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

that to the mom-and-pop brigade.’

‘Now, honey,’ Nando said, in his most persuasive voice, ‘this place I’m takin’ you to is kind of sleazy, but knowing you, you’ll see the potential. With your eye for style–you’ll imagine how it can look when you redecorate, or do whatever it takes to make the place hot. If this works out, I might even give you a piece of the action.’

‘You will?’

‘Yeah,’ he said magnanimously. ‘Why not?’

‘I’ve never heard you speak like this before, Nando.’

‘It’s amazing what a workout on the pole will do, huh, babe?’ He laughed. ‘When you meet these two guys you’ll hate ’em on sight. Bear in mind they are sittin’ on a moneymakin’ machine.’

‘Am I correct in assuming that if Vincent went in with you, you wouldn’t need partners? You’d buy them out, right?’

‘And she’s smart, too.’

‘Maybe I should talk to Vincent,’ she mused.

‘You got influence with my best friend I don’t?’

‘I’m a woman, Nando. Sometimes it makes a difference.’

‘Yeah, babe, you’re a woman all right.’

‘Tell me about these guys we’re meeting?’

‘They’re a couple of black dudes who’ve been around a while. You’ll charm the pants off both of ’em.’

‘I do hope you don’t mean that literally.’

‘Baby, you ever look at another man, an’ he’ll be wearing his balls in the back of his throat.’

‘It’s nice to know you care, Nando.’

‘Yeah, isn’t it?’

‘You’ve never done coke?’ Andy Dale said, sounding as surprised as if she’d told him she’d never drunk a glass of milk.

Jenna shook her head, blonde hair swirling round her shoulders. ‘No, my husband doesn’t approve of drugs.’

‘Drugs, my ass,’ Andy said. ‘Coke is not a drug–it’s recreational, like smoking and booze. If doctors could, they’d give out prescriptions for it. It’s that simple.’

‘I thought it turned people into drug addicts.’

‘Who told you that? Your old man?’

‘Vincent says that drugs destroy anyone who takes them.’

‘That’s hard drugs, cookie. Heroin and all that shit. I’ll tell you what happens when you take coke. You relax, lie back, have a good time. And you also have wild sex. Look at Anais.’

She glanced across the luxurious room at Anais, who’d decided to remove all her clothes, except for a minute thong and many gold crosses hanging on chains round her neck.

‘Does she look like she’s an addict?’

‘No, Andy, she doesn’t.’

‘Then take a snort. You’re too uptight. C’mon, I’ll show you how.’

‘I only came here to apologize for Vincent’s behaviour. Sometimes he doesn’t understand that people in the movie business are different.’

‘You understand, don’t you?’ Andy said, grabbing her hand.

‘Of course, I do. I mean, you’re artistic, you’re an actor, an artiste.’

‘Yeah, that’s what I am,’ Andy said, pleased with her description. ‘An artiste. Now,’ he added, leading her over to the bar, where he’d set out several lines of coke, ‘I’m gonna roll this bill, and you’ll hold it to your cute little nose and, like, breathe in. Y’know, snort it. Can you do that?’

‘Are you sure it won’t have a bad effect on me?’ she asked, feeling the tiniest bit insecure.

‘Positive.’

She took the bill from him, gingerly snorted the cocaine, and sneezed immediately, scattering some of the white powder on to the floor.

‘Jesus Christ!’ Andy shouted. ‘What the fuck are you doing?’

‘Sorry,’ she said, humiliated that she could have done such a thing.

‘It’s good I got plenty,’ he grumbled.

Anais wandered over. ‘Put some on my tits,’ she commanded, thrusting her bare bosom at him.

‘Later,’ he said, waving her away.

‘Now,’ she said imperiously, a woman used to getting her own way. ‘And some on my pussy, too.’

‘I’ll be with you in a minute,’ Andy said, frowning. ‘I’m trying to teach Jenna how to snort without blowing everything all over the floor.’

‘Order more champagne,’ Anais said, not giving up with her demands. ‘I want to wash my hair.’

‘You’re washing your hair now?’ he said, finally paying attention.

‘Yes.’

‘Okay.’

Anais smiled dreamily. ‘If my boyfriend knew I was here, he wouldn’t be happy.’

‘Who is your boyfriend?’ Andy asked; he had been unaware that she had one.

‘He’s mega rich,’ she said. ‘Mega, mega, mega rich.’

‘So am I,’ Andy said, which wasn’t strictly true, because by the time he’d paid his agent, publicist, stylist, manager, driver, and business manager, there was not that much left.

‘Order ten bottles of champagne,’ Anais said, distractedly touching her nipples, ‘and I’ll bathe in it.’

‘Maybe you should just go wash your hair,’ he said, turning back to Jenna, who by this time was feeling lightheaded and adventurous. ‘You ready to try again?’ he asked.

‘Yes,’ she said eagerly. ‘I’m ready.’

Michael tried calling Madison twice. He didn’t leave a message on her answering machine because he did not consider it safe to alert anyone to where he was.

‘At least you know where Madison is,’ Dani said. ‘How do we go about finding Sofia?’

‘Good question,’ Michael replied. ‘When did you last hear from her?’

‘A couple of weeks ago. She was in Marbella, in Spain.’

‘I don’t know why you allow her to travel around the world by herself,’ Vincent grumbled. ‘You should insist that she comes home.’

‘Have you ever tried telling Sofia anything?’ Dani replied. ‘Even when she was very young she wouldn’t listen to reason.’

‘The kid probably takes after me,’ Michael said. ‘Does things her way.’

‘And look where it’s got you,’ Dani said.

‘Did she give you an address or phone number in Marbella?’ Michael asked, ignoring her remark. ‘Somewhere we can reach her?’

‘She said she was working as a photographer at a nightclub.’

‘A photographer!’ Vincent exclaimed. ‘What kind of job is that?’

‘Did she mention what club?’ Michael said.

‘She didn’t say,’ Dani replied. ‘You know Sofia–every time she calls, she refuses to leave a number.’

‘I’ll get someone on to it,’ Vincent said. ‘We’ll find her.’

‘Hey,’ Michael said. ‘The good thing is, if we don’t find her nobody else can.’

‘You think it’s that serious?’ Vincent said.

‘Yeah, it’s serious.’

‘What’s your next move?’

‘I’m flying to L.A. in the morning. There’s someone I have to see.’

‘Who?’

‘Nobody you know,’ Michael said abruptly. ‘Take care of the things I asked you to–I’ll be in touch. Anybody comes asking questions, I wasn’t