He shrugged. “You speak, which is more than she did. She’d follow me everywhere, wrote me long emails, and confessed how and where she wanted to have sex. Nicole, you are nothing like her.”
Her heart thumped and her skin heated up as she met his gaze. She stood and offered her hand. “Let’s go upstairs. We have calls to make, ice to get, and I need to relax with you holding me.”
He took her hand as he stood, and kept her close as they walked through the hall. She told herself to stop bringing herself bad luck. Everything was going to work out just fine. She had to believe that.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Gerard
Gerard’s pulse remained steady as Nicole flopped on the bed and threw her shoes on the floor. She closed her eyes for a second and let silence fill the air. A moment later, she stood, opened her eyes, and said, “I need a shower. Can you get that ice and make that call for me?”
He’d do anything she needed. “I’m on it. I’ll be on the balcony when you get out of the bathroom.”
As she walked away, he found the bucket for ice. She closed the door, and he headed out and dialed her detective agency. Liam was his next call if these people didn’t have an answer. On the second ring, a woman answered, “Unconventional Agency. How can I help you?”
“I’m Gerard Collins, calling on behalf of Nicole Burns—err, Wyman. She hired you to find the person who leaked the false sex tape, and wanted to know the status.”
The sound of typing in the background echoed through the phone. “Give me a minute to pull up what he have.”
He followed the signs for ice in the hallway, and opened the lid as the girl on the phone said, “Roy Miller, her agent. He hoped she’d come back to work for him and make another movie.”
That mystery was solved. “Thanks.”
“Can I ask you a question, sir?”
He pressed the button and ice came out. “What do you want to know?”
“This is just a hypothetical and not some secret clue. The tape was faked, but you’re running for office. If that tape had been real but a long time ago in her life, would you have left her for some New England purebred virgin type?”
His forehead wrinkled. “I’d have not left her. If she cheats on me, I’ll murder the man with my own hands, but she’s an honest, trustworthy woman. Nicole is the brightest part of my life.”
“Though you’re the wrong party, you’d have my vote if I lived in your state,” the woman said as she sighed.
“Thanks for your help. Goodbye.” He ended the call and took the bucket of ice in his hands.
The rest of his life would be answering questions for people and watching every word he needed to say. Nicole would probably be good at it.
He slipped into their room and heard the water going. He left the ice on the counter and dialed his brother. He sat on the bed, and his brother answered, “Hey.”
Gerard sat straighter. “Isabelle Boroni attacked Nicole.”
“I’m so sorry, and for Sebastian. Someone bailed him out a few hours ago.”
He slumped. Joseph’s son was the other person that might blame Nicole or him. This wasn’t over. He closed his eyes. “Who would do that?”
“It’s a woman, but I’m running the reports. Whoever she is, she tried to cover her tracks. When you get back tomorrow, I’ll have this figured out. Call Mom and tell her you’ll be here for the wedding with your girl. She’s fretting.”
Gerard’s thoughts kept circling. If Isabelle had shot Nicole… But what-ifs didn’t have to happen. He’d marry Nicole and keep her safe.
The water stopped running. He told his brother, “Tell Mom for me. I’ll try to call her later.”
He massaged his temples and stared at the bright sun. LA was so different than Boston.
As he opened the door, Nicole wrapped her hands around his neck and hugged him. She smelled fresh, like cleaned laundry mixed with vanilla. She whispered in his ear, “I’m better now. I need to put ice on my face and lie down, Gerard.”
“Roy Miller. Was that your agent?”
Nicole twirled and sat in his lap on the bed. “Yeah. He was the one?”
“Your agency confirmed it.”
“I—” She rocked in his lap and then said, “I want to tell off that man tomorrow morning. I listened to his ‘dollface’ comments because he landed me jobs, but he had no right. Then we get on a plane, go home, get married, and live our lives in Boston. You still smell like the forest and home.”
She rested her head on his shoulder, and he held still. Tomorrow, the rest of their lives began.
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
Nicole
Nicole woke up next to Gerard, whose eyes were still open. What kept him up? The evening sky still had the aftereffects of sunlight that warmed everything. She stretched. “How long did I sleep?”
“Two hours. You must have been exhausted.”
“I’m calmer now.” She licked her lips as Gerard’s arm held her. “I’d like to find Roy and then go pack a bag at my place. I’ll need clothes and some makeup. We can make a list of anything I want to keep and then we’ll head home to the Cape.”
His sigh clearly showed a dramatic lack of enthusiasm.
“What’s wrong?” She nudged his arm.
He traced her back. “I’m thinking of quitting the race and letting the state call a special election. I’ll pay the taxpayers back with a donation for the money lost.”
“No.” She sat up. “Why? You’re going to win, and you’d be in a position to help others, and be the man you hoped to be. We’re this close to the finish line.”
“I can’t let someone else hurt you because of me, Nicole. I can be happy working corporate law for my family. We’ll keep our noses clean and disappear from everyone who doesn’t matter.”
“I can take care of myself, and with you at my side, we’re fine.” She took his hand in hers and placed it near her heart, “You are not responsible for Isabelle Boroni being in my condo, waiting for me. Her family committed crimes, not you. We can hire more security, but you’re not quitting because of me. I won’t allow that.”
“Nicole, I don’t deserve you.” He hugged her right to his muscular chest. “Do I get to knock out your agent for you today?”
“Not good for the election. Stand behind me. Look intimidating and ready to pounce.” She listened to his steady heartbeat. “Get ready. We’re going.”
She fixed her hair behind her ear and stood. Gerard walked to the bathroom.
***
Half an hour later, she pointed to a spot on Rodeo Drive, and he parked between two palm trees. She checked herself in the mirror one more time as he opened her door for her. She stood and glanced around. Right now she was the quintessential movie star. She took his hand and asked, “Do I look okay?”
His eyes narrowed. “I don’t see a trace of your bruising.”
“I’ve sat in too many makeup chairs. Let’s do this.”
A few minutes later, she spotted Roy at a café across the street. He sat with Marissa, an up-and-coming starlet who was not his client. “Be your usual quiet and brooding self, Gerard. I want to tell him off.”
He nodded and crossed his arms. She walked next to him, with her hand on her hip, until they closed the distance. She coughed. “Roy Miller. My fiancé will be filing charges against you for that faked sex tape.”
His eyes widened. “What are you talking about?”
“You sent it out on your computer.”
“How would you know that, dollface?
The flinch at that name was unstoppable. “Marissa, I wouldn’t sign with him, if that’s why you’re here.”
“Dollface, we had great offers and I scored how many opportunities for you to make lots of money?”
Again she shivered.
“Don’t call Nicole Dollface ever again,” Gerard warned with a cool, clear, deep voice.
Roy’s face went pale.
Nicole’s entire body burned. “We’re done now. Expect a la
wsuit.”
She gave Roy her back and took Gerard’s hand. He led her away. At the car he opened her door. “We’re still off to the beach house?”
“Yes. Let’s pack. You make the reservations for as soon as possible. I don’t want to come back here again. Nicole Wyman’s life ended and Nicole Burns belongs back on the Cape, with you.”
She didn’t need to pretend to be someone new anymore.
***
With Gerard next to her, Nicole slept a little easier on the plane, and her muscles moved with less tension. As the plane locked with the gate at Logan International, his messages beeped so fast she was sure he had a hundred.
The second they walked into the biting weather and headed to the parking lot, reporters swarmed. She stayed in his arms and hid her face from the cameras. He set a brisk pace, and they rushed to his car. A reporter tried to jump in front of them, but they swerved and hopped into his car without discussion.
Cameras with their flashes almost blinded her, but somehow Gerard drove away.
As they reached the street, her heartbeat became steadier. He breathed loudly and asked, “Think something else happened, or is this about the short trip the day before our wedding?”
“I have no idea.” She took out her phone. “I’ll check online and you call your family.”
He nodded and picked up his phone. As he was about to dial, she grabbed his arm. “Your opponent is still in the race, and they are calling you a Hollywood billionaire with the trophy wife not in touch with the people.”
“Says the man who cheats on his family and would take a bribe…” He scratched his head. “He might be in on the Boroni crime ring. They would want to hold a senator in their pocket as well. Give me a minute to call Liam.”
She read the stories about her fight with Isabelle. Reports ranged from a home invasion to a personal vendetta. Other reports said Gerard had followed her and went from lovesick fool to some uncaring jerk. Her muscles quivered, but she held her tongue.
“Is Thomas Cecchi related to the Boroni family?” Gerard’s voice brought her out of her reading.
She listened. Whatever Liam said made Gerard grimace. Then he ended the call without a goodbye. “I have the last debate tonight. Barnie’s been trying to get me on the phone. Nicole, I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me too. This new life is all I want.” He touched her hand and sent a spark that grew inside her chest. “If I win, we have people to impress in DC to get on our sides.”
She raised her eyebrows at him. “Sounds like we have a plan. Now, I need to find my good makeup to cover my nasty bruises.”
He handed her his phone. “Can you read Barnie’s email to me?”
Again, she swallowed and read fast. “Reporters are around your parents’ house waiting for us there and at your place in Boston. He suggests we stay in Boston, and let your parents handle the wedding stuff. He’d like you to make a statement the moment we’re ready and prepped.”
“I’m going to my parents’.”
“I’d like that too.”
“What about Liam?” She left his phone in the cup holder. “Is Thomas Cecchi in league with the Boroni family?”
“Liam is first finding information on the mystery woman who bailed out Sebastian. He’s at my parents’, and he has pictures he wants to show us to see if we recognize her. Then he’ll work on Thomas.”
She shrugged. “I’ve been in California, so unless this woman was in the movie business, I don’t see how helpful I’ll be.”
“You have a point.”
As he drove into the driveway of his parents’ house, a frenzied group with camera lights spread around them. “I’d feel better with makeup,” she said.
He scratched his chin. “No one will think it staged if they see that bruise. If you prefer, though, we can run inside fast. I have sunglasses in the glove box.”
“Let’s do this. If you want to say anything, I’ll stop.”
Without another word, she opened her door and stood with her head high.
He scrambled and came besides her to take her hand. She whispered, “You’re good with speeches.”
“Captain of the debate team through high school and undergrad.” He winked and stared at the television cameras. He slowed down as the camera became his focal point. She wrapped her arm around his waist and stared as well. He said, “I’m looking forward to tonight’s debate. Unlike my opponent, I never walked away from the election. Tomorrow is our wedding. My Nicole’s been through a lot these past twenty-four hours, so I’m giving everyone notice now. If the good people of the state choose to elect me, there are three months between November and January. In that time, we’re taking a two-week secluded honeymoon where no camera or phone can find us.”
Her face prickled, and she knew she must be blushing. She hugged him.
A reporter shouted, “What about the debate and your opponent?”
Gerard massaged her back. “Thomas Cecchi can bring his best tonight, but I’m hoping he’ll tell us why he dropped out of the race in the first place.”
“Ms. Wyman, why did you go to California? We’ve heard reports you are being paid to marry Mr. Collins to stop allegations of his womanizing,” a female reporter loudly asked while shoving her microphone in her face.
Gerard motioned for them to leave, but she widened her stance and stayed still. “My former agent released that stupid faked tape to get me back for another movie role. I went to confront him. As for the break-in, that was unrelated, and I’m happy Gerard followed me.”
“Did you take money to marry Gerard?”
“No. My movies always paid me well.” She tapped her foot. “With Gerard, I’m following my heart.”
“Despite how your sister will relapse?”
“Stella? How do you know…”
Gerard led them from their spot to the front door. The female reporter followed, and Gerard said, “Stay behind the line, ma’am.”
He held the door open for her and they slipped inside his parents’ house. She hugged herself to get warm as he said, “They had no right to discuss Stella. She’s not part of the campaign or what happened to you.”
She took off her jacket. “She’s still my sister and I’ve paid for her hospital bills. I wish she was well and would wish us all happiness, like a normal family.”
As they stepped into the living room, chaos grew. Caterers, bakers, reception hall coordinators, and clothing designers were all having a loud discussion with the rest of the Collins women. Nicole squeezed Gerard’s hand. “With all the reporters outside, I thought we’d be safe here from the three-ring circus.”
His mother waved.
“Wedding, reception, debate, security—you take the first two, and I’ll work on the other two. I’d like to get some quiet time to practice for tonight.”
Nicole nodded. They were in this together. Love had to be enough to win.
CHAPTER FORTY
Nicole
Gerard shook that hand of a caterer who came toward them. Before that happened, though, Kate stood and steered Nicole toward the stairs. “You’re here. My design team has to ensure the wedding dress fits perfectly today, and I have other dresses from our upcoming collection I’d love you to wear tonight.”
Gerard kissed Nicole’s forehead and then went toward Liam and Barnie, who stood at a door that led to the dining room. As she climbed the third step, she heard Barnie say, “You both covered a lot of bases in those statements. I’ll follow up with the same message, but tonight’s debate will be highly watched. You went down in the polls last night, but now that you’re here again, we should prevent any advantage Cecchi thought he gained.”
Nicole joined a group of women with a rack of clothes. Her phone rang, and it read Stella’s hospital. Two women stood in front of her as they held a wedding dress. Nicole denied the call and unzipped her dress. She’d call back.
A moment later, white silk ran smoothly over her body.
The dress fit snugly but perfectly. She si
ghed and motioned for a mirror to see the dress. Two women brought the mirror closer as Gigi came into the room. “If there is any music, any flowers, any extra anything for the wedding or reception tomorrow…”
Gigi stopped and her mouth fell open.
Nicole turned and then gasped. The dress was reminiscent of 1920s-style Hollywood movie star, but with modern lines near her chest and collar. She turned to see the sides, and imagined herself in a classic movie. A smile grew on her face as she stared at Kate. “I love the wedding dress. This is different from the design slightly. How did you know my style?”
“Every interview you’ve ever given.” Kate came to stand beside her. “I had my assistant run a profile on the clothes you preferred over the years while my designers did a search for your best looks. We stuck with what you chose, but we altered lines and the design slightly. I put my best new designer on the case. This had to be perfect on you.”
Gigi stepped closer. “You look amazing.” She then yawned and clutched the back of a chair. “I was talking to the DJ over song selections.”
Nicole froze. “Are you okay?”
Gigi answered. “I’m fine. Just exhausted. This pregnancy is making me sleepy. Do you have a song?”
Nicole’s face heated. “We don’t have a song, but ‘I Knew I Loved You Before I Met You’ floated through my mind. Cheesy song, and I don’t know who sings it.”
“Got it.” Gigi smiled. “Everything looks awesome. Tomorrow will be fun for you. I hope I covered everything.”
Nicole hugged Gigi and Kate. “I’m getting new sisters and a new family, as well as an amazing husband. I’m so happy.”
“Change.” Kate patted her back. “We don’t want to ruin that dress with tears. Let’s show you the reception hall for your approval of what we did.”
Nicole bit her bottom lip. “As long as we take security and go together, I’m sure it will be fine. Let me try on the dress for tonight and then we’ll go.”
“Great.” Kate smiled. “You’re helping my re-launched fashion line every time you’re photographed. If you don’t like what I picked, then we’ll find something else.”
Electing Love (The Collins Brothers Book Three) Page 19