Drop Dead Beautiful (57 page)

A year into their marriage Mandy reluctantly admitted defeat when it came to Ryan’s career. He was indeed his own man, and she could do nothing to change that. At least she’d persuaded him to accept her father’s wedding gift—a house in the flats of Beverly Hills with six bedrooms, lush gardens, a pool and a tennis court. At first he’d objected. “It’s way too big,” he’d said.

“Not when we have children,” she’d replied, cannily playing the family card. “Besides, Daddy will be heartbroken if we turn him down.”

After arguing about it for a couple of weeks he’d finally given in, and they’d moved into the house on Foothill. He’d had to admit that the idea of a large family appealed to him. He’d been raised with three sisters and loving parents, so family was extremely important, and he couldn’t wait to start one of his own.

Unfortunately it was not to be …

Read on for a preview of the next thrilling installment
in the world of Lucky Santangelo

GODDESS OF VENGEANCE

On Sale September 2011 from St. Martin’s Press

Chapter 1

It was early evening and the garden restaurant was only half full. The patrons were trying to play it cool, because after all, this was L.A. and stars abounded. However, most of them couldn’t resist an occasional surreptitious glance over at Venus, the platinum blond, world famous superstar, as she picked at a chopped vegetable salad.

Sitting at the table with her was Lucky Santangelo, a dark haired beauty who’d experienced her own share of controversial headlines and scandals over the years. Lucky – the former owner and head of Panther Studios – was a businesswoman supreme, who currently owned the luxurious hotel casino and apartment complex, The Keys in Las Vegas.

The two of them made a formidable couple. In Hollywood, where looks were everything – Venus and Lucky ruled. Venus with her in-your-face blondness, startling blue eyes and toned and muscled shape. And Lucky—a dangerously seductive woman with blacker-than-night eyes, deep olive skin, full sensuous lips, a tangle of long jet hair and a lithe body.

“I’m beginning to think you’re a sex addict,” Lucky said lightly, smiling at her close friend.

“
Excuse
me,” Venus retorted, raising a perfectly arched and penciled eyebrow. “Last week you called me a Cougar, and
now
I’m a sex addict.
Seriously
, Lucky?”

Pushing back her mane of unruly black curls, Lucky grinned. “Yeah. I’m so wrong,” she drawled sarcastically. “It wasn’t
you
who slept with your twenty two year old co-star last week, and it wasn’t
you
who screwed your sixty year old director two days later.”

“Oh
please
,” Venus said, dismissively waving her hand in the air. “I’m getting a divorce, what do you expect me to do? Join a convent?”

“That might be a touch extreme,” Lucky said, smiling as she thought about Venus wreaking havoc in a convent. “But anyway—I’m sure you know what you’re doing.”

“You bet your fine ass I do,” Venus answered vehemently. “Billy is all over the internet and the magazines with that juvenile skank he’s supposedly hooked up with. Just like Cooper before him.” She paused for a long thoughtful moment. “Another cheating rat. I sure know how to pick ‘em.”

“You certainly do,” Lucky agreed, thinking that Cooper Turner, Venus’ husband before Billy Melina, was a whole different ball game. Cooper was a much older movie star with a Warren Beatty style track record, and everyone had known that Cooper would eventually cheat. Billy – not so much. Even though Billy was thirteen years younger than Venus, he’d seemed thrilled to be with her. And why not? Like Madonna, Venus was a true original with legions of worldwide fans.

“I cannot believe Billy turned out to be such a loser,” Venus said, determined to verbally trash her soon to be ex.

“Hardly a loser,” Lucky couldn’t help pointing out. “His current movie has grossed over a hundred million. Not too shabby.”

“Yeah, yeah, rub it in,” Venus snapped irritably. “Billy’s career is on fire, but as a man I can assure you he turned out to be a big waste of space.” She narrowed her eyes. “And what’s up with
you
today? Shouldn’t you be agreeing with me, not regaling me with his box office.”

“Hey – don’t say I didn’t warn you about marrying a much younger man,” Lucky responded.

“Billy isn’t
that
much younger,” Venus insisted. “Anyway, it’s sure working for Demi and Ashton. Besides, I thought you liked him.”

“I did,” Lucky said carefully. “I mean I still do. Only marrying a younger guy… it’s kind of a given that they’re bound to cheat.”

“Oh thanks!” Venus said, frowning. “When did
you
turn into Miz Cynical and a half?”

“Not cynical, merely practical.”

“Says you,” Venus snorted.

“You know I tell it like it is,” Lucky said, picking up her wine glass and taking a sip.

“Oh yes, we all know that about you. Nothing’s off limits.”

“Very true. I believe in the truth.”

“And I guess it works for you.”

Lucky regarded her brilliant friend, and wondered why any man who was fortunate enough to be with Venus would ever
want
to stray. Venus had it all – beauty, brains, and talent.

“Exactly why
are
you divorcing Billy?” she asked.

“’Cause he –”

“Cheated!” They both finished the sentence together, then broke up laughing.

“Well,” Venus said sagely. “It was fun while it lasted. Eighteen months together and six months married. Now I’m almost free again, and believe me, it’s not such a bad thing. I enjoy being on my own. Living with Billy was like doing time in a frat house. It’s such a pleasure that I don’t have to pick up dirty socks and underwear from the floor, no endless midnight snacks everywhere,
and
I get full control of the remote.”

“Surely you always had that?”

“Actually I didn’t. You know me – when I wasn’t working I was busy playing wifey to the hilt, and you can see where it got me.”

“Free to fuck your co-star,
and
your director,” Lucky pointed out. “Not so bad.”

Venus gave a wicked smile. “I know. Shame we just finished shooting.”

“You should fly to Vegas this weekend,” Lucky suggested. “It’ll take your mind off all things Billy.”

“What’s going on in Vegas – apart from your fantastic hotel?”

“A board meeting of all my investors – and since you were one of the first, it would be great if you showed your face, everyone would really love it. And – even better—I’ve decided to throw an eighteenth birthday party for Max, although the brat is driving me crazy, she’s still carrying on about moving to New York.”

“I cannot believe that Max is about to be eighteen. Little Maria, all grown up.”

“Tell me about it,” Lucky sighed. “Time goes too fast.”

“You do realize that at eighteen there’s no way you can stop her from doing anything she wants?”

“Unfortunately I understand that,” Lucky said, nodding. “And if I know my Max, she’ll take full advantage.”

“Hey—
you
were married at sixteen,” Venus said brightly. “So maybe she’ll turn out to be street smart like you.”

“Married
off
you mean, by dear daddy Gino.” Lucky said, shaking her head as if she still couldn’t quite believe that Gino had forced her into a marriage she didn’t want. “Can you imagine that Gino thought he was protecting me from my wild ways? What a joke
that
turned out to be!”

“How come you didn’t fight it?”

“I was sixteen,” Lucky said, remembering the overwhelming rush of helplessness and dread she’d felt on her wedding day. “I guess I considered myself powerless to say no.”

“C’mon, Lucky, it didn’t do you any harm,” Venus said. “Just look at everything you’ve accomplished. You’ve built hotels, run a movie studio, had three kids,
and
you’re married to Mister Amazing. Admit it, you’re goddamn superwoman!”

“No,” Lucky answered after a thoughtful pause. “I’m a woman who took chances every inch of the way. I had to fight for my independence.” A long beat. “Believe me, it wasn’t easy.”

“Right,” Venus said. “And that’s exactly why you and I understand each other so well. We both know that being a strong successful woman in this town can be a lonely and difficult path.”

“Agreed,” Lucky said. “You gotta kick ass like a guy,
and
get called a bitch for your trouble.”

“Ain’t
that
the truth,” Venus said, nodding vigorously.

“But you know something,” Lucky added. “I know who I am – and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“Me too!”

“I think we should drink to strong invincible women,” Lucky said, raising her glass.

“You got it, sister,” Venus murmured.

They clinked glasses and smiled at each other.

“I’ve been meaning to ask you,” Lucky said. “Who’s getting the apartment at The Keys, you or Billy?”

“Me of course,” Venus answered firmly. “I’ve already told my lawyer there’s no way I’m giving it up. It’s mine. Billy can go piss in the wind to get his hands on
that
piece of real estate.”

“Glad to hear it. In this world you gotta claim what’s yours.”

“Hell, yes. The apartment is in
your
hotel, and you’re
my
friend, so screw Billy.”

“Right on!” Lucky said, nodding her agreement.

After coffee and more conversation – mostly about what an asshole Billy was – Lucky signaled for the check.

A young waiter who’d been watching them all night, edged toward their table and presented it to her. Lucky threw down her black American Express card.

“I guess that means it’s your turn,” Venus said, removing a small gold compact from her oversized Chanel tote, and inspecting her flawless image. She knew there’d be a pack of paparazzi waiting for her exit, and there was nothing they liked better than catching a celebrity looking like crap. She wasn’t about to give them that pleasure.

The waiter hovered and cleared his throat. Although he was nervous, he saw an opportunity and he was seizing it – even if it meant getting fired should the manager catch him bothering a guest.

“Excuse me, Miz uh… Venus,” he ventured, stammering slightly. “I’ve uh, written a script that is
so
right for you. I was uh, hoping you might find time to read it.”

Venus threw him a look – the famous cool as an iced Martini look – her blue eyes raking him over.

Oh no
Lucky thought.
Here we go. The diva is on the loose.

Venus didn’t disappoint. “Do I
look
like an agent?” she purred. “
Really?
”

The waiter blanched, quickly picked up Lucky’s credit card plus the check, and slunk off.

“Poor guy,” Lucky said sympathetically. “He was merely taking a shot.”

“Well let him take a shot elsewhere,” Venus said grandly. “I can’t stand being harassed when I’m trying to relax.”

“Oh my God—you can be such a queen bitch!” Lucky admonished. “Wouldn’t want to get on
your
wrong side.”

“So be it,” Venus said with a wry smile. “Shall we go?”

Seventeen-year-old Max Santangelo Golden could somehow or other wrangle her way into any club she wanted. Fake I.D. No problem. Lavish tips to the doormen. No problem. Cultivating a friendship with one of the promoters. No problem.

“When it comes to getting in anywhere, I rule!” Max often boasted.

Her two closest friends, Cookie, the chocolate-skinned daughter of soul-icon Gerald M., and Harry, the gay son of a T.V. network honcho, agreed with her. Ace, her on again off again boyfriend was not so pleased. The L.A. club scene failed to enthrall him. He wasn’t into drinking, drugging and spotting out of control celebrities. But Max, at seventeen, loved every minute. Not that she drank much or did drugs, but she did get off on people watching and dancing on tables. Music was her special thrill – especially rap and unknown British groups with wasted-looking lead singers. Oh yes, she was totally into lean and mean. Ace was way hot and sexy, but sometimes Max considered him too nice a dude, and she often craved a more edgy relationship. Besides, Ace didn’t live in L.A. so he wasn’t always around when she wanted to do something with him.