Mickey was proud. Who would have thought his daughter would become a role model for teenage girls all over America?
He puffed on his cigar and thought, Hmm…I didn’t do a bad job raising my kid. At least she’s making her own money.
Abigaile sat back and thought, Why is Tabitha wasting her time with this strange-looking rock ’n’ roller? Why doesn’t she find herself a decent studio executive—someone who has a chance to rise to the top and make lots of money.
Abigaile was ignorant of the fact that Risk was a millionaire several times over. Had she known, she might have regarded him in a different light.
Tabitha was bored. She couldn’t imagine why she’d agreed to come to this premiere with her parents. It was such a lame thing to do. Risk must think she was a total dweeb. Her father had insisted—he wanted the cachet of arriving at the premiere with his famous daughter on his arm. Mickey had to attend the premiere on account of the fact that Johnny Romano was due to star in his first independent movie. Yes, Mickey Stolli—ex-studio head—was venturing into independent production—land of the failed studio executive.
Tabitha hoped there might be a role for her, she really wanted to break into movies.
Leslie Kane stepped out of a long white stretch limo in front of the theater, and the crowds went wild. Then her date got out behind her, and when everyone saw who it was, the screams and excitement reached fever pitch.
The paparazzi and TV crews launched into frenzied action as three publicists moved in to escort the two stars down the line.
Charlie Dollar and Leslie Kane—the good girl and the rogue—what a dynamite combination!
They both had the routine down pat. Charlie with his trademark dark glasses and maniacal grin; Leslie making sure the photographers only caught her good angles—not that she had any bad ones; early on she’d learned not to let them shoot low, or up her skirt when she got out of a car.
She hung on to Charlie’s arm and smiled.
He waved to the crowds, who screamed their appreciation.
Leslie Kane and Charlie Dollar—a new front-page sensation.
Ron Machio was excited for his best friend; he’d seen a rough cut of Gangsters, and knew how sensational Venus was in it—certainly the performance of her career.
Anthony—in his new tuxedo—pressed down the black-tinted side window.
“Don’t do that,” Ron said fussily. “The fans can see in.”
“I want everybody to notice me in a limo,” Anthony said proudly. “Can you imagine—if we’re on TV in London, they’ll know I’m a star, too.”
“You’re not a star,” Ron said. “You’re still Venus’s assistant.”
“I’m living with you,” Anthony said tartly. “That makes me a star.”
A slow smile spread across Ron’s face. “You say the nicest things.”
Sitting across from them, Emilio scowled. Why did he have to get stuck in a car with the gay brigade?
He supposed it was better than not getting invited at all. Still…didn’t he deserve his own limo?
Since he’d caught that crazed intruder on Venus’s property, she’d been almost nice to him. And in return he’d quit selling stories and worked for her as a part-time assistant. Thank God he’d caught Santo that first time—if he hadn’t, Venus wouldn’t have called Johnny Romano and borrowed his dogs, and without the dogs on her property that night, she might not be here today….
So really, it was all thanks to him. Not that anybody appreciated it.
Occasionally, when Venus and Cooper took him to dinner at Hamburger Hamlet, they acted like they were doing him a big favor. This pissed him off—wasn’t he good enough to accompany them to any of the fancy restaurants they frequented?
When Venus had invited him to her premiere, he’d said, “How’ll I get there?”
“You’ll go with Anthony and Ron,” she’d replied. “They’ll make sure you behave.”
“But, little sis,” he’d objected, “I thought I could take a date and get my own limo!”
“No, Emilio,” she’d said firmly. “I don’t trust you. You’ll go with them.”
And that had been that.
Brigette peered out of the window. “Get an eyeful of the crowds,” she exclaimed. “Wow! Amazing!”
“Stay cool,” Nona said. “Remember—you’re a star, too.”
Zandino beamed and nodded agreeably. They’d gotten married six months ago. Now Nona was five months pregnant and they were both incredibly happy.
Brigette couldn’t keep still. “I’m really glad Lucky and Lennie invited us,” she said. “This is sooo cool.”
“Maybe you’ll meet the hunk of your dreams,” Nona said. “There’s a lot of cute guys in Hollywood.”
“The hunk of my dreams does not exist,” Brigette said wistfully. “Especially in Hollywood. In fact, I’m beginning to think he doesn’t exist at all.”
“You’re a star, Brigette—a supermodel—you never know who’ll come chasing after you—hot for your gorgeous young bod. Sean Penn. Emilio Estevez. Who would you like?”
Brigette grinned. “Dunno. But if I see him, I’ll be sure to let you know!”
Their limo drew to a stop outside the theater. “Out!” Nona said. “Be a star!”
“You’re so bossy.”
“You’d be uncontrollable if I weren’t.”
“Ha! Betcha no one will know who I am.”
“Ten bucks. You’re on.”
Brigette stepped out of the car, breathed deeply, and faced the crowds.
“BRIGETTE! BRIGETTE! BRIGETTE!”
They were chanting her name. She was stunned! And a little bit thrilled.
A handsome young publicist grabbed her arm, preparing to escort her along the media walk.
“You owe me ten bucks,” Nona whispered somewhere behind her.
She smiled, and faced the press.
Johnny Romano and his bride of one year, Daniella, sauntered down the red carpet with Daniella’s nine-year-old daughter clutching Johnny’s hand. They made a lovely looking family: Johnny so dark and sexy, Daniella so blond and beautiful, and the little girl a mirror image of her mother.
The press considered their story to be incredibly romantic. Daniella, a French journalist, had come to L.A. to interview Johnny for a magazine. One interview and they were in love; he’d sent for her daughter, married her in Las Vegas, and now they were the perfect Hollywood couple.
Daniella was content.
Johnny had never been so happy.
It really was a love match.
“You look gorgeous,” Cooper said.
“No way,” Venus replied, pulling a disgusted face. “I’m fat.”
“Not fat, pregnant. There’s a big difference.”
“I should be looking all sleek and sexy,” she worried. “My fans expect it. I should be wearing something outrageous.”
“Your performance in the movie is outrageous. Everyone who’s seen it says you’re a dead cert for a nomination, including me.”
She stared at him anxiously. “Do you really think so, Coop? You’re not just saying that to make me happy?”
He smiled knowingly. “I have other ways of making you happy.”
“Yeah, witness this,” she said, ruefully patting her swollen belly.
He put his hand over hers. “I love you so much,” he said. “Never thought it would happen to me.”
“And to think we nearly blew it,” she said, and sighed.
“Well, we didn’t.”
“I know. One night with Veronica and you came running back to me! I should thank him/her—whatever.”
“Ha, ha! Very amusing.”
“Did I tell you that you look fantastically handsome tonight?”
“Thank you,” he said, smiling at his adorable pregnant wife. She always knew how to make him feel like a king.
Alex was tired, but it was a good tired. He’d finished cutting the movie six weeks earlier, and since that time they’d had several test runs,
which had surpassed everyone’s expectations—word of mouth was phenomenal.
He knew that Gangsters was the movie he’d win an Oscar for. And two of his actors—Venus and Johnny—would definitely get nominated. He felt fulfilled and satisfied.
He was also thrilled for Lucky. She’d had faith in the movie and him—now it was payoff time for Panther.
He thought about Lucky for a moment—he’d always have a special feeling for her, but since Lennie’s return, he’d drawn back because she’d made it quite clear she loved Lennie and would always put him first.
The nice thing was that the three of them had become good friends. Lennie was a great guy; Alex not only liked him, he respected him, too.
Dominique sat opposite her son in the limo with her date—a tango-dancing stockbroker she’d met at a club on Wilshire. He was a pleasant man, older and quite dapper.
Lately Dominique was a changed woman—no more criticisms. He wondered how long it would last.
Tonight he was escorting Lili and France. They’d both worked hard on the movie, and deserved a treat.
He reflected that now Gangsters was finished and launched, it was time to get his personal life back on track. Who knew what was out there?
He planned on taking a vacation—traveling to Italy and finding out.
Maybe there was a wildly beautiful, unpredictable, dark-haired woman waiting for him somewhere….
Maybe…
“Well, sweetheart,” Lucky said excitedly. “This is it—the premiere of Gangsters. I’m kinda buzzed.”
“You should be,” Lennie replied. “You put in plenty of time to make sure everything went smoothly.”
“Thanks,” she said, thinking about what an amazing year it had been, and how fortunate she was to have Lennie back.
“You look so goddamn beautiful tonight,” he said, squeezing her hand. “Sometimes, I wake up in the morning and I can’t believe I’m safely home in bed next to you.”
“I can’t believe it either,” she said, marveling at how things had turned out. “It seems incredible.”
“How did we both get through it?” he questioned, shaking his head.
“Somehow, we did; we’re together and we’re here.”
“Every moment I was away, you were in my thoughts. You kept me alive.”
“And you were in mine,” she said softly. “Even though you didn’t phone, you didn’t write.”
“My wife the comedian,” he said wryly.
“That used to be your job,” she pointed out.
“Oh, no,” he said. “I’ve had the acting/performing bit—no more in front of the camera for me.”
She knew it was going to be a hard job persuading him to resume his career. Since his return he’d become reclusive, preferring to stay at home with the children rather than go out in public. It didn’t bother her, but she knew—for his own sake—she had to do something to get him involved in the real world again. Right now he was happy doing nothing. Eventually he’d realize it wasn’t enough.
“So, your friend Alex must be happy about tonight,” Lennie remarked. “Y’know, when you first introduced us, I wasn’t sure about him.”
“Really?” she said, her tone noncommittal.
“Yeah, but he’s a nice guy. I like him.”
“I’m glad, because Alex was a very good friend to me while you were gone.”
He threw her a look, his green eyes probing hers. “Is that all he was?”
She didn’t hesitate. “Yes, that’s all.”
“He’s got a major crush on you.”
“No way.”
“Oh, yes.”
They were silent for a few minutes as their limo edged its way toward the theater.
“And Claudia?” Lucky asked, breaking the silence. “You’ve told me what she did for you…was she just a friend?”
“Of course,” he said quickly.
“So maybe one day we’ll go visit her.”
“Maybe…”
“Anyway,” Lucky said, “I’m looking forward to tonight, and then—I’ve got a big surprise for you.”
“What?”
“Guess.”
“With you—I wouldn’t have a chance. You give unpredictable a whole new meaning.”
“I’m taking a six-month leave of absence from the studio.”
He sat up straight. “You’re doing what?”
“You heard. We’re going on a trip around the world…you, me, the kids. No work, just play. I think we deserve it.”
“Sweetheart—you don’t have to do this for me—”
“It’s for us,” she interrupted, staring at him intently. “And when we get back, you can decide what you want to do.”
“Y’know,” he said thoughtfully. “I’ve been thinking…I wouldn’t mind getting into directing….”
“Have I got a studio for you!”
“You’re a funny lady tonight.”
She grinned, her black eyes sparkling. “Whatever makes you happy.”
“You make me happy, you always have. You’re the most special woman in the world, and I love you more than I can ever put into words.”
“Love you, too, Lennie,” she said softly. “And I always will.”
They smiled at each other and squeezed hands, and it was as if they’d never been apart.
About the Author
With 450 million copies of her books sold in more than forty countries, JACKIE COLLINS is one of the world’s top-selling authors. In a series of sensational bestsellers she has blown the lid off Hollywood lives and loves. All of her twenty-six novels have been New York Times, bestsellers and not one has ever been out of print.
Many of her books have been made into movies or TV miniseries, including the international sensation Hollywood Wives and the famous Santangelo novels, Lady Boss, Lucky, and Chances, starring Nicollette Sheridan.
Ms. Collins lives in Los Angeles. Her hobbies include photography, soul music, and exploring exotic locations to use as material for future books. Her latest novel, Married Lovers, is out not and she is currently working on a new novel, A Very Beverly Hills Murder.
Visit www.AuthorTracker.com for exclusive information on your favorite HarperCollins author.
Books by Jackie Collins
The World is Full of Married Men
The Stud
Sinners
The Love Killers
The World Is Full of Divorced Women
The Bitch
Lovers and Gamblers
Hollywood Wives
Hollywood Husbands
Rock Star
American Star
Hollywood Kids
The Santangelo Novels
Chances
Lucky
Lady Boss
Vendetta: Lucky’s Revenge
Copyright
This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogue are drawn from the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
VENDETTA. Copyright © 1997 by Jackie Collins. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.
Adobe Digital Edition June 2009 ISBN 978-0-06-191601-4
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Table of Contents
Cover
Title Page
Dedication
Contents
Los Angeles
Prologue
Book One
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Book Two
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
Book Three
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30