Electing Love (The Collins Brothers Book Three) Read online

  Nicole shook her head. “You’ve taken my likes into consideration already. I’m getting two awesome women as sisters-in-law.”

  A minute later, she threw on the red silk and linen dress that was fresh, sleek, and modern. She’d shine next to Gerard.

  Kate applauded. “I love it.”

  “Me too.”

  Her helpers unzipped the dress then Nicole threw on her normal clothes. Kate and Gigi slipped out of the room.

  Nicole ran to the stairs, but stopped on the top step. Gerard was speaking to Barnie about the debate, and he was serious.

  “Nicole, we need you,” Gigi called out.

  She had no time to tell Gerard about the trip. His family had top-notch security with them, so she ran out the door.

  She hopped in Gigi’s car and relaxed in the back seat. Six security guards followed in one car, and four more piled in the front car. She’d be fine.

  ***

  The room had French nobility elegance and old-world charm. Nicole fingered the white lace that hung on the tables. With a smile to Gigi, she said, “No glitter in sight. This is perfect.”

  “I worked hard. We hoped you’d like the end result.”

  Nicole’s gaze went to a gold steak knife stabbed into the wood of the head table. Her breath caught in her throat.

  Kate, Gigi, and Margaret all stopped speaking.

  Nicole went forward, though her feet trembled with every step.

  On the head table, the knife was lodged in a piece of paper. She stepped forward and read the note.

  Leave Gerard Collins tonight, before it’s too late for you, Nic.

  She covered her mouth and stared at the others. This was her sister Stella’s handwriting.

  She swayed on her feet. Gigi came beside her fast and took Nicole’s hand as she asked, “Who would threaten you like this?”

  Avoiding all eye contact, Nicole coughed. A chill ran up her body. Stella. She had to call the hospital.

  “We have to get home fast,” Kate added, as she came over and rubbed Nicole’s back. “Security will do a sweep and go through the video feed of the hall.”

  Nicole turned to leave with the other women, but she knew. Her sister had perfect penmanship, and that cursive screamed Stella. At his house, she’d tell Gerard and go speak in private to her doctors and hopefully to her sister. Stella’s opinion on this wedding would be obvious.

  “You’re white as a ghost, Nicole.” Gigi took her hand until they made it to the car. Kate then sat with her like she needed protection. Gigi started the car. “You’re still shivering. Gerry’s been alerted what happened and he’s at the door. Don’t let some threat get to you.”

  Kate offered her a tissue. Nicole took it as Kate said, “Nicole, don’t worry about this. It won’t happen here. No one will get to you. All four of the Collins brothers know how to protect you.”

  “I need to talk to Gerard.” Her teeth chattered. Stella had been unstable all her life, and Nicole’s mind went through all the childhood bullying. She’d become an actress to not face her life. She closed her eyes and chose to change topics. “Gigi, why is it that you call him Gerry?”

  Gigi shrugged and drove her SUV. “As a boy, he was always Gerry. It’s habit, and I think it annoys him, which is slightly fun. He’s like my little brother.”

  She tore into the driveway and past the media circus without blinking. Nicole jumped out of the car and ran inside. Gerard stood with his note cards in the same place she’d left him. She ran right into his arms and hugged him. He folded his arms around her, and she listened to the rapidness of his heart.

  Gerard petted her hair and stayed still. Her breathing hitched, as she said, “Stella.”

  He nodded. “Come in. I want you to look at some photos Liam has of your sister with the bail-out money.”

  “My money?” She rubbed her head. “The note at the hall was her handwriting. I need to call the hospital, but I wanted to be with you first.”

  He picked up pictures at a desk, and it showed Stella at the police station with money. Then there was a picture of her with Sebastian. Nicole covered her mouth as she flipped through the pictures.

  “She’s in league with Sebastian Boroni.”

  She stumbled and chose to sit down. Gerard stood beside her. “She used to speak about a boyfriend. Sebastian was her drug dealer. I tried to shut all this out of my brain, and it’s flooding back now like a stream.”

  Liam strode into the study but froze at the door. Gerard said, “Give us a minute.”

  Nicole reached for Gerard’s hand. “Wait. What’s going on, Liam?”

  Liam and Gerard exchanged glances. Then Liam stared straight ahead, and said, “We know Joseph Boroni made a sizeable donation to the Cecchi campaign before the arrest. Thomas Cecchi rejoined the campaign because of a large donation from The Friends Remember Friends Society. I think it’s a super PAC cover paid for from the Boroni family. I’ll know by the debate tonight.”

  The debate. She had forgotten. She glanced at Gerard as he said, “We need to ensure Nicole is guarded while I’m on stage.”

  Liam nodded. “I’m on it.”

  Gerard stared at her. “I still think I should quit the campaign now.”

  “No.” She squeezed his hand. His campaign manager chose that moment to step in, and he’d lost all coloring in his face. She sighed. “You don’t get to quit because of me. You are going to win. Let’s do this.”

  He shook his head. “We have a lot of enemies, Nicole.”

  “My sister won’t be one.” Her sister couldn’t be discussed with all these people in the room. She stood and turned to the door. “Can everyone leave us for a minute?” she asked in a quiet voice, and no one acted like they’d heard her. She held her head high, and repeated in a clear, loud voice, “I need to speak to Gerard, alone, for a few minutes.”

  Liam and Barnie left. As soon as the door closed, she crossed her arms. “My sister is schizophrenic. We can handle her and send her into a secure room at the hospital. This has nothing to do with your campaign.”

  “I’m worried about you and Stella. She stalked me. I didn’t tell you half of what she did, as you don’t want to hear it.”

  “She’s my sister. I have had her in hospital for years now. I know she tormented you.”

  “My version wasn’t in her confessions.” He stared out the window at the orange trees that would soon hibernate in the winter. She came to stand beside him. Silence clung in the air until he said, “In college your sister climbed into my bed while I slept off too many drinks. A roommate had left the door open. I did not touch her, but she threatened to accuse me of raping her.”

  “I’m sorry, Gerard.”

  “Don’t be. You didn’t send her.”

  “She’s still my sister.”

  “There is more.”

  “Go on.”

  “Then when I had joined the Marines, she sent me naked pictures of herself. I blocked her, changed my number, but she then went on to writing letters like we’d dated, and included pictures. I don’t want anyone with that sort of mind now going after you.”

  She didn’t say anything. He reached for her hand and finished, “Your sister scared me more than war, poverty, or disease. I know it’s not manly, but you deserve better.”

  “We will be fine. She’s not violent.” She squeezed his hand. “I hoped in the hospital she’d have help. I don’t know how she was released.”

  “Call them now.”

  She kissed his cheek. “Gerard, focus on the debate. I’ll handle Stella.”

  She dialed the number as he stared out to the gardens. She went through the usual routine to get to the doctor. At last she said, “Is my sister there?”

  “You checked Stella out of the hospital the other day.”

  Her mouth fell open. “I what?”

  The doctor clicked his pen, and the sound echoed through the phone. “The papers read Nicole Burns as her guardian and the one who bailed her out. I had the day off, as my son
was graduating middle school.”

  “I didn’t.” She massaged her temples. “It was on the news that I was in LA for two days.”

  “I am reporting what’s here, but I agree. This is concerning.”

  Her gaze met with Gerard as she trembled. “I did not check her out.”

  The doctor said, “I’ll speak to security and get back to you.”

  “Great.” She ended the call. “She’s out, as we suspected.”

  “We’ll find her, Nicole, and get her somewhere so she can’t hurt you or cause herself harm.”

  She took a deep breath to say something, but then someone knocked on the door. Barnie ran inside. Gerard kissed her forehead and whispered, “Alone lasted two minutes.”

  She nodded. “You better win, Gerard.”

  He winked. “I’ll make it up to you, Nicole.”

  Barnie said, “The poll numbers are good, but you’re going to have to tell everyone you intended to run to help arrest the Boroni crime ring. Your brother arrested Sebastian Boroni at the airport just now and told me what happened. I need to know I didn’t work my butt off for that police case and that you will be the senator. Thomas Cecchi is not an option.”

  Gerard puffed out his chest. “Barnie, you’re a good man, and the best there is. I want the job, and if you say that coming forward with my small part in the case will help us win, then I will.”

  Barnie’s shoulders relaxed. “I’ll get a test reading done. Give me half an hour for solid math.”

  She wrapped her arms around Gerard and said, “We’ll get on the road in ten minutes. I’ll go change into my dress, freshen my makeup, and meet you at the door. We have a busy couple days.”

  Nicole ran through the house and up the stairs two at a time. Her sister had to be found. She’d most likely pop up tomorrow to stop the wedding, but at least she wasn’t violent. Stella wasn’t the Boroni family. She was her sister.

  CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

  Nicole

  During the limo ride, Gerard spoke with Barnie on strategy. Nicole fixed his tie as they slowed down. Gerard held his debate cards in his hands. The last time he hadn’t seemed to care, and winged what he’d say. She checked her hair and held on to her smile. Now he paid attention to the advice, memorizing every detail. They were different.

  They stopped, and she took his hand to wave at the press as they stepped out. He rushed her inside the college auditorium that was already set up for the debate. She jogged to keep pace, but then they slowed near the door.

  At the door to the seats, she patted down his suit jacket, kissed his cheek, and told him, “Don’t freeze up there. What worked for you last time was that you listened hard.”

  He grabbed her waist and wasn’t ready to let her go. “Nicole, you’ve not really seen me debate. The last one doesn’t count. I’m looking forward to this, and then afterwards, where I go home with you.”

  She hugged him and then slipped out of his grasp. “I’ll go get my seat with your family. I’m happy you’re happy.”

  “That’s not now.” He squeezed her backside, and her mouth fell open as he finished, “Tomorrow’s the wedding. Life is good no matter what happens.”

  She offered him a huge grin and then went in front of the curtains. Some people took her picture, but she ignored them. Halfway to her seat with his mother, a stagehand called out, “Ms. Wyman. Please come this way. We’re adding in a moment for the debate where you are to hug and wish your fiancé luck as the candidate walks out on stage.”

  Of course they’d added that. Ratings mattered to television people. She held her head high and, without hesitation, followed the man. “Sounds good.”

  He walked fast and held a clipboard. Her high heels were not made for running, and her thighs ached. Then she stepped into an empty room. Her brow furrowed, as no activity was here. “Excuse me. I’m going back.”

  The man spun and ran out another door. He slammed it and the vibration echoed. She retraced her steps to the door. The door swung open too easily.

  Then her eyes widened and she gasped for air. She fumbled backward. “Stella.”

  Her sister slammed the door behind her as she stepped inside. “Isn’t it my backstabbing, man-stealing little sister? You came to town to avenge me. For a split second I was proud to be related to you, but then you up and fall in his bed, under his charm. Your disloyalty and prima donna life is why you deserve to lose.”

  “Stop. This is all wrong, and you know the truth.”

  Stella’s illusions made her believe her own stories. Her sister’s face was so contorted today that Nicole couldn’t find the words in her throat to say “move.” All she could do was cough. Stella’s face was so twisted.

  Nicole tried to swallow. Her lips were parched. She almost tripped on her heel as she stepped away, but then she finally squeaked out, “Don’t. You’re not being rational right now, sis.”

  Stella loomed closer and invaded her personal space. “I’m going to win. You won’t.”

  Nicole’s back hit a wall. She winced. She had to tell her sister to stop, but her stomach was in knots.

  “Stella.” Gerard’s voice echoed in the empty room. Nicole turned her head toward the door at the other end of the room. “I’ve waited for you to come back.”

  Stella squeaked as she puffed her tangled hair. “I didn’t think you’d want to see me.”

  Gerard’s gaze landed on Nicole for a moment, but then he turned to Stella. “Of course I would, darling.”

  Nicole’s heels clicked as she stepped away from the wall. Her sister stared at her, and Nicole realized she had to act. She held her head high. Her heels made noise, but she continued her forward march toward Gerard as she yelled, “I’m your fiancée. You promised to marry me if I helped you win this election.”

  He wrapped his arms around her waist, and she could breathe easier. Gerard kept his stare on Stella as he said, “Nicole, you weren’t in the audience on the mark I assigned you.”

  “You can’t be with my baby sister,” Stella cried out as her fists pumped in the air. “She’s a brat and doesn’t deserve you.”

  Gerard kept his hand on Nicole’s waist. He held her close. “Stella, Nicole only wants the best for you.”

  She had to help get her sister back to the hospital. Her gaze sharpened on her sister. “Sebastian is back in jail now. Stella, he’s a liar. Don’t listen to him. We should get you back to the nice Doctor Reyes.”

  Pff.

  A small explosion reverberated throughout the room. Nicole clutched Gerard’s shoulder and hid her face until the ricochet of the bullet stopped. The place was eerie, as Nicole tore her gaze back to her where her sister last stood. “Where’s Stella?”

  “I don’t know.”

  Nicole swayed on her feet. “Oh my God. She has a gun.”

  Strangers rushed into the room to find them. A sea of people swarmed, but Nicole couldn’t blink. Her sister was gone. Gerard never let her go.

  “Gerard. Nicole. You’re on air in sixty seconds.” Barnie burst into the room. “Let’s go. Now.”

  Her heartbeat was a mile a minute. She pushed Gerard off her and straightened his tie. “You need to win. Don’t stress this. I’m fine. Barnie will see me to my seat.”

  Barnie added, “Absolutely.”

  Gerard’s jaw was clenched as he stared at both of them. He nodded. “Keep her with you and deliver her to my brothers.”

  “Yes, sir.” Barnie nodded. “Run.”

  “Are you sure we’re still live after this?”

  “Absolutely.”

  Nicole’s body was pumped with adrenaline. She followed Barnie till they reached the hall. The Collins family all stood, and she ran to join them. Kate and Gigi both took her hands as they sat. The Collins men flanked the end seats.

  She didn’t have time to blink. The lights went out, except for the spotlights on the stage. Her nerves were on fire. She could hardly breathe, but then Gerard walked on stage.

  ***

  The moderator
sat in the middle of a panel of three, and announced, “Mr. Collins spoke first at the last debate. Mr. Cecchi will have two minutes to introduce himself in an uninterrupted monologue. Mr. Collins will speak second. The debate questions will then begin, and we will give each candidate an opportunity to start then the other to rebut. Then they can argue with each other for a minute or less until we move on to the next questions. Please nod that you both agree.”

  Gerard nodded and stared at her.

  Her gaze never left his profile. He held both sides of the podium, and his smile was a million watts.

  Cecchi stepped from behind the microphone and said, “Lies come from liars who, like my opponent here, wish to throw glitter on facts. He should not get to decide how the educated voter chooses in an election. Let me explain some facts. My wife and I moved in together again, now that she stopped believing the Hollywood lies. She believed I quit. This was negative campaigning at its worst. I’m here to stand up for my life and to tell my opponent to back down. Everyone is starting to see through smokescreen and mirrors, and we all now see exactly what’s inside Gerard Collins. The glitter of Hollywood hides that he’s not what everyone hoped. Tonight, I will prove my side of the story. The people of this state will know the truth.”

  Gerard gritted his teeth.

  Nicole held her breath as Gerard took his turn in the spotlight. He walked to the center of the stage and smiled. “Hello. As you know, I’m Gerard Collins, born in Massachusetts, and my entire family and way of life is rooted here. Tonight, I’m excited as a bridegroom and someone who values the people of this state more than anyone else. Before I begin, I want to thank my Nicole for being here, though tomorrow is the biggest day of our lives. Our wedding, in case anyone hasn’t heard. I’m the luckiest man on the planet that you’re spending the rest of your life with me…”

  Her heart beat so loudly that her entire body buzzed. Love had to be enough to last a lifetime.

  Then his tone became serious. “When I put my name on the ballot almost a year ago, I intended to drop out the moment my brother and the FBI finished rounding up a major crime syndicate.” He stared right into a camera. “I hoped to stop the same group of people getting out to commit more crimes and selling more drugs on our streets, to our children, to our sisters and brothers, or to anyone else’s family.”