Vendetta: Lucky's Revenge (42 page)

DANIELLA DRANK PERNOD AND WATER
.

Johnny drank Cristal champagne.

Daniella smoked a strong French cigarette.

Johnny smoked a joint.

And he stared at her…and couldn’t stop staring, because she was the classiest blond he’d ever seen. Like a young Catherine Deneuve, she sat opposite him, cool and collected, legs crossed, expression attentive, everything about her perfect.

They’d exchanged a few pleasantries—things like “How was your trip,” “This is a lovely hotel,” etc. Now she waited patiently for him to make the first move. And even though he knew Lucky was impatiently prowling around in the second bedroom with a radio device, picking up everything they said, he wasn’t inclined to rush this little scene.

Daniella realized she’d better initiate the action. “What do you like, Johnny?” she asked in her low, throaty voice. “What
really
turns you on?”

I like the look of you
, he wanted to say.
I like your accent…. I like your smooth, creamy skin…your legs…your face…. I like the whole classy package
.

He couldn’t believe she was a hooker, there had to be
some mistake. “You seen any of my movies, baby?” he asked, snapping his fingers—a nervous habit he’d acquired after Warner had dumped him. “Am I big in Paris?”

“Oh, yes, Johnny,” she replied, not sure if he was or wasn’t. “Very big.”

The truth was that she’d barely heard of him, and she’d certainly never seen any of his movies. Although she did remember a cover story in
Paris Match
, where he was photographed at the Playboy mansion draped in blonds. Typical.

“I guess they dub me in French over there, huh?” he asked, desperately trying to impress.

“I’m sure,” she murmured.

“I hope they hire the right actor,” he said anxiously. “What do
you
think of the voice they use?”

“Excellent,” she said, although she had no idea what he was talking about.

Sitting in the other bedroom, Lucky couldn’t believe it. What was Johnny after—a review?

Maybe she should have met with Daniella by herself and asked the questions. Too late now.

While she was at the hotel, Boogie was organizing a raid on Donna’s safe. He’d paid off one of the Landsmans’ servants to get a map of her house and knew exactly where the safe was located. The Landsmans were out to dinner, and the man they’d hired to do the job was an expert who could get into the safe, remove the items Lucky wanted, close it, and Donna would never know anything was missing until she went looking.

Lucky took a deep breath. Tomorrow she’d get Panther back. She couldn’t wait to see Donna’s face. Mickey’s, too. Those two deserved each other.

Johnny was still droning on about his movie career in
France. What was the matter with him? She’d picked Johnny because he was supposedly the stud of the century. Apparently he was a slow starter—either that, or this woman didn’t turn him on.

Daniella stood up, sensually slipping off the jacket of her pink Chanel suit. Underneath, she wore a white sleeveless blouse. “I’m hot,” she murmured, fanning herself with her hands.

“Yeah, it is hot in here,” Johnny agreed. “Should I put on the air-conditioning?”

American idiot
, Daniella thought.
He might be a movie star, but he is an idiot. Why doesn’t he make a move?

Ah, well…it was obvious the seduction was up to her. She hoped he wasn’t going to be like her last American movie star…Lennie Golden. Lennie had been completely resistant to her charms.

Daniella had never had that happen to her before. At the time, she’d been quite shocked, then impressed, because there was nothing more attractive than an incorruptible man.

She slowly unbuttoned her blouse, shrugging it off, revealing a white-lace nippleless bra. Her breasts were enclosed, the nipples bursting free. Johnny gave a low groan of appreciation. Next, she unzipped her skirt and stepped out of it. Underneath, she wore an old-fashioned white garter belt, sheer stockings, and a white lace thong.

She leisurely sashayed over to Johnny, standing in front of him, legs apart so that her crotch was eye level. “Your move,” she purred provocatively.

He was immediately aroused. This woman was his all-time fantasy. A lady in the living room; a whore in the bedroom. He wondered if she cooked, too.

“Have you ever thought about being in movies?” he asked, squeezing the insides of her creamy thighs.

“No,” she replied, “I never have.”

“You could be. You’re gorgeous, baby.”

“Thank you,” she said, hitching his fingers into the edge of her thong, slowly helping him pull it down until her blond, fluffy pubic hair was only inches from his face.

He stared at her bush, then gazed up at her nipples—so rosy and erect. Jesus! Enough was enough. He could only take so much. He stood up. “Put your arms around my neck,” he commanded. She did as he asked. “Now wrap your legs around my waist.”

She did that also.

He carried her into the bedroom, placing her on the edge of the bed.

She lay back, gazing up at him expectantly. He gripped her ankles, spreading her legs.

“Shall I undress you?” she asked, noting his bulging erection.

“Later,” he said. “Right now I’m gonna eat your pussy.”

“No!” she said quickly, knowing it was foolish to object to anything a client required, but too tired to care.

Johnny was not to be put off. “Baby, most women are
beggin
” for a little mouth action.”

“Why don’t
I
eat
you?
” she suggested, attempting to sit up.

He pushed her back down. “You’re
my
present
—I
get to choose. So close your eyes an’ have yourself a
good
time.”

Johnny had completely forgotten that Lucky was in the other room, waiting. And even if he’d remembered, it wouldn’t have mattered. This was something he had to do
now!

It occurred to Lucky she’d definitely picked the wrong guy. Was Johnny trying to turn her on? What was the matter with him?

Her cell phone rang. She grabbed it.

“Mission accomplished,” Boogie said.

“Both items?”

“Everything.”

“Lock them in your safe. I don’t want them in my house. Once she finds out, she may retaliate. Oh, and Boog—job well done.”

She clicked off the phone and continued listening to the noises coming from the bedroom.

Groaning and sighing. Gasping and moaning. Somebody was having a good time on her dime.

Twenty minutes must have passed before the grunts and groans stopped and Johnny finally got down to business. “Uh…Daniella,” she heard him say.

“Yes?”

“I know what happened between you and Lennie Golden.”

Lucky held her breath.
Here we go
, she thought,
this is where I find out the real truth
.

“Excuse me?”

“Lennie was my good friend,” Johnny said. “He was in Corsica making a movie, you came on to him…set him up.”

A long pause. “How do you know this?” Daniella said at last.

“I saw the photographs.”

Another long pause. “I do what I’m paid to do. With Lennie, I was paid to seduce him. It did not work out.”

“You mean you didn’t fuck him?”

“No. He kept on talking about his wife.”

“No shit?”

“He would have nothing to do with me.”

Lucky was listening intently.
Lennie…my Lennie…
Oh, how she’d misjudged him.

Johnny was into it now. “Who paid you?” he asked.

“I can’t reveal that.”

“Sure you can.”

Daniella went to get out of bed. Johnny grabbed her arm, keeping her there. “I really like you,” he said.

“Rule number one,” Daniella said. “Never be nice to the whore who services you.”

“You’re no whore. You’re a beautiful woman who happens to charge for what most babes in this town give away for free. The way I see it, you got a moral edge. You also got the best set of tits I ever seen.”

“They’re yours, Johnny—for the night. Tomorrow I return to Paris.”

“I could pay more for you to stay.”

“Why would you?”

“’Cause I kinda like bein’ with you. You could stay at my house for a week.”

“I’m sure you can afford me; however, I’m not sure you’ll have such a good time.”

“Why not?”

She shrugged.

“So…you don’t wanna be in a movie, you’re not gettin’ off on my fame, which means you’re not with me ’cause I’m Johnny Romano—you’re here ’cause you got paid. That’s okay. A nice, clean business arrangement. You know what—you’re the first broad I ever fucked for money—only it’s not my money.”

“How interesting,” she said, concealing a bored yawn.

He jumped off the bed. “You gotta meet a friend of mine.”

“I charge extra for
ménage à trois
.”

“No sex, baby—only conversation. Wait here.”

“Jesus!” Lucky said when he entered the room. “You took your time.”

“I thought you wanted me to get our money’s worth.”

“You sure did that and then some. I’m not thrilled I had to listen.”

“You
should
be thrilled with what she said. You heard—Lennie didn’t screw her.”

“Can you put on something other than your Jockeys? I know you’re well endowed, Johnny—you don’t have to shove it in my face.”

“Daniella’s really something,” he said dreamily. “Wait till you see her. Lennie must have loved you a lot to have resisted
her
.”

“We loved each other, Johnny,” she said quietly.

“You got any idea what it’s like on location? By the third week you’d fuck a sheep, you’re so bored.”

“How eloquent,” Lucky said, following him into the bedroom.

Daniella was sitting up in bed, a sheet covering her nudity.

“This is Lucky Santangelo,” Johnny said. “Lennie Golden’s wife. You might wanna repeat what you told me. I’ll leave you two alone.” He left the room.

Lucky stared at the French call girl. She was very lovely—much more so than in her pictures. “Uh…I’m sure you know that after the night Lennie supposedly spent with you, he was in a car accident,” she said awkwardly.

“I am very sorry,” Daniella said, lowering her eyes. “There are two things I should assure you of—one, he did not spend the night with me. And two, I had no idea they were planning to kill him.”

“So you’re aware he was murdered?” Lucky said, her heart starting to beat erratically.

“I am not a fool,” Daniella said. “I realized they were
setting him up in some way. My job was to seduce him. The photographer was to capture us in bed. However, your husband had no desire to make love to me.” A short pause. “I’ve never had a man turn me down if the situation was right, and the situation with your husband was exactly right.” Daniella let the sheet drop, revealing her perfect breasts. “Look at me, Lucky, I am not modest, my beauty is all I have. I exist to service men.”

Lucky took a deep breath. “Who hired you, Daniella?”

“My madam in Paris set it up. She was contacted by a woman in America. I was told to go to Corsica, see this man who could get me on the film, and seduce your husband.”

“What about the photos of you and Lennie together?”

“They removed my so-called boyfriend from the picture taken on the set. I was acting like a naive fan, Lennie was extremely gracious.”

“And the other photo?”

“I went to his hotel room at night, stood at his door and dropped my robe, begging him to invite me in. The photographer caught us in the hallway.”

“Why are you being so honest with me?”

Daniella shrugged. “I have no reason not to be. It cost you plenty to fly me here, so it must mean a lot to you. Your husband is dead. I’m sure it soothes you to know he was not unfaithful.”

“I appreciate your honesty.”

“Sometimes honesty is all we have.”

Lucky went back into the living room. Johnny was smoking a thin cigar and watching wrestling on TV.

“I’m leaving,” she said. “Thanks, I owe you one.”

She got in her car and drove to her house.

Lennie, my darling Lennie, what did I do? I slept with Alex to get revenge. Now I realize I had nothing to get revenge for
.

I betrayed you and I feel so bad, because I should have known you would never betray me
.

Forgive me, sweetheart. I will always love you
.

“
I’M GETTING MY STUDIO BACK TODAY,” LUCKY
announced.

“That’s so cool,” Brigette exclaimed. “How did you pull
that
off?”

“Don’t you know?” Lucky said with a self-deprecating grin. “I can do anything.”

“I’m beginning to realize that,” Brigette said, and giggled.

She and Nona stood in the front hallway, their suitcases packed.

“I wish you’d stay longer,” Lucky said.

“We would,” Nona replied, “only Brigette’s billboard goes up any moment, and there’s all kinds of press things planned. Plus, we’re meeting with the new agent you arranged.”

Lucky pulled Brigette to one side. “What about that guy you were seeing?” she asked;

“Isaac’s fun,” Brigette said, “but now I understand he’s not for me.”

“Don’t go off men just because you’ve come across a few bad ones,” Lucky warned.

“I won’t. I promise.”

“Lennie’s watching over you—he’ll make sure you find the right one.”

Brigette hugged her. “Thanks, Lucky. I’m going to miss you
so
much.”

“You, too,” Lucky said, hugging her back. “Plan on visiting again soon.”

She saw them into the limo, then returned to the house and checked in with Gino, who sounded like his old self. Nothing kept Gino down, he was a true survivor.

When was her life going to return to normal? Sadly she realized that, without Lennie, things could never be the same.

At one-thirty she was sitting behind her desk at Panther, with her own furniture and Kyoko stationed at his desk in the outer office, just like old times.

“Donna Landsman will arrive at two-thirty,” Boogie said. “She thinks she’s attending a meeting with the heads of production.”

“Good,” Lucky said. “That’s exactly the way I want it.”

“Mickey has a two-thirty here with one of his overseas distributors. The timing should be right on.”

Boogie was correct. Mickey drove onto the lot exactly one minute behind Donna Landsman. They ran into each other as Donna was getting out of her limousine, entering the building together. It couldn’t be more perfect.

Mickey saw Kyoko in the outer office and frowned. “Where’s Isabel?” he asked irritably.

“She’ll be right back, Mr. Stolli.”

Grumbling to himself about secretaries, Mickey led Donna Landsman into his office and stopped short.

Lucky swiveled around in her chair to greet them. “Surprise!” she said. “Isn’t this just like old times?”

Mickey’s jaw dropped.

Donna Landsman’s face hardened.

“What
is
this?” Mickey shouted. “What the hell is going on?”

“I’m back,” Lucky said calmly, enjoying their frustrated rage. “Exactly like I said I’d be.”

“How is this possible?” Donna said, her pinched face white with anger.

“Simple,” Lucky replied easily. “I acquired another eleven percent of Panther shares and voted myself back in. And you know what, Donna? You’ll
never
get control again, so you may as well start selling your shares back to me.” A short pause while Donna digested the news. “Of course,” Lucky continued, “you may have to take a substantial loss, but hey—it’s only money.”

“What
the fuck…
” Mickey fumed. “I have a frigging contract.”

“Sue me,” Lucky said evenly. “I’d love to meet you in court.”

“Where’s my furniture? My files? My goddamn awards?” he yelled.

“I had everything delivered to your house, Mickey. I’m sure it’s all sitting safely in your driveway. Abigaile will be
very
happy.”

“You won’t get away with this,” Mickey fumed, blue veins bulging in his forehead.

“Hey—whoever wins, right? Sorry, Mickey, this time you backed a loser.”

Donna glared at Lucky, her arch-enemy. “You will live to regret this,” she said through clenched teeth. “Nobody crosses me. Nobody.”

“Oh,” said Lucky, “I’m shaking in my boots.”

Donna turned and swept out, Mickey close behind her.

“Kyoko,” Lucky called out, feeling pretty high. “Bring in the champagne. We’re celebrating.”

“Who’s that with Johnny?” Alex asked France as Johnny Romano walked into the big banquet room where the read-through was taking place.

“No idea,” France said. “Maybe it’s his girlfriend.”

“I didn’t know he had one.”

“One a day according to Alex,” France said impishly.

A few moments later Venus ran in and sat down next to Johnny.

“Meet a very good friend of mine from Paris,” Johnny said. “Daniella, this is Venus.”

“Hi, Daniella,” Venus said, smiling warmly.

Daniella nodded warily. Her job did not usually include attending the read-through of a movie, but Johnny was paying, so what did she care? She’d phoned Paris and told her baby-sitter she would not be back for a few days. Johnny had walked in while she was on the phone. “Who you speaking to?” he’d asked.

“I’m telling my sitter I won’t be back as promised.”

He’d looked surprised. “You have a kid?”

“She will be fine. She’s used to my being away.”

“How old is she?”

“Eight.”

“You must’ve been a baby when you had her.”

“Sixteen.”

“So I guess you were by yourself, had to support her. Is that why you started…uh…in the profession?”

“That is correct.”

Alex entered the room and settled at the head of the table, his first assistant on one side, line producer on the other. After a few minutes he stood up to address his actors. “Now I don’t expect anybody to give a brilliant performance today,” he said, looking along the table. “Remember, this is just a read-through to see how the lines run, what kind of interaction we get. In fact, it’s a working experience you should all enjoy.” He pushed back a rogue lock of black hair and flashed the killer
smile. “If anyone has any objection to their dialogue, make a note of it and come to me. I’m very open to other ideas. Okay, any questions? If not, let’s get started, and let’s have fun, because that’s what moviemaking
should
be.”

Venus nudged Johnny, her face glowing. “This is the first time I’ve done this on a movie. They usually just throw you into makeup and hair and shove you in front of the camera.”

“Yeah,” Johnny said. “It’s cool.” He turned around and checked out Daniella, sitting behind him, then he turned back to Venus. “You ever been into that kind of soul-mate thing?” he asked. “Like when you meet somebody, an’ you know that’s
it
, man, you’re fuckin’
dead
.”

Venus smiled. “Is she the one?”

“Could be,” Johnny said.

“Congratulations,” Venus said, squeezing his arm. “Another stud laid to rest.”

“I’ve got one regret though,” he said, grinning broadly.

“Tell me.”

“That you an’ I never got it together.”

“Too late now.”

“Baby, it’s
never
too late.”

Donna sat in her limousine, her stomach churning with fury. Lucky Santangelo had won again. This could not be happening. And Morton—the coward—had killed himself. If he was still around, Lucky could never have wrested control.

Why was it that everything she’d done to punish Lucky had failed?

Even the hit man she’d hired had not managed to kill Gino, he’d merely wounded him.

Her plan had been to return Lennie to Lucky eventually, but in her mind she started writing a different scenario. Why
should
Lucky get him back? Why not kill him and deliver his body parts one by one to the bitch? That would wipe the smile off her face once and for all.

She wondered if either Bruno or Furio were man enough to do it. Or would they expect her to hire somebody?

She had to think about this, it was not a casual decision.

And then it came to her, she’d do it herself.
She’d
go to the cave and shoot Lennie, then she’d photograph his dead body and send the photographs to Lucky.

Yes, she’d let the bitch know her husband had been alive all this time, and if she’d had any brains, she might have figured it out and saved
him
instead of concentrating on getting her damn studio back.

Donna was pleased with her solution. She couldn’t tell George, he knew nothing about Lennie. She’d say her father was sick and that she had to go to Sicily for a couple of days. Then she’d stay in a hotel, hire a car, drive to the caves, and do the deed.

Lucky Santangelo thought she was so smart. She’d regained her studio, but she’d lost her husband forever.

It served her right.

Congratulations started coming in immediately; news traveled fast in Hollywood.

Freddie was one of the first people to phone. “I couldn’t be more pleased,” he said. “What happened?”

“An aberration,” Lucky said. “A power play by a woman who didn’t know anything about the movie business…”

“All I can say is I’m delighted you’re back.”

“Thanks, Freddie.”

“Does Alex know?”

“I don’t think so.”

“He’s having a read-through of the movie. Go tell him yourself.”

“Maybe I will,” she said thoughtfully.

Alex was pleased with the way things were going. Sometimes readings could be a disaster—there’d been times he’d realized he’d cast the wrong people, and changes had to be made before filming could start.

This time everything clicked. Venus was quite wonderful as Lola, and Johnny was really into his role. The rest of the cast of mostly unknowns were excellent.

When they broke for lunch, Alex sat with Venus and Johnny—and his new girlfriend, Daniella, who seemed nice, although quiet. She was certainly a beauty.

Everyone reconvened at two-thirty. Shortly after that, Lili whispered in his ear that she’d just heard Lucky Santangelo had regained power at Panther.

“You’re kidding,” Alex said. “Where did you hear this?”

“It came from a very reliable source,” Lili assured him.

“So,” he said, “we’re back in business with Miss Santangelo.”

He’d decided that since Lucky had made it clear she wanted space and time, he’d give it to her. Right now he had his movie to keep him busy, and making movies was the most demanding mistress of all.

At four-thirty they were finished. Johnny shot out of there, with Daniella in tow.

Venus stood up and hugged Alex. “This is the greatest week of my life,” she said happily. “I know things’ll work out with Cooper, and making
Gangsters
with you is the breakthrough I’ve always dreamed of.”

“You’re a good actress,” Alex said. “It’s clear to me that nobody bothered bringing it out in you before.”

“Thanks,” she said, thrilled at such extravagant praise.

“Did you hear that Lucky got the studio back?” he said.

“Fantastic!” Venus exclaimed. “When?”

“Today. Lili heard about it before it happened!”

“Wow—that’s great! And
guess
who’s walking through the door?”

He turned to stare. It was Lucky herself.

“Hey—” Alex said, thinking how beautiful she was. “We were just talking about you.”

Lucky smiled. “All good or all bad?”

“Always good,” he said, returning her smile.

“Well, I figured as your new boss, I should pay you a visit.”

“Hey—Lucky,” Venus said with a big grin. “You pull it off every time. Anybody else would, like, creep away…you just kind of got it together and turned it around.
How
did you do it?”

“I have my ways,” Lucky said mysteriously.

“Okay, I’m outta here,” Venus said. “Got a husband waiting at home.”

Lucky raised an eyebrow. “A husband?”

Venus continued to grin. “It’s second-chance time. See ya!” And she was gone.

“Alex,” Lucky said, “now that I’m back
in
control, I think I should mention that your projected budget is totally
out
of control. Can we talk?”

He laughed. “There’s nobody I’d sooner talk to than you. Only you’re a little difficult to get hold of.”

“Hmm…trust me, I’ll be watching your budget big-time. In fact, you can bet on it.”

“I hope you’ll visit the set sometimes, too.”

“I’m here today.”

“Maybe a weekend in Vegas?”

“Who knows…when do you leave?”

“Three days shooting in Malibu, then Vegas the end of next week.”

“Don’t be surprised if I turn up.”

“Lucky,” he said, giving her a long, meaningful look. “It would be the best surprise you could possibly give me.”

“Well,” she said, slightly flustered. “This was a quick visit. I have to go.”

He took her arm and walked her to the door. “You like my new attitude?”

“What attitude is that?” she asked.

He smiled, high because the reading had gone so well. “I’m into my concentrated movie-making mode. That means I’ll leave you alone for six months.”

“Is that a threat or a promise?”

“Take it any way you like.”

They smiled at each other, and she got in her car and drove off, thinking about all the events of the past few weeks.

Donna Landsman.

No more delays.

It was time.