Deadly Embrace by Jackie Collins (ebook reader for manga TXT) 📕

The only satisfaction he got was from the frantic screams of the terrified hostages.

‘I warned ’em!’ he yelled, throwing down the Uzi near his feet. ‘Nobody can say I didn’t warn the mothafuckers.’

Then, before anyone could stop him, he lunged at the short redhead, grabbing her round the neck, pulling her back, and twisting hard until she was unable to move. All she could do was let out a strangled scream.

Madison felt sick. Violence was about to take place, and she was powerless to stop it.

She glanced over at Cole, who seemed ready to make a move. Then she began edging forward, desperately hoping she might be able to talk some sense into the young gunman.

She was too late. Grabbing a pistol from his belt, he let out a crazed yell and shot the redhead in the head.

Blood splattered everywhere.

And then there was silence.

Chapter Seventeen

Michael: 1965

Michael had taken to spending more and more time in the company of Vito Giovanni. Mr G had added him to the payroll, so now he was official. It wasn’t as if he was his bodyguard or anything, it was simply that Mr G liked having him around. And Michael got off on the reflected notoriety of being perceived as somebody Mr G had regard for.

‘Ya always gotta carry a piece,’ Vito informed him. ‘For your own personal protection.’

‘I don’t need no personal protection,’ Michael objected.

‘When ya work for me, ya need it,’ Vito insisted. So he carried a piece. And the truth was it made him feel important, gave him a feeling of power that was quite addictive.

Mamie resented Michael’s new-found closeness with her husband. ‘You got no time for me any more,’ she complained. ‘Too busy with Mr so-called Big.’

Max also resented it, claiming that Michael was selling his soul to the devil and that Vito Giovanni was an evil man who had no regard for anything other than getting rich and stepping all over the less fortunate.

Michael had laughed in his face and told him that he could probably score him a job if he wanted it. Max declined the offer.

Max’s big night in Vegas had turned out to be a memorable one. First, he’d lost all his money at the crap table. Then, with Michael’s fifty bucks, he’d won it all back, and to celebrate he’d got good and drunk on shots of tequila, which he’d insisted on buying for everyone in sight until he ran out of money. Then Angela had arrived at their table, and he’d gone after her big-time, even though she was obviously hot for Michael, who’d ignored her.

Since then, Max had been filled with guilt about cheating on Tina. He’d made Michael promise faithfully that he’d never tell her.

‘I don’t get why you’re makin’ such a big deal out of it,’ Michael had said. ‘It’s not like you was already married or anything. It was your last fling, for Crissake.’

‘It was my last fling all right,’ Max had responded miserably, ‘’cause if Tina ever finds out, she’ll never marry me.’

But marry him she did, blissfully unaware of his infidelity.

They were married at the local church, with Michael as best man.

At the reception, after several glasses of champagne, Tina whispered seductively in Michael’s ear, ‘It could’ve been you, you know.’

Yes. He knew.

Women. They were not to be trusted.

Except Dani. He had a strong feeling that she was the one, and he couldn’t wait to get back to Vegas so that he could see her again.

A week later he got his wish. Mr G entrusted him with another large package and off he went.

Upon arrival in Vegas he realized that he didn’t have Dani’s number, but at least he knew where she lived, so he wasted no time getting a cab from the airport straight to her apartment. She’d be surprised to see him, although he hoped she’d be pleased, too.

Angela answered the door. ‘You!’ she exclaimed, tossing back her long brown hair. ‘I knew you’d be next in line.’

So there was a line. Nice.

‘Uh…I’m lookin’ for Dani,’ he said.

‘You are?’

‘Max sends you his best.’

‘Max who?’ she said blankly.

Max had confided that Angela had requested money. ‘Told her I didn’t have any, an’ she screwed me anyway.’

‘Remember Max? My pal.’

‘Oh, that cheapskate,’ she said, scowling. ‘He owes me money.’

‘For what?’

‘A present.’

‘Guess it must’ve been your birthday, huh?’

‘Funny.’

It was obvious she was not about to invite him in, and standing on the doorstep was hardly what he had in mind. ‘So…uh, tell me, does Dani know you charge?’ he asked, making an attempt to throw her off-balance.

‘What?’ she said, biting her lower lip.

‘Does she know?’ he repeated.

‘Getting an occasional present is not charging,’ she said, her voice rising.

‘Is Dani around?’

‘No,’ she said spitefully.

‘Where can I find her?’

‘Dani’s not for you.’

‘That’s for her to decide.’

‘I’m deciding for her.’

‘You are?’

‘Yes. You’ll mess with her mind. You good-looking ones are all the same, too full of yourselves for your own good.’

Impasse. They stared each other down.

Who does this cow think she is? Michael thought.

Who does this stud think he is? Angela thought.

And then Dani emerged from her bedroom, where she’d been taking a nap. As soon as she saw Michael, her face lit up.

‘Hey,’ he said, delighted to see her.

‘Hey,’ she responded, with a shy smile.

‘I would’ve called, only I forgot to get your number.’

‘That’s okay,’ she said, lowering her blue eyes in a way he found quite irresistible.

‘You’re sure?’

‘Oh, yes,’ she murmured, finally meeting his gaze.

‘Holy cow!’ Angela exclaimed. ‘Why don’t you two get a room?’

‘Shut up,’ Dani said, embarrassed.

‘Uh…maybe we should take a walk,’ Michael suggested.

‘Yeah,’ Angela drawled sarcastically. ‘Walk her all the way to your bed.’

‘Sorry about Angela,’ Dani said, as soon as they got outside. ‘She doesn’t mean any harm. That’s just her way.’

‘How well d’you know her?’

‘Well enough to share her apartment.’

He wondered if he should mention that Angela was probably a part-time hooker, then decided against it. He didn’t care to