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

Mamie assessed the situation. It was bound to cost money, and if there was one thing Mamie hated, it was spending unnecessary money.

‘I’m calling Serge,’ she said, buzzing the guardhouse. ‘He’ll take care of it.’

Serge got behind the wheel of the Cadillac and moved it to the side of the driveway, muttering to himself all the while. As he was doing so, a black limo slid into view.

Serge marched over to it. ‘Yes?’ he said to the driver, thinking that the limo probably contained more hookers. The two people he worked for were insatiable. Sex parties sometimes went on all through the night.

‘Guests for the house,’ the driver said.

Serge could feel the comforting bulge of his gun tucked snugly into his shoulder holster. He wished he had the security of the gate between him and this unknown limo, but unfortunately he’d been caught unaware.

‘Who do you want to see?’ he asked.

Before he could say any more, the Suburban rolled up behind the limo, and two men with automatic weapons jumped out.

Serge had no chance to pull his gun. He was wrestled to the ground and overpowered, while the limo headed up the driveway, the Suburban right behind it.

As the car approached the house, two huge Dobermans came racing over, growling ferociously. The dog wrangler jumped out of the Suburban waving large, raw juicy steaks under the dogs’ noses.

Once the dogs were taken care of, several other men sprang into action, sealing off the servants’ quarters and making sure no one else was round.

As soon as everything was secure, the driver opened the door for Gus and Michael, and they got out of the limo outside the house.

‘Showtime,’ Gus said calmly. ‘I hope you remember the tune. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?’

Michael nodded. ‘Some things you never forget.’ And the two of them entered the house.

‘Where the hell is Serge?’ Mamie screamed. ‘When I buzz, he’d better get on the fuckin’ line pronto, or he’s fired!’

‘He’s probably taking a piss,’ Bone muttered.

‘Jesus Christ!’ Mamie said.

Tawny was now dressed and sitting on a chair. ‘I’d like to leave,’ she said.

‘I’m sure you would, dear,’ Mamie replied, ‘now that you’ve ruined our evening.’

‘What did I do?’ Tawny asked.

‘You’re hookers,’ Mamie reminded her. ‘Don’t you understand that hookers are supposed to do anything the client wants? And if my husband wants something, you shouldn’t argue. This is all your fault.’

‘It is not,’ Tawny said, thinking that it was better if she didn’t argue any further. Obviously this couple were totally insane. She couldn’t wait to get back to her madam and complain about them.

The worrying thing was that Heather had not moved. She was still lying on the floor.

‘Don’t you think we should call a doctor?’ Tawny suggested.

‘Oh yes, let’s announce it to the world,’ Mamie said sarcastically.

‘We can’t just leave her lying there.’

‘Why do you think I’m trying to get my guard?’ Mamie said. ‘He’ll drive her to the hospital. You don’t have to worry about her.’

‘But I am worried about her.’

‘Don’t, dear,’ Mamie said, fixing her with a cruel smile. ‘It’s in your best interest not to remember anything about tonight. Do you understand?’

‘You’re sure?’ Dean said, holding the phone to his ear.

‘Absolutely sure,’ Dani replied, determined to go through with it.

‘What made you change your mind?’

‘I was thinking about how you always said that we’d be so happy together. And, Dean,’ she added softly, ‘I finally realized that you’re the only person who really cares about me.’

‘You’re worth it,’ he said.

‘Let’s not wait,’ she said quickly.

‘Fine with me. We can do it tonight if you like.’ He glanced at his watch. ‘It’s morning. Nothing unusual about a three a.m. wedding in Vegas. I can pick you up in half an hour.’

‘Tonight’s a little too soon,’ she said, laughing nervously. ‘How about noon tomorrow?’

‘Are we telling anyone?’

‘Maybe Vincent.’

‘Dani, was Michael with you tonight?’

‘Why are you asking me that?’

‘Because when we had dinner earlier, none of these thoughts were in your head, so something must have happened.’

‘Yes,’ she admitted. ‘He was here, and something did happen. We spent time together, and after he left I knew that you are the man I want to spend the rest of my life with.’

‘You’ll never regret it,’ Dean said.

‘I know,’ she whispered.

Chapter Fifty-nine

Wednesday, 11 July 2001, 2.00 a.m.

Zaroff was seething. All night long he’d been the man in charge, the one with the balls. Now his fat uncle was telling him what to do. Didn’t he realize that Zaroff was the man?

He’d taken over that fucking restaurant with the help of his uncle’s Uzi, and he’d kicked ass good. Serge should be proud of him instead of calling him names.

Serge was pig shit. Serge was a Russian fucking peasant. Serge had no idea how exciting it was to have total control and to kill people.

Tonight everybody had been scared of him. He could’ve made them do anything. He could’ve taken any of those hostages and fucked the ass off them. Now he was at this fancy house in the hills, and his uncle was treating him like crap as usual.

Russian Mafia my ass, Zaroff thought. I can take him any day.

His two cohorts were busy searching the hillside for the girl. His friends always did what he told them. Ever since he’d stopped a car one night and shot the driver just for kicks they’d been in awe of him. He was the man. No question. They were all scared of him. And he liked that.

Now his fat uncle was dissing him. The same uncle who’d go running to his mother. And she was a hard-assed bitch–she’d come down on him big-time.

A thought entered his head. What would happen if when they found the girl, he kept her, hid her somewhere, and demanded a ransom?

The bitch had mentioned fifty thousand dollars. Fifty thousand fucking dollars!

If he blew Serge away, nobody would know it was him who’d done