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Public Secrets Novel Chapters
List of most recent chapters published for the Public Secrets novel. A total of 282 chapters have been translated and the release date of the last chapter is Apr 02, 2024
Latest Release: Chapter 1 : PUBLIC SECRETS.BY NORA ROBERTS.PROLOGUE Los Angeles, 1990 SHE SLAMMED ON THE brakes, ram
PUBLIC SECRETS.BY NORA ROBERTS.PROLOGUE Los Angeles, 1990 SHE SLAMMED ON THE brakes, ramming hard into the curb. The radio
continued to blare. She pressed both hands against her mouth to hold back hysterical laughter. A blast from the past, the disk jock
- 108 point to the next? He could have told her that once she reached the finish line the glory was only momentary. But she wouldn't have listened.A teenager. Sweet Jesus, how had she come to be a teenager? And how had he come to be a thirty-three-year-old ico
- 109 "Give me a break, Johnno.""I'd rather see you smash his nose than spend the next months freezing him out, or working up to killing him in his sleep.""I've got no problem with P.M.," Brian said carefully. "It's his life.""And your wife." Brian
- 110 what to wear, what to think.With a sigh, she shook her head. It would be summer soon, she reminded herself. And she would go to London. She would see Stevie and P.M.then as well. She could watch while they recorded.She'd get through the next few weeks so
- 112 "Sure." Johnno squeezed his shoulder, then gestured. "You'd best tidy up your mess down here."Her eyes were dry. Emma sat, heedless of her wet clothes, on the edge of her bed. But she didn't cry. The world, the beautiful world she had built around h
- 113 She could still see him, her father, with his head bent over the line of white powder. "That doesn't make it right.""No." He leaned his head on hers. "I guess not."The tears came now, hot and fast. "I didn't want to see him like that.I didn't wa
- 114 start looking for an apartment. Then we're going to live just the way we always planned it.""Yeah. Well, over the first hurdle." They stepped out of the elevator and walked down the wide, quiet hall to Johnno's condo. "Let me do the talking," Emma
- 115 it.""I haven't tried to change it yet." He frowned at Marianne. "You're awfully quiet.""I've been warned. I've already been through all this with my parents,"she added quickly. "They don't particularly like it, but we're set. Emma and I are
- 116 "Speaking of starving, have you eaten?""I had a hot dog at the airport while I was waiting for Emma's flight to get in." Marianne grinned. "It wasn't enough.""I suppose we should eat then, before I call Brian." Johnno came from around the bar.
- 117 face go totally blank."I beg your pardon?""Well, I always thought, when I grew up, when you saw me as a woman."She stood up, spreading her arms out, then down her sides. "I'd come to visit you here, fix you a meal by candlelight, put on the music, t
- 119 "Believe it. It's ours-twenty-foot ceilings, bad plumbing, and interest rates from h.e.l.l." On a quick laugh, Emma did three spins. "We're property owners, Marianne. You, me, and Chase Manhattan.""We bought it." Marianne sat down on the scarred w
- 120 "That's right.""Delivery from Beds, Beds, Beds."Emma released the entrance door, let out a war whoop."What?" Marianne demanded, sitting back far enough to frown at her work."Beds!" Emma shouted. "We've got beds." "Don't joke about something
- 121 doesn't look like it, but we're nearly done. The carpenters just have a bit of finish work here and there and mister-I mean the tile man is coming Monday to finish the bath.""It looks like a warehouse.""Actually, it was a factory," Marianne chimed
- 122 understand how I feel. He was shot down on the street-not for robbery, not for pa.s.sion. Just because of who and what he was. You're mine, Emma. That makes you every bit as vulnerable.""What about you?" she countered. "Every time you step out on sta
- 123 father. He bought her a Warhol lithograph, an exquisite Tiffany lamp with signs of the Zodiac, and an Aubusson rug in shades of powder blue and pink. For the week he stayed in town, he dropped in daily with a new present. She couldn't stop him, and after
- 125 was four or five years Blackpool's senior."Atta girl," he said with a chuckle. "Bite your tongue."But she didn't smile. "It's just that she's been so sheltered.""Of course, Mother Superior.""Cram it, Johnno." She picked up her drink again, a
- 126 "Let's lie down, Emma." Brian kept his voice soothing as he set her on the bed. "I'll stay right here.""I'm okay." Her worlds had separated again. She didn't know whether to feel grief or embarra.s.sment. "I don't know what set that off. Somet
- 127 Bless Marianne, Emma thought as the plane touched down. She hadn't asked any questions once she had seen that the answers would be painful.Instead, she had roused herself barely past dawn, tossed on a blond wig, sungla.s.ses, and Emma's overcoat and had
- 128 "The boy doesn't eat right since he moved out." Pleased to have both men at her table, Marge filled the coffee cups. "You're skin and bones, Michael. I've got the best part of a nice ham I cooked earlier in the week. You take it home with you.""Do
- 129 something that had always seemed years off. Retirement.It was a good life, Lou thought, drawing in scents of sausage and roses.On impulse, he spun his wife around and planted a long hard kiss on her mouth."The kid's going to be busy for at least an hour
- 130 Beautiful, nervous, and from out of town, Michael deduced. Rich, too, he thought. Both her bag and her shoes were leather and expensive. And there was the dull glint of real gold at her wrist and ears. There was the way she moved that whispered of wealth
- 132 snapped the last of her control. It would be so easy to lean on him, to pour out her heart and be comforted. But that would just be running again. "I'm not really sure."She rose when Lou came in. Her smile was hesitant, vulnerable, and for Michael, dev
- 133 "Maybe that's all you did." Lou frowned into his gla.s.s. Like Emma, he'd been able to put the case aside for long stretches. But it always came back. He knew the face of that little boy would always haunt him."Emma, we were never sure you went into
- 134 screen slammed behind him I as he went into the house, then slammed again when he came out. He grinned at her as he settled in the pa.s.senger seat. "You saved me from another hour's mowing. Dad'll never be able to let it sit like that until I get back
- 135 when I said I was going for a drive.""I had a pretty good idea.""Why did you come?""I didn't want you to go alone."She stiffened. It was only a barely perceptible movement, but he sensed her shoulders straightening, her chin firming. "I'm not f
- 136 "Hi. We were driving by and saw your sign. We've been house hunting for weeks. We've got an appointment to see another place in about an hour, but we just couldn't resist this. It isn't sold yet, is it?"The woman, fortyish, dressed in countrywear of
- 137 "The kitchen is up-to-the-minute. I had it remodeled just two years ago." She pushed open the swinging doors and gestured. "All builtins.Microwave, Jenn-Air range, a convection oven, naturally. Acres of counter s.p.a.ce. A pantry, of course."Emma star
- 138 "I was in bed," she said flatly. "Something woke me up. The music. I thought it was the music. I couldn't really hear it, but I could feel it. The ba.s.s vibrating. I tried to guess what the song was, and what people were doing. I couldn't wait until
- 139 here.""Come on." He led her down the hall, down the stairs where she had tumbled that night years before. He sent a quick, apologetic glance to Gloria Steinbrenner as she hurried in from the kitchen. "I'm sorry, my wife's not feeling well." "Oh."
- 140 He decided he was kindly disposed toward Marianne. "She any good?""Yes, very. One day galleries are going to be cutting their throats to get her paintings. She used to do the most incredible caricatures of the nuns." She glanced over, noting his frown
- 141 staring at her. "What is it?""Nothing." But his mouth was dry again. "I was, ah, remembering that I once wondered whether you ever got to go to McDonald's. The first time I met you, 'at the rehearsal? Dad took me for a burger after and I wondered,
- 143 remember then, she doesn't remember now. Perhaps this impulsive little trip of hers was a last-ditch effort to bring it all back, or more likely, it was just a sentimental journey. There's no need to do Emma any harm, any harm at all.""And if she does
- 144 Writers and artists had always flocked to Chelsea. And musicians, Emma mused. Mick Jagger had a home here. Or he'd had one. It hardly mattered to Emma whether he and the Stones were still in residence.There was only one person she'd come to see.Perhaps
- 145 "You can see I'm busy."Go, she thought frantically. Just turn around and walk away. "I'd like to speak with you." Emma heard her own voice, but it sounded like a stranger's. "I'm Emma."Jane didn't move, but her eyes changed, narrowing further,
- 146 Daddy's little princess. Not a thought for me in all these years.""I've thought of you," Emma murmured.Jane tapped her fingers against the gla.s.s again. She wanted to get her stash, take a quick fix, but was afraid if she left the room Emma would di
- 147 her. "No, you sold me, and any claims to motherhood you might have had.He may have bought me, Jane, but he doesn't own me, either." She fought back the tears. She wouldn't cry here, not in front of this woman. "I came here today to ask you to stop th
- 148 down the hall. "You're so grown-up," Bev murmured. She gripped her hands together to keep herself from reaching out to touch. "It's hard to believe-but you must be freezing." Steadying, she took Emma's gloved hand in hers. "Come in, please.""You
- 149 under the tree. But perhaps there was something she could give."Why don't you ask how he is, Bev?" Emma said gently. "It would be easier for both of us."Bev s.h.i.+fted her gaze to meet Emma's eyes. Those beautiful dark blue eyes so like her father
- 150 sure."You're nothing like her. Nothing. You were nothing like her when you came to us, nothing like her now.""She sold me to Dad.""Oh G.o.d." Bev pressed both hands to her face, then let them drop. "It wasn't like that, Emma.""He gave her mone
- 151 In and out of therapy, contemplating suicide, wis.h.i.+ng I could find the courage to end it. There was something about him, Emma, something special, something almost magical. Sometimes I couldn't believe he'd come from me. And when he was gone, like th
- 152 betting.P.M. was reading what appeared to be a paperback mystery. A lurid one if one could tell a book by its cover. He seemed to prefer his own company and a couple of grisly murders at the moment.Stevie was in the bathroom again. His last attempt at com
- 153 come in on the second verse.""Dad, I couldn't.""Of course you could. You know the lyrics, the melody.""Yes, but-""It's perfect. I don't know why I didn't think of it before. This song needs a feminine touch. Keep it light, just a little sad.
- 154 She wandered out, then detoured to the bathroom to freshen her makeup.There had been some talk about winding down at a local club. Tired or not, she was going to go along, and keep an eye on her father.When she opened the door, she could only stand in spe
- 155 get him to bed.""Right." Brian caught up with Emma outside. The snow had stopped, and the moon had come out to s.h.i.+ne blue light. Automatically he clamped his coat together to shut out the keen wind. "Emma." He laid a hand on her shoulder. It was
- 156 Glamour, my a.s.s, he thought as he stood on the studio lot. The sun was high and hazy. The air-quality index was in the disgusting range, even for L.A., Michael thought. The producers had decided it would make good press to invite some of the fans to obs
- 157 paused, flas.h.i.+ng that smile as she signed a few autographs. "The producers arranged it with your superiors this afternoon." She slanted a lo(yk at him under her lashes, then strolled off to her trailer where she was immediately surrounded by a bevy
- 158 before, standing in the same spot, with Emma beside him."Of course. It's comforting to know you take your duty seriously."She turned to the bar, chose a soft drink, and poured it into a gla.s.s."You do take your duty seriously, don't you?""Yes." S
- 159 Europe filming.""Mmmm." She considered the idea a moment, then smiled. It made it all the more interesting somehow. Here she was on the verge of seducing one of little Emma McAvoy's friends-and playing Emma's mama in what was sure to be the hottest m
- 160 her darkroom. Michael was no more than a friend-an acquaintance, really. They had no actual ties, and certainly no relations.h.i.+p. Except for the kiss they had shared.She was romanticizing. One kiss meant nothing. She hadn't let it, couldn't let it. E
- 161 having Marianne to talk to, and called herself petty. It irritated her to see the glow of lovemaking on Marianne's face. And she called herself spiteful.But with all that aside, Emma couldn't make herself comfortable with Marianne's romance. He was a g
- 162 He merely lifted a brow, smiled, then drank. "lion't worry about it.Just think of me as one of the family."She didn't care to be backed into the tiny kitchen with him. When she started through the doorway he s.h.i.+fted just enough to have their bodie
- 163 to the intrigue. Blackpool had entertained more than one fantasy about luring both women into bed. TWo slick, lithe bodies, two agile young students. His suspicion that Emma was as virginal as Marianne had been only heightened the appeal.But he put that t
- 164 "What's this?" He was clever enough to know that the wild look in her eyes meant she would strike first and be sorry for it later. He'd been right about the virginal part, he thought while his breath heaved. And he wanted to be the one to relieve her
- 166 New York, 1986 THE LOFT LOOKED as though it had been struck by a hurricane. But then, Emma supposed, Marianne had always been a strong wind. There was a scatter of papers and magazines, three empty handbags, two of which were Chinese red, a single sling-b
- 167 walls. Three paint smocks, their bright colors splattered with even brighter paint, were tossed over tables and chairs.An easel still stood by the window, along with a cup of something Emma wasn't sure she wanted to investigate. With a shake of her head
- 168 seen Marianne so devastated. It had been a relief, a great one, when Marianne had finally broken out of her weepy depression, had cursed Blackpool with an expertise that had warmed Emma's heart. Then, ceremonially, she had tossed the diamond heart out of
- 169 then poured a gla.s.s of Perrier for herself.His smile seemed easier when she sat on the ottoman across from him."I've always liked this place." He pointed to the mural Marianne had painted on the plaster. "Where is she?""In Paris." She glanced at
- 170 "No." Her fingers bit into his. "Oh G.o.d, no.""I've been sick for weeks. Months really," he admitted on a sigh. "I thought it was a cold, the flu, vitamin deficiency. I didn't want to face going to the doctor. Then, well, I had to. I didn't acc
- 172 "Don't, Johnno. it's important to him to do this his way. He'sLuke's trying to tie up his loose ends. He needs to tie up his loose ends.""Oh f.u.c.k. Oh b.l.o.o.d.y tucking h.e.l.l." The grief and the fury raged inside him. There was nothing he co
- 173 Then there was her father's custom-made Gibson. The absolutely plain, working man's guitar with its simple black strap. Not a frill, not a flash. But the wood gleamed, pale gold. And when the strings were plucked it had a tone that brought tears to your
- 175 "Thank you." She not only wanted to dance, she wanted to sing. Never in her life had she felt like this. Giddy, nervous, and absolutely beautiful. If this was infatuation, she had waited much too long to experience it. There was a bouquet of daffodils a
- 176 like to be Brian McAvoy's daughter. But he asked me to dinner before he knew. It didn't make a difference to him. Then when I told him, he was, well, embarra.s.sed. There was something so charming about the way he reacted.""Did you go out with him?"
- 177 devastation 1986 The fans themselves were a rainbow. Spiked hair, razor cuts, flowing manes. The style now was no style at all. Dress ranged from torn jeans to three-piece suits. A good number of the people jostling for s.p.a.ce were her father's age and
- 178 mouth. "I'd love to."SHE HMDLY HEARD THE CHEERS. Her brains barely registered the music.When it was over, and her father, dripping sweat, came off the stage for the last time, she knew that if a fraction of the dozens of pictures she'd taken turned ou
- 179 "No." Deliberately, Emma unlaced her hands and relaxed her shoulders.She was grateful for the low lighting so that Drew couldn't see her nerves-or Sweeney, smoking lazily a few tables over. "I've never been here before. I like it.""Well, it can't
- 180 play on the dark surface of the river. He wanted to see other rivers, other cities, and knew his time was coming. "Have you ever thought of moving back here, to live?""No, I haven't. Not really.""Maybe you will." He stopped her, gentle hands on her
- 181 opening act's creating quite a sensation."He laid a hand over hers. "The response has been great." He s.h.i.+fted his gaze from Marianne to Emma. "Everything's been great."Marianne sipped her wine, measuring him. If she had been into religious art,
- 182 ce a week to make sure I haven't succ.u.mbed to some lecherous French comte. I only wish." When Emma didn't smile, she tilted her head. "You think he'll disapprove?""I don't know." Restless, she moved her shoulders."Emma, if it's serious betwee
- 183 She looked over her shoulder. The wind blew strands of pale hair over her eyes. "Since the start of the tour."Brian jammed his hands into his pockets. "For weeks, then. For weeks, and you didn't bother to tell me."She tossed her head back as she turn
- 184 and not see you?" She spun around, pressed her palms against the rail.The sun glinted off a lens in the garden below. She didn't give a d.a.m.n.Let them take their pictures."Oh, it's happened before. Yes, it has. Emma, how about dinner Friday-and by t
- 185 rung of the ladder, still fighting my way up.""You don't need me to reach the top."He blew out a stream of smoke. "Still, I see where he's coming from.It's easy since we're both crazy about you."She moved to him then to press a kiss against his s
- 186 You've every right to be angry, but I just can't do this. Not yet.""You don't want me?" His voice was quiet and oddly flat."You know I do." She groped for his hand and tried to soothe his rigid fingers in hers. "I guess I'm a little frightened,
- 187 "Apparently he's on the mend." She took time for a quick glimpse in the hallway mirror. The deep, bold blue of the suede picked up the color of her eyes. "I have the last lot of prints from the tour. Dad's meeting me there so.we can all argue about w
- 188 "Good morning, Mrs. Freemont."Mrs. Freemont's dusty brown hair was secured in a no-nonsense bun. She might have been anywhere from forty to sixty and kept her st.u.r.dy, bullet-shaped body primly attired in good black wool. She had done day work for St
- 189 She pushed open the adjoining door.Blood. And sickness. And urine. The stench had her stumbling back, gagging. She felt the bile rush up her throat, stared at the red and gray spots that danced in front of her eyes. She fell against the stereo, sending th
- 190 "In here. Hurry. Oh G.o.d, Dad!""Oh sweet Jesus." He was down beside her in an instant."I found him-he was alive. Then he stopped breathing." The muscles in her arms screamed as she continued to pump. "The ambulance. Did she call the ambulance?"
- 191 He dreamed of scoring again, of filling his veins with that glorious combination of Chinese white and top-grade snow. All that beautiful white powder. He fantasized about it-huge, mountainous piles of beautiful white powder heaped on silver platters. He w
- 192 "Yeah. I think Dr. Matthews's real name is Frankenstein. So what's going on in the real world?"They talked uneasily, and much too politely, while Stevie worked his way steadily through the chocolate-coated creams and nuts in the box."Pete hasn't bee
- 193 it wouldn't be the last. "I can't do it, Stevie.""Christ, Bri, just a couple grams. Nothing major. AJI they give me in here's Tinkertoy drugs. It's like going cold turkey with aspirin."Brian pulled his hand away and turned around. He couldn't bea
- 194 the parties, on the tours? Give me some credit."He had believed it, because he'd needed to. She was, and had always been, the quiet light of innocence in all the noise and madness. "I- I'm tired, Emma.""Tired? Need a lift? A little buzz to take the
- 196 She slammed the door, gunned the motor. If there was pain on his face, she didn't look back to see it.EMmA MARRIED DREW in a quiet civil ceremony. There were no guests, no advance press. She had told no one, not even Marianne. After all, she was over twe
- 197 it was like. Drew would come in. He would look at her, those tawny eyes going dark. He would be gentle, sweet, patient. She could almost feel his long, clever fingers skimming over her skin. He would tell her how much he loved her, how much he wanted her.
- 198 glaring, her gown in tatters.His fingers dug into her hips as his mouth clamped down on hers. Choking on the smell of whiskey, she tried to say his name. When she began to fight in earnest, he locked her hands in one of his, and took her virginity in one
- 199 had turned out ugly-not homely but down-to-the ground ugly. This little trick of nature didn't bother the dog, either.Conroy continued to grin as he lifted a paw in what both he and Michael knew had nothing to do with subservience."I'm not
- 200 thinking that s.l.u.t would take you in."Conroy glanced over, burped, and went back to his fleas."One trip to the vet," Michael muttered as he spooned up cereal. "Just one trip and a couple of snips, and your letching days are over.&qu
- 201 transition from bride to wife.She had the limo driver take them through midtown so she could show Drew the lights, the people, the majestic tree in Rockefeller Center, the carnival of Times Square.It delighted her to arrive at the loft knowing she was alo
- 202 more. Though she felt, somewhere in her heart, that there should be more than the rapid groping in the dark. The mattress was cold on her back. But his body, as it entered hers long before she was ready, was hot. She wrapped her arms around him, clinging
- 203 He was going his own way, and that way was straight to the top. Lifting the gla.s.s, he toasted Emma's portrait. If his eager and naive little wife could give him a couple of boosts, they'd all live happy.But he would run the show.He'd indu
- 204 art.She liked its lofty windows, the little gla.s.sed-in balcony where she could pot herbs, and the fact that it was only a brisk walk to Johnno's.She saw him almost every day. He went along with her on her hunts through antique stores, something tha
- 205 "Some people don't have to get up at dawn to be productive."She gripped the flowers a little tighter. She didn't want to spoil the moment with an argument. "Shall I fix you some coffee?""You might as well. There'll
- 206 talking about?""For my work, Drew. I told you I thought he was going to offer me a job again, but it wasn't that at all.""You don't need a job in any case. I told you how I feel about your working with some grabby old fart.&q
- 207 six weeks away, and she was nervous as a cat. And angry, she admitted.Angry because her husband showed no interest in her work. Angry because he'd announced two hours before that he'd invited a few friends over.A hundred and fifty people crowded
- 208 people out of here, and I won't have them coming back.""Won't you?" he said quietly."Doesn't it matter to you? Doesn't it matter at all? This is our bedroom. Christ, Drew, look at my things. They've been in my
- 209 A wife was supposed to take care of her husband. That's why he'd married her. She was supposed to take care of him, to help him get where he wanted to go.Maybe knocking her around had been a good thing. She'd sure as h.e.l.l think twice bef
- 210 her photography, though he pointed out in dozens of subtle ways that her hobby, as he called it, took time away from their marriage and her support of him and his career.It was a nice print, he might say, if one cared to look at old ladies feeding pigeons
- 211 drew her inside.They had come late-as Runyun had ordered. He'd wanted the crowd there, and already intrigued, when his star arrived. He had his eagle eye on the door, and pounced the moment Emma walked through.He was a small, bulky man who invariably
- 212 "Emma." He hesitated, then reached out for her hand. She looked so . . . remote, he thought."It was nice of you to come.""I'm proud of you." His fingers tightened on hers as if he were searching for the connection he fel
- 213 with your Dad. That way we can both brag about you. Incredible, isn't she?" Drew began as Emma turned away.She very nearly felt incredible. She'd never expected so many people, or much interest in her work. There was a little voice that ask
- 214 as it was for her? Would his palms be wet with nerves? Would his heart be trembling?He didn't touch her. Didn't dare. But he struggled to find a voice as casual as his smile. "It's good to see you.""And you." She fought
- 216 "Thank you. Give my best to your parents.""I will." It was jealousy, he told himself, plain and simple jealousy that made him want to grab her away from her husband."Michael," she said as Drew began to pull her aside. "K
- 218 HE DJDN'T ApoLoGizE this time. There was no need to. It took her ten days in bed to recover, and all the while he told her she had brought it on herself There was a part of her mind that knew he was wrong, knew he was crazy. But he was persistent, an