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

‘Nothing you do or say can shock me, Dani. You dumped me–remember? I must admit that kinda shocked me at the time, so now, whatever you do–fuck it, I don’t care.’

She hated his cold indifference. This was difficult enough without having to deal with his negative vibes.

‘You probably wondered why I never introduced you to my son.’

‘What’s that got to do with anything?’

‘There is a reason.’

‘And that would be…?’

She took a long slow beat, and then came out with it, just as Tina had advised. ‘Vincent is our son.’

‘Excuse me?’ he said, looking at her as if she were crazy.

‘The first time we slept together I got pregnant,’ she said, her words tumbling over one another.

‘Jesus Christ!’

‘I had a baby, Vincent–he’s your son as well as mine. I never told you because you obviously didn’t care about me. Then when you did come back several years later, and we got together, I thought I’d tell you then. I was going to do it when I came to New York.’ She took a deep breath. ‘Oh, God, Michael, I know I should’ve told you. I feel so guilty now because Vincent really needs his father. I’m so sorry.’

‘I don’t fucking believe this,’ he said, shaking his head.

‘It’s true,’ she said, close to tears. ‘I never slept with anyone else–you were the only one.’

‘You got married, didn’t you?’ he said harshly.

‘I married Sam because I was pregnant,’ she explained. ‘I made him believe the baby was his.’

‘Talk about me keeping secrets,’ Michael said, giving her a long, hard stare. ‘How devious can you get?’

‘You mustn’t punish Vincent because of my mistakes.’

‘I don’t even know Vincent.’

‘I kept the two of you apart because he looks so much like you. When I took him to Tina’s today, she was amazed.’

‘Tina knows, and you’re only just telling me? This is fucking unreal.’

‘I have to tell Vincent. Then I thought that maybe tomorrow the two of you can finally meet.’

‘Are you out of your freaking mind?’ he said angrily. ‘I’m married, Dani. Married. As far as Madison is concerned, Stella is her mother. And believe me, anyone who tells her otherwise will be very sorry indeed.’

‘I understand,’ she said meekly.

‘Good. ’Cause I think it’s great that you’re coming to me seventeen years later and telling me I’ve got a son. Only you know what? It’s too goddamn late. I don’t want to meet him. I don’t want to have anything to do with you. And right now I’m getting up and walking out of here. So…do us both a big favour, and never contact me again.’

Chapter Forty-three

Michael and Dani: 1982

‘I said come visit, only I didn’t reckon it was going to be this soon,’ Tina said, standing at the door of her house.

‘I need to talk,’ Michael said, shoving past her.

‘I wonder why,’ Tina said, following him. ‘We’re eating late tonight and are in the middle of dinner.’

‘I don’t want dinner.’

‘I didn’t offer.’

‘Thanks!’

‘You’d better say hello to Max, otherwise he’ll think something strange is going on.’

‘Something strange is going on, Tina,’ he said, turning on her. ‘Why the hell didn’t you warn me?’

‘I guess this means Dani told you?’

‘Damn right.’

‘What are you going to do?’

‘Why should I do anything?’ Michael responded, his handsome face grim. ‘She raised a son I knew nothing about. Now I’m supposed to believe he’s mine. Fuck that shit.’

‘Hey,’ Max said, emerging from the dining room, ‘what’s going on? Jeez!’ he said, spotting Michael. ‘A ghost from the past.’

‘Nice greeting,’ Michael said.

‘What do you want–a hug and a kiss? Look at you, all dressed up, Mr City Freakin’ Big Shot.’

‘Cut the crap,’ Michael said. ‘I know we haven’t seen each other in a while, but I’m here because you’re my friends. And I don’t need to hear shit.’

‘Oh,’ Max said. ‘Finally he discovers he has friends.’

Tina, who had not filled her husband in, quickly shushed him. ‘Let’s go into the living room,’ she said, taking Michael’s arm.

‘I need a drink,’ Michael said.

‘So fix yourself one,’ Max said, adding a sarcastic, ‘Sorry, the staff are all on vacation.’

‘Where do you keep the booze?’ Michael asked, ignoring Max’s crack.

‘In that cupboard over there,’ Max said. ‘You want ice, get it from the kitchen.’

‘Max,’ Tina scolded, ‘stop behaving like a jerk. Michael had a big shock tonight.’

‘What kind of shock?’

‘The kind of shock where a woman comes back seventeen years later and tells you you’ve got a son,’ Tina said.

‘What?’ Max said, sitting down.

‘I was going to tell you later,’ Tina said. ‘Here’s the fast version. Dani’s son, Vincent, is Michael’s.’

‘How come she didn’t tell me when we started seeing each other again?’ Michael said tersely.

‘She must’ve had her reasons,’ Tina said, shrugging.

‘What’re you gonna do?’ Max asked.

‘It’s not my problem,’ Michael said, pouring himself a hefty drink. ‘It’s her fucking problem.’

‘She said the boy needs a father,’ Tina interjected.

‘She should’ve thought of that before.’

‘Does that mean you won’t see him?’

‘Why would I?’

‘I think you should,’ Tina ventured. ‘After all, it’s not his fault.’

‘I gotta figure this one out on my own,’ Michael said.

‘That’s true,’ Max agreed.

‘Hey, listen, sorry I barged in on you tonight–didn’t know where else to go.’

‘How about home to your wife?’ Tina suggested.

‘Jesus!’ Michael said. ‘If Stella finds out, she’ll go nuts.’

‘Oh, yes, I imagine she would,’ Tina said, quite enjoying the thought of an out-of-control Stella.

‘Let’s not discuss my wife,’ Michael said shortly. ‘We’ll get together when she’s not around, okay?’

‘Yes, Michael,’ Tina said. ‘And if you want my advice–which you probably don’t–you should see your son. It’s the right thing to do.’

Dani felt like a total failure. Not only had she failed to connect with Michael, but when she’d told Vincent the truth, he’d yelled at her and run out of the hotel. She had no idea where he’d gone.

She didn’t know whether or not to call the police. Instead she called Tina.

‘Don’t worry,’ Tina reassured her. ‘He’ll come back.’

‘How do