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

sixteen-year-old virgins.’

Michael returned her look with one of his own that said, ‘Shut the fuck up!’

Tina got the message.

Later, at Michael’s urging, Dani called her housekeeper and informed her she would not be home that night.

While Dani was on the phone, Michael warned Tina not to mention Beth or what had happened. ‘I’ll tell Dani in my own time,’ he said. ‘I can’t risk frightening her off.’

‘Whatever,’ Tina said. ‘Only I think you’re making a mistake.’

‘It’s my mistake, so I’ll make it. Okay?’

When Dani returned from making her phone call, they took off on a tour of all the big hotels, finally arriving back at the Estradido at three a.m.

‘This was so much fun!’ Tina exclaimed, as they rode up in the elevator. ‘Can we do it again tomorrow?’

‘Sleep–I need sleep!’ Max groaned. ‘Gimme a bed!’

‘They’re such a nice couple,’ Dani said, as soon as they reached Michael’s room.

‘Yeah,’ he agreed. ‘Max is a real stand-up guy, we’ve been through a lot together. And Tina’s a character. She nags the crap outta him, an’ he gets off on it.’

Dani walked over to the window and gazed out at the spectacular view. ‘Listen, Michael,’ she said quietly, ‘I’ve been thinking that you should go back to New York with them. If you really want anything to happen between us, then come back by yourself. That way I’ll know I’m not a one-night stand.’

‘You really think you’re that?’ he said, quite hurt.

‘It’s just—’

‘I don’t have to go,’ he interrupted.

‘I want you to.’

‘What is this?’ he said quizzically. ‘A test?’

‘I suppose it is.’

‘Jesus, don’t you trust—’

Now it was her turn to interrupt him. ‘Do it my way, Michael,’ she said softly. ‘Please.’

‘Whatever you say,’ he said, putting his arms around her.

This is insane, she thought. I’m spending the night with a man I barely know. And I’m happier than I’ve ever been.

The day they left, Dani hired a limo as her treat, and rode with them to the airport. By this time she and Tina were fast friends. They’d spent the last twenty-four hours together having a fantastic time, the highlight being Elvis Presley’s amazing performance at the Hilton where they’d had stage-side seats, and Tina had almost fainted with excitement.

‘You gotta come visit us in New York,’ Tina said. ‘I can’t believe you’ve never been there.’

‘Maybe I will,’ Dani said, glancing shyly at Michael.

‘Yeah, she will,’ Michael said. ‘That’s if I have anythin’ to do with it.’

‘Good,’ Tina said. ‘Can’t wait to show you our town.’

At the airport, Tina and Max got out of the limousine and went on ahead into the terminal. Dani and Michael also got out and stood beside the limo. He leaned her against it, pressing his body up against hers.

‘I don’t know about you, but I’ve had the best time,’ he said, stroking her hair.

‘Twenty-four hours longer than last time,’ she murmured.

‘I’ll be back in two weeks.’

‘Try not to get arrested.’

‘I told you,’ he said, ‘I’m not into that business any more.’

‘Glad to hear it.’

‘I was thinkin’, maybe I could stay with you next time. What d’you say?’

‘No, Michael, that’s not possible. I told you, I have a son.’

‘Yeah,’ he said. ‘A son you wouldn’t let me meet.’

‘Perhaps when you come back.’

‘So what you’re tellin’ me is that you don’t have men stay over?’ he said, raising an eyebrow in disbelief.

‘I don’t have men, period.’

‘Really?’

‘I’m not that kind of a girl.’

‘Star of a Vegas show with every guy in town after her, and she’s not that kind of a girl,’ he said, shaking his head. ‘Should I believe that?’

‘Believe what you want.’

‘What I want is to kiss you.’

‘Go ahead,’ she said breathlessly.

He did so until she felt his erection pressing against her leg.

Gently she pushed him away. ‘You’re insatiable,’ she murmured.

‘You make me that way.’

‘I’m glad,’ she said, smiling.

‘Uh, Dani,’ he said, suddenly turning serious. ‘There’s things I gotta tell you. Stuff I don’t want to get into now.’

‘I’m not going anywhere.’

‘I’ll call you,’ he said, kissing her again, knowing that he’d finally found some kind of peace, and that meant everything.

Chapter Thirty-six

Tuesday, 10 July 2001

The van ricocheted down the back alley. Madison stared straight ahead through the front window, eyes alert, ready to duck if she spotted anything blocking their way. A helicopter hovered above. It was probably from a TV station. There was no way the cops could control the media, they ran their own game.

‘Make a left at the end of the alley on to Beverly,’ the gunman said. ‘Anybody gets in your way, hit the mothafuckers.’

Madison turned her head to see if Natalie was okay. The woman with the gash on her temple was sobbing quietly.

This is crazy, she thought. Where the hell does he think we’re going? What’s his plan? He’d have been better off staying in the restaurant and giving himself up.

Cole swerved on to Beverly, side-swiping a Jaguar.

‘You see any red lights ahead,’ the ringleader shouted, ‘jump ’em. Don’t even think about it.’

‘We could all be killed,’ the woman in the back wailed.

‘If he don’t do what I’m tellin’ him, you’ll all be dead anyway.’ ‘You’re actually taking me to a business meeting?’ Jolie said, pleased. This was a first and she liked it.

‘Hey, babe, thought you should see how the professionals do it,’ said Nando.

‘How the professionals do what?’

‘I’m taking you to a strip club I might buy into.’

‘You’re taking me to a strip club?’ Jolie said, raising an eyebrow eloquently.

‘Got a feelin’ you’ll find it very educational,’ Nando said, grinning.

‘Are you intimating that I need lessons?’

‘That’s the last thing you need. I want you to meet these guys I might partner with, see what you think.’

‘And how is Vincent involved?’

‘He’s not.’

‘Why?’

‘’Cause Vincent is livin’ in the past. He doesn’t get that Vegas is changin’.’

‘Do you honestly think it is?’

‘Sure it is. We’re goin’ back to the basics–girls girls an’ sex, that’s the coming wave.’

‘Whatever happened to family?’

‘That side of the business is over.’

‘Tell