Hollywood Husbands

by Jackie Collins

  Jackie Collins started writing as a teenager, making up steamy stories her schoolmates paid to devour. Her first book, “The World is Full of Married Men,” became a sensational bestseller because of its open sexuality and the way it dealt honestly with the double standard. After that came “The Stud,” “Sinners,” “The Love Killers,” “The World is Full of Divorced Women,” “The Bitch,” “Lovers And Gamblers,” “Chances,” and then the international sensation, “Hollywood Wives” — a #1 New York Times bestseller, which was made into one of ABC’s highest-rated miniseries starring Anthony Hopkins, Stefanie Powers and Angie Dickinson.

  “The Stud,” “The World is Full of Married Men,” and “The Bitch” were also filmed — this time for the big screen. And Jackie wrote an original movie, Yesterday’s Hero, starring Ian McShane and Suzanne Somers.

  Readers couldn’t wait to race through “Lucky,” her next book — a sequel to “Chances” — and the story of Lucky Santangelo, an incredibly beautiful, strong woman, another New York Times number one. Oprah had one word for the book “Lucky,” and that was — “Hot!”

  Next came the bad boys of Hollywood in the steamy “Hollywood Husbands” — a novel which kept everyone guessing the identities of the true-to-life Hollywood characters.

  Jackie then wrote “Rock Star” — the story of three rock superstars and their rise to the top, followed by the long-waited sequel to “Chances” and “Lucky” — “Lady Boss” — tracking the further adventures of the smart and powerful Lucky Santangelo as she takes control of a Hollywood studio.

  Both “Lucky” and “Chances” were written and adapted for NBC television by Jackie, who also executive produced the highly successful six-hour miniseries Lucky/Chances, starring Nicollete Sheridan and Sandra Bullock. In the nineties, she produced and wrote the four-hour miniseries, Lady Boss, which became another huge ratings success for NBC. Lady Boss starred Kim Delaney.

  Next came “American Star,” a love story, which the Los Angeles Times described as “classic Collins.” Then the dangerously close to the truth “Hollywood Kids” — a story of power, sex, danger and ambition among the grown offspring of major celebrities. In the late nineties “Vendetta – Lucky’s Revenge” was published — and became an immediate New York Times bestseller.

  And later, Jackie hosted her own daily television show for CBS, Jackie Collins Hollywood. A combination of fun, style and interviews, Jackie talked to everyone from George Clooney to Jennifer Lopez.

  After that she wrote “L.A. Connections” — a four-part serial novel published one per month — “Power,” “Obsession,” “Murder” and “Revenge.” Then came “Dangerous Kiss” — the return of Lucky Santangelo in a bestselling novel about relationships, addiction, fear and lust.

  In 2000, “Lethal Seduction” became the first bestseller for Jackie Collins in the new millennium. This tale of erotic suspense and glamorous intrigue featured Madison Castelli, a character first introduced in the “L.A. Connections” series. “Hollywood Wives – The New Generation” became a blockbuster bestseller in 2001, following in the footsteps of the original “Hollywood Wives.” “Hollywood Wives – The New Generation” featured a brand new cast of characters and a totally fresh perspective on how women pursue power, love, sex, and success in Tinseltown today.

  In 2003 Jackie produced the TV movie of Hollywood Wives – The New Generation for CBS. Wives starred Farrah Fawcett, Robin Givens, Jack Scalia and Melissa Gilbert. In June 2002, New York flash, L.A. trash and a Mafia don meet head-on in “Deadly Embrace.” This sexy tale of dangerous passion and suspense features heroine Madison Castelli and is both a prequel and a sequel to her adventures in the bestselling “Lethal Seduction.”

  In 2003 came another New York Times bestseller, “Hollywood Divorces,” the story of three very different women. Followed in 2005 by “Lovers and Players” — a story of family conflicts, three brothers and their billionaire father, a beautiful heiress, a hip-hop mogul, Russian call girls, illegitimate children and two murders. This all takes place over seven days in New York, and yet again hits the New York Times bestseller list.

  “Drop Dead Beautiful” was published in 2007. Lucky is back, bolder and more beautiful than ever. In “Drop Dead Beautiful” Lucky meets old friends and enemies, and deals with her wild teenage daughter, Max, who is as stubborn and strong as her mom. Lucky plans to return to Las Vegas and build an amazing billion-dollar hotel complex. But when she does… the trouble really begins… Next came “Married Lovers,” a powerful look at the ins and outs of marriage in L.A. It’s also the story of an under-age Russian girl who becomes involved in the sex trade, and eventually arrives in Hollywood and causes major trouble.

  “Poor Little Bitch Girl” was another New York Times bestseller. The story of three very different women who all went to high school together. Denver Jones — a twenty-five-year-old kick-ass associate lawyer in L.A. Carolyn Henderson — assistant to a powerful married Senator in Washington. And Annabelle Maestro — daughter of movie star parents, who has carved out a niche for herself as a much-in-demand New York madame running call girls. And then there is Bobby Santangelo — Lucky’s Kennedyesque hot sexy son, with mucho style, great looks and plenty of money. Everyone wants Bobby… Throw into this mix a raunchy agent, a sixteen-year-old gangbanger’s girlfriend, an older superstar on the prowl, a lethal murder… and “Poor Little Bitch Girl” becomes a guilty pleasure for everyone to enjoy.

  Jackie’s next novel “Goddess of Vengeance” is the continuing adventures of Lucky Santangelo — much beloved by Jackie’s legion of readers — who makes a triumphant return in this story of lust, power and revenge set between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. The Daily Mail called “Goddess of Vengeance” “The book of the year.” Also returning in “Goddess of Vengeance” are Lucky’s sexy son, Bobby, with his girlfriend Denver, and Max, Lucky’s wild little teenage daughter. Along for the thrilling ride is Armand Jordan, and to quote Jackie — “Armand is the nastiest villain I have ever created. But he was fun to write!”

  And then comes the sexy sun-drenched thriller, “The Power Trip,” set on a state of the art luxury yacht off the coast of Cabo San Lucas. A tropical getaway with a cast of global power brokers and celebrities. In “The Power Trip” you will meet Aleksandr Kasianenko, a billionaire Russian oligarch, as he sets sail on The Bianca with his sexy supermodel girlfriend, whom The Bianca is named after. Also five dynamic, powerful and famous couples invited on the yacht’s maiden voyage: Hammond Patterson, a driven Senator, and his lovely but unhappy wife, Sierra. Cliff Baxter, a charming, never-married movie star, and his ex-waitress girlfriend, Lori. Taye Sherwin, a famous black UK footballer and his interior designer wife, Ashley. Luca Perez, a male Latin singing sensation with his older decadent English boyfriend, Jeromy. And Flynn, a maverick journalist with his Asian renegade female friend, Xuan. You will also meet Russian mobster, Sergei Zukov, a man with a grudge against Aleksandr. And Sergei’s Mexican beauty queen girlfriend, Ina, whose brother, Cruz, is a master pirate with orders to hold The Bianca and its illustrious rota of guests for ransom. “The Power Trip” explores the decadent playgrounds of the super rich… and leaves you hungry for more. Take it if you dare…

  After “The Power Trip” came “Confessions of a Wild Child” — the super adventures of Lucky Santangelo as a wild, out-of-control teenager with aspirations to follow in the footsteps of her father, the notorious Gino Santangelo. In “Confessions of a Wild Child” Lucky explores the world of boys, sex, rock n’ roll, and becoming the strong and sexy woman she is today.

  “The Lucky Santangelo Cookbook,” out now, is a different kind of cookbook, that Jackie describes as “decadent and delicious!” Full of mouth-watering recipes and lethal drinks, plus special exclusive scenes between the Santangelo family, great food photos, and original illustrations of Lucky.

  Jackie’s latest novel, “The Santangelos,” was just released in June. An epic saga about the entire Santangelo family — Lucky still rules. In this 9th
book about the family, Lucky is dealing with a powerful enemy, a drug-obsessed Colombian, her teenage daughter, Max, who is in Europe becoming the new “It” girl, and her son, Bobby — who gets set up for a murder he didn’t commit. Passion, revenge, sex and power… it’s all happening!

  Currently Jackie is working on a new novel, bringing back Flynn from “The Power Trip.” She is also writing her autobiography — “Reform School or Hollywood,” and a coffee table photo book filled with celebrity photos she has taken over the years.

  Jackie has three daughters and lives in L.A. She refers to herself as a popular culture junkie and TV addict. Her hobbies are music — everything from soul to rap, taking photographs and visiting exotic locations so that she can write about them later.

  Jackie has always believed that truth is much stranger than fiction.

  DEDICATION

  To my many loyal and wonderful readers

  who have faithfully followed The Santangelo Family for years.

  I wish you nothing but love and peace.

  Oh yes, and remember—

  Never fuck with a Santangelo!

  Prologue

  The King of Akramshar—a small but wealthy Middle Eastern country located between Syria and Lebanon—ruled his oil-rich country with an iron fist. And although King Emir Amin Mohamed Jordan embraced many old-fashioned values and traditions, he also implemented his own rules and they were harsh.

  The king had countless wives and over thirty children. In his mind they were all useless. Women were only good for two things—giving birth and being at his sexual beck and call. As for his offspring—some of them grown men—they were all disappointments. The only son who’d given him any pleasure at all was his dear departed son, Armand—a worthy successor to the king’s coveted crown. And Armand was gone. Murdered by the American infidels. A bullet to the head in a degenerate American city called Las Vegas.

  The king’s fury was boundless. How could this have happened? And why?

  King Emir had given Armand a royal funeral fit for his favorite son. His people had lined the streets, heads bowed, showing their respect as so they should. Several of his many sons carried the solid gold casket on their shoulders. Peggy, Armand’s American mother, his widow, Soraya, and Armand’s four children walked solemnly behind. The women, including Peggy, wore traditional robes covering their entire bodies. While the king rode on a white stallion, resplendent in a gold trimmed uniform, waving to his people.

  King Emir was a man who believed in revenge. And who exactly was to blame for the unfortunate demise of his favorite son, shot to death like a dog?

  King Emir had his own ideas. Armand had been trying to buy the very hotel he was murdered in—The Keys—a hotel owned by a woman. That a woman could actually own a hotel was ridiculous, but even more ridiculous—according to Peggy—the woman had refused to sell her property to Armand, and on top of that she had insulted him to his face, and the king had no doubt that it was she who had arranged for Armand’s brutal murder.

  King Emir simmered with fury, while dark thoughts of revenge filled his head. Justice had to be done.

  But how?

  Kill the woman? Take her life exactly as she had taken Armand’s?

  No. That was not punishment enough. The woman had to suffer, her family had to suffer.

  This was a given.

  For almost a year, King Emir had been busy putting plans in place—for his rage would rain down on the offensive American mongrels. And they too would feel the pain of a terrible loss.

  CHAPTER ONE

  LUCKY

  The Keys was Lucky Santangelo Golden’s dream hotel, but sometimes one can dream bigger, and Lucky had decided that she should create something even more special. She was at a place in her life where she felt ready for a new challenge. Everything was running smoothly, her kids were all doing well. Bobby, with his chain of successful clubs. Max, busy making a name for herself in London as an up and coming model. Young Gino junior and Leo (Lennie’s son she’d adopted) were ensconced in summer camp, while her father, Gino, was happily living out his days in Palm Springs with his fourth wife, Paige.

  So Lucky had decided it was time to shake things up and she’d come up with the idea of building a hotel/casino/apartment complex plus a movie studio. This was something nobody had done before. Why not? It was a brilliant idea.

  When she’d told her film-maker husband, Lennie, he’d thought it was a crazy concept, although certainly do-able. The movie community would love it. Everything in one place. And it wasn’t as if Lucky was a newcomer to making movies, she’d owned and run Panther Studios for several years. She was the Lady Boss. Lucky Santangelo could do anything she chose to do.

  Today she was lunching with a team of architects that she was considering hiring. One of her favorite moves was testing people, observing their strengths and weaknesses, deciding if working with them would be calm or stressful.

  Danny, her trusty assistant, accompanied her on the way to The Asian, an elegant Chinese restaurant located in her hotel.

  Danny was one of the few privy to the fact that she was plotting and planning on building yet another fantastic Vegas complex. Danny got it—he understood that The Keys—a truly amazing combination of grand hotel, luxurious apartments and one of the best casinos in Vegas, was simply not enough for her. As usual his dynamic boss wanted more.

  The moment Lucky entered the restaurant conversation stopped and people stared. They couldn’t help themselves, Lucky had a magnetic charismatic quality about her. She radiated a presence full of beauty, power, passion and strength. A lethal combination.

  Danny relished every minute of the way people reacted when they saw Lucky. She deserved the attention. She was a true star, an incredibly smart business-woman who could achieve anything she set her mind to. The thing about Lucky was that she needed to be collaborative, but she also needed to be in control. Nobody told Lucky Santangelo what to do. Her motto was—“If I’m going to fail, I’ll fail on my own mistakes, not on someone else’s.” Her other motto was—“Never fuck with a Santangelo.”

  Danny had both mottos engraved on two coffee mugs that sat in the kitchen of his L.A. apartment along with his somewhat mangy cat, Ethel.

  They were lunching at The Asian, because although most meetings took place in the boardroom, other times Lucky liked to see for herself how efficiently everything was running. Danny could just imagine the panic taking place in the kitchen. Ms. Santangelo is in the house, everything has to be perfect.

  Lucky strode through the restaurant, unaware of the buzz of excitement she was causing. The two men and the one woman she was meeting with jumped to their feet as she approached. Danny detected much nervous tension.

  Lucky immediately put them all at ease. “How’s everyone today,” she asked, flashing them a dazzling smile.

  Everything about Lucky was dazzling—from her wild mass of long dark curls, her deep olive skin, and her black as night eyes. Lucky was ageless, she exuded sex-appeal, she always had.

  “All the better for seeing you,” one of the men managed. He was balding and nervous, a trait many people exhibited when meeting Lucky for the first time.

  Directing her attention to the female of the group, an attractive black woman in her early forties, Lucky said—“You must be Nina, I’ve heard many positive things about your work. In fact, I should tell you that you’re the main reason I requested this meeting.”

  Danny watched the men shrivel. He knew what they were thinking—Nina worked for them, not alongside them. She was a junior partner in their firm, but Lucky had insisted they brought Nina to the meeting. Ah yes, Lucky was all about female power—it pleased her to see other women succeed.

  Nina blossomed, she was full of ideas that Lucky seemed to be into, and the meeting went well once the two men realized that Nina could turn out to be an asset, not a threat.

  “If we get together on this,” Lucky announced at the conclusion of lunch, “then I expect Nina to head up your te
am. How do you feel about that?”

  The men nodded. This could be an enormous project, and if Lucky Santangelo wanted Nina, that’s exactly who she’d get.

  Danny escorted Lucky out of the restaurant, reminding her of the agenda for the rest of the day. She had more meetings, a drink with her friend, superstar Venus, who was currently shooting a movie in Vegas, then a late night flight back to her other home in L.A.

  Lucky divided her time between her Vegas penthouse and her Malibu beach house. In Vegas it was mostly work. In Malibu she could sit back and relax—especially when Lennie was home—which wasn’t always the case. Like his wife, Lennie was a workaholic. Once a stand-up comedian and then a movie star, his current passion was writing, producing and directing his own independent movies.

  Lennie spent a lot of time on location.

  Lucky spent a lot of time in Vegas.

  Time apart boded well for their marriage. They had never been happier—for when they were in the same place things were as steamy as the first time they’d gotten together. It helped that Lennie was a master of Tantric sex, and that Lucky had always maintained a wild streak in the bedroom. It amused her when married people complained about their sex life being boring. Didn’t they realize that it wasn’t their sex life—it was them—allowing themselves to fall into a state of lethargy and disinterest? Nothing like disinterest to put the brakes on adventures in the bedroom.

  After more meetings, Lucky felt in need of a drink. She was looking forward to seeing Venus, once so close, over the last year they’d kind of lost touch. Lucky understood why. First of all, Venus had abandoned her latest toy-boy and hooked up with Hugo Santos, a Venezuelan avant-garde filmmaker who obviously saw the platinum blond superstar as much more than a luscious world famous sex symbol. He’d moved in on Venus big time, and taken over her career. She was currently playing a drugged out whore in his gritty movie “Woman.”