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

‘He can look after himself,’ Tina said. ‘Don’t believe everything you read about New York. If he’s not back in the morning, then start worrying.’

‘I’m sorry to bother you in the middle of the night.’

‘That’s okay,’ Tina said, adding a casual, ‘By the way, Michael dropped by.’

‘How was he?’

‘Angry and frustrated.’

‘I know,’ Dani said sadly. ‘He didn’t take it well.’

‘Give him time,’ Tina said. ‘I know Michael, he’ll come round.’

‘I don’t have that kind of time,’ Dani said. ‘We’re only here for five days.’

‘Michael’s tough on the outside, soft on the inside. He won’t turn his back on his own son.’

‘I hope not,’ Dani whispered.

Eventually, at three a.m., Vincent returned to the hotel. Dani was awake. ‘Where have you been?’ she asked.

‘Why do you care?’ he said.

‘Look, I know you’re upset, but you’ve got to realize that everything I did I thought was for the best.’

‘Jesus, Mom,’ he said, throwing her a look, ‘you must’ve been a real tramp. A one-night stand and you got yourself knocked up. How come you didn’t get an abortion?’

She tried to remain calm. ‘We wouldn’t be having this conversation if I’d done that, would we?’

‘You should’ve,’ he muttered.

‘I didn’t abort you because I wanted you. Is that good enough?’

‘How come you didn’t tell him?’

‘I didn’t know how to reach Michael. I was very young and scared, so I married Sam. How did I know he was going to turn out to be a drunk?’

‘You certainly made bad choices,’ Vincent said, and marched off into the other bedroom.

In the morning, when she awoke, he was gone again. Fury overcame her. How was she supposed to deal with him? The situation was becoming impossible.

Michael was drinking coffee and staring out of the window when Marcie knocked on the door and entered his office. ‘There’s a young man here to see you,’ she announced.

‘Who?’

‘He said his name is Vincent. Wouldn’t say what he wants.’ She looked at him curiously. ‘Do you have a relative by that name?’

He sighed. ‘Why are you asking, Marcie?’

‘There’s quite a strong resemblance.’

‘Send him in,’ Michael said.

Now his mind was really racing. The kid had actually come to see him. Had Dani sent him? What did they want from him? Money? Okay, so he’d give the boy a cheque. Big fucking deal.

When Vincent walked into his office, Michael could hardly believe it. Everyone was right: it was almost like looking into a mirror twenty years ago.

They stared at each other. Vincent was obviously equally startled.

‘Shut the door, Marcie,’ Michael said gruffly. ‘And hold my calls.’

‘Yes, Mr Castelli,’ Marcie said, intrigued by this new development in her normally routine life. She left the office, shutting the door behind her.

Michael indicated a seat. ‘Take the weight off,’ he said.

Vincent sat down. They regarded each other warily for a moment.

‘So…what can I do for you?’ Michael said at last.

‘Is that all you’ve got to say to me?’ Vincent said, biting his lower lip.

‘Look, I saw your mother last night for the first time since she dumped me seven years ago,’ Michael explained. ‘And you know what she says to me? “Seventeen years ago when you and I had a one-night stand, we made a kid.” ’ He took a beat. ‘Only problem, she forgot to tell me about this until last night. And you’re that kid, right?’

‘She never told me anything until last night either,’ Vincent said, his eyes darting round the well-appointed office. ‘I thought my father was some drunk who’d run off with a shitload of money. Now I’m told it’s you. I don’t know who you are, which means I don’t know who I am, do I?’

‘What is it that you want from me?’ Michael asked, deciding to end this fast. ‘Money?’

‘Is that what you think I came here for–money?’ Vincent said, giving him a cold look. ‘My mom’s worked hard all these years to make sure I had everything I needed. I guess she never got a dollar from you.’

‘Weren’t you listening?’ Michael said, exasperated. ‘I didn’t know I had a kid until last night.’

‘Like that’s my fault,’ Vincent muttered.

‘So what I’ll do is write you a cheque, and you can take it home to your mom and tell her this is the money I owe her for raising you. Now, since I don’t know who the hell you are, or anything about you, that’ll be the end of our commitment to each other.’

‘You bastard,’ Vincent said, jumping up.

‘How come I’m the bastard?’

‘’Cause I’m your son,’ Vincent said. ‘How do you think I feel? I came here hoping to find a dad, someone I can look up to and respect. And it sure as hell isn’t you.’

An image of Vinny sitting in his wheelchair glued to the TV swam before Michael’s eyes. He remembered his father never giving him a moment’s attention, because as far as Vinny was concerned his life had ended when his wife was shot and he’d lost the use of his legs. Was he going to do the same to his kid? Ignore him. Send him away. Give him nothing except money.

‘Listen—’ he began.

‘No,’ Vincent interrupted angrily. ‘I don’t have to listen. You’re not interested in me. You don’t want to take any kind of responsibility. So screw you.’

‘That’s not—’

‘We don’t want your lousy money,’ Vincent shouted. ‘I’m going back to my mom–at least she cares.’

‘How many times I gotta tell you?’ Michael said, exasperated. ‘I didn’t know you were my son.’

‘Sorry I’ve bothered you,’ Vincent said, heading for the door. ‘I hoped we might’ve had some connection. Now I realize coming here was a bad idea.’

‘Hey, wait a minute,’ Michael said, standing up and moving out from behind his desk. ‘You’re right. We’re kind of like innocent parties in this. Dani should’ve told us both, but she didn’t. So now I’m blaming you, and you’re blaming me. And the truth is, we’re both wrong.’ He paused. ‘Does Dani know you’re here?’

‘She’d be pissed if she thought I’d come to see you.’

‘Tell you what, kid, I’m gonna