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

and wondered if she was making another mistake. Maybe this dude was a better-class pervert in an expensive suit.

‘Have you ever done any modelling, Sofia?’ he asked.

‘Oh, please!’ she said, immediately suspicious. ‘Now I gotta listen to your smooth lines. I knew this was a mistake.’

‘You have a very exotic young look. You might be the perfect model for my new jeans.’

‘Here comes the bullshit.’ She sighed, rolling back her eyes. ‘You’ll give me a lift if I come back to your apartment and audition my bare body–is that the deal?’

‘Not at all,’ he said casually. ‘Besides, Sofia, you are too young for me. I prefer my women to be at least slightly sophisticated.’

‘Ha! That’s a new one.’

‘Why don’t I give you my card?’ he suggested. ‘The next time you are in Rome, you can call me.’

‘I’m not exactly on my way to Rome.’

‘Then maybe you should consider it.’

‘Why?’

‘Because, my dear, it is quite obvious you have nothing to lose.’

Going to bed with Michael was as good as the first time, and Dani clearly remembered the first time, even though it was over thirty years ago. He’d been so handsome, she’d been so naïve. And a virgin. He’d treated her like a princess, and for one memorable night she’d been in heaven.

‘Why are you here?’ she murmured as they lay in her king-sized bed after making long leisurely love. ‘Can’t you get out of my life permanently and leave me alone?’

‘We have children together, Dani,’ he said quietly. ‘Even if we didn’t, I’d still want to be with you.’

‘If you’d really wanted to be with me,’ she said accusingly, ‘you would never have married Stella.’

‘I married Stella because you rejected me–and in a way she reminded me of you.’

‘That’s comforting.’

‘Only physically. Stella had none of your sweetness, which is why I’ve always come back to you.’

‘No, Michael.’ Dani sighed. ‘The only time you come back to me is when you’re in trouble.’

‘Not true,’ he said, reaching for a cigarette.

‘True,’ she said, propping a couple of pillows beneath her head. ‘Now, tell me, Michael, what are you planning to do about your present situation?’

‘I have enemies,’ he said mysteriously. ‘They’ve tried for a long time to bring me down.’

‘Why would anybody want to murder Stella and her boyfriend, then make it look as if you did it?’

‘People do things for many reasons. Revenge is one of them.’

‘Who wants revenge on you?’

‘It’s better you don’t know.’ A beat. ‘And, Dani, you have to be more careful.’

‘Me?’

‘If their thirst for revenge is strong enough to murder Stella and her boyfriend, then I have to wonder if you’re safe. Or even Madison and Sofia.’

‘My God, Michael,’ she said, alarmed, ‘what are you saying?’

‘Where is Sofia?’

‘Still in Europe. I can’t get her to come home.’

‘I need her here, Dani.’

‘Then you find her. She’s a free spirit–just like you. Totally different from Madison.’

‘Madison’s the smart one,’ he said. ‘Did I mention that she met Vincent?’

‘When?’ Dani asked, startled.

‘A few months ago.’

‘How did they meet?’

‘Madison was in Vegas, she needed a favour, and, uh…Vincent was able to take care of it.’

‘What kind of a favour?’

‘Nothing you want to know about.’

‘Why didn’t Vincent tell me?’

‘That’s between him and you.’

‘Oh, God, Michael, you’re too complicated for me to keep up with. I only know you shouldn’t involve Vincent.’

‘He’s a big boy.’

‘Did you tell Madison that he’s her half-brother?’

‘All she had t’do was take a look at him an’ she figured it out.’

‘Was she upset?’

‘Who knows?’ he said, inhaling deeply. ‘The last time I spoke to her she was in New York. When Sofia gets home, I think they should meet.’

‘There’s no need for Sofia to know you had another family that you cared more about.’

‘Not true, Dani. I love all my children equally.’

‘You might think so, but Madison grew up with you; Vincent and Sofia didn’t. If Sofia felt you’d been there for her, she might not have run off to Europe.’

‘So you’re blaming me?’

‘It would have been nice if they’d seen more of you.’

‘I did my best, Dani.’

‘Have you ever thought that your best might not have been good enough?’

‘Oh, for God’s sake,’ he said angrily. ‘Don’t give me more problems.’

‘Fine,’ she said, equally angry. ‘I’ll keep quiet. I always have.’

Vincent strode through the casino, his eyes scanning every table. Eventually he stopped to talk to one of his pit bosses. ‘You know the actor, Andy Dale?’ he asked brusquely.

‘Sure, Mr Castle.’

‘What table was he playing at?’

‘Blackjack number three.’

‘Did my wife happen to join him?’

‘Yes, sir. They left together.’

‘Find out what suite he’s in.’

‘Certainly, Mr Castle.’

A few minutes later, armed with a pass-key, Vincent was in the private elevator to the penthouse suites.

How stupid could Jenna be? He’d married her because she was young and innocent. Not a tramp like so many of the girls who soon became corrupted by the Vegas lifestyle.

Was she really foolish enough to betray him?

No. He didn’t think so.

The elevator came to a stop at the penthouse floor. He could hear loud music, ice clinking in glasses, and the sound of laughter.

The elevator doors opened directly into the living room of penthouse number two. He knew the set-up well, he’d helped design it.

The centrepiece of the living room featured a large, round, green marble Jacuzzi. Vincent had ordered the marble from Italy. He remembered the day it had arrived and how pleased he and Nando had been.

Sitting in the Jacuzzi was Andy Dale, with Anais lounging naked along the side, her glistening body on full display.

Jenna was also in the Jacuzzi, next to Andy, her perky pink breasts quite visible in the bubbling water. Jenna. His wife.

Vincent was filled with rage. A red mist began forming in front of his eyes.

‘Hey, man,’ Andy said, totally stoned, ‘why don’t you drop your pants an’ join us?’

Four minutes passed and still no van. Five minutes, six minutes, seven minutes.

The gunman was not patient. He was hot, agitated, and so pissed off he could barely think straight. He lifted the Uzi, brandishing it round the room.