Per Verse Vengeance Read online

  “That’s not very nice, Nicky. I’ve been told I have a lovely voice.”

  “Was your friend Elizabeth buried in Vegas?” Nick asks.

  “God, no! She was cremated. Her ashes are in an urn in my suitcase. When I come across the right spot, I’ll set her free.”

  Nicole looks out the window as she desperately tries not to cry. “You know if I was driving, we’d be there already.”

  “Patience! Why don’t you try to get some sleep?”

  “I’m not tired. Why don’t you let me drive and you can sleep?”

  Nick laughs. “What a coincidence, I’m not tired either. Did any of you girls ever try going to the police or to one of the local newspapers?”

  “You really are naïve. What, did you make your fortune inventing some computer game in your mother’s basement?”

  “Why don’t you just answer the question?”

  “Law enforcement got fifty per cent off and the sons of bitches never left a tip. As for going to one of the newspapers … well, let me just say that there’s a big desert out there. Vegas might look like Disneyland these days but believe me, at its center, it’s as corrupt as ever. Does that answer your question?”

  “Yeah, I guess it does.”

  “So what type of game did you invent?”

  “I didn’t invent any game.”

  “So you inherited your fortune?”

  “I like to think I earned it.”

  “But you’re not sure?”

  “I paid a steep price and no amount of money in the world will ever make up for it.”

  “So what is it you do, or did, that could make all the money in the world not worth it?”

  “That’s a discussion for another day,” Nick replies as he reaches across the emptiness between them and almost touches her face before suddenly pulling back. “I’m really sorry for everything that you’ve been through. Truly sorry.”

  Nicole simply looks at him as he places his hand back on the steering wheel and drives out of the wasteland and toward the City of Angels.

  Nick drives down Sunset Boulevard, the glistening lights of West Hollywood in the background and the reclusive, isolated elegance of Beverly Hills in front of him. He turns into the famous Beverly Hills Hotel just above the boulevard and parks in front of the entrance. He gently nudges a sleeping Nicole.

  “Wow … we’re finally here in just under ten hours,” she grumbles.

  “Four and a half to be exact.”

  “Whatever.”

  A valet opens her door and she gets out. Nick grabs his luggage and hands the valet a hundred dollars. “Just give us a minute, please. We’ll take out our own suitcases.” He opens the trunk of the car and takes out two pieces of Nicole’s luggage and points to a smaller carry-on. “I didn’t think you’d want to leave that behind.”

  She grabs the smaller piece and hauls it out, and he takes one last look at the arsenal of weapons in the trunk, then slams it shut.

  “A girl needs to protect herself,” Nicole says as a doorman takes her two large pieces of luggage and walks toward the front desk. “Now, is this where you have the manager call you a cab and we say goodbye forever?”

  “I don’t think so. By the way, what name did you register under?”

  “Catherine Barkley,” she replies and Nick laughs.

  “Interesting name.”

  “I wouldn’t have taking you for the literary type, but then you do understand Latin.”

  “Sweetheart, I was reading Hemingway when you were still swimming in that dirty pond in Kentucky.”

  Nicole sighs as they walk up to the front desk and are greeted by the night manager.

  “Mr. Righetti?”

  “Hello, Joshua. It’s been a long time,” Nick replies as Joshua walks out from behind the desk and shakes his hand warmly.

  “My God, it’s been way, way too long. I saw your mother a couple of nights ago eating in the restaurant. She said you’ve been overseas.”

  “Yes. Had some dirty business to take care of. Took me a lot longer than I originally thought but thankfully I’m back.” Nick turns to Nicole. “This smelly but beautiful creature over here is my cousin Catherine. Just flew in from New York. Had a terrible flight and the poor thing just couldn’t stop vomiting.”

  “So sorry to hear that. Is there anything I can get you?” Joshua asks.

  “Yeah, a sharp knife so I can stab this son of a bitch.”

  “Now, now, Catherine! You’re not in the Bronx anymore. Time to act civilized.”

  “Can you please just check me in? I need a shower and some rest.”

  “Of course,” Joshua replies, walking back behind his desk. He looks down at the reservation sheet. “We now have you staying in a smaller room at the other end of the hotel.” He glances at Nick. “Should I move her to one of our luxury rooms closer to the pool?”

  “That would be great and put the reservation in my name,” Nick remarks as he hands Joshua an American Express Black Card.

  “Finally, a reason to keep you around,” Nicole remarks.

  “That’s no way to show your appreciation, cousin.”

  “Amazing,” she replies with a hopeless sigh.

  The bellhop leaves Nicole’s room and she turns to Nick. “Did you really have to tell him that I couldn’t stop vomiting?”

  “I had to come up with some explanation for why you smell so bad. The flowers in the lobby were starting to wilt.”

  “You’re a friggin’ asshole.”

  “Seriously. Shouldn’t you be saying … What a beautiful room! Thank you, Nick.”

  “I’ve spent the last seven years in Vegas and at least half that time in rooms just like this getting fucked by rich assholes like you. My God, you are going to have to do a lot better than this if you want to impress me.”

  Nick opens a closet, grabs a laundry bag and hands it to her. “Why don’t you go take a shower?”

  “Screw you.” She grabs a suitcase, walks into the bathroom and slams the door. Nick heads over to the minibar and takes out a cold beer. He drinks it quickly and opens another one as he walks over to the window and looks out at the majestic palm trees towering over the hotel.

  A few minutes later, the door to the bathroom opens halfway. “Hey asshole, make yourself useful and put this bag in the hallway.” Nick turns as the laundry bag with her dirty clothes hits him in the face. She laughs before closing the door again.

  Nick lies comfortably on the couch across from the bed. A clean and refreshed Nicole walks out a few moments later, wearing a pair of Daffy Duck pajamas.

  Nick stares at her and looks like he’s going to laugh, but suppresses it.

  “What? Don’t recognize me all clean and not smelling like regurgitated food?”

  “It’s not that. Just the idea of you wearing Daffy Duck pajamas is a little more than strange.”

  “I bought these on a whim a couple of days ago. One of the only good memories from my childhood. What were you expecting, a lace teddy?”

  Nick smiles. “You look adorable.”

  She shakes her head, takes a book from her suitcase, and then pulls back the sheets on the bed and jumps onto it. “You know the best thing of all? Sleeping in a big, comfortable bed, all to myself … with no disgusting pig next to me.”

  “I can understand that.”

  “So just in case you were hoping for an invitation, it won’t be coming.”

  “I wasn’t. What are you reading?”

  “The Sun Also Rises. Lady Brett Ashley is the best female character ever written. Forget about Fitzgerald, D.H. Lawrence, the Bronte sisters, and Jane Austen. Their female characters are from a different universe. Lady Ashley is a true and honest representation of a woman.”

  “I like your analysis,” Nick remarks as he leans back and closes his eyes. “Enjoy the book.”

  “It’s never disappointed me.”

  Three

  The early morning sunshine touches Nicole’s face and she wakes up. Nick’s not on
the couch, but there’s a note: Went for a run. I have some business to attend to afterwards. Take care of yourself. Nick.

  Nicole crumples the little square of hotel stationary and flings it into the trashcan. “So predictable.” She gets off the bed and walks into the bathroom, changes into a one-piece bathing suit and pulls her dark hair into a ponytail.

  The large area around the pool is empty except for a cleaning crew. The air is hazy and heavy and smells of chlorine, and the palm trees are unnaturally still. The only sound is that of the cleaning crew.

  Nicole puts on a swim cap, steps onto a low diving board and plunges into the water. She swims effortlessly, her body in perfect sync as she cuts across the water with barely a splash. She swims for a long time and finally emerges from the water like a golden deity, dripping wet and seductive. She pulls off her cap and unties the ponytail as a tall and slender man in an expensive suit walks toward her. Nicole grabs a towel off the back of a beach chair and starts to dry herself but her eyes remain on the approaching gentleman.

  “Nicole? Is that you?” he asks in a heavy French accent.

  “Bernard?”

  “Yes, Bernard,” he replies confidently. “You are even more beautiful than the last time I saw you … more beautiful than all the sunsets this world has to offer.”

  “Thank you,” Nicole replies and sits down in the chair and hands the towel up to Bernard. “Would you be so kind as to dry off my back?”

  “But of course. Are you here for business or pleasure?”

  “A little of both, but I can always make some time for you.”

  Bernard glances past her, and she turns to see Nick approaching.

  “I’m sorry, Bernard,” Nick says, “but at the prices I’m paying for this lovely piece of art I’m in no mood to share. You understand?”

  “Of course, monsieur. I compliment you on your wonderful taste. Maybe some other time, mademoiselle?”

  “Of course. I’m sure my calendar will be opening up very soon.”

  Bernard bows and walks away, and Nicole closes her eyes and clenches her fists. “I could kill you right now.”

  “I thought you were through with the profession,” Nick says as he sits down next to her.

  “I barely have time to take my clothes off before that batard is blowing his load. That’s an easy five thousand down the drain.”

  “So there are exceptions … is that what you’re telling me?”

  She shakes her head. “What the hell are you even doing here?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “That was a goodbye note you left on my bed … or did I read it wrong?”

  “I don’t remember writing goodbye. Come on, aren’t you just a little bit happy to see me?”

  “Okay, maybe just a little,” she admits, “but only because I felt kind of bad the way I treated you after you paid for my room. I even considered cooking dinner for you.”

  “You cook?”

  “Of course I don’t cook, but I can learn. It’s not like I can live forever on four hundred thousand dollars.”

  “So I was going to be your test subject?” Nick asks.

  “I was going to eat it too.”

  “Oh, I guess that makes it all right.”

  “Don’t be a jackass.”

  “So how many laps did you swim?” Nick asks.

  “I don’t keep count. You start keeping count and it becomes a chore. How many miles did you run?”

  “Until my body said no more. Did you eat breakfast?”

  “I don’t like to eat before I swim.”

  “Afraid you might sink?”

  “Just so you know, my stomach is all black and blue where you hit me last night.”

  “I’m sorry. The next time you put a gun to my head I’ll try to remember not to hit you so hard. Is that why you’re wearing a one-piece?”

  “I always wear a one-piece when I swim, jackass.”

  “It’s almost noon. How about I order pizza from a place that makes pizza that actually tastes and looks like New York pizza? You do like pizza?”

  “Who doesn’t like pizza?”

  “Good. Maybe once we get some really good pizza in you, that frown might disappear.”

  “Maybe this frown has to do with the fact that I can’t explain why you’re still in my life.”

  “Now, now. That’s not very nice.”

  “I just hope it’s not because you can’t get up the courage to ask me to have sex.”

  Nick laughs. “Don’t flatter yourself. After all, I did see you naked … granted it was dark … but I didn’t see anything special or different about your body that I haven’t seen on other women.”

  “Cute! Sadly, I have about a thousand former clients who would beg to disagree.”

  “Maybe it’s just fate that brought us together. You understand that, don’t you? It’s the underlying message in your favorite book.”

  “It’s pretty to think so.”

  “Yes, it is.”

  Four

  Nicole steps into her hotel room and closes the door. She leans against it as though expecting someone to knock. Nick promised that he would stay by the pool while she showered and changed. She can’t deny that this stranger intrigues her, with his striking looks, and with the kind of easy confidence that most women find irresistible — but she isn’t like most women. Her suitcase lies open and she takes out her laptop, but can’t get a signal, so slams it shut.

  “Fifteen hundred a night and no internet … must be catering to old, old Hollywood.”

  Back at the pool, Nick is sitting in a chair and watches Nicole walk toward him. Dressed in a white slacks and top, she is simply stunning.

  “Did you miss me?” she asks.

  “You weren’t gone long enough for me to miss you.”

  “Well, when you’re as perfect as me it doesn’t take long to get ready. And for the record, I didn’t miss you one bit, but I’m starving. So where do we have to go for this New York–style pizza?”

  They head out the back entrance of the hotel, walk a couple of streets up and stop before a large wrought iron gate. Nick punches in a security code and the gate slides open.

  “So is this where the Beverly Hills elite live … behind closed doors?” Nicole asks.

  “We all live behind closed doors.”

  “Wow! That’s really deep, Nicky.”

  Nick laughs as they walk past water fountains and beautifully manicured gardens, and up to the front door. Once again, Nick punches in a security code and opens the door. They enter and Nicole pauses to take in the breathtaking house with its spiraling staircase and sparkling chandeliers.

  “Wow! This is really impressive. And yet, you chose to sleep on my couch last night. You must really have it bad for me. You can admit it. I won’t think any less of you.” She smiles and her eyes sparkle and for the first time Nick gets a look at the teenager before she was robbed of her innocence.

  “You’re right, I do have it really bad for you and once you walked out of the bathroom wearing your Daffy Duck pajamas that was it for me. I was simply mesmerized and even if I wanted to get up off the couch I just couldn’t move.”

  “I also have a pair of pajamas with Bugs on them. I’ll tell you what, if you behave like a good little boy I’ll let you see me in them.”

  “Promise?”

  “Cross my heart and swear to God. Isn’t that a phrase that you New York boys like to say?”

  “Yes, it is.” Nick takes her hand and leads her into the dinning area.

  “Whenever you get tired of living here, I’ll gladly move in, as long as I am allowed to change the security codes.”

  “I don’t live here. I mean, I own the place but before today I haven’t been in this house in over three years.”

  “So who lives here?”

  “Occasionally, some very close friends and I suspect my mom might spend a night or two here when she’s too tired to drive to the beach. Personally, I’ll take our little two-bedroo
m house in the Bronx where I grew up any day over this bullshit.”

  “I feel for you,” Nicole remarks as they cross the marble floor. “Now, where’s that pizza you promised?”

  Nick pulls a chair out at the table and Nicole sits down.

  “Thank you, sir,” she says.

  He walks into the kitchen, takes a pizza pie from a large warmer oven and snags two plates with his free hand. He sets everything on the table. “What would you like to drink? Water, a soda, a nice cold beer?”

  “How would you like to split a beer?” she asks and Nick laughs. “What’s so funny?”

  “That’s what my mother would always say when we ordered pizza. She’s not much of a drinker.”

  “Well, it’s barely noon.”

  Nick walks back into the kitchen and takes out two icy mugs and a Budweiser from the refrigerator. He pours half into each mug and hands one to Nicole.

  “Thank you, sir,” she says once again as she picks up a slice of pizza and folds it in half like a real New Yorker.

  Nick watches her finish it and guzzle her glass of beer.

  “Where did you learn to eat pizza like that?” he asks.

  “A New York banker taught me. Why, did you expect me to ask for a knife and fork?”

  “Did you even taste it?”

  She’s already picking up a second slice. “How about we split another beer?”

  “Sounds good,” Nick replies. He pushes out his chair and heads back into the kitchen. Nicole takes a moment to look around and steadies her eyes on a framed picture resting on a nearby banquet table. She stares at the two ladies in the image, one of them a stunning brunette and the other a pretty, petite blond. When Nick returns, he refills both glasses.

  “What, you date Miss Universe for a month or two?” Nicole asks as she points to the picture.

  “That’s my mom.”

  “And how many moms removed from your biological mother is she?”

  “She is my biological mother and the little one is my sister Natalie.”

  “Wow! It’s amazing what they can do with Photoshop these days,” Nicole remarks.

  “That hasn’t been touched up, and it was just taken. In England … see the channel behind them? On their way back from Germany, a couple months ago.”