The Santangelos by Jackie Collins Read Free Book Online

into his. “I would feel so much safer. I am a little afraid of being alone.”
    He was torn. What was he supposed to do? Nadia was obviously upset, so how could he simply dump her in a cab and leave it at that? Denver would probably want him to make sure the woman got home safely. Denver was all about treating women with respect.
    “Okay,” he said, a tad reluctantly. “I’d better tell my partner, then I’ll drop you at your hotel.”
    She touched his arm, her eyes wide and grateful. “Thank you so much, Bobby.”
    M.J. took the news with a cynical laugh. “You’re kidding, right?”
    “I’ll be no more than fifteen minutes.”
    “Is that how long it takes you to get laid?”
    “C’mon, M.J., it’s not what you think,” Bobby explained. “She’s engaged, and she’s upset. So I’m playing Good Samaritan. That’s all there is to it.”
    “Yeah,” M.J. replied, rolling his eyes. “An’ I got property I can sell you in Afghanistan.”
    “Fuck you.”
    “Enjoy.”
    “Double fuck you.”
    Outside the club, the parking valet brought Bobby’s rental car to the front. Nadia climbed in. Bobby noticed a flash of bare thigh, and hurriedly averted his eyes. He thought of Denver and how much he missed her. They’d be reunited soon, and all would be right in the world. He’d call her as soon as he was back at the club.
    He got behind the wheel and started the car. “How come the man you’re engaged to isn’t here with you?” he asked.
    “It’s a family trip,” she replied. “My fianc é lives in New York. He’s an architect, a wonderful, kind man. You would like him.”
    “Seems like a great profession. Why doesn’t your cousin approve of him?”
    “Because, unfortunately, he is divorced,” she sighed. “And divorce is frowned upon in our culture. My cousin is a very proper man. All he wants is the best for me.”
    “I get it.”
    “And you?” she asked. “What is your situation? Are you married?”
    “Almost. I live with the greatest girl, the love of my life.”
    “She’s a very fortunate woman.”
    They rode the rest of the way in silence until they reached her hotel. There, a doorman stepped forward and opened the passenger door.
    Bobby waited for Nadia to get out. She didn’t move.
    “Uh, we’re here,” he said at last. “You’ll be okay now. I’ll say good night.”
    “Bobby.” Her voice was no more than a whisper.
    “Yes?” he said patiently.
    “Would you mind coming upstairs with me?”
    “Look, I’m sorry,” he said, clearing his throat. “The thing is, I’m in a hurry. I’ve got to get back to the club pronto. It’s opening night and they need me. M.J. is waiting.”
    “It’s simply that … well, I do not wish to sound like a foolish little girl, but when I was very young, a man molested me in a hotel, and ever since then…” She trailed off.
    Oh yes! Bobby thought. She might look like she has it all together, but this is one broken bird . Shit!
    “Maybe you can ask security to escort you,” he suggested.
    “I can’t do that,” she said, her lower lip trembling. “It was a security guard who molested me. I was only thirteen at the time, too young to understand what was happening.”
    “Where was your mom? Wasn’t she watching out for you?”
    “She was waiting for me in our room. I was molested in the elevator on my way downstairs to buy a candy bar. It was a terrible experience.”
    “Jesus!” Bobby exclaimed. Beauty on the outside, a frightened little girl within.
    “I know,” she said softly. “Ever since then…”
    “Okay, okay,” he said. “I’ll take you up.”
    He wasn’t pleased, but then again, she was genuinely upset. How in all good conscience could he abandon her?
    The valet took his car, and he escorted Nadia to the elevator. She clung to his arm as if they were a couple. And what a couple! Heads turned.
    He was getting impatient, yet at the same time he couldn’t help noticing the rise of her breasts in the slinky red