
I got a few other things goin' on the side. I do O. K. An' you, Emilio--what's happenin' with you?"
Emilio shrugged modestly. "I live out in Hol ywood, an' like I'm doin' a movie. Playin' Sly Stal one's best friend."
Tony was duly impressed. So was his girlfriend, a frizzy-haired, miniskirted bimbo with cross-eyes and nice tits.
Rita gave a disgusted sigh. What was with Emilio and this Sly shit he kept coming out with?
"Mind if we join you?" said Emilio.
"Sit down, sit down," replied Tony, anxious to impress.
"This is the pizza place. I gotta piece a the action." He thrust a greasy slice of pizza at Emilio. "Eat. Enjoy."
Emilio sat down, pul ing a reluctant Rita into the chair next to him.
"Yeah, wel , I always knew you was gonna be a big shot,"
Emilio replied, gingerly biting into a stale piece of pepperoni. "No way Tony Maglioni wasn't goin' places."
Tony nodded. This Emilio was a smart gUy. "So--" he smirked--"how's your sister?"
Emilio smirked back. It was al -guys-together time. "She's doin' pretty damn good."
"Yeah, little Virginia . . ." mused Tony.
"You two used to go together, right?"
"Wel --" Tony gestured expansively--"I took her out a few times. She was a wild kid."
"Bet you didn't think she was gonna become a big friggin'
movie star, huh?"
Tony threw back his head and laughed. "Who would have guessed?"
"Ya know, if ya ever come out to Hol ywood," Emilio said, laying the bait--"Venus an' me--we got a big house there.
You could come visit us, she'd love to see ya. Talks about you a lot."
Tony looked eager. "Yeah?"
His girlfriend leaned forward. "He ain't goin' nowhere without me," she announced.
"Ya wanna shut up?" said Tony, turning on her viciously.
"You wanna keep your mouth, tightly closed? We're havin'
man talk here."
Rita wasn't about to take that. "Emilio," she said. "Let's get out of here."
Emilio didn't say a word. He kicked her under the table, warning her to be quiet.
"You know--" he continued speaking to Tony--"Venus never married. I gotta feelin' she's stil hankerin' after you. In fact, I know."
"Me?" Tony grinned, exhibiting two crooked front teeth, the only flaw in his handsome face.
"Wel , you gotta admit--you two were pretty tight for a while."
Tony gave a dirty laugh. "Nobody tighter!"
His girlfriend frowned. "Tony!" she complained. "Tel the man we're gettin' married. Go on, tel him!" Tony turned on her again. This was his opportunity, and he was taking it.
"You know what, baby? I just broke the engagement."
Chapter 92
What did you do with the mil ion dol ars, Eddie Kane?
He asked himself that question every morning when he awoke. It was a difficult one to answer. Al he knew was that he was broke. No money in the bank. No money in his pocket.
Surely he couldn't have snorted the whole bankrol ? No.
He'd had expenses. There was the house, a closetful of designer clothes, marrying Leslie, his prized Maserati. A man had to spend to make it big.
What did you do with the mil ion dol ars, Eddie Kane?
The question haunted him. Since he'd dumped Leslie he'd been on a downward spiral. Most nights he spent over at Arnie and Frankie's house, where there was always a party going on. The. Drugs were plentiful and so were the girls.
And yet . . . none of them compared to Leslie.
He thought about her a lot. Her wide eyes, luscious body, open, friendly smile.
Shit, man. She was a goddamn hooker. He'd been right to dump her.
Maybe.
But now he wanted her back, only he couldn't figure out a way to go about it and stil save face.
Maybe cocaine would help him find an answer.
Snort enough and he could come up with the answer to almost anything.
Deena established a routine at the health spa. She was svelte and limber. Her body was pampered with the most expensive lotions and creams. In fact, she was in peak condition and real y didn't need to be at the health spa at al . But that wasn't the point.
Every morning she would swim a few lengths in the outdoor pool, have a leisurely massage, and then partake of a light lunch in the dining room. After that, she made sure she disappeared into her private suite until the next morning.
A routine. Establish a routine. That was the most important thing of al . She avoided contact with the other women staying there, barely spoke to the staff, and kept herself to herself.
Natural y, everyone knew who she was.
Monday morning the new edition of Truth and Fact hit the stands. On the front page was a giant color photograph of Venus Maria and Martin, strol ing in the grounds of the Bel-Air Hotel, gazing up at each other and holding hands.
SECRET RENDEZVOUS FOR LOVERS! blazoned the
headlines.
Deena stared at the photograph for a while and knew for sure she'd waited long enough.
"Hey, yo, Dennis! It's your friend, Emilio, back in town."
Hang out the flags, Dennis thought sourly. Was there no getting rid of the guy?
"What you got for me?" he asked.
"What haven't I got for you?" Emilio replied arrogantly. "I got the real goods this time. I got her first make-out with a guy an' al the details."
"Who's the boyfriend?"
"Fuck you!"
"We can't print the story if we don't know his name."
, "I'l give you the story an' then I'l give you the name. After I've gotten my money, of course." Emilio was getting smart in his old age.
"What's the matter? Don't you trust us by now?" Dennis complained.
"I don't trust nobody," Emilio said contemptuously.
"How do I know this is genuine?"
"Am I sel ing magazines for you, or what?" Emilio demanded in disgust. "Do I have to go through a third degree every time I give you somethin'?"
"Your sister is sel ing us magazines," Dennis pointed out.
"Without her you got nothin', mate." "Shit!" Emilio said.
"Maybe I should go to the Enquirer. Could be they'l treat me better.".
Dennis sighed wearily. "O. K., let's meet," he said. "I'l listen to the details and we'l arrange a price." Triumphantly Emilio hung up.
Rita was primping in the bathroom mirror. She appeared to have moved into his apartment--her stuff was everywhere.
He hadn't noticed how it happened, but it had happened.
Emilio didn't real y mind. He'd never had a girl live with him before. Especial y one as pretty as Rita. "Your sister's mad as hel ," she said, walking into the bedroom.
"How do you know?"
" 'Cause I played your answering machine. I heard her.
She's steaming."
"She'l get over it. In fact--you know something? I got a little treat for you tonight, baby."
"What's that?" she asked, hoping it wasn't his body.
"I'm gonna take you to meet Venus. Her fag friend, Ron, is throwing a surprise birthday party for her."
"Oh, yeah?" Rita sneered sarcastical y. "She'l surely want to see you."
"I was invited," Emilio said cockily.
"When?" Rita asked, ful of suspicion.
"A while ago. You gotta remember I'm her brother. Of course she'l expect me there."
"So? Al the more reason for her to be mad."
He hated it when a woman had something to say. His father had been right. Women were put on earth for three reasons: cooking, cleaning, and fucking. End of story.
"Whadda I care? I wanna go to the party, don't you?"
Rita's eyes gleamed. "Is it a big party?"
"Big enough."
Rita nodded. Try and keep her away! "Whatever you say, Emilio
."
On Monday Deena fol owed her usual routine. After lunch she vanished to her room. Once there, she made her preparations. She took out her long black wig and the denim outfit, and final y she removed her gun from its hiding place.
Very soon she would slip out unnoticed, get into the Cadil ac, drive to the parking lot where she'd left the Ford, transfer into that, and drive straight to Los Angeles.
Tonight she was going to kil Venus Maria.
Chapter 93
Ron surveyed the scene at his house. There were people running around everywhere. It was total chaos. He turned to Ken. "I hope she's going to appreciate it," he wailed.
"They're wrecking my bougainvil ea!" "She wil ," Ken assured him. "It'l be wonderful." "It can't be just wonderful,"
Ron fretted. "It has to be the party of the year."
"It wil be."
"Do you real y think so?" Ron was a nervous wreck. It had taken so much planning and time. The good news was he'd located Martin Swanson in Detroit, and Martin had promised to fly in a day early to surprise Venus at her party.
"Wil there be any photographers present?" Martin had asked, remembering his promise to Deena. "Absolutely not!" Ron had said. "This is a private affair. We might have one of ourown photographers, but I'l make sure he has instructions not to photograph you and Venus together."
"Excel ent," Martin said. He'd just been shown the new edition of Truth and Fact. When Deena saw it, there was going to be even more trouble. But stil .. . he wasn't going to have to answer to Deena for much longer.
Ron was having a terrible time trying to decide on his seating arrangements. He wasn't place-carding the tables--
that would be too difficult. But he was giving people table numbers so they'd know exactly which table they were at.
He placed himself, Ken, Lucky Santangelo, Cooper Turner, and of course Martin, at Venus Maria's table. Maybe he'd add another major star or two.
Nervously he went outside to inspect the tent once again.
Everything looked marvelous. The tent was black with a sea of fairy lights strung around it. At night they'd look like a thousand tiny stars. The rest of the decor was black and silver, a dramatic theme Venus Maria would love. And the flower arrangements were exotic blooms imported from Hawaii.
Hawaii.
Huge screens were erected on the sides of the tent. Hidden projectors would flash giant blowup photographs of Venus Maria al night long.
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