We did, Colin said quietly.
Jackson clamped his jaw. Yeah, his father had been trying to get hold of him for a month. Hed been studiously ignoring the requests, just like hed been doing for years. He owed Colin nothing.
He stood. Its not much time, but Ill see what I can find.
She cannot marry him. Trents undertone was rock hard with vehemence.
Shes a grown woman, Jackson repeated.
Hed look into the Gerhards. But if Crista Corday had fallen for a bad boy, there might be nothing her daddy or anyone else could do to change her mind.
* * *
Crista Corday swayed back and forth in front of the full-length mirror, her strapless lace and tulle wedding gown rustling softly against her legs. Her hair was swept up in a profusion of curls and braids. Her makeup had been meticulously applied. Even her underwear was white silk perfection.
She stifled a laugh at the absurdity of it all. She was a struggling jewelry designer, living in a basement suite off Winter Street. She didnt wear antique diamonds. She didnt get married in the magnificent Saint Lukes Cathedral with a reception at the Brookbend Country Club. And she didnt get swept off her feet by the most eligible prince charming in all of greater Chicago.
Except for the part where she did, and she had.
Cinderella had nothing on her.
There was a knock on the Gerhard mansions bedroom door.
Crista? the male voice called out. It was Verns cousin Hadley, one of the groomsmen.
Come in, she called in return.
She liked Hadley. He was a few years younger than Vern, laid-back by Gerhard standards, fun-loving and friendly. Taller than most of the men in the family, he was athletic and good-looking, with a jaunty swath of dark blond hair that swooped across his forehead.
He lived in Boston rather than Chicago, but he visited often, sometimes staying at the mansion, sometimes using a hotel. Crista assumed he preferred a hotel when he had a date. Verns mother, Delores, was staunchly religious and would not have allowed Hadley to have an overnight guest.
The door opened, and he stepped into the spacious, sumptuously decorated guest room. Crista had spent the night here, while Vern had stayed in his apartment downtown. Maybe it was Doloress influence, but Crista had been feeling old-fashioned the past few weeks, insisting she and Vern sleep apart until the honeymoon. Vern had reluctantly agreed.
Hadley halted. Then he pushed the door shut behind him and seemed to take in her ensemble.
What? she asked, checking herself out, wondering if shed missed some glaring flaw.
You look amazing, he said.
Crista scoffed. I sure hope I do. She spread her arms. Do you have any idea how much this all cost?
Hadley grinned. Aunt Delores wouldnt have it any other way.
I feel like an impostor. Cristas stomach fluttered with a resurgence of apprehension.
Why? he asked. His tone was gentle, and he moved closer.
Because I grew up on the lower west side.
You dont think were your people?
She turned back to the mirror and gazed at her reflection. The woman staring back was her, but not her. It was a surreal sensation.
Do you think youre my people? she asked him.
If you want us to be, he said.
Their gazes met in the mirror.
But its not too late, he added.
Too late for what?
To back out. He looked serious, but he had to be joking.
Youre wrong about that. Not that she wanted to back out. Not that shed even consider backing out. In fact, she couldnt imagine how their conversation had come to this.
You look scared, he said.
Of the wedding, sure. Im probably going to trip on my way down the aisle. But Im not afraid of the marriage.
It was Vern. She was marrying smart, respectful, polite Vern. The man whod stepped up to invest in her jewelry design company, whod introduced her to the finer things, whod swept her away for a fantasy weekend in New York City and another in Paris. There wasnt much about Vern that wasnt fantastic.
The future in-laws? Hadley asked.
Crista quirked a smile. Intimidated, not afraid.
The intensity left his expression, and he smiled in return. Who wouldnt be intimidated by them?
Nobody I know, thats for sure.
Manfred Gerhard was a humorless workaholic. He was exacting and demanding, with a cutting voice and an abrupt manner. His wife, Delores, was prim and uptight, excruciatingly conscious of the social hierarchy, but skittish whenever Manfred was in the room, constantly catering to his whims.
If Vern ever acted like his father, Crista would kick him to the curb. No way, no how would she put up with that. Then the thought brought her up short. Vern wasnt at all like his father. Shed never seen anything to even suggest he might behave like Manfred.
Hes very close to them, said Hadley.
He was watching her intently again, and for a split second Crista wondered if he could read her thoughts.
Hes talking about buying an apartment in New York City. She liked the idea of putting some distance between Vern and his family. He loved them dearly, but she couldnt see spending every Sunday evening at the mansion the way Vern seemed to like.
Ill believe that when it happens, said Hadley.
But Crista knew it was already decided. Its so I can expand the business, she elaborated.
Are you having second thoughts? asked Hadley.
No. She turned to face him. She wasnt. What makes you say that? What makes you ask that?
Maybe I want you for myself.
Very funny.
He hesitated for a moment then gave an unconcerned shrug. Im not sure Id marry into this family.
Too bad youre already in this family.
He looked her straight in the eyes. So, youre sure?
Im sure. I love him, Hadley. And he loves me. Everything else will work itself out around that.
He gave a nod of acquiescence. Okay. If I cant get you to call off the wedding, then Im here to tell you the limos have arrived.
Its time? The flutter in her stomach turned into a spasm.
It was perfectly normal, she told herself. She was about to walk down the aisle in front of hundreds of people, including her future in-laws and a whos who list of notable Chicagoans. Shed be a fool to be calm under these circumstances.
You just turned pale, said Hadley.
I told you, Im afraid of tripping halfway down the aisle.
You want me to walk you?
Thats not how we rehearsed it.
Cristas father was in prison, and she didnt have a close male relative to escort her down the aisle. And in this day and age, it seemed ridiculous to scramble for a figurehead to give her away to Vern. She was walking down the aisle alone, and she was perfectly fine with that.
I could still do it, said Hadley.
No, you cant. You need to stand up front with Vern. Otherwise the numbers will be off, more bridesmaids than groomsmen. Dolores would faint dead away.
Hadley straightened the sleeves of his tux. You got that right.
Crista pictured her six bridesmaids at the front of the cathedral in their one-shoulder crisscross aqua dresses. Their bouquets would be plum and white, smaller versions of the dramatic rose-and-peony creation Delores had ordered for Crista. It was going to be heavy, but Delores had said with a congregation that large, people needed to see it from a distance. They could probably see it from Mars.
Crista pictured her six bridesmaids at the front of the cathedral in their one-shoulder crisscross aqua dresses. Their bouquets would be plum and white, smaller versions of the dramatic rose-and-peony creation Delores had ordered for Crista. It was going to be heavy, but Delores had said with a congregation that large, people needed to see it from a distance. They could probably see it from Mars.
The flowers are here? asked Crista, half hoping they hadnt arrived so she wouldnt have to lug the monstrosity around.
Yes. Theyre looking for you downstairs to get some pictures before you leave.
Its time, said Crista, bracing herself.
Its not too late, said Hadley. We can make a break for it through the rose garden.
You need to shut up.
He grinned. Shutting up now.
Crista was getting married today. It might have happened fast. The ceremony might be huge. And her new family might be overwhelming. But all she had to do was put one foot in front of the other, say, I do, and smile in all the right places.
By tonight, shed be Mrs. Vern Gerhard. By this time tomorrow, shed be off on a Mediterranean honeymoon. A posh private jet would take them to a sleek private yacht for a vacation in keeping with the stature of the Gerhard family.
Hadley offered her his arm, and she took it, feeling a sudden need to hang on tight.
Ill see you at the church, he said.
She could do this. She would do this. There was no downside. Any woman would be thrilled by such a complete and total change in her lifestyle.
* * *
Dressed in a crisp tuxedo, freshly shaved, his short hair neatly trimmed, Jackson stood outside Saint Lukes Cathedral north of Chicago in the Saturday afternoon sunshine pretending he belonged. It was a picture-perfect June wedding day. The last of the well-heeled guests had just been escorted inside, and the groomsmen now stood in a cluster on the outside stairs. Vern Gerhard was nowhere to be seen, likely locked up in an anteroom with the best man waiting for Crista Corday to arrive.
Jackson had learned a lot about Crista over the past three days. Hed learned she was beautiful, creative and reputedly hardworking.
As a girl, shed grown up in a modest neighborhood, living with her single mother, her father, Trent, having visitation rights and apparently providing some small amount of financial support. Shed attended community college, taking a diploma in fine arts. It was during that time that shed lost her mother in a car accident.
After graduation shed found a job in womens clothing in a local department store. He assumed she must have worked on her jewelry designs in her off hours.
So far, she seemed exactly as she appeared, an ordinary, working-class Chicago native whod been living a perfectly ordinary life until shed met her fiancé. The most remarkable thing about her seemed to be her fathers conviction on fraud charges. Then again, maybe it wasnt so remarkable. This was Chicago, and Jackson was definitely familiar with having a convicted criminal in the family.
Vern and the Gerhards had proven harder for him to gauge. Their public and social media presence was slick and heavily controlled. Their family company, Gerhard Incorporated, was privately held, having been started as a hardware store by Verns great-grandfather during the Depression. It now centered on commercial real estate ownership and development.
Their estimated net worth was high, but Jackson hadnt found anything illegal or shady in their business dealings. They did seem to have incredible timing, often buying up properties at fire sale prices in the months before corporate mergers, gentrification or zoning changes boosted their value. It was enough to make Jackson curious, but the individual instances werent overly suspicious, and what he had so far didnt come close to proving they were conning Crista.
Despite Trents suspicions, Vern Gerhard and Cristas romance seemed to be just that, a romance.
I say more power to him. One of the groomsmens voices carried from the cathedral staircase, catching Jacksons attention.
I almost told her at the house, said another groomsman. This one looked younger. He had the trademark Gerhard brown eyes, but he was taller than most, younger than Vern. His flashy hairstyle made him look like he belonged in a boy band.
Why would you do that? asked a third. This man was shorter, balding, and his bow tie was already askew. Jackson recognized him as a brother-in-law to Vern.
You dont think she deserves to know? asked the younger one.
Who cares? Shes hot, said the bald one. That body, hoo boy.
Such a sweet ass, said the first groomsman, grinning.
Nice, Jackson muttered under his breath. The Gerhards might be rich, but they didnt seem to have much in the way of class.
So, why does he need Gracie? asked the younger groomsman, glancing around the circle for support. He should break it off already.
You want to stick to just one ice cream flavor? asked the balding man.
For the rest of your life? asked the first groomsman.
Some days I feel like praline pecan. Some days I feel like rocky road, said the heavyset one with a chortle.
And thats why youre sleeping with Lacey Hanniberry.
Lumpy Lacey.
The other men laughed.
Vern hit the jackpot. The first groomsman made a rude gesture with his hips.
On both fronts, said the bald one. Cristas the lady, Gracies the tramp.
Shes going to find out, said the younger man with the flashy hair.
Not if you dont tell her she wont, said the first man, a warning in his tone.
Jackson had half a mind to tell her himself. Vern sounded like a pig. And most of his friends didnt seem any better.
Gracie wont last, anyway, said the heavyset man.
Vern will trade up, said the balding one.
Uncle Manfreds girlfriends have been twenty-five for the past thirty years.
Wives age, girlfriends dont.
They all laughed, except for the young guy. He frowned instead. Cristas different.
No, shes not. The first groomsman slapped him on the back. Youre young, naive. All your girlfriends are twenty-five.
I dont cheat on them.
Then youre not trying hard enough.
Get with the program.
Out of the corner of his eye, Jackson saw two white limos pull up to the curb. The groomsmen spotted them, too, and they turned to head up the wide staircase to the cathedral entrance, their voices and laughter fading with the distance.
So, Vern was cheating on Crista. It was a coldhearted and idiotic move, but it was none of Jacksons business. Maybe she knew and accepted it. Or maybe she wasnt as smart as everyone seemed to think, and she was oblivious. Or maybeand this was a real possibilityshe was only marrying the guy for his money and didnt care about his fidelity one way or the other.
The limo doors opened and a group of pretty bridesmaids spilled out of one. The driver of the other vehicle quickly hopped to the back door, helping the bride step onto the sidewalk.
Crista straightened and rose in the bright sunshine, looking absolutely stunning. Her auburn hair was swept up in braids, thick at the nape of her neck, wispy and delicate around her beautiful face. Her shoulders were bare and looked creamy smooth. The white dress was tight across her breasts and her waist, showing off an amazing figure. The lace and beading on the full skirt glittered with every little movement.