‘What are you doing?’ She panicked, looking about her, afraid someone would see. The community knew that Lester was a drunk and they probably thought as much of his sister, especially if she was caught sneaking around with a boy.
‘Did he do anything to you?’ Robbie asked urgently. ‘I tried to find a way in—’
She pulled him into the shadows. ‘You must never, ever do that,’ she commanded. She put a hand to her head. ‘My brother’s dangerous.’
Robbie’s eyes searched hers. ‘Then why are you living with him?’
She looked at him helplessly. ‘It’s a long story,’ she said eventually.
His hands were on her shoulders now, his touch as hot as the sun. ‘So tell me.’
Laura searched for a place to start, thinking how strange it was, this boy who she hardly knew but who had always been kind to her, wanting to listen and understand. He was so gentle, so patient, and he’d waited for her every night because, because … Because what? He wanted to be her friend, her saviour, something more?
Suddenly he was kissing her. She had never kissed anyone before and she had time to think, If I never kiss anyone ever again in my life, this will be enough. It started off gently, his lips soft on hers, unsure if she would respond. Then it became deeper and she felt his tongue slip around hers and it was the most exquisite, fragile thing she had known. Instinctively she put her arms around his neck and pulled him close, drawing in his delicious scent, feeling the skin on his arms. Only when that male part of him became hard did she pull away.
‘I’m sorry,’ he said throatily. ‘You’re just … you’re so goddamn beautiful. I’ll wait, you know I’ll wait.’
Lana caught her breath. She felt herself spinning.
‘It’s my birthday,’ she blurted, a propos of nothing.
‘Happy birthday,’ he said simply.
They laughed, uncertain of this new territory but wanting to explore it. He took her hand and led her to where a tree had been felled. They sat together on its rough bark.
‘I wanted to know you,’ he confessed. ‘As soon as we met I wanted that. What’s gone on all this time? Why didn’t you let me?’
Her eyes met his. She couldn’t hide any more.
She began with the story of her parents dying, how she and Lester had been sent to live with Arlene. Then how her brother had fallen apart with grief, turning to drugs and drink to the point where he had to be taken away. How they said he had got better and made her come live with him when he came of age. How things had been all right at first, except for the way he drank, and how, one time, he had been so out of it that he’d soiled the bed and she had been forced to clean him up. How recently she could tell he wanted other things from her, things that were wrong between a brother and sister. How he had hit her.
She felt Robbie tense. When she looked, there was passion in his eyes.
‘Laura,’ he said, ‘you know what you’ve got to do. And I’m going to help you.’
Las Vegas
Elisabeth Sabell fastened the clasp on her diamond necklace and took her position in the wings. Swathes of red curtain plunged all around like velvet waterfalls. She could hear the crowd taking their seats, the buzz of anticipation in the air. The spotlight awaited.
Lowering a hand to her stomach, she closed her eyes and tried to imagine what it would have been like to be carrying Robert’s child. She would be eight weeks gone by now, they would be preparing to reveal their news to the world. But it hadn’t been. She was surprised by how deeply it had affected her–she never had herself down as the maternal type.
While she told herself it didn’t matter, that there had been nothing there in the first place to lose, it somehow felt portentous. Since they had returned from the South of France, an impossible distance had opened up between them.
Alberto Bellini was at her side.
‘You look ravishing.’ His voice was soft, dripping with intent.
Elisabeth ignored him, waiting for the director’s cue. She didn’t want to see Alberto right now–the performance demanded her full concentration.
‘What is it?’ she asked, refusing to meet his eye. ‘I only want to wish you luck.’ When he came closer she could smell his spicy cologne. ‘You know I care for you, Elisabeth.’
She lifted her chin. ‘I know.’
His eyes raked over her body, so like her mother’s. Clad in a sapphire shoulderless Dolce & Gabbana gown, she wore her golden hair loose. A string of jewels glinting at her throat was the only adornment. It could almost be thirty years before. It could almost be Linda.
His voice caught. ‘You are more exquisite by the day.’ ‘Thank you,’ she said tightly.
‘Will you meet me later? I wish to speak with you. It is important.’
Elisabeth received her thirty-second intro. ‘I don’t think that’s appropriate.’ Alberto’s response was smooth. ‘I will be at the Oasis.’ He came so close that his lips grazed her ear. Elisabeth felt a hot chill. ‘I know you will change your mind.’
‘I’ll be the judge of that.’ And she swept out to greet her adoring crowd.
Robert was as deep in conversation as he was in paperwork. Budgets, plans, details of sponsors and businesses littered his desk at the Orient. The Eastern Sky premiere, he promised Frank Bernstein, would be a superior show the likes of which had never been seen before.
Earlier that day he had met with organisers for an on-site consultation. They’d had big ideas; he had bigger. From high-impact lighting and set design, through a stunning red carpet backdrop to movie-themed hors d’oeuvres and customised menus, together they had it covered. In a city of gamblers, Robert was leaving nothing to chance.
‘What’s this crap about Elisabeth doin’ a show?’ asked Bernstein, reaching for his third consecutive cigar.
‘It’s under control.’
‘She oughtta be helpin’ you, not dancin’ around makin’ work for everyone.’
‘I’ve got it covered, Bernstein.’
Robert hoped the old man would leave it at that. He didn’t want to talk about his fiancée–his head was in business and he couldn’t indulge the disruption, even if it was related. He loved Elisabeth. It was just that it wasn’t the true, lasting, fundamental love he knew for a fact existed.
Bernstein puffed away thoughtfully. ‘You really want her?’ He
