Deadly Embrace (37 page)

And so they made their entrance to the strains of "The Most
Beautiful Girl in the World."

Michael ordered a bottle of champagne. He had every intention of
making this trip special for Tina and Max, since they'd done so much
for him. Earlier he'd slipped the bell captain at the Estradido a
hundred bucks to get them tickets for Elvis the following night. "Do
it, an' there's more where that came from," he'd promised.

A female photographer stopped by their table.

"Yes, please!" Tina exclaimed, posing between her two men, big
smile firmly in place.

After an excellent dinner of steak, lobster, and chocolate
souffle, the show started. First a line of gorgeous dancing girls.
Then an extremely clever magic act, followed by a group of astounding
Chinese acrobats, who made the audience gasp in amazement.

Michael's eyes scanned the chorus line—just in case. Max was
practically frothing at the mouth, while Tina was guzzling champagne
like it was going out of style.

And then came the showgirls, parading to the strains of "The Most
Beautiful Girl in the World." Six tall, statuesque, topless beauties,
clad in satin and lace, with flowing marabou-trimmed chiffon trains
and faux-diamond tiaras. In high heels they were all six feet tall,
moving with stately grace as they glided down the magnificent double
staircase and struck a pose.

Max let out a low appreciative whistle. Tina elbowed him in the
ribs.

Michael was transfixed. The girl on the left was Dani. The girl
from his past. The one-night stand he'd never forgotten. She was a
little older, probably a whole lot wiser, and breathtakingly
radiant.

For the first time since Beth's murder he felt something—an
attraction that was undeniable. It must be almost ten years since
they were together—she'd probably forgotten all about him, or
wouldn't speak to him. Maybe she was engaged. Or married.

He had to find out.

As soon as the show was over, he was on his feet.

"What's your rush?" Tina asked. "Let's finish the champagne. We
can't waste it."

"Gotta go see an old friend," he said. "I'll meet you in the
casino."

"What old friend?" Max wanted to know.

"Where in the casino?" Tina asked.

"Don't worry about it, I'll find you."

"Michael—"

He didn't hear her. He was already on his way backstage.

* * *

A strange thing happened to Dani while she was onstage. She thought
she saw Michael Castellino.

Standing in position, attempting to stay as still as possible, she
checked out the audience, and tonight there was a man at one of the
front tables who looked remarkably like him. She couldn't see that
well, what with the stage lights and all, but still...

No. It couldn't be. Too much time had passed, and she didn't want
him coming back into her life, finding out about Vincent and trying
to stake a claim.

She looked away, hoping that would make him vanish. But when she
glanced back a few minutes later, he was still there.

Only it wasn't him. The bright lights were playing tricks with her
vision. She paraded around the stage, head held high—moving
like a queen.

When she got off the stage and returned to the dressing room, she
was furious to find Joey, Penelope's boyfriend, lounging on the
couch. She'd informed Penelope on countless occasions that she didn't
want him in there. Being topless onstage was one thing, but returning
to her dressing room and having Joey ogling her at close quarters was
unacceptable.

"Like he'd want to look at you when he's got
me
" Penelope
had argued. "Get a fuckin'
life
!"

Dani realized she would have to take it up with the company
manager. Enough was enough.

"How ya doin', doll?" Joey said, jumping up and leering at her. He
was all greasy black hair and pointed white teeth.

"Not so good," she answered crisply. "Do you mind waiting outside
while I change?"

"You don't got nothin' I ain't seen a thousand times," Joey said,
eyes fixed on her nipples.

"I'd appreciate some privacy."

"Don't be like that, doll," he said, edging closer. "Where's my
Penny?"

"On her way, so take your dirty little eyes off me," she said,
grabbing a towel to cover herself.

"Jeez! It wasn't like I was gonna
touch
'em," he said
indignantly.

"Out!" she yelled, suddenly losing it.

He slouched to the door and stepped into the hall. She quickly
slammed and locked the door behind him.

Soon Penelope was hammering and shouting outside the locked
door.

Dani took her time removing her heavy stage makeup and changing
into her street clothes. When she was finally ready, she unlocked the
door and a furious Penelope burst in.

"What the
fuck—
," Penelope began, quivering with
fury.

Ignoring her, Dani headed for the stage door.

"
Bitch
!" Penelope yelled after her.

Dani grabbed Eric on her way out. "Either she goes into another
dressing room or
I
do," she said. "Call me when it's done or
I'm not coming back."

It felt good asserting herself, and why not? She had a fan club
and magazines chasing her to take her photo. It was about time she
started enjoying her success.

She walked outside.

Standing there, smoking a cigarette, was Michael Castellino.

* * *

"Where did Michael go?" Tina asked as they trooped out of the Krystle
Room along with the rest of the audience.

"Dunno," Max replied, more interested in hitting the blackjack
tables than anything else.

"Should we wait here?"

"No, Tina. He said
he'll
find
us
."

"So what shall we do?"

"Dunno what you're doin', but I'm hittin' the tables."

"then I'll play the slots."

"Have fun."

"Don't lose your money."

"I
never
lose."

And happily they went their separate ways.

* * *

She didn't back away. She didn't run, although she wanted to.

Michael Castellino was standing there as casual as if they'd seen
each other the day before.

"Hey," he said, flicking his cigarette to the ground. "Remember
me?"

Remember him. She'd never gotten him out of her mind. And
now—almost ten years later—he was back.

"I'm sorry—" she said, faking it.

"Michael," he said, stepping closer. "Michael Castelli."

"Castellino," she corrected. And she could have kicked herself for
coming out with his name.

"So you
do
remember," he said. "That's nice. Oh, and by the
way—changed my name to Castelli."

"What are you doing here?" she asked, keeping her tone cool and
impersonal.

"Right now I'm wondering if I can buy you a drink."

"I don't think so."

"You don't think so," he said, giving her a quizzical look.
"Hey—that's better than a flat no. At least I got a fifty-fifty
chance."

They stood there. Two strangers who'd conceived a child together.
And yet
he
didn't know. He had no idea he was the father of an
amazing nine-year-old boy.

Don't just stand here, get moving
, her inner voice
urged.

She couldn't move. Her legs wouldn't allow her to.

"I guess this is kinda awkward," he said. "We spent one great
night together, then you never heard from me."

"That about sums it up," she said coolly.

"Believe me," he continued, "there were circumstances, things that
prevented me from coming back."

She was silent, refusing to help him out.

"Uh ... are you married or something?" he asked, feeling
awkward—a new sensation for him.

"Divorced," she answered quietly. "And you?"

"No. Never did get married."

"I see."

"You look great."

So do you
, she wanted to say, but she didn't. He was
so
damned handsome.

"One drink, Dani. How about it?"

"I don't drink."

"I'll buy you a milk shake."

Damn! He was attractive. What harm was there in having a drink
with him? He was just another man, and she knew exactly how to deal
with men.

"Fine," she murmured, giving in. "One milk shake. Chocolate. And
then I have to get home."

* * *

An hour later they were on the bed in his hotel room at the
Estradido, making wild, passionate love.

She had
never
felt this way before.
Never
. Sex was
something other people did. Not her. She wasn't interested.

Yet here she was—with Michael. And it was as if the world
stopped and he was the only person who mattered.

His touch made her moan and shiver with pleasure. The way his body
felt up against hers. His lips so insistent—covering every inch
of her flesh.

She was transported to another time, another place. She was truly
happy.

* * *

For the first time since Beth's tragic murder, Michael could feel the
pain lifting away. There was something about Dani—something
warm and nurturing. Suddenly hefelt at peace. It seemed that being in
her arms was the right place to be.

The sex was incredible, too. It wasn't as if he was
scoring—more like connecting. He knew she felt the same way.
She had to.

Afterward they lay on the bed, side by side, silent, peaceful, and
content.

"Wow!" he said at last. "That was something."

"Yes, it was," she agreed.

"You were ...
are ..
. sensational."

"Isn't it about time you got dressed and left?" she said, deciding
she couldn't allow this to go any further.

"Huh?"

"Y'know, repeat performance. See you again in ten years."

"Ouch!" he said, sitting up. "I explained to you where I was.
Didn't think you'd appreciate the 'Dear Dani, I'm in jail'
letter."

"I might've appreciated
something
."

"Yeah," he said, reaching for a cigarette. "I know." A long beat.
"Hey—it wasn't as if I didn't
think
about you."

"That's comforting."

"Dani," he said seriously. "We were both kids then."

"Yes," she said. "I was only sixteen."

"
What
?"

A slight smile. "Didn't want to scare you."

"Jeez!" he said, shaking his head. "I coulda been
arrested
."

"You were," she said dryly.

"Yeah, but not for sleepin' with a juvenile."

She reached over and touched his face. The same nose, eyes, lips
as her little Vincent. My God, if he ever saw him, he'd know at once.
She had to make sure that never happened.

"You were pretty spectacular onstage tonight," he said admiringly.
"I got such a kick when you walked out."

"You did?"

"Yeah. I'd been over at the Estradido lookin' for you. Then I
figured you'd gotten married an' were long gone. You can imagine my
surprise when you appeared onstage." He stared at her intently. "It's
like fate, huh?"

"Kind of," she said hesitantly.

"Yeah," he said, nodding to himself. "It was meant to be." He
smiled at her. "Dani Castle. That's quite a name. I was reading about
you in the program."

"You got a program?" __

"I picked one up on the way out. Where did you come up with
'Castle'?"

"Saw it in a magazine and it seemed like a good name."

"Dani Castle," he repeated.

"Michael," she said, throwing all inhibitions aside, "I do believe
you're talking too much."

He grinned. "I am, huh?"

"Yes—you am," she said softly, running her fingers lightly
across his stomach.

"Well...," he said, touching her breasts. "In that case..."

The second time was even better. Dani tried to figure out what it
was. With Sam the sex was a disaster. And with Dean—even though
he'd tried to be a caring lover—she'd lain there like a log,
completely unaffected by his ministrations.

How come Michael was the only man capable of lighting her
fire?

She didn't know, she didn't care. She simply surrenderee! to the
moment.

* * *

Tina successfully managed to lose all her earlier winnings in the
space of two hours. When she looked at her watch she was shocked to
discover how much time had passed. Where the hell was her husband?
She'd been so caught up playing the slots that she hadn't noticed he
was missing. And why hadn't Michael come looking for them?

She got up and began searching the casino for Max, finally
tracking him down at one of the blackjack tables, where he was
winning. This was a reversal of fortunes— one moment she was up
and he was down. Now it was his turn.

"Honey," she said, coming up behind him. "You're winning!"

"Sure am," he said excitedly. "Don't stand too close— you
might change my luck."

"Thanks a
lot
," she said indignantly, taking a step
back.

"Shh ... I gotta concentrate."

"Can I have some money to play with?"

"No," he said, protecting his stack of chips with both hands.

"What do you mean—no?"

"You said no to me, so why should I give
you
money?"

"You're so selfish," she argued. "I was planning on spending
my
money on the children."

"Then go do it."

"I can't."

"Why?"

"I lost it all."

"Jeez!" Max said. "Here's a hundred. Go lose that."

"Oh, Mr.
Generous
," she said sarcastically. "How much are
you up, anyway?"

"I dunno. Go away."

"Where's Michael?"

"Around somewhere."

"Okay, I'll take this hundred and win all my money back."

"Sure, baby—that's the spirit."

Hmm
, she thought.
Max at the tables is a different man.
Assertive, sexy, in charge. I like it
!

She'd win her money back, then drag him upstairs. They'd been
married a few years now, and he wasn't as enthusiastic in the bedroom
as he used to be. Maybe tonight she'd light a few sparks.