Deadly Embrace by Collins Jackie

Author:Collins, Jackie [Collins, Jackie]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
Published: 2009-05-04T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-nine

Michael: 1972

Scanning the newspapers, Michael had to work hard to find any mention of Roy’s demise. Finally, twenty-four hours later, he discovered a small item tucked away at the bottom of page three.

Man Shot in Central Park Assailant Unknown

Just as he was about to read on, Beth walked into the kitchen on her way to the fashion institute. He put down the newspaper quickly and picked up his coffee.

‘What’s our plan today?’ she asked, dressed for action in tight black jeans, an off-the-shoulder peasant blouse, and backless high-heeled mules.

‘I gotta meeting this afternoon, but after that I’m all yours.’

‘Michael,’ she said, tilting her head, a questioning look in her eyes, ‘what is it you do exactly?’

‘A little bit of this, a little bit of that,’ he answered evasively, sipping his coffee.

It wasn’t the first time she’d tried to find out what he did. When they’d first got together she’d questioned him non-stop until he’d warned her to drop it. Early on he’d decided that the less Beth knew about his business, the better. He especially didn’t want her knowing about Warner Carlysle and the investments–which were going so well that he might retire soon from Gus’s crew and concentrate on his own thing.

‘That’s what you always say.’

‘Believe me, you don’t wanna know–it’s boring.’

‘As long as you bring home the money, I suppose I shouldn’t care,’ she said, tossing back her long dark hair. ‘Although I’d hate it if you ever got arrested again. That must’ve been horrible.’

She’d obviously been getting an earful from Tina and Max, which he didn’t appreciate. ‘Where’s Madison?’ he asked, changing the subject.

‘Catherine took her to the park. We’re going to the zoo later. Why don’t you come?’

‘I told you, I got a meeting,’ he said, standing up and giving her a big hug, wrapping his arms round her slim body until she could barely breathe.

‘What’s that for?’ she gasped.

‘Something for you to remember me by today.’

‘Oh,’ she said, laughing softly. ‘Mr Romantic.’

‘I can be romantic when I want to,’ he said, grinning.

‘I know,’ she said warmly. ‘And I like it.’

‘You do?’

‘Yes, Michael. I do.’

She was smart, sassy, and sexy, and although she was still very young, she had an old soul. He was definitely falling for her big-time. A surprise. But one he was definitely into.

‘I’ve been thinking, Beth,’ he ventured.

‘Yes?’ she said, her brown eyes bright and alert.

‘Remember before you had Madison, we were talkin’ about gettin’ married?’

‘We weren’t, you were,’ she said pointedly.

‘It’s time.’

‘For what?’

‘Plannin’ a wedding.’

‘Oh, no, no, no,’ she said. ‘That’s not for me.’

‘C’mon, sweetheart,’ he said persuasively. ‘We got Madison to think about.’

‘Madison is a very happy baby.’

‘I know. But you gotta consider it.’

‘Why?’

‘Because.’

‘Because what?’

Jesus! She could be stubborn. ‘Hey,’ he said, ‘here’s the good news. If you don’t like bein’ married, we can always get a divorce.’

She sighed and tilted her head on one side. ‘You’re funny, Michael.’

‘You’re even funnier,’ he countered. ‘You’re the only woman I know who doesn’t wanna get married.’

‘In that case you should be jumping up and down with joy.

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