Electing Love (The Collins Brothers Book Three) Page 21

  Gasps came from the audience. Nicole swallowed.

  Gerard nodded and puffed out his chest. “As a lawyer, I met an old man who witnessed the murder of a family with two small children. He came into my law office begging for help, but I could do nothing except set him up with the FBI, and I was told that the perpetrators were getting away because a few politicians kept pulling strings. Cold fury went down my spine.

  “I cut those strings, and I have to tell you that tomorrow, when you read the news, the crime syndicate will be safely behind bars. I accomplished my initial goal and set the goals of my campaign. I’m out to end corruption.”

  Her heart soared.

  Gerard sipped his water. “And I am so relieved, and now I can run for the Senate with this mandate. I’m free to represent the people who raised me. I don’t owe anyone except my family and my bride. I’d be in a better position to help people if I go to Washington. I am stronger now, and with your help, I’ll help keep our state strong too.”

  She stood and clapped, as others did. She flashed a smile and kept her chin high.

  The producers motioned for everyone to sit.

  The moderator asked a question. She didn’t hear it or Cecchi’s answer.

  Gerard clasped both hands on the podium as he returned to his side of the floor. “I don’t know if the election laws allow prisoners awaiting trials to contribute to PACs like corporations and people can. You can ask Thomas Cecchi how that happens.”

  Thomas retorted, “You contributed to her rape.”

  “What rape? Are you now coming up with lies on any front to attack me?”

  Thomas shook his head. “I would never. I read a report about a schizophrenic woman who accused you of exactly that.”

  Stella.

  “Mental illness is a disease that my fiancée faces all the time, and if the woman is her sister, then it’s delusional.” Gerard’s frown told her he knew. “In reality, if a woman was raped, I hope she’d report it to the police. If they won’t help her, she can call me. I’ll find her the right connections. Violence against women is a moral wrong.”

  Her reverie of how in control Gerard remained shook as his brother Daniel whispered down the aisle, “Barnie is waving for you to go backstage with him. I’ll walk you.”

  “I’ll be fine.” She stood and maneuvered her way out of the Collins clan.

  Daniel followed her as soon as she reached the aisle. “I should warn you. Our parents kept Sean and Gigi in separate houses until Sean could arrange the surprise wedding.”

  “That’s funny.” Nicole’s lips quirked, though she tried to not smile. Right now she needed Gerard to tell her they would be fine, and to believe.

  Daniel stepped back as soon as she reached Barnie and the stage.

  His campaign manager led her to the wing of the stage. She stood on the mark and waited for the light to turn green. The light changed suddenly, and she brushed her hair behind her ear. On stage, Gerard kissed her fast. She wrapped her arms around him and closed her eyes. He held back, and she sighed. Then she hugged him.

  He waved, and then so did she to the camera.

  Lights flashed in her eyes as the cameras stopped rolling. Then the stage went dark and they were done. He squeezed her hand. “Your patience is amazing. We have to find your sister and keep you safe, Nicole.”

  She held his hand and depended on his strength. “I tuned out for half of tonight, but why did Cecchi talk about my sister and rape? I missed something.”

  “My gut also told me he meant Stella, but that didn’t happen, and I didn’t want to bring that conversation up on stage. We need to find Liam. He can find your sister for you. Cecchi’s grasping became obvious when he took back the accusation.” Gerard stared into her eyes. “I need you with me, Nicole.”

  “I need you too.”

  She stared at the group that waited for them. His family and Barnie cheered as they joined them.

  The large group made its way down the hall to the limo.

  Barnie spoke low to Gerard. Nicole tilted her head and listened. “Early poll numbers favor you. I still think we should have cameras at the wedding.”

  “No,” Gerard answered fast, and his hand stiffened in hers. “This is one day that’s not for sale.”

  She interrupted the conversation. “Look, the press will get their picture one way or the other, Gerard. We can promise to release a few photographs and a short video from whoever Gigi hired. Or invite one Associated Press member into our fold, and they can sell the video to all the stations, with the money going to my charity.”

  Barnie breathed and his eyes went toward the ceiling. “Thank you. This campaign has been exciting to be a part of, and unlike most people I manage to get elected, Gerard has my vote.”

  “If one day you get out of running other people’s campaigns and run your own, you’d put that brain of yours to better use.” Gerard patted Barnie on the back. Then he whispered to Nicole, “I need to see you alone.”

  She whispered, “We’ll see each other tonight. It’s my last night of being single.”

  “Until we find your sister, I’ll spend the night worrying about you.”

  He clearly had a plan to talk to her. “If we can, great. If not, I’ll be in your parents’ house, down the hall. The place is secure.”

  She stepped into the limo with his family. He took the seat beside her and chatted with his brothers, but they never let go of each other’s hands. Love had to be enough to make this work.

  CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

  Nicole

  In a pure white robe, Nicole yawned and walked into the next room. Fabric and dresses were flung everywhere. She covered her mouth and stared at the clock. She’d overslept.

  No one had woken her earlier. She glanced out the window and saw her wedding dress head into a truck. She took ten minutes to clean herself.

  As she ran at full throttle, she didn’t see Gigi or Kate anywhere. To finish, she changed into one of Gerard’s button-down shirts and a pair of Margaret’s elastic shorts.

  Outside, she saw a limo waiting, and she hopped in.

  Gigi was waiting inside, and hung up her phone. “We’re behind schedule.”

  Nicole nodded. “I wish someone woke me. I couldn’t find my shoes.”

  Gigi slid flip-flops on the floor. “The wedding heels are with the dress. Wear these until we get there.”

  “You are perfect.” Nicole leaned into the cushioned leather seats in the limo and for once felt calm. “You’re glowing today, Geegs.”

  Gigi shrugged, smiled, and stared at the ground.

  The limo driver drove off the property.

  Gigi pressed buttons on her phone and said, “No one should keep the bride waiting. Kate is with the dress in the bridal suite. Gerard is with his brothers. It’s us and the ten bodyguards. Two are in the car with us. Four in front. Four in the car behind.”

  “Thank you.” Nicole unclenched her hands. “The wedding is my dream.”

  “It’s my turn to pay the Collins back,” Gigi stated as she emailed someone with her phone.

  Nicole stared at Gigi again. “You are so happy today. Is something going on with you?”

  Gigi blushed. “I saw the doctor and he said I’m having twins. A family with Sean is all I ever wanted…”

  A crack echoed in the air.

  Then the limo rolled over what felt like rocks. Nicole grabbed the seat as they banged against something. A moment later, Gigi screamed as the limo crashed into something else.

  Nicole fell backward in her seat. The car spun. She screamed, or thought she did, as she lost consciousness.

  ***

  Her skull throbbed. She rubbed her head to massage away her headache. She woke up at the pier looking at the Collins’ yacht. The sun in the sky was still located in the east, so it was morning. She wished Gerard was here.

  She unlocked her seatbelt and searched for her pocketbook. She couldn’t find it. Then she blinked. Gigi should be beside her, but the seat was empt
y.

  Her gaze focused, and she realized this wasn’t the limo.

  Stella glared from the driver’s seat of their parents’ beat-up old Chevrolet. Nicole flinched and realized they were driving somewhere.

  She tried to open the car door, but the child locks must be on.

  Stella cackled like cold wind. “Nic, are you listening to me?”

  No. Nicole shivered, but tried to figure out how to get out. Her sister had never been violent toward her. “Stella?”

  “Nic, I never once thought it was going to end up like this between us. You were my baby sister.”

  She gulped. She had always wondered when her sister would go off the deep end. It was why she’d hospitalized her. “Doctor Reyes wondered what happened to you. Are we going to tell him that you’re safe and here?”

  “You stole my life. Now I have to steal it back.”

  “Steal what back? Stella, you know better than to believe your visions. Doctor Reyes said you’d made progress.” Nicole scooted closer to the front seat. The back had child locks, but the front doors didn’t. She had to get next to Stella. She scooted more.

  “You don’t think you’re going anywhere, do you?” Stella locked her hand on Nicole’s just as she was about to jump to the front.

  Nicole coughed. “Doctor Reyes said you were doing so well with therapy. I hoped one day soon you’d get a pass to leave for a weekend. Don’t throw all your hard work away.”

  “Don’t lie to me.”

  Her voice cracked. The edge in it made Nicole pause. Perhaps it was better to anger Stella. “Gerard Collins loves me, Stella. I love him. We didn’t plan it, and I would never try to hurt you, sis.”

  “Liar.”

  She gulped as her sister stepped on the gas. At least no one else was on this deserted road. “No one is lying to you, Stella.”

  “No. Gerard was supposed to love me.”

  Nicole jumped to the front seat and rolled as far as she could. Stella lashed out and tried to grab her. Nicole set her jaw and pushed her sister’s hand back to her side of the car. “You can’t force a man to love you.”

  Stella laughed.

  The maniacal sound caused Nicole’s heartbeat to skyrocket. Her sister clearly wasn’t well. Nicole rubbed her wrist. The laughter stopped her short. Stella snorted. “Do you think he loves you? You’re a fool. Gerard’s heart isn’t available to any woman, and if you think because he’s in your bed he loves you, sis, then you’re more screwed up than I am.”

  Nicole wasn’t thinking. She grabbed the gear stick and moved the car into park.

  The click resonated in the air as she kicked open the passenger door and ran.

  Her feet hit the ground, and every cell in her body was awake. The cold morning wasn’t going to stop her. Stella’s door opened, and Nicole ran. The feeling of pins and needles that stabbed at her legs worsened.

  Stella yanked her hair and stopped Nicole fast. She flailed her arms. “Ouch, please stop. Women shouldn’t touch the face.”

  “Sounds like your silly Hollywood rules. You’re not going anywhere. You’re my message to Gerard that he chose the wrong Burns.”

  A huge knot lodged in Nicole’s throat. She refused to die. “You’re crazy right now. Let me go.”

  “Sis, I warned you.”

  Nicole swung her elbows behind her, but the force didn’t stop Stella. Nicole trembled. This unnatural lag made her vision double. Stella pushed her shoulder and said, “Let’s walk to the boat.”

  “Why?” Nicole stumbled, and wondered if her sister had drugged her. Her stomach heaved like she needed to throw up.

  Stella held on to her hair and led her toward the dock.

  “You have to die, sis. That spot where you destroyed our sisterly bonds and dated my Gerard is where you can spend eternity.”

  Nicole wondered if the ship had a way to call Gerard. “Stella, I’m your sister. We’re family.”

  “Were my sister, but you betrayed me. Sisters are supposed to have each other’s back, but you never cared much about me. I tried to do what you wanted so you’d be proud of me, but then you ditched me. Now I’ll protect you from making a fool of yourself with a man.”

  Nicole stifled a scream. She had to get away from Stella, and her legs hurt less now. There was no way she was missing her wedding. Love had to be enough. She’d have to find a way.

  CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

  Gerard

  Gerard laughed with Sean and Daniel as they slipped their gray tuxedo jackets on. Liam walked and had his mouth covered. Gerard stood. Liam took a deep breath, and told them, “Someone in the back car knocked everyone out. Then the limo crashed with Gigi and Nicole in it.”

  Gerard couldn’t breathe.

  Sean hadn’t moved. “Where are Gigi and Nicole?”

  Liam patted Sean on the arm, but he shook his head at Gerard. His gut was twisted as his brother said, “Gigi’s awake and alert now. She’s on her way to the hospital, worried about her baby, though paramedics said she’s fine.”

  “I’m on my way.” Sean ran out of the room.

  Gerard didn’t move. Right now his life was like a movie, and far removed from his body. His hands clenched as he shook with fire that grew inside him. “Stella did something to Nicole.”

  “We don’t know that.”

  “She’s missing. What else is there?”

  “I don’t know.”

  He closed his eyes and prayed. Stella had tried to ruin everything. Something inside him screamed that he had to get to the yacht, like Nicole was there. He couldn’t explain his gut. “I have an idea. Come with me.”

  “I’m right behind you.” Liam chased him as they ran out of the church doors. “I have my phone in case I hear anything.”

  Gerard’s heartbeat guided him as he jumped into his car and started it. Liam hopped into the front seat and Gerard stepped on the gas.

  Visions of Nicole guided him.

  CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

  Nicole

  “For an actress, you’ve let yourself get beaten up a lot. Don’t you and your people have insurance or people to protect you?”

  “I do. I’d have to go to the bank and show them my beat-up face. Want the money?”

  “What would I do with money?”

  Her sister’s sense of humor hadn’t left her. Nicole stared at the door one more time. To get the upper hand, Stella had to feel safe. Nicole sat, crossed her legs, stared at her fingernails, and faked a yawn.

  Stella’s eyebrows shot up.

  Nicole pretended not to notice. Years of acting had taught her to count her breaths. Stella towered over her and nudged her arm. “Let’s go.”

  Nicole shrugged. “Gerard will be here soon, and I look too much like Mom for you to hurt me. We both know underneath all this anger, you love me.”

  “Stop it.”

  “We’re sisters, Stella. Unlike Sebastian, who can never help you, I’ve always been right beside you.”

  “You don’t know anything.”

  “I know that Doctor Reyes said you were doing well at the hospital. You can go back there.”

  “Shut up, Nic. You’re making me angry,” Stella yelled. “And Gerard will understand you’re second rate in everything.”

  Nicole’s heartbeat increased, but she stilled. She continued to stare at her fingernails with some feigned deep interest.

  Stella walked away. Keys twisted in a locked door. Nicole inched to the yacht edge to jump on the dock, but Stella returned too soon. Nicole lowered her gaze again and feigned boredom.

  “You have given me a great idea.” Stella’s shadow towered over her.

  “I hope you call Doctor Reyes soon, sis. You’ll be happier in therapy.”

  Stella knelt in front of her and stared into Nicole’s eyes. “Take off your clothes, sis. We’ll need to leave your pajamas in the bed.”

  Gerard’s shirt wasn’t pajamas. The smell of oak and the forest empowered her. Whatever the plan was, Nicole wasn’t a part of this. “This isn
’t how you get Gerard’s attention. He likes me in my clothes.”

  Stella’s hands clenched. “Gerard was mine. I saw him first. You were supposed to stay in California doing that acting thing you do. One day he’d find me and rescue me.”

  “You were in the hospital. You don’t need to go to jail too. If you don’t stop, that’s what will happen. I can help you to not be like Sebastian, behind bars.”

  “Stop it.”

  “No, you stop. He’s a drug dealer.” Nicole stood. “I’m not taking my clothes off. I love Gerard. He loves me. He’ll find me, and we’ll get married.”

  Two more moves and she could jump onto the dock. Nicole remembered every block move she’d ever practiced. In movies it was all about where to stand, and knowing your steps. Nicole stayed on her feet and took one more step.

  “Stop it.” Stella grabbed her arms and tugged. “You will never marry into the Collins family.”

  Nicole’s arms burned, and strength returned to her. “The ring’s on my finger, sis.”

  Stella leapt toward her hand to rip the ring off, but Nicole punched her jaw. Her knuckles throbbed, but she used the momentum to throw herself off the yacht. Stella jumped onto the dock too, but this time, Nicole didn’t slow down.

  She sprinted on the wooden planks and refused to stop. Then she ran into a massive wall of muscles. She inhaled and recognized the manly, woodsy smell. She wrapped her arms around Gerard. “You found me.”

  Splash.

  The water rippled in the ocean beside them. His strong hands massaged her scalp, and she listened to his steady heartbeat.

  “Nicole, this was too easy.”

  Liam’s team of men ran around them. Her adrenaline pumped. “I want to send her to the hospital. I don’t want her arrested.”

  Liam tapped Gerard on the back. “As soon as we find her.”