Deadly Embrace by Jackie Collins (best 7 inch ereader .TXT) 📗

Michael had been away on a business trip, which was disappointing because she would’ve loved to have spent such a special day with him. He’d sent her a gold watch from Tiffany’s engraved with a meaningful message.

Now this surprise–a weekend in Miami with her father. How radical was that!

Michael was pleased to see his daughter so cheerful. Although Stella assured him Madison was doing well in school, he’d noticed there were times she seemed quite melancholy, and although her grades were always high, he wondered if she was really happy being away from home.

‘Don’t be silly,’ Stella had told him, when he’d questioned her. ‘Madison loves school. She’s an extremely well-adjusted young lady.’

Michael travelled a lot. He didn’t have to, but spending time away from home had become a habit.

And then there was his other habit–Dani and his second family. Meeting up with Dani again in 1982 and discovering that he had a son had turned out to be one of the high points of his life. He loved Vincent–he saw much of himself in the boy. Although Vincent was no longer a boy: he was a handsome, clever twenty-two-year-old man who knew exactly what he wanted.

Michael’s opinion had prevailed with Dani, so instead of going to college, Vincent had taken a trip round the world with Nando. When the two of them got back to America, they’d immediately set to work trying to put something together. Nando had his inheritance, and Vincent was catching up fast. Unbeknown to Michael, his son was a world-class gambler, the kind casinos eventually ban from playing in their establishments. Before that had happened, Vincent had made a killing. Like Michael, he was a genius with numbers. And, smartly, he’d invested his winnings.

With a little financial help from his father, Vincent had formed a partnership with Nando, who’d moved permanently back to Vegas, and they’d opened a restaurant and bar on the Strip called The Place. It was a big success with the young hip crowd.

Michael saw plenty of Dani. Every few weeks he flew to Vegas to be with her. He loved her, and she loved him. He also had another reason for spending so much time with her. Six weeks after they’d got together in New York, Dani had informed him that they were pregnant. ‘You and your magic bullet,’ she’d said, laughing. ‘What is it with you and me?’

‘Huh?’ he’d said, not quite sure what she was getting at.

‘We’re pregnant, Michael,’ she’d said, beaming. ‘And this time we’re doing it together.’

Rather than responding with shock and horror, he’d been delighted, because not only did he want to spend time with Dani and Vincent, he definitely planned on being a big presence in his new child’s life too.

Dani gave birth to a daughter in 1983. They named her Sofia.

Dani understood that Michael couldn’t marry her. He’d explained at great length that there was no way he would ever disrupt Madison’s life. ‘When she’s grown, I’ll leave Stella. Then you and I can be together,’ he’d promised.

‘I’m not sure it’s what I want,’ Dani had said with a lazy smile. ‘I kind of like being the mistress.’

‘You do, huh?’

‘Yes, I get treated better that way.’

She’d given up work and Michael paid for everything, including a luxurious new house in a gated community and a gleaming silver Mercedes.

Recently he’d arranged for her and Sofia, who was now four, to take a week’s vacation in Miami. Then he’d thought about flying down there with Madison.

Not that he planned on introductions, but at least he’d be near them.

Madison couldn’t have been happier. She was a great kid, with a high IQ and a passion for writing. When Michael thought about his own humble beginnings, he was filled with pride to see how his offspring were turning out. Vincent with his successful restaurant, and Madison brimming with so much ambition. It gave him a very satisfying sense of having done something right.

Jamie came over to the apartment with the sole purpose of helping Madison pack. She was a natural blonde, tall and willowy. ‘Wish I was coming with you.’ She sighed enviously, sorting through a pile of skirts, jeans, and T-shirts.

‘So do I,’ Madison said, more exotic-looking with her smooth olive skin, green eyes, and long, dark hair. ‘What’s going on at school?’

‘The same old crap,’ Jamie said. ‘Boys, boys, and more boys.’

‘That can’t be all bad.’

‘It is! They’re so gross,’ Jamie said, making a face. ‘And stupid. I dig older men, not dumb-ass adolescents.’

‘I know,’ Madison agreed. ‘So do I.’

‘You’ll have a great time with Michael,’ Jamie said wistfully. ‘I wish I could call my dad by his first name.’

‘You’re lucky, you’ve got terrific parents,’ Madison said. ‘They never sent you off to boarding-school.’

‘Agreed. But look at all the freedom you get. I don’t get any. You can do whatever you want.’

‘I think my dad was kind of a wild kid himself,’ Madison said thoughtfully, ‘so he doesn’t believe in discipline.’

‘What about your mom?’

‘Stella doesn’t care, as long as I stay out of her way. She’s much too busy getting her legs or pubes waxed. That’s if she’s not having silicone pumped into her face.’

‘Sounds painful!’

‘Our apartment is more like a beauty salon than a home. I’m kind of glad I’m never there.’

‘It’s so cool the way you get to call them Michael and Stella.’

‘That was her idea,’ Madison said. ‘She thinks being called Mom makes her sound old.’

‘Ego alert!’ Jamie giggled. ‘She is old.’

Madison nodded. ‘In her thirties.’

‘How old’s your dad?’

‘Forty-something.’

‘Ancient!’

‘Ha!’ Madison said. ‘Bet you wouldn’t turn him down.’

‘That’s so rude!’ Jamie giggled, blushing.

‘You’ve always had a crush on him. ’Fess up.’

‘He’s your father, Maddy.’

‘I could definitely go for an older man.’

‘Like who?’

‘Michael Douglas. Kevin Costner.’

‘Wow! Cool! They’re both sooo sexy.’

‘Even Clint Eastwood.’

‘Too old,’ Jamie said, wrinkling her nose.

‘Not for me,’ Madison said.

‘I was so jealous of you when we were little,’ Jamie sighed.

‘You still are,’ Madison teased.

‘I suppose I am,’ Jamie admitted. ‘You’ve got to tell me all about Miami. Maybe you’ll get laid.’

‘Oooh,