Free Lucky by Jackie Collins Page B

missed him when he was seven years in exile. Hadn’t given him so much as a second thought when she took over his empire. Now he was shacking up and she was breaking down. What was this crap?
    *   *   *
     
    In 1977 Gino returned to America. A six-million-dollar settlement with the IRS plus pulling a few strings made it possible. Lucky awaited his return with trepidation. He needn’t think he was taking over. She had worked hard, made her mark, and now she planned to stand firm. Of course, it would mean returning to Vegas, a city she had stayed away from since Marco’s murder.
    Enzio Bonnatti had been wonderful. He had tracked the assassin, dealt with the slime, and taken over the running of the Magiriano until she wished to go back.
    With Gino’s imminent re-entry into America the time had come.
    Costa arranged a meeting two days after Gino’s return. They met at the Pierre Hotel in New York. Father and daughter. Seven years apart. Seven years of silence. Lucky was hostile and uneasy, although Gino seemed friendly enough. He could see at once that this was not the spoiled girl he had left behind. This was a woman, self-assured, confident.
    He smiled and held open his arms. ‘Lucky.’
    She was taken aback. Did he honestly expect it to be that easy?
    He stared at her quizzically and tried to turn his arms into a gesture, a shrug. ‘Well, well,’ he said, ‘look at you. All grown up. ’
    She regarded him coldly. ‘I thought I was all grown up when you married me off at sixteen. ’
    ‘So it didn’t work out. But it kept you out of trouble, right? You goin’ to hold a grudge forever, kid? ’
    She spotted a bottle of Scotch and poured herself a hefty glass.
    Gino did not take his eyes off her. ‘I guess we better talk,’ he said at last.
    She was unnerved by his steady stare. ‘Yes,’ she said defiantly. A lot of things have changed while you’ve been away. I’m involved now, I’m part of it. ’
    ‘So I heard. ’
    She turned to face him, her eyes blazing. ‘I can tell you this – no way are you shoving me out. No way . Vegas is mine, and I’m going back. ’
    A little late in the day. ’
    ‘What do you mean? ’
    ‘Come on, Lucky – you seem like a smart girl. You gave Vegas to Bonnatti – handed it to him. You think he’ll just step down with a smile?
    ‘I know how to handle him. ’
    He laughed aloud. ‘Don’t you realize Bonnatti is no longer our friend?’
    Yes, she knew. Although she wasn’t about to admit it to Gino. Earlier that day, Boogie had flown in from Vegas with stories of betrayal that made her cold with fury and hot for revenge. It seemed she’d been taken for dumb pussy. Bonnatti had arranged Marco’s murder. He had wanted her out of Vegas – and getting rid of Marco did the job. She had fled, just like the bastard knew she would. And now he had control. But not for long, she had her plans. And Gino was not going to screw them up.
    Before they could discuss the matter further, Dario arrived.
    Lucky wasn’t pleased. This was supposed to be a business meeting and it was turning into a family reunion.
    Dario did not stay long. He was a jumpy nervous wreck, and after ten minutes of stilted conversation he ran from the room like a thief.
    ‘What the fuck is the matter with that kid?’ Gino stormed. ‘Get him back, Costa. I think it’s about time I straightened the little pansy out.’ Much to his chagrin Costa had relayed his son’s sexual preferences to him.
    ‘Oh,’ said Lucky. ‘I think you’ve left that a bit late. If you had paid more attention to him when he was a teenager —’
    Gino whirled on her. And who do you think you’re talkin’ to?
    She didn’t back down. ‘When Dario and I were little we had no family life. Shut up in that Bel Air mausoleum like a couple of lepers. No wonder Dario is screwed up today. ’
    He glared at her. ‘Terrible life you had. A beautiful home. The best money could buy. ’
    She raised her voice excitedly. ‘Money.