The Love Killers by Jackie Collins Read Free Book Online Page B

for grabs. The guy is crazy about her, follows her around like a nanny. Why? Do you think he’s attractive?’
    â€˜Is he an actor?’ Lara asked, countering the question.
    â€˜No, he’s some sort of hustler, wheeler-dealer. Les says he’s a hood.’ Jeanette giggled. ‘You
do
find him attractive, don’t you?’
    â€˜Not really.’ She faked a yawn. ‘A bit too obvious. All tight trousers and teeth.’
    Jeanette nodded. ‘Anyway, as I said, he’s well taken care of, and let’s face it, darling, hardly your style.’
    Lara wondered exactly what Jeanette thought her style was.
    The party was a bore, but Lara knew that somehow she had to meet Nick. Sammy Albert, an actor with the reputation of a super stud, was busily trying to persuade her to split and go to a club called The Discotheque. She’d told him no three times, but he was enamored and continued to follow her around, trying to get her to change her mind.
    â€˜Do you know April Crawford?’ she asked at last. I’d love to meet her.’
    â€˜Do I know April! I’ve had her!’ Sammy joked, taking her over and introducing her.
    April’s eyes were bloodshot, her lipstick smeared. ‘Hello, dear,’ she said icily. Competition was not her favorite thing.
    Lara turned on the charm and flattered the movie star as she steered the conversation to a mutual friend who lived in Rome.
    Suddenly Nick appeared. Deftly removing the too-full glass from April’s hand, which was slopping on her dress, he replaced it with a half-full one.
    â€˜Do you know Nick Bassalino?’ April asked, patting him fondly. ‘This is Lara—Lara…’
    â€˜Crichton,’ Lara said, gazing directly at him as she accepted his firm handshake with an equally warm pressure of her own. The man was too handsome for his own good.
    He had brown eyes, friendly and open. ‘Glad to meet you,’ he said.
    Want to bet? she thought.
    â€˜Why don’t we go to The Discotheque?’ Sammy asked yet again. ‘April? Nick? Maybe one of you can persuade Lara to come, too.’
    â€˜Wonderful idea,’ April said gaily. I feel like dancing, and Janine’s parties—dear girl that she is—do get rather stuffy.’
    â€˜Will you come?’ Sammy asked Lara.
    She nodded. ‘I’d better tell Les and Jeanette.’
    â€˜How about that?’ Sammy said, watching her walk away. ‘Is she something or
what?’
    April laughed. ‘Sammy darling, every time you meet a new girl it’s always a grand love affair for about a minute and a half.’
    â€˜Just give me a minute and a half with this one and I’ll be happy forever!’
    When Lara returned they left. She went with Sammy in his Maserati, while April and Nick followed in the Mercedes.
    â€˜I could easily lose them,’ Sammy said, placing an amorous hand on her knee. ‘We could go by my place and pick up some outasite grass. Huh? What do you say?’
    Lara removed his hot hand. ‘I gave it up,’ she replied coolly.
    Sammy was speechless. He received thousands of fan letters a week from girls merely wanting to touch him, and this one didn’t even care to go with him to his house. It had been a long time between turndowns.
    The Discotheque was crowded as usual, but a table was soon cleared for Sammy Albert and April Crawford. Movie stars always got premium treatment; it was one of the fringe benefits of being famous.
    April ordered a double Scotch and immediately dragged Sammy onto the tightly packed dance floor.
    â€˜They’re old friends,’ Nick said, feeling the need to explain. ‘Sammy got his first break in one of April’s films.’
    Lara smiled. ‘It doesn’t bother me if it doesn’t bother you.’
    â€˜Hell, I don’t care. I like April to enjoy herself, it does her good. She’s a great little gal, got a lot of energy, a real