"Hey, man, at least your notoriety was hot for business," M.J. joked.

"Thanks a lot," Bobby answered drily. "That really makes me feel it was all worth it."

As soon as he'd left the house he shared with Denver, he'd checked into a hotel for the night. When M.J. heard about the breakup, he'd made it clear to Bobby that he was to stay with him at his L.A. apartment, no argument, so Bobby had checked out of the hotel and moved in.

He wasn't quite sure when to mention to M.J. that he was intent on selling the Chicago club. He couldn't care less if he ever visited Chicago again. Too many bad memories. M.J. wouldn't be happy; they'd put a great deal of work into building an amazing venue. He could only hope that M.J. would understand.

Over the next couple of days, they'd spent a lot of time sitting around talking about women and sports and their future as entrepreneurs. Both were on the same track, with ambitions to achieve bigger and better things. Bobby was into the idea of building a series of boutique hotels, and M.J. was on board all the way.

"We should make a pact," Bobby said. "No more live-in girlfriends for the next couple of years."

"You got it!" M.J. responded. "Work bros-no hoes."

Laughter followed. But Bobby knew for sure that before anything, he had to find out who'd assassinated Gino. Like Lucky, he was not giving up.

Someone had to know something, and he was determined to chase the truth.

CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE.

Willow was flying high. Attending a glamorous premiere in Westwood with Ralph Maestro had upped her profile from the girl who used to have a promising career to Ralph Maestro's latest girlfriend. She'd stood beside him in a sleek designer dress lent to her for the occasion while he was interviewed by Access Hollywood and Extra and ET. The on-camera hosts had actually asked her questions. Mario Lopez had given her his irresistible dimpled grin and told her she looked beautiful-while Billy Bush had cocked an eyebrow and congratulated Ralph on his choice of date.

Needless to say, the next day photos of her clinging on to Ralph's arm were everywhere.

Willow was thrilled. She'd loved every minute of being out and about with a bona fide star. Well ... more of an old-school movie star, and yes, she'd sooner have been on the arm of Billy Melina or Nick Angel-but that would happen as soon as Alejandro came up with the money for their movie. Unfortunately, this was not taking place as fast as she'd hoped, and Eddie was doing nothing until he saw the cash that would go straight into his pocket. He hadn't even gotten up a deal memo for Sam, and speaking with Sam on the phone, she'd noticed that he was definitely cooling off on the project, telling her that if he didn't get something in writing within the next twenty-four hours he was moving on.

Some people were so ungrateful. Here she was, giving Sam the opportunity of a lifetime, and he was talking about moving on. Most writers would kill for full control.

Who cared anyway? The moment she gave Eddie the money, he'd come up with a better writer who would tailor a script especially for her.

When the photos of her and Ralph hit the magazines and Internet, both Alejandro and Eddie were majorly pissed.

"You're my girlfriend," Alejandro had raged. "How do you think this makes me look? My friends are laughing at me."

What friends? she'd wanted to say. You don't have any friends.

Instead, she'd tried to smooth things over, telling him that it was all for the sake of their movie, and that a huge star such as Ralph Maestro might even agree to make a cameo appearance.

As for Eddie, he was just plain jealous, and she loved that she could get to him.

Days were passing and still no money. Alejandro blamed Rafael, while he kept on assuring Willow that they would be wallowing in cash any moment.

Like Sam, her patience was running thin.

It hadn't taken long for Alejandro to realize that Rafael was not the same man who'd gone to Colombia on a mission to get movie funding from his father. No, somehow along the way Rafael seemed to have acquired a set of balls.

"Where's the cash?" Alejandro had demanded upon Rafael's return. "I told you to bring back cash."

Rafael remained calm. "Pablo has agreed to finance your movie. He is making arrangements."

Alejandro's face had imploded with a dark flash of fury. "That wasn't supposed to be the deal," he'd yelled. "I ordered you to come back with cash. What kind of moron are you?"

Rafael had shrugged. "This is Pablo's decision, and neither of us argues with Pablo. He wants to slide the money through certain channels before you get it, legitimate channels. So I suggest that instead of worrying about the money, you should be worrying about Frankie shooting his mouth to the DA, the woman who's trying to lock you up."

"Are you telling me you didn't take care of Frankie?" Alejandro steamed, his eyes popping.

"You sent me to Colombia, remember? And while I was there, I convinced Pablo you could become a movie producer. Isn't that enough?"

"You dumb-ass!" Alejandro screamed. "I'm sending the sex tape to your puta girlfriend. She deserves to see who you really are."

"Go ahead."

Alejandro had stopped screaming and shaken his head, perplexed. Surely he couldn't be hearing right. What was going on with Rafael? Why was he acting as if nothing mattered?

"You'd better take care of Frankie," he'd snarled. "Then maybe I won't send the tape to Elizabetta."

"The DA has Frankie Romano sequestered," Rafael had replied, stone-faced. "He's under strict guard."

"Then pay someone to get to him," Alejandro had rasped. "You're capable of doing that, aren't you?"

"Sure, Alejandro," Rafael had replied, while thinking, Why would I do that? The money is coming and it's going straight to me. Alejandro will soon be arrested and when he is, I'm taking off.

Karma was a sneaky bitch.

CHAPTER SIXTY-SIX.

The day before Gino's funeral, Lucky awoke in her penthouse at the Keys with a peaceful feeling. Her father was to be laid to rest in Las Vegas, scene of his greatest triumphs, a fitting place to celebrate his life.

Everyone he'd loved was either there or on their way. Max was flying in from Europe, the boys were already present with Steven and Lennie. Bobby and M.J. were driving from L.A. And Brigette and her girlfriend had arrived from Sweden. Gino's old-time cronies-the ones who were still alive-had all made it. Also present were close friends of the family, among them Venus; Max's closest friends from high school, Cookie and Harry; movie director Alex Woods; a scattering of beautiful movie stars; and several politicians, including Lucky's ex-husband, Craven, and his politically pushy parents, Senator and Mrs. Peter Richmond. It was certainly a mixed group.

Paige had announced that she would be coming with guests. She'd spoken directly to Danny, and imperiously demanded that he send a plane for her convenience. Danny had checked with Lucky, who'd said, "Do it."

Accommodations were at the Keys. Luxury rooms for everyone. Danny had attempted to book some of the guests into the Magiriano, but the hotel's penthouse suites were all booked. Apparently some Middle Eastern king and his enormous entourage had taken over the two top floors. Danny didn't bother Lucky with the details; instead, he put the overflow of guests from the Keys into a neighboring hotel-the Cavendish, a hotel owned by two lesbians who were friends of Lucky's.

Chris Warwick conferred with Danny about security; with so many high-profile guests due to attend, it was imperative that everything run smoothly. Danny had imported the guards from the Malibu house to Vegas, while Chris had hired his own team of crack exIsraeli army security. In Chris's opinion, there was no such thing as being too careful.

It occurred to Lucky that she'd better do something for all the early arrivals, so she put together a special dinner in one of the banquet rooms at the Keys for everyone who was already there. There were a lot of people catching up, reminiscing about Gino, telling stories about his nefarious past.

Wearing a simple black dress and flashing emerald drop earrings-a gift from Gino-Lucky flitted from table to table, not lingering, experiencing waves of nostalgia as she encountered so many faces from Gino's past. The old cronies table was the best-former tough guys now rocking thick glasses and heavy canes. Some of them were attached to oxygen drips, although all of them had a smile on their wizened faces as they talked about Gino the Ram, and what a formidable character he'd been.

Yes, Lucky thought with pride. My father the character, a street-smart kid who came to America at thirteen and rose to conquer all. A man of the people.

I will miss him forever.

She'd made up her mind to get through the next twenty-four hours with strength and dignity. It was what Gino would've expected of her.

"Where's the helicopter?" Max asked when their plane landed at LAX.

"Change of plans," Dante answered smoothly as a VIP escort met them at customs. "We are now driving to Vegas."

"What?" Max said, surprised and frustrated. "There's no time to drive. The funeral's at noon tomorrow."

"That gives us plenty of time," Dante responded, creepy smile and yellow teeth going full force. "My friend from college, Alejandro Diego, has offered to drive us. He owns a VIP club in L.A. and is happy I am here. We stop by his club, later we drive to Vegas with Alejandro and his girlfriend."

"Oh my God!" Max exclaimed. "This is a freaking nightmare. I'm not driving to Vegas with someone I don't know. I'm taking a plane."

"No," Dante said. "You're not. Alejandro is interested in investing in our company, he is most anxious to meet you, and Alfredo insisted you see him. This will be advantageous for you too."

Max shook her head. Her family was already in Vegas, or she would've gone straight to the Malibu house. She'd come this far with the despicable Dante by her side; what was she supposed to do?

Get to Vegas, that's what.

Tired and confused, she realized that the only option seemed to be to stick with Dante. At least she wouldn't be alone with him, and that was something.

Suck it up, she told herself. Suck it up and once you get there, have Lucky deal with this douche.

Gino Junior and Leo were sitting with Max's high school friends Cookie and Harry. Lucky strolled over and joined them. She'd known Cookie and Harry since they were little kids, and she'd always liked them. Both of them had been loyal friends to Max.

"I'm so glad you could make it," she said.

"I just got a text from Max," Cookie volunteered. "She's landed in L.A. She'll be here soon."

"Great," Lucky said. "I spoke to her boss yesterday. He's arranged for a helicopter to get them here."

"The whole Dolcezza gig sounds awesome," Cookie said, her pretty face glowing. "Our girl's gonna be famous."

"Fame isn't everything," Lucky mused. "I hope she realizes that."

"'Course she does," Cookie said confidently. "Y'know our Max. She's gonna love it, an' she's not gonna take it too seriously."

"Well..." Lucky said. "She's following her dreams-that's what everyone should do."

"Yeah," Cookie said enthusiastically. "I'm thinkin' of becoming a rapper like Iggy Azalea."

Harry almost choked on his drink. "Since when did you ever rap?" he demanded.

"Since I decided to follow my dream, asshole," Cookie responded, throwing him a snarky look.

Spotting Venus across the room, Lucky got up. "See you later, guys," she said, heading in Venus's direction.

Wearing a sleek burgundy pantsuit with nothing underneath the jacket, major cleavage on show, her platinum hair swept up into a tight topknot, Venus was back to her beautiful and very sexual self, which could be because there was no Venezuelan director clinging protectively on to her arm.

"Hey," Lucky said, embracing her friend. "No Hugo?"

Venus gave a thin smile. "Hugo who?"

"It's over?"

"Done. The movie too. We wrapped two days ago and it occurred to me that as a director he's a genius, as a man-not so much. I'm seeking fresh young blood."

"And she's back," Lucky said, grinning.

"Oh, you can bet she is," Venus agreed.

"Hmm..." Lucky mused. "She's on the loose, so-warning-stay away from Bobby."

"Where is your delicious son?" Venus inquired, downing a lychee martini.

"He's on his way. But I'm not kidding. Stay away."

"Oh my God, you're so bossy," Venus said, laughing softly. "Bobby and I would make a divine couple."

"Don't even think about it," Lucky warned. "Bobby is off-limits."

"So was my ex, Billy," Venus said caustically. "However, that sure didn't stop little Max from having fun with him, did it?"

"I knew nothing about what was going on," Lucky said quickly. "You know if I had I would've never allowed it to happen. Billy took advantage of Max. She's only a kid, and he moved right in on her. You've got to admit that for a teenager, Billy is a hard act to resist."

"Okay, okay, I get it. I'll back off," Venus said, her eyes lingering on a hovering waiter who resembled a young Channing Tatum. "I'm sure there's plenty of talent around here to keep me happy."

"How about going manless for a day or two?" Lucky suggested. "Ever thought of doing that?"

"Excuse me," Venus drawled. "It's me you're talking to."

Alejandro zeroed in on Max as if she were the dish of the day. Max could not believe that now she was stuck with a pair of double douches-for she loathed Alejandro on sight. He had that I-am-so-smooth-and-rich-and-irresistible attitude with his stupid mustache and greased-back hair. It was no wonder that he and Dante were friends. Two of a kind. And his sleazy club was more like a drug den than a cool hangout. Club Luna was filled with all the dregs who didn't have a chance of getting into Mood. Sinister-looking guys with ragged ponytails and ludicrous outfits. Girls with ultratight skirts that barely covered their asses, and an abundance of fake tits. Bottle service was five thousand dollars a table. What a freaking rip-off.

Max was tempted to boast about her big brother and his awesome chain of clubs, but she decided against it.

Where was Alejandro's girlfriend? She was in need of female company, and there was no girlfriend in sight. After a couple of glasses of champagne, all she wanted to do was sleep. The flight from Europe had left her feeling exhausted.