The Love Killers by Jackie Collins Page B

he proceeded to eat.
    He was a selfish lover, satisfying himself and forgetting about her. It never took him very long—a five-minute routine that didn’t vary. He liked her to be in bed waiting. He insisted she wear her long white nightgown. First he would fondle her breasts for a few minutes, then suck at her nipples until he was ready to mount her. A few thrusts and it was over.
    By the end of the week he was already talking of finding her an apartment.
    By the end of the week she had already planned how she would arrange to have Anna Maria discover them together.
    * * *
    Lara called Cass as soon as she arrived at her apartment in New York. ‘I’m making progress,’ she said. ‘April should find out about us in the morning paper.’
    â€˜Are you sure you’re all right?’ Cass asked anxiously.
    â€˜Perfect,’ Lara assured her confidently. ‘Once April discovers he flew here with me, he’s out. The woman is too proud to accept seconds. The funny thing is I haven’t slept with him.’ She paused. ‘How’s Beth?’
    â€˜I don’t know. I spoke to her and she seemed disturbed. I want her to quit. I told her so, but she won’t listen. I’m worried.’
    â€˜Yes, she’s so young.’ Lara said, thinking of the sister she hardly knew. ‘I think we have to insist that she drop out of the whole thing. After all, she does have a child at the commune, and the important thing is to persuade her that little Chyna needs her more than our crazy scheme does.’
    â€˜You’re right,’ Cass agreed. ‘I’ll try and make contact.’
    â€˜And how about Rio? Any word from her?’
    â€˜A text saying “Success assured.” The agreement was to touch base every Wednesday. If I can’t reach Beth by tomorrow, I’ll go to the house and pretend I’m a relative.’
    â€˜Good,’ Lara agreed. ‘Enzio Bassalino is in New York. That’s the reason I’m here.’
    Cass sounded alarmed. ‘God, I hope Dukey doesn’t find out. He’s always muttering about there only being one way.’
    â€˜Killing’s too good for him,’ Lara said, surprised at her own coldness. ‘Our way is best.’
    She hung up, walked into the bathroom, brushed her luxuriant mane of hair, and touched up her makeup.
    She looked tired, and she was worried about Beth. Her younger sister was such an innocent, so unworldly. Beth had been stuck away in a commune all her life, and now she was stuck in a house with a dangerous hood. Cass had to get her out, there was no question about it.
    Next Lara thought about Nick. She was supposed to hate him, but it wasn’t that easy. The funny thing was that instead of hating him she found she liked him—a pure, natural like that had nothing to do with money or position or title. God! It would certainly make everything a lot easier if she didn’t. Still, she had a job to do. And with Beth out of the picture it was more important than ever.
    * * *
    Frank arrived at the hotel with Golli and Segal. They accompanied him everywhere; they were his protection, his insurance. The way things were going in New York, there was big trouble everywhere. Only the previous week one of his chief ‘executives’ had been gunned down in the middle of Manhattan. He was taking no chances. Golli and Segal were worth the exorbitant money he paid them each week.
    * * *
    Enzio had used the hotel many times before, and his security arrangements were as usual. The entire third floor was inaccessible except to members of his immediate entourage. Even Frank had to use the complicated passwords, although all the men Enzio traveled with had known Frank since he was a baby.
    Enzio did not believe in new faces. He kept a permanent army of twenty-five men who had been with him many years and were always on call. Frank had argued with him many times over this. ‘They’re old