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

in the car as they rode to his house. ‘Him an’ his rinky-dink porno empire. It’ll be my pleasure to put an end to the dumb fuck.’

‘I should’ve done it a long time ago,’ Michael said, thinking that surprise was on his side. Bone and Mamie would never imagine he’d fly to L.A. They probably thought he’d be hiding from the cops in New York, shivering and shaking because of their dumb-ass threats.

Gus was right. They were amateurs. Did they honestly think they could get away with a carbon copy of Beth’s murder? Any competent lawyer would be able to prove he’d been set up, gun or no gun.

‘How many men we using?’ he asked.

‘Enough to get the job done,’ Gus replied. ‘Mamie and Bone got this estate in Bel Air with shit security. They won’t know what hit ’em.’

‘I want them awake,’ Michael said grimly. ‘I want them to know when I come calling.’

‘Whatever you want, you got. Now, what we gonna do about your daughter?’

‘Can you find out what’s going on?’

‘Done,’ Gus said. ‘I’ll call my connection, get an update on the situation.’

‘Thanks, Gus. I appreciate it.’

‘Big freakin’ deal. You made me a coupla mill last year. Somehow I got a feelin’ I owe you.’

As Jolie drove along the Strip behind the wheel of Nando’s Ferrari, she noticed a slew of police cars racing in the opposite direction. It crossed her mind that they might be heading to the Manray. Then she thought, why would they be going there? Payoffs were rife in the city. She was sure Darren and Leroy had things well under control.

She was still mad at Nando. He shouldn’t have exposed her to a place like that. Vincent was right, it was not the kind of business they should even consider getting into. The Castle Hotel and Casino were both doing great, money was plentiful, so jumping into the sleazy side of things was simply being greedy.

She thought about discussing it with Vincent. It seemed like a good idea, because with Vincent to back her, perhaps the two of them could talk some sense into Nando.

On impulse she turned the Ferrari round and, instead of driving home, headed for the hotel.

Dani couldn’t sleep: her mind was in turmoil. Michael and his problems. The story of her life.

And she was always there, forever available, ready to comfort, advise, and pick up the pieces whenever he felt like seeing her. Because there was never a set plan. Michael came and went as he pleased.

Using her.

Vincent’s words.

The most upsetting thing of all was that when Stella had left him, he’d never told her. She’d only found out after Stella’s brutal murder.

Why hadn’t he told her?

Why hadn’t he asked her to marry him so they could finally be together?

Damn! He made love to her and she melted. Was that the basis for a future together?

Marry Dean.

Vincent’s words.

If she married Dean, who genuinely loved her, she’d have to be free of Michael, for she would never cheat on a man she was married to.

It was a momentous decision, and one she probably shouldn’t make while Michael was in trouble. But how else could she expect to be happy?

Mrs Dean King. It was the only way to guarantee a smooth and happy future.

She’d tell Dean in the morning.

Waiting impatiently for his car outside the hotel, Vincent was surprised to see Jolie drive up in Nando’s Ferrari.

‘What are you doing in Nando’s car?’ he asked. ‘You know he doesn’t let anybody drive it.’

‘Too bad,’ she said, getting out and tossing the keys to a valet. ‘You won’t believe where I’m coming from.’

‘Where?’

‘The Manray.’

He knew this was not good news. ‘Want to tell me about it?’

‘I will.’ She looked round. ‘Where’s Jenna?’

‘Over at the Mirage, trapped in a suite with that movie asshole.’

‘You mean Andy Dale?’

‘Is there another movie asshole on the prowl tonight?’

‘I’m so sorry,’ she said, placing a sympathetic hand on his arm.

‘Don’t be,’ he said edgily. ‘I’ve recently come to the conclusion that I made a big mistake marrying Jenna.’

‘Really?’

‘She’s way too young.’

‘I never thought I’d say this,’ Jolie ventured, ‘but you’re right. Jenna is very immature.’

‘Don’t you think I know that?’

‘Listen,’ Jolie said, ‘I can tell that you’re pissed off. I am too. So why don’t we go inside and have a drink at the bar?’

‘I don’t know,’ he said. ‘Jenna was crying on the phone. I’m supposed to be getting her.’

‘What you should be doing, Vincent,’ Jolie said firmly, ‘is teaching her that she cannot behave like this. If she’s dumb enough to go to his suite, then she should be ready to accept the consequences.’

‘This is the second time tonight,’ he complained. ‘The first time I dragged her out of a Jacuzzi half naked.’

Jolie shook her head as if she couldn’t believe what she was hearing. ‘That is not good behaviour.’

‘I know,’ he agreed, mesmerized by her cat-like amber eyes.

‘Come on,’ she said briskly. ‘You and I are getting a drink. We both need it.’

Why hadn’t he married a woman like Jolie, instead of a kid like Jenna? She was certainly more his style.

Madison realized that the Cadillac was heading away from downtown and back in the direction of Santa Monica. She could just about make out the street signs.

The gunman, totally chilled out on E, was now singing along with Ja Rule. He seemed perfectly content and happy. Stoned, of course. Not as angry as before.

‘Who are you working for?’ she asked, trying again for any kind of information.

‘Man,’ he muttered, ‘I’ll be glad to dump your sorry mothafuckin’ ass.’

‘So you’re the errand boy?’ she said, refusing to shut up. ‘Somebody wanted to snatch me, and they used you? Only I bet they didn’t count on people getting killed along the way.’

‘Hey, bitch, what makes you think they wanted you?’ he asked belligerently.

‘It’s obvious,’ she replied. ‘Why dump the other hostages and just take me?’

‘Maybe ’cause I was thinkin’ of fuckin’ you,’ he said, with a lecherous leer.

The young guy in the front, with the