Drop Dead Beautiful (52 page)

“Wouldn’t miss a Lucky Santangelo event,” Charlie said, Cheshire cat grin firmly in place. “Gotta tell ya, nobody does it better.”

“Thanks, Charlie, that means a lot coming from you.”

“Gotta give props where props are due,” he said, stoned eyes checking out the possibilities.

“You are
the
most supportive friend, and I love you for it,” Lucky said, kissing him on the cheek.

“Calm down, chickadee, don’t go gettin’ all sentimental on me. I cry at the sight of emotion.”

Charlie always made her smile. “I’ll try not to,” she said.

“Just came from the lingerie rehearsal. Wowee! Hot bods in Technicolor action. Excellent move not bringin’ a date.”

“I’m sure you’ll have fun tonight, Charlie.”

“Don’t I always?” he said, another enormous grin crossing his weathered face.

“Oh yes,” she agreed. “Got no doubts on
that
score.”

Finally she made it over to Gino, who was surrounded by family and friends.

“I’m feelin’ the excitement, kiddo,” Gino rasped. “You got yourself another hit!”

“I hope so.”

“I
know
so.”

Anthony Bonar wore Armani. Emmanuelle wore Tramp of the Day. Irma wore a dazed expression. Francesca wore a faded black dress and an embroidered shawl. The Grill wore an ill-fitting suit and a threatening expression.

As a group they stood out.

Irma could not understand why Anthony was doing this to her. Surely he would prefer
not
to see her? Yet he was keeping her close, with The Grill always hovering.

The image of Luis being mutilated refused to go away— it was constant. She could see his face, hear his agonizing screams, while she’d been forced to sit there watching helplessly as her lover was butchered.

Anthony was evil, and the second the opportunity arose she was running.

It didn’t matter that she had no money and nowhere to run to. Anything was better than staying with Anthony Bonar. He was a true monster.

Susie wanted to attend the reception at the Keys. Renee wasn’t so sure it was a good idea to go, but Susie was insistent, so they went.

The first person they bumped into was Anthony Bonar,
swaggering around with his trampy-looking girlfriend in tow, while his wife and grandmother trailed behind him with the hulking bodyguard he was never without.

“What the fuck you two doin’ here?” was his opening comment.

“Why shouldn’t we be here, Anthony?” Susie replied, speaking up for once, because usually in Anthony’s presence she never said a word.

“Renee knows why,” Anthony said. “It don’t look right.”

“Nonsense!” Susie replied. “This hotel opening next to us will be excellent for business.”

“Are you fuckin’ stupid?” Anthony growled.

“As far as I’m concerned,” Susie retaliated, “there’s only one stupid person around here.”

Renee quickly jumped between them. Since when had Susie decided to take on Anthony Bonar? That was
her
job.

“Susie, dear,” she said. “Can you do me a favor and go talk to the mayor? He’s over there. I’ll join you in a minute.”

Susie threw Anthony a baleful look and walked away.

“Dumb cunt,” Anthony muttered.

“Excuse me?” Renee said.

“Dumb cunt,” Anthony repeated.

“That’s my partner you’re talking about.”

“Yeah. I know. She’s dumb an’ she’s a cunt.”

Renee stared at the man she’d had so many dealings with over the years. The man who’d bled money from her hotel and given nothing back. The man who’d always made her feel that she owed him everything. The man who’d murdered a woman and showed nothing but a cold indifference.

Payback was a bitch. A bitch Anthony Bonar was about to meet head-on.

Chapter 83

“I want to go over to Gino Santangelo, see if he remembers me,” Francesca said, pulling on Anthony’s sleeve. She’d spotted her old love across the terrace and was all set on facing him.

“Are you fuckin’
crazy?”
Anthony responded. “You’re not doin’ any such thing.”

“
Sí
, Anthony,” Francesca replied, a stubborn gleam in her faded eyes. “You and me, we go over now.”

“Aren’t you listening to me?” Anthony said, raising his voice. “Read my fuckin’ lips: No fuckin’ way.”

“Don’t you tell
me
what to do, Anthony,” Francesca raged, pointing a bony be-ringed finger at him. “
I’m
the one took you out of Italy, gave you a life, a business.
You
don’t tell
me
what to do,
I
tell you.”

“Jesus Christ, Grandma.”

“Come,” she said authoritatively.

“Keep an eye on these two,” he muttered to The Grill. “Don’t let either of them outta your sight, understand?”

“Yes, boss.”

“And you,” he said to his mistress. “Stay put.”

“Sure, honey,” Emmanuelle purred, although she had no intention of doing so. She was in heaven—she’d never seen so many stars gathered in one place. She already had her eye on Charlie Dollar. Oh yes, Charlie Dollar might be ancient, but he was still raging hot in a Jack Nicholson kind of way. And to Emmanuelle he was a sizzling superstar. She’d seen
every movie he’d ever made and she considered herself his biggest fan.

Tonight Emmanuelle was determined to score a piece of Mr. Dollar. Absolutely determined.

“Wow!” Billy said, looking around. “This is quite a star-studded event. Even
I’m
impressed.”

“I told you,” Venus replied. “Lucky sure knows how to pull ’em out.”

“Yeah, and the fact that you’re performing later has a little something to do with it too,” Billy pointed out.

“Yes?”

“Yeah, baby,” Billy said, feeling exceptionally close to her. “Face it—you’re an icon, a living legend.”

“I’m glad you said ‘living,’ “ she joked.

“You’re living, you’re breathing, you’re beautiful, and I’ve been thinking—”

“I know,” she said teasingly. “You’ve been thinking that you can’t wait to get back to the craps tables as soon as possible. How well I know you!”

“That wasn’t what I was thinking at all.”

“Hmm … let me see. You want to throw Kev a day-of-the-wedding bachelor party with strippers and lap dancers and—”

“Wrong,” he interrupted.

“Okay, I’m stumped. What
were
you thinking?”

“I was thinking if Kev can do it, why can’t we?”

“Excuse me?”

“You an’ me, babe. Why don’t
we
get married?”

She took a deep breath.
This
was a surprise. “You’re not serious?”

“Your divorce is final, right?” he said, thinking that he was expecting a more enthusiastic response.

“Yes.”

“Then there’s nothing to stop us.”

“Nothing to stop us from doing what?”

“You know, getting married.”

“Oh,
wow!
You really are serious, aren’t you?”

“Yes, Venus, I am. We’ve been together almost a year, and I’ve got a strong vibe we should give it a shot. Whaddya say?”

Before she could say anything at all, Bobby and Brigette descended on them.

“Some party, huh?” Bobby said. “Fantastic turnout. Looking forward to your show, Venus. Hope you’re planning to sing all my favorites.”

“I’ll try, but you’ll have to tell me what they are,” she replied, still trying to process Billy’s sudden desire to get married.

“You got three hours?” Bobby said. “ ’Cause if you have, I’ll tell you. By the way, you look spectacular, as always. Billy, I hope you realize you’re one
very
fortunate guy.”

“Don’t I know it,” Billy agreed.

“Y’know,” Bobby continued, “when I was twelve—”

“Stop it!” Brigette interrupted. “Venus is not interested in hearing about your teenage fantasies.”

“They were hot,” Bobby assured her. “Very, very hot!”

“Quiet!” Brigette scolded.

“Uh, Billy,” Venus said, turning to her boyfriend. “Remember that question you asked me?”

“
The
question?” he said, gulping down a glass of champagne.

“Well,” she said slowly, “I’ve been considering my answer.”

“You have?” he said, swapping glasses with a passing waiter.

“Yes,” she said, smiling. “I have.”

“And?” he said, nervous as hell, for what if she said no? If she rejected him he’d be gutted, his ego would take a giant nosedive. Christ! He’d actually proposed.

“My answer is … yes,” she said, putting him out of his misery.

“It is?” A huge grin spread across his face. “You’re sure?”

“I couldn’t be more sure.”

“What’s up with you two?” Bobby asked curiously. “Something you want to share?”

“Maybe we’ll all meet up later,” Billy said, keeping it casual. “We’ll share then.”

“Suits me,” Bobby said. “I’ll be hitting the tables right after the show.”

“So will I,” Brigette said, joining in. “What’s the point of having all this money if I can’t lose it!”

“You’re my kind of heiress,” Billy quipped, still feeling nervous but in a kind of ecstatic way. She’d said yes! Venus had said yes! He was marrying a superstar!

No. Big correction. He was marrying the woman he loved.

“Is that an offer?” Brigette joked. “ ’Cause I’m available.”

“
Now
she tells me,” Billy said, still grinning.

“Venus, is he making me an offer?” Brigette asked, all big blue eyes and innocent expression.

Venus smiled. “Right now I truly suspect that it’s highly unlikely.”

“I’m going back to the suite before the show,” Alex said. “Forgot my watch.”

“I’ll come with you,” Ling said.

“You don’t have to.”

“I want to.”

“No, you go ahead, save our seats.”

“But Alex—”

“Ling. I am perfectly capable of going to the suite by myself.”

“Very well,” she said, giving him the pissy look he couldn’t stand.

“Where’s Lucky?” he asked.

“Why?” Ling sniped. “You wish
her
to go with you?”

“Oh, for chrissakes!” he snapped. “Get over this thing you have against Lucky. I merely need to ask her how the fuck I get out of here without doing that red-carpet press shit.”

“I’m sure someone else can help you with that,” Ling
said. “It doesn’t
always
have to be Lucky.” She paused, glared at him, then added, “Or maybe it does.”

“Piss off, Ling,” he said, stalking away from her.

“Gino Santangelo,” Francesca crowed, wrinkling her forehead. “So many years, so much time. Surely you remember me?”

Peering at the old woman, Gino realized there was something vaguely familiar about her. “Sorry…” he muttered. “You’re gonna havta remind me.”

“Francesca Bonnatti,” she said, tilting her chin. “And this my grandson Anthony Bonar.”

Gino felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. Of course, Enzio’s wife, and now widow. What the hell was
she
doing at the opening of Lucky’s hotel? And he’d never heard of Enzio having a grandson named Anthony.

Why was Francesca here? And even more important— what did she want?

“Long time, Gino,” she said, her eyes vindictive and glittering with hate. “Long time—much water under the bridge,
s?”

He had nothing to say to her.

“And your daughter, Lucky, she the one built this hotel,
sí?”

Gino’s mind started racing. His onetime partner and Lucky’s godfather, Enzio Bonnatti, had arranged for the murder of his wife and son, and in retaliation Lucky had shot Enzio.

Francesca and he were both well aware of these past events. They were two families pitched against each other forever. Two endless vendettas. The Santangelos and the Bonnattis. They hated each other.

Now Francesca was standing in front of him as if nothing had happened in their dark and ominous past.

“You and me,” Francesca mused. “We go back
molti
years, Gino.”

“What do you want?” he said guardedly. “What are you doing here?”

“I come to see.”

“See what?”

“To see the end of the Santangelos,” Francesca said with a hoarse cackle. “You and your family are cursed—
maledetto
. This hotel is
maledetto
. May the ghost of—”

“Grandma, we gotta go,” Anthony interrupted, pulling her by the arm, refusing to even look at Gino.

Gino’s black eyes checked out Anthony Bonar. The man was not good news, he sensed it immediately. Gino had always possessed dead-on instincts when it came to summing people up, and this one was a bad human being, he had no doubt of it.

What the hell are the two of them doing here?
he thought for the second time.

Whatever the reason, it wasn’t good.

He should warn Lucky. Francesca Bonnatti and Anthony Bonar were unwelcome guests. It was obvious that as far as the Bonnattis were concerned, the Bonnatti/Santangelo vendetta was still very much alive.

Chapter 84

“Hi,” Ace said as Cookie opened the door to their room.

“Hey,” Cookie responded.

“Uh, is she around?” Ace asked, hovering in the doorway.

“Is who around?” Cookie asked, thinking that Max had found herself a
real
hottie, this dude was majorly
handsome
.

“The queen of England,” Ace deadpanned.

“Oh, you must mean Max.”

“Yeah, that’s exactly who I mean. I was supposed to pick her up and here I am. I put on a white shirt for the occasion. I feel like an idiot. Does it look okay?”

“It’s totally happenin’, dude, but I thought you were meeting her outside the spa.”

“Why would I be meeting her there? I arranged to pick her up here.”

“You left a message half an hour ago that she should meet you outside the spa,” Cookie said, wondering how he liked the skimpy purple dress she’d decided to wear.

“I didn’t leave a message,” Ace said.

“Yeah, the guy at the desk called and said her cousin wanted her to meet him.”

“Did you say ‘cousin’?” he said, getting concerned.

“Yeah. Max explained that you were playing some game pretending to be her cousin.”