Deadly Embrace Jackie Collins (the reader ebook .TXT) 📖

Chapter Fifty-one

Dani and Vincent: 1995

‘You ou look great in a hard hat, Mom,’ Vincent said, mildly teasing her.

‘Excuse me?’ Dani replied.

‘No, really,’ he said, taking her arm and steering her round a fenced-off area. ‘It suits you.’

‘I can assure you that it’s not going to be my mode of dress every day. Only when I visit my son’s construction site.’

‘Can you believe it?’ Vincent said, shaking his head as if he couldn’t quite believe it himself. ‘Our own hotel.’

‘I must say, much as I disapprove of Nando, the two of you deserve it. You’ve both worked hard to achieve this.’

‘You’re telling me,’ Vincent agreed. ‘It’s taken two years to build, and when it’s finished–man, it’ll be worth all the stress and hard work.’

‘How much longer?’ Dani asked.

‘I reckon another six months.’

‘Incredible,’ she said. ‘And you do know I’m ready to help you in any way I can.’

‘Good, Mom. ’Cause I’m depending on you to sit down with the interior designer, see he doesn’t get carried away. You have great taste.’

‘It’s all in the finishing touches,’ she said modestly. ‘I can help choose the paint colours and the fabrics. I want the rooms to be stylish and comfortable.’

Vincent nodded. He wasn’t really concentrating. He had too much on his mind–so many details and everything had to be perfect: there could be no mistakes. Nando and he were risking everything on the success of their hotel, which Nando had generously suggested should be called The Castle Hotel and Casino. ‘That name’s got a lucky feel to it,’ Nando had said, displaying a refreshing lack of ego. Vincent felt the same way.

A group of investors had put up the money to build the hotel, including Michael, who’d insisted on being involved. Reluctantly Vincent had agreed to his father’s participation. If the hotel was a flop he would simply kill himself. There was no way he could let Michael down.

‘It’s exciting, huh?’ he said, as he walked Dani back to his car.

‘It would be even more exciting if you found yourself a nice girl and settled down,’ she remarked.

‘What’s with the settling down?’ he said, knowing that that was the one thing he had no intention of doing. ‘I’m perfectly happy the way I am.’

‘I know you are, Vincent,’ she said, wishing he’d listen to her. ‘But wouldn’t it be nice if you had a baby?’

‘Oh, c’mon, Mom,’ he said, laughing, ‘you’re not the grandma type.’

‘I’d be a sensational babysitter.’

He grinned at his beautiful mother and wondered how she’d managed all these years by herself.

Michael’s visits were becoming less frequent, and he knew it upset her. He felt like he was the man of the family now, because Michael had this whole other life in New York.

It was weird knowing that he had a half-sister out there somewhere, a sister who, if Michael had his way, he’d never get to meet.

His other sister, Sofia, was twelve. She was into Madonna, makeup and lots of girly clothes. She already looked like a teenager, so Vincent was aware that he had to keep a strong watch over her, especially since Michael wasn’t round to do so.

‘Inspection over,’ Dani said, removing her hard hat and getting into his car. ‘Can we go to lunch now?’

‘I always like buying my mom lunch,’ Vincent said, settling behind the wheel. ‘She’s the hottest date in town.’

‘I wish,’ Dani said wryly.

‘I remember when I was growing up. God! Every boy in school had the hots for you.’

‘Vincent!’

‘They did. And then one night someone’s parents spotted you in the show. The next day I was so embarrassed. It was all over school that my Mom took her clothes off.’

‘Sorry if I embarrassed you,’ she said drily. ‘Don’t forget that taking off my clothes paid all our bills.’

‘Listen, Mom,’ he said sincerely, ‘I know, better than anyone, how hard you worked and the sacrifices you made.’

‘It didn’t seem like making sacrifices at the time.’

‘How come you never married Dean?’ Vincent asked curiously. ‘He was always round. Still is.’

‘Because I don’t love him,’ she said patiently. ‘I love Michael and I always will.’

‘Then why didn’t you and Michael get married?’

‘You know why, Vincent. I don’t have to explain.’

‘Yeah, yeah, I know. He has a wife and daughter in New York.’

‘That’s right,’ Dani said, reluctant to discuss it.

‘So why the hell doesn’t he divorce her?’ Vincent demanded.

‘I’m not complaining,’ she said quietly.

‘Perhaps if you complained he’d do it.’

‘I’m not sure if it’s what I want any more. Lately we’ve been drifting apart. Michael doesn’t come here as much as he used to. I’d like him to see more of Sofia, but what can I do? I can’t force him to spend time with her.’

‘Don’t worry about Sofia,’ Vincent said. ‘She’s a tough little cookie.’

‘I realize that,’ Dani said. ‘Both of you have lots of your father in you.’

‘We’re not alike at all,’ Vincent said quickly. ‘I’d never string a woman along the way he’s done with you.’

‘Well, you look alike. And I might point out that Michael has never strung me along. We have an arrangement, and I’m perfectly happy the way things are.’

‘Yeah?’

‘Yes, Vincent,’ she said firmly. ‘I’ve never wanted for a thing. Michael pays all my bills, he bought me a lovely house, I get a new car every year. What more could any woman ask for?’

‘How about a man beside you to protect you? You deserve that, Mom.’

She turned away so that he couldn’t see the tears that suddenly filled her eyes. Vincent meant well, but his words had upset her.

‘I’m very excited about your hotel,’ she said, gazing out of the car window. ‘And I’m sure your father is too.’

The following week Michael flew in. ‘I can only stay for a couple of days,’ were the first words out of his mouth.

‘Then you’d better spend all your time with Sofia and Vincent,’ Dani said. ‘They both miss you.’

‘I miss them, too.’

‘Vincent is dying