Electing Love (The Collins Brothers Book Three)

by Pinder, Victoria

  “Doesn’t California have restaurants? Movie stars who sleep their way to the top shouldn’t be with our politicians.”

  The same voice. Nicole twirled around on her heels to find out who’d spoken. She glanced around, but no one stared at them. The customers were engrossed in their own conversations, and the waitstaff seemed extremely busy.

  “Let’s leave.” Gigi crossed her arms again. “I heard that too. And I have a low tolerance for bullies these days.”

  “I didn’t make a tape. I don’t have tattoos,” Nicole shouted louder than she intended, but didn’t care. “This is stupid. I wouldn’t touch Philip with a two-foot pole.”

  The hostess held the menus, unsure, as she approached them. Nicole brushed her hair behind her ears and stepped forward to lead the group to the empty chairs at the table. The others followed. She let out a sigh. “Sit. Let’s order and not let small-minded people get to us.”

  “Okay.” Margaret sat first, but kept her glare on one woman her own age.

  Nicole scooted her chair closer to Margaret. “The wedding will be beautiful.”

  “It will be.” Margaret didn’t budge. Whoever Margaret stared at must feel the proverbial daggers in her neck. Nicole felt a chill race through her.

  “You’re amazing, Mrs. Collins,” Nicole told her in a hushed tone.

  “Sex—” the voice started, but then Margaret hit the table.

  Nicole’s eyes widened as Margaret said, “If Claudia Bennett and her family do not keep their rude comments to themselves”—she stood, and the entire restaurant hushed—“I can assure you no decent family in Hyannis will invite her or her daughters with big mouths to one social event. Teenage girls should be told how to act in public.”

  With a thump, Margaret reclaimed her seat like it was made just for her. She picked up the menu. “What here appeals to you today, dearie?”

  “How did you know it was them?” Nicole whispered.

  “My eyes might be wearing out without my glasses,” Margaret said, “but my hearing is excellent, and the voice came from my right. From there I recognized the voices.”

  No one uttered a word around them.

  “I’ll order the haddock,” Nicole said, louder, so that everyone in the restaurant spoke again. She then winked at Margaret. “And remind me never to get on your bad side.”

  “Soon enough, we’ll be family, and no one will interfere.”

  Nicole whimpered and covered her mouth. “You and your son can do this to me.”

  Margaret stared at her menu and pressed her hand to her own heart. “Just don’t be a wimp near my son. Gerard needs someone with a backbone.”

  Nicole nodded. “That’s just it. He gets under my skin. I don’t know what to do about it.”

  “Good. You’ll learn to live with him.”

  ***

  As they drove past the bakery, Nicole stared out the window. Gigi stopped at a red light and then asked, “We could stop at the bakery to sample the cake, if you’re all game.”

  Margaret said, “I love cake.”

  As the light turned green, Gigi turned into a spot on the street.

  Nicole’s gaze went across the street. If the house was ready, they were one step closer to being alone. If she closed her eyes, she imagined how she’d walk around in a robe as she placed breakfast on the counter. She blinked and realized that she stood still as Kate, Margaret, and Gigi stared at her.

  “Before moving to LA, where I wasn’t eating three squares regularly, I used to cook my family dinner every night.”

  “That’s good, because Gerard has an appetite,” Margaret said. “The boy eats anything.”

  “Order the samples. Give me ten minutes across the street. I want to offer an extra incentive to close on the house fast.”

  Kate shrugged and offered her arm to Margaret. Nicole smiled and spun on her heels toward the office.

  Nicole waved as the walk sign appeared.

  She glanced across the street a moment later and saw the trio enter the bakery. Nicole would join them in a moment. Then she stepped inside and the bell rang overhead. She closed the door behind her. The realtor wasn’t at her desk. “Hello? Your door was open.”

  Muffled screams came from the side hallway. Her body curled into the wall behind her. The crash of her back echoed in the air as Nicole turned to run. Then a petite, dark-haired young woman came out with her hands behind her back. Nicole ignored the chill in her body. “Are you a realtor?”

  “Nicole Wyman.” The woman had a toothy grin that made her skin crawl. Nicole inched toward the door as the woman continued, “I have your file. Come in.”

  Someone said, “Arhhh.” The sound wafted through the air, and Nicole’s entire body tensed. She reached for the door handle.

  The dark-haired woman flew across the room and blocked the exit. “Who are you?” Nicole asked.

  “When one family targets innocent people, they must expect payback in kind,” the woman spat.

  Nicole sucked in her breath, widened her stance, and stared down her nose at the smaller woman. “Get out of my way.”

  The door flew open and the smaller woman swayed on her feet from the sudden jab. Gerard’s entire body took over the frame of the door. She stepped next to him and took his hand. “I missed you.”

  “Isabelle Boroni,” Gerard said as his arms wrapped around her. “Are you threatening my fiancée?”

  “I don’t have to, do I?” Isabelle shrugged . “Just seeing me in town means the Boroni family isn’t going anywhere, anytime soon.”

  “The Collins family isn’t threatened by your presence here.”

  Nicole tugged on Gerard’s arm. She then pushed into his shoulder to indicate they could leave.

  He let her slip past him and then shut the door. As they stepped onto the street, her stomach was still tight. “Get the police. I believe our realtor is tied in the other room. I heard muffled screams.”

  Gerard took out his phone. She turned and saw Isabelle. Goosebumps grew on her arms, and she led Gerard across the street. He followed as he repeated what she’d told him to the dispatcher.

  As she reached for the handle of the door to the bakery, sirens echoed in the air. Gerard’s brown eyes met hers and then she glanced over him.

  Officers stopped in front of the realtor’s office. They spoke to each other.

  Gerard’s arm wrapped around her shoulders.

  More police cars arrived. She reached for his hand and squeezed.

  Less than a minute later, the realtor came out the front door with the officers. The police went inside, but then came back out. Nicole whispered, “Where is this Isabella?”

  “Isabelle.” Gerard kissed her ear. “She’s Joseph’s daughter. Nicole, this is getting too dangerous.”

  His words reverberated inside her. “Yes, but let’s talk later. Right now, let’s go inside with your mother and pick out the cake, Gerard.”

  “I kissed her once so that Liam could get out of a jam.”

  “Is that why she’s out to kill me or hurt me?”

  “I have no idea. I hope this isn’t about the arrests.”

  “Me too.”

  He stayed on the street with the police action as she opened and closed the bakery door. She peeked out the window. Her stomach knotted until he turned and followed her inside.

  “What happened?” his mother asked the second Gerard joined them. “Did someone rob Ms. Callahan?”

  Gerard stared at his mother, but didn’t speak. Nicole swallowed and said, “We’re not sure. We called the police and she’s out now.”

  His mother’s arms moved with the sign of the cross. “Is she all right?”

  Gerard jumped in front of the door. “Mom, I don’t think we should interfere with the police work across the street. Let’s find out later.”

  Gigi massaged Margaret’s arm. “Are you both okay?”

  Nicole swallowed as Gerard said, “Nothing happened to either of us. Nicole heard something and then told me.”


  His mother gazed at them. A moment later, she nodded. “Good.”

  Nicole went toward the counter and stared at the cakes. Her mouth watered. “We’re here to try cakes for the wedding. I’m looking forward to this.”

  Gerard handed her a spoon and guided her toward a chair. She followed. A moment later, as she slipped into the seat, he placed his hand on her knee and squeezed. Warmness filled her now. Despite Isabelle, Nicole’s life was right on course with Gerard, and no one was going to steal this from her.

  The rest of his family sat around them as the baker brought them pieces.

  Nicole licked her lips as she took her first bite of chocolate in a decade. It tasted like heaven.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  Nicole

  Nicole floated despite how she’d eaten every spoonful of cake. Gerard held her arm like he thought her special. He led her to a sleek black Rolls-Royce and opened the door. Her lips parted. “What happened to the Aston Martin?”

  “This is a more serious sedan. I’m running in an election and getting married.” He held out his hand. “Let me take you home.”

  Smiling, she reached out and squeezed his hand. “Oh, I forgot. Silly me. Weddings force a man to change.”

  “No, it’s you that inspired change.” He shook his head, but his gaze seemed to lighten as he closed her door.

  A moment later, he took the seat next to her, and the car took off. She straightened in her seat and her shoulders relaxed. “I like your family, Gerard. You are lucky to have them.”

  He said nothing.

  She craned her neck. “You didn’t say anything.”

  “Nicole, I don’t know if we should get married so fast.”

  She blinked. Her mind was blank. “’Cause of the Boroni family?”

  “Yes.” He squeezed the wheel like he wanted to choke it. “It’s too dangerous. I can’t let you get hurt.”

  “Don’t let someone with the last name Boroni stop you or us. We’re fine, and this will die down after the trial.”

  He stared at the road. “That might take a year. I can’t have you in danger.”

  The knots in her stomach came back. “Then we’ll beef up security.”

  “Why do you want to marry me?” Gerard’s voice reverberated in her ears. “It’s not worth your life.”

  She couldn’t say exactly, but whatever drove her, she couldn’t let this end. “I like who I am with you, here.” She gazed through the window at his reflection and not his profile. “For years, my life spun fast, glittered, and I was numb. I couldn’t breathe. Here, with you, I’m home.”

  He turned the wheel then stopped the car on the side of the road. She didn’t know what to say. “Nicole, you’re making this harder.”

  “I’m speaking from my heart, Gerard. I… love you, and you said you loved me too.”

  Sometimes love wasn’t enough, but she held that thought. She had to bite her tongue.

  “Nicole, we are facing dangerous people who might have killed your parents years ago.” He gripped the wheel like it held him together. “I can’t let anyone hurt you because of me, and if it wasn’t for the election, dating would have been normal.”

  “My parents?” She crossed her arms and told herself to relax. But the tension stayed. “What do you know about that?”

  “That your father worked for the Boroni family, and Liam speculated he must have knew something. Your father contacted the FBI, and if he did know anything, it’s why he’d have been killed.”

  “This is too much.”

  For a few moments he stared through the window and toward the evening sky. Her heartbeat was all she could hear. She’d do anything to not ruin this. Then he started the car and drove.

  The pit in her stomach didn’t lessen until they reached his parents’.

  She covered her mouth. Her parents would want her to be happy, but maybe Gerard was right. Hollywood wasn’t this scary.

  At the door to his parents’ house, Gerard squared his shoulders.

  She followed his every move and held still. If she rushed to her answer, she’d never truly know.

  As he held the door for her, his knuckles went white on the doorknob. She gave him a half-smile.

  “I never imagined my life would be this complicated.”

  The electric storm inside her heart wasn’t because of complications. “We’re both used to getting our way. We don’t have to throw in the towel because of Isabelle.”

  He averted his gaze. “I don’t want to talk about her.”

  “Then don’t let her cause a rift in the plans.”

  He nodded and stared at the kitchen door. “In any minute, my parents will show off how I grew up, and tonight, we sleep in my old room.”

  “Sounds fine and secure.” She stepped closer to him. His hand went to her back. Her muscles quivered from the light touch. “Let’s get going.”

  He squeezed her shoulder. “Nicole, we should take a br—”

  “Stop. You are letting the name Boroni ruin everything.” She walked into the kitchen, where there was a sea of activity. She saw his mother at the oven as she took out a meat dish. Nicole grabbed oven mitts as she went over to her. “Mrs. Collins, we’re here now.”

  “I’ve prepared Gerard’s favorite meals.” His mother let Nicole take half the tray as they walked toward the counter. “I’m happy you’re both here.”

  Margaret stared over Nicole’s shoulder. Gerard must have followed. She licked her lips as they set the food down.

  “Gerard, don’t stand there. Come in and show your beautiful bride-to-be to the seat next to you in the dining room.” His mother rolled her eyes. “You would think he was raised in a barn, not my house.”

  “I heard you, Mom.” Gerard’s hand brushed Nicole’s back, and goosebumps grew everywhere. She turned, and the moment she saw Gerard’s smile, she let out her breath. “Nicole, will you walk with me?”

  Her throat was dry. She swallowed, but didn’t say anything.

  “Are you okay, Nicole?”

  He tried to hold her gaze, but she fidgeted with her clothes. “I don’t want to fight with you and call everything off. I like being here.”

  His mother put a pasta plate on the table. She then went behind Nicole and squeezed her shoulder. “We overtaxed your bride today, Gerard. I’m sure she’s stressed. Gerard, make sure she eats a little pasta and not just the meat. She needs her strength. We will share those family photos of you in the morning.”

  “My own stepmother never touched me for fear of germs.” Nicole patted Margaret’s arm. “You’re sweet.”

  “Is that true, Nicole?” Gerard’s big brown eyes stared at hers. “You didn’t even have your mom?”

  Nicole played with the hem of her skirt. “It’s no big deal. My stepmother overreacted a lot. Dad took care of me when I was sick as a girl.”

  Margaret scooted a bowl in front of Nicole and pointed to the pasta. “Eat. Relax. Breathe. I’ll be your mother-in-law soon enough. Then we’ll be family.”

  She nodded as Kate came in with the last dish. “Margaret, you’re amazing. Sit. Let’s eat.”

  The food melted as soon as it went into her mouth. The stew and the pasta all blended into one tasty savory with some sweet concoction. The next thing she realized was how she wiped her lips with her napkin. She’d never eaten so much.

  She sank in her chair, and saw Gerard was done too. She rubbed her forehead, as the food made her eyes want to close. She stifled a yawn and said, “I’d like to go and relax. I am wiped.”

  Gerard stood up with her, and scooted her chair in as she passed. He kissed his mother’s cheek as they left the room. “Night, Mom.”

  Suddenly Nicole’s heart had a hammer inside it that banged against her body. They ascended the stairs and she kept her head down.

  He ran his hand up and down her spine. “You’re quiet, sweetheart.”

  She nodded. “I don’t want to fight with you. I bought a dress, booked the church, ordered the dinner for the
reception, fired my agent in California, asked your sisters-in-law to be in the wedding, pick their dresses, decided on place settings, and now, because of someone named Boroni, everything I did today might be a waste of time. I’m not happy.”

  “I don’t want you hurt because of me or this election.” He gripped the doorknob. “You did a lot today. I didn’t know all of it.”

  She stood right in front of him. “I’m in danger of stalkers and those who seek to use my star power every day. My life in the movies is over, but don’t try to protect me from petty criminals. They exist everywhere. I am here to help you.”

  He placed his hand on her back. She hugged him. For a moment she didn’t move, but then she hugged him back as hard as she could.

  This felt right.

  Gerard’s room looked Spartan for a teenager’s. Nicole glanced at the walls, and had hoped to see baseball, sports, or bands that he’d enjoyed in his teenage years. The cream walls had art that matched his condo, and a queen-size bed with the same sheets she’d seen in Boston.

  He followed her in the room. Her shoulders stayed tense as he closed the door behind them. “How often do you stay here?”

  “Every Sunday night for a long time. Mom cooks dinner.” He ran his hands up and down her back. “All the Collins men are momma’s boys.”

  A fire grew inside her. “It’s part of your charm. I like your family, and they make you less serious.”

  “My brothers are teasing me because I fell hard for you.”

  Her entire body electrified, and she leaned on the wall to hold still. “You’re a bit of a serious nerd, but I can handle it.”

  “A nerd?”

  She winked as he stepped closer. “Yeah, but a sexy one.”

  His hand brushed against her body. Then he squeezed her buttocks. She reached forward and untucked his tee shirt.

  “That turns you on?”

  She mirrored his wide-eyed expression. Then she kissed his jaw and tugged off his shirt.

  “I see it does.” He unzipped her skirt and helped her out of it. “We’ll have to be quiet.”