Deadly Embrace
“Who’s waitin’ up?”
“Didn’t I tell you? I have a child.”
“You do?” he said, surprised. “Boy or girl?”
“A little boy.”
“No kiddin’? I’ve got a daughter—she just turned three. Maybe we should get ’em together.”
“I thought you told me you never married.”
“I was living with someone. She was very young. When we’ve got more time I’ll tell you all about it.”
“Where is she now?”
“She . . . uh . . . died.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Hey—life goes on,” he said, determined not to burden her with his pain. Besides, the story between him and Beth was a private love story.
“Where is your daughter?”
“She’s been living with my friends Max and Tina. Now I’m planning on taking her back to live with me.”
“So you should, she’s your child.”
“Madison’s a great kid.”
“Madison. That’s a very unusual name. Does she look like you?”
“Yeah,” he said, laughing. “Poor kid.”
“Do you have a photo?” she asked, wondering if his daughter looked anything like Vincent.
“Would I sound like a proud dad if I said yes?”
“There’s nothing wrong with that.”
He got out of bed and padded across the room, picking up his wallet from the table.
She admired his body as he walked back toward her. He was lean and muscular, with broad shoulders and hard abs. He was certainly one great-looking man.
She sighed and wished this night would last forever.
Only she knew it wouldn’t. He’d leave. And that would be that.
Unless she told him.
Max was desperately trying to stay cool as he won hand after hand at the blackjack table. But staying cool was tough when all he really wanted to do was stand up and yell!
He kept on hitting twenty-one. It was unbelievable.
“Card?” the dealer asked.
He nodded.
Shit! Twenty-one again.
He could do no wrong!
“Gotta go find my friends before they blow their bankroll,” Michael said, jumping out of bed. “Come with me, I’d like you to meet them.”
“Are you sure?”
“Wouldn’t ask if I wasn’t.”
They got dressed and took a cab to the Magiriano, holding hands all the way. When they got there, he was just in time to haul Max away from the blackjack table before Max blew his winnings.
“Be smart,” Michael said, getting a firm grip on Max’s arm. “You gotta learn when to walk away.”
For once, Max listened.
“Say hello to Dani,” Michael said as soon as they were a safe distance away from the blackjack table.
Max stared at the beautiful blond holding Michael’s hand. He recognized her immediately. She was the gorgeous topless babe in the show they’d just seen, the second girl from the left. How did Michael do it? Lucky bastard.
“Hi, Dani,” he said.
“Hi, Max,” she said, remembering him from his one night of lust with Angela.
“How do you two know each other?”
“Guess you’ve forgotten about your bachelor night,” Michael said, grinning.
Max looked blank. “Huh?”
“Wasn’t her name Angela?”
“Jeez!” Max said, eyes nervously darting around the casino. “For God’s sake—don’t let Tina hear you.”
“If you hadn’t been so bombed, you would’ve remembered that Dani was Angela’s roommate. Now do you get it?”
“Oh yeah—Dani. She’s the girl you used to talk about.”
“You see,” Michael said, smiling at her. “I used to talk about you all the time. Max thought I was nuts.”
“Why did you think that, Max?” she asked.
“ ’Cause, uh . . . well, he’d talk about you, an’ you weren’t there. An’ I kinda figured he’d get on a plane and come back to see you. Then he, uh . . . had other things goin’ on.”
“It’s all right,” Michael said. “She knows what happened to me.”
“She does?”
“Yes, I do,” Dani said.
“She also knows I’m out of that line of business now,” Michael said. “An’ by the way—with that investment thing I got going, you should give me your four thousand bucks. I can double it for you.”
“I’d better ask Tina.”
“D’you havta get her permission to take a piss too?”
“Screw you.”
“Where is Tina anyway?”
“Losing my money on the slots.”
“We should go find her.”
The three of them went searching for Tina and discovered her playing her last ten dollars.
“Lose it an’ quit,” Michael ordered. “Oh, an’ Tina—meet Dani. We’re all going for a drink.”
“Who is she?” Tina hissed at Max, not thrilled that their cozy threesome was now a foursome.
“She was in the show,” Max whispered back. “Mike knows her from years ago.”
They were sitting in one of the lounges, drinking champagne to celebrate Max’s four-thousand-dollar win. He was flushed with success, whereas Tina was livid, because not only had she lost all her money, she’d also lost the hundred dollars Max had given her to play with.
Besides, she was feeling disconcerted. She was usually the prettiest girl in any group. Now this tall, beautiful blond had joined them, and everyone was looking her way. This did not thrill Tina.
“I don’t like her,” she whispered to Max.
“I don’t think Michael cares,” Max retaliated.
“What do you mean by that?”
“He’s fucking her, not you.”
“God! You are so vulgar. What makes you think he’s sleeping with her?”
“Take a look at the two of ’em.”
“I should think he’d have more respect for Beth’s memory.”
“Beth’s been gone for almost two years. A man has to get it on.”
“Sometimes you are so disgusting.”
Meanwhile Dani decided she should try to get to know Michael’s friends. “What do you do?” she asked Tina.
“Me . . . I, uh . . . look after my kids,” Tina said. “And he’s a lot of work,” she added, jerking her thumb at Max. “Dumps his clothes on the floor, never does anything around the house, leaves his empty beer cans on the table . . .”
“Hold on a minute,” Max objected. “It’s me you’re talking about. I get up every morning at dawn and go to work sellin’ cars for a living.”
“Perhaps you can advise me, Max,” Dani said. “I’m thinking of buying a new car.”
“You are? What do you drive now?”
“A Cadillac. I was considering something more sporty. My son keeps on trying to persuade me to get a Corvette.”
“Oh, you have a son?” Tina said, making an attempt to warm up.
“Yes.”
“How old is he?”
“Nine. What about your kids?”
“Susie’s seven, Harry’s eight—the little monster. What am I telling you for—I guess you know all about boys.”
“Actually, mine’s quite studious.”
“Lucky you!”
To Michael and Max’s relief the women were suddenly on mutual ground.
“I thought they weren’t gonna get along,” Michael said to Max in a low voice. “Only now Tina’s started complainin’ about you, we’re on easy street.”
“Max mentioned that you knew Michael a long time ago,” Tina said, dying to find out more. “Where did you meet?”
“Where did we meet, Michael?” Dani questioned, throwing the ball to him.
“Uh . . . a mutual friend introduced us.”
“You can tell Tina the truth,” Dani said, laughing. “I was sixteen and a virgin. Then along came your friend Michael and took advantage of me.”
Tina
shot him a spiteful look. “Oh yes, our Michael’s very fond of sixteen-year-old virgins.”
Michael returned her look with one of his own that said, Shut the fuck up!
Tina got the message.
Later, at Michael’s urging, Dani called her housekeeper and informed her she would not be home that night.
While Dani was on the phone, Michael warned Tina not to mention Beth or what had happened. “I’ll tell Dani in my own time,” he said. “I can’t risk frightening her off.”
“Whatever,” Tina said. “Only I think you’re making a mistake.”
“It’s my mistake, so I’ll make it. Okay?”
When Dani returned from making her phone call, they took off on a tour of all the big hotels, finally arriving back at the Estradido at 3 A.M.
“This was so much fun,” Tina exclaimed as they rode up in the elevator. “Can we do it again tomorrow?”
“Sleep—I need sleep!” Max groaned. “Gimme a bed!”
“They’re such a nice couple,” Dani said, as soon as they reached Michael’s room.
“Yeah,” he agreed. “Max is a real stand-up guy; we’ve been through a lot together. And Tina’s a real character. She nags the crap outta him, an’ he gets off on it.”
Dani walked over to the window, gazing out at the spectacular view. “Listen, Michael,” she said quietly. “I’ve been thinking that you should go back to New York with them. If you really want anything to happen between us, then come back by yourself. That way I’ll know I’m not a one-night stand.”
“You really think you’re that?” he said, quite hurt.
“It’s just—”
“I don’t have to go,” he interrupted.
“I want you to.”
“What is this?” he said quizzically. “A test?”
“I suppose it is.”
“Jesus, don’t you trust—”
Now it was her turn to interrupt him. “Do it my way, Michael,” she said softly. “Please.”
“Whatever you say,” he said, putting his arms around her.
This is insane, she thought. I’m spending the night with a man I barely know. And I’m happier than I’ve ever been.
The day they left, Dani hired a limo as her treat and rode with them to the airport. By this time she and Tina were fast friends. They’d spent the last twenty-four hours together having a fantastic time—the highlight being Elvis Presley’s amazing performance at the Hilton, where they’d had stageside seats and Tina had almost fainted with excitement.
“You gotta come visit us in New York,” Tina said. “I can’t believe you’ve never been there.”
“Maybe I will,” Dani said, glancing shyly at Michael.
“Yeah, she will,” Michael said. “That’s if I have anythin’ to do with it.”
“Good,” Tina said. “Can’t wait to show you our town.”
At the airport, Tina and Max got out of the limousine and went on ahead into the terminal. Dani and Michael also got out and stood beside the limo. He leaned her against it, pressing his body up against hers.
“I don’t know about you, but I’ve had the best time,” he said, stroking her hair.
“Twenty-four hours longer than last time,” she murmured.
“I’ll be back in two weeks.”
“Try not to get arrested.”
“I told you,” he said. “I’m not into that business anymore.”
“Glad to hear it.”
“I was thinkin’—maybe I could stay with you next time. What d’you say?”
“No, Michael, that’s not possible. I told you—I have a son.”
“Yeah,” he said. “A son who you wouldn’t let me meet.”
“Perhaps when you come back.”
“So what you’re tellin’ me is that you don’t have men stay over?” he said, raising a disbelieving eyebrow.
“I don’t have men, period.”
“Really?”
“I’m not that kind of a girl.”
“Star of a Vegas show with every guy in town after her, and she’s not that kind of a girl,” he said, shaking his head. “Should I believe that?”
“Believe what you want.”
“What I want is to kiss you.”
“Go ahead,” she said breathlessly.
He did so until she felt his erection pressing against her leg.
Gently she pushed him away. “You’re insatiable,” she murmured.
“You make me that way.”
“I’m glad,” she said, smiling.
“Uh, Dani,” he said, suddenly turning serious. “There’s things I gotta tell you. Stuff I don’t want to get into now.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
“I’ll call you,” he said, kissing her again, knowing that he’d finally found some kind of peace, and that meant everything.
Tuesday, July 10, 2001
The van ricocheted down the back alley. Madison stared straight ahead through the front window, eyes alert, ready to duck if she spotted anything blocking their way. A helicopter hovered above. It was probably from a TV station. There was no way the cops could control the media; they ran their own game.
“Make a left at the end of the alley onto Beverly,” the gunman said. “Anybody gets in your way—hit the mothafuckers.”
Madison turned her head to see if Natalie was okay. The woman with the gash on her temple was quietly sobbing.
This is crazy, she thought. Where the hell does he think we’re going? What’s his plan? He’d have been better off staying in the restaurant and giving himself up.
Cole swerved onto Beverly, sideswiping a Jaguar.
“You see any red lights ahead,” the ringleader shouted, “jump ’em. Don’t even think about it.”
“We could all be killed,” the woman in the back wailed.
“If he don’t do what I’m tellin’ him, you’ll all be dead anyway.”
“You’re actually taking me to a business meeting?” Jolie said, quite pleased with herself. This was a first, and she liked it.
“Hey, babe—thought you should see how the professionals do it.”
“How the professionals do what?”
“I’m taking you to a strip club I might buy into.”
“You’re taking me to a strip club?” Jolie said, raising an eloquent eyebrow.
“Got a feelin’ you’ll find it very educational,” Nando said, grinning.
“Are you intimating that I need lessons?”
“That’s the last thing you need. I want you to meet these guys I might partner with, see what you think.”
“And how is Vincent involved?”
“He’s not.”
“Why?”
“ ’Cause Vincent is livin’ in the past. He doesn’t get that Vegas is changin’.”
“Do you honestly think it is?”
“Sure it is. We’re goin’ back to the basics—girls an’ sex, that’s the coming wave.”
“Whatever happened to family?”
“That side of the business is over.”
“Tell 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 tal
k 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 awhile. 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, blond hair swirling around 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, lay 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 around 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 behavior. 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?”