Married by Monday (Weekday Brides) (19 page)

“
It’s not enough.”

Eliza was shaking her head, and Carter felt her denial before she could say the words. “I’m not going to have someone tagging around behind me, Dean.”

“
What about me?” Carter asked.

“
Don’t you have an office to get into? You can’t be my personal bodyguard.”

The hell I can’t.

“
It’s a bodyguard or you have to disappear,” Dean’s tone shifted from informative to direct. “This isn’t a joke.”

Eliza shook her head.

“
Dammit, Eliza!” Dean yelled. Everyone jumped, even the dog.

Carter let her hand go and stood in front of the other two men. “I need a minute alone with her.”

Jim stood and made to exit the room.

Dean glared. “Fine, but think about this before you say no again.” He pointed a finger at her. “Your picture was found in Ricardo’s cell.”

Dean slammed out of the room with Jim in tow.

When Carter turned around, Eliza’s face had grown white. Her eyes glossed over, and she didn’t look at him when he knelt beside her. He grasped both her hands in his and held tight.

“
Is he lying?” she asked.

Carter couldn’t be sure, but Dean’s words were floating around in her head and making her think. “Why would he?”

“
To get his way.”

“
Dean seems to care about what happens to you. I don’t think he’d lie to make you bend to his will.”

She blew out a long-suffering sigh and squeezed her eyes shut. “Damn,” she whispered under her breath.

To Carter, the key to fixing the problem was simple. All he had to do was convince Eliza.

“
I have the perfect solution.”

“
An underground bunker in New Mexico?”

He was already on his knee so he took a chance. “Marry me.”

Her eyes sprung open. “Haven’t we been over this before?”

It wasn’t a no.

“
Sure, but that was to help me get into office. Now it’s to protect you from a crazy man who is responsible for your parent’s deaths. We can take care of both our problems with one signature.”

Eliza’s eyes took on a softer edge. “Getting married will screw up your love life with other women.”

She still hadn’t said no. Carter’s palms went damp.

“
The lady I’m currently dating won’t think I’m cheating on her.”

Eliza gave a painful smile. “You’re out of town all the time. How can you be my bodyguard?”

“
As my wife, I can arrange security fit for the president.”

“
I don’t know…”

“
Is it me? I thought we were doing rather well. Didn’t you like the flowers?”

“
I loved the flowers.”

“
My skills with the crab fork turned you off?”

She was laughing now…and not saying no.

“
We’re talking marriage.”

“
Your best friend and mine married for more trite reasons, and it turned out okay. I don’t want to have you disappear in that New Mexico bunker. I’m still owed the lobster dinner…remember?”

She was considering his offer and not saying no.

“
If the threat disappears, we can both back out,” she said.

His heart squeezed in his chest. He wasn’t sure if the squeeze was pain at the thought of her leaving or joy in the fact she was considering his offer.

“
This is America.”

Slowly, she started to nod. “There should be a wedding. Nothing too big, but something to convince the press we’re not getting married for your campaign.”

“
We can’t delay. The sooner you’re my wife the better.” His heart skipped in his chest.

“
Gwen and I are experts at planning weddings. We can be married by Monday.” Eliza was looking at his chest as she spoke.

Carter placed a finger under her chin and gazed into her eyes. “Is that a yes?”

“
I think…yeah. That’s a yes.”

Something inside of him bloomed. Eliza was going to be Mrs. Carter Billings. Instead of worrying about what could go wrong, he only saw bright lights and happy endings.

She returned his smile, and he leaned forward to seal their deal with a kiss.

****

Nothing could have prepared Eliza for the next week of her life. Nearly as soon as she said yes to Carter’s proposal, there were around the clock guards on her like glue. They approached her when they changed shift so she knew who they were on sight, but kept out of her way the rest of the time. They were like ghosts in suits. Well, some of them wore plain clothes and didn’t look like bodyguards at all, but Eliza knew they all carried guns and could kick some serious ass if needed. Joe, who had worked as a personal bodyguard at times for Carter, worked closely with Neil to manage the new detail of surveillance.

Samantha and Gwen didn’t seem surprised at all with the announcement that she and Carter were getting married. In fact, they congratulated her as if they both expected it. Sam’s explanation for her reaction was simple.
You’re a logical woman, and Carter is a logical choice.
Part of Eliza wondered what happened to love before a woman walked the aisle? Who was she kidding? Marriage to Carter was a logical decision and emotion wasn’t involved enough to carry any weight in her decision to say yes.

Even when he’d leaned down on one knee to propose…which she thought was sweet, he hadn’t professed love. No, he offered a solution to their problems.

Logical.

Even when the man asking to be her husband was as captivating as any rock star and as intelligent as any Supreme Court judge was, he didn’t say he was the perfect man for her. No, he spoke of bodyguards and safety.

Logical.

Even when the thought of being Mrs. Carter Billings left her breathless…

Not Logical…sexual maybe…

“
Earth to Eliza…come in Eliza.” Sam waved her hands in front of Eliza’s face to capture her attention.

“
Sorry.”

“
It’s okay. I know you’re under a lot of stress. So, what do you think?”

Eliza glanced down at the flowers and pointed to the first bouquet that appealed to her. Orchids and lilies. Just like the ones Carter had sent her a little over a week ago.

“
Perfect…and the cake?”

Eliza pointed to a simple and elegant design. “I’m not sure of the flavors. I don’t know what Carter likes.”

Gwen sat to the right of Eliza and scoffed. “He doesn’t prefer chocolate. I found that strange when so many men gravitate toward the flavor. Perhaps you should pick vanilla or some such combination.”

It was upsetting that Gwen knew Carter’s taste better than Eliza did. Then again, Blake and Carter had been best friends for years, and Eliza had only known him for a few. It could be worse she realized. Samantha and Blake had been married within a week of their introduction.

Eliza checked off a couple of vanilla combinations…one with strawberry filling, another with cream.

Done!

“
What’s next?”

They had talked with a caterer the day before and also picked out classic evening gowns for both Samantha and Gwen.

Because of the last minute celebration, the wedding would take place on Samantha and Blake’s property, which wasn’t a hardship with the Pacific Ocean in the background and majestic views on every corner of their home.

“
I spoke with the photographer we used in Texas, and they’re making arrangements to come here. Apparently, it’s even hotter in Texas now than it was two months ago and the photographer is free.”

“
I would think he’d be booked.” Eliza knew Sam must have offered a huge bonus and maybe a private jet to manage a photographer on such short notice. Calling Sam on it would only bring an argument. Besides, Eliza endured the color yellow for Sam’s last wedding for God’s sake.

“
I guess not,” Gwen added with a coy smile.

Yeah, someone got a kickback.

Samantha picked up her notebook and checked off tasks. “We only have a few days and a wedding dress might be difficult to find. I say we get started on that this afternoon.”

“
I want simple.” Eliza had never been the kind of girl to fantasize about her wedding. Maybe that came with not having parents or family in her life. She always assumed she’d be married by a Justice of the Peace or some cheesy Elvis impersonator in Vegas.

She was surprised by her own action when she suggested that she and Carter have a ceremony. Maybe standing beside Samantha at all her weddings was wearing off on Eliza.

Half an hour later, the three of them were on their way to a boutique in search of the perfect last minute wedding dress.

****

Carter scrolled through his smart phone in search of wedding rings while Jay ran down a list of tasks and meetings scheduled for the coming week.

“
Governor Montgomery has invited you to a State dinner in two weeks. It will take some rearranging, but it would probably be best for you to attend. His endorsement will put votes in your pocket.”

Solitaire or a rock set with other stones?
“When is this dinner?” Carter asked.

“
Two weeks from this Friday.”

A week after the wedding. A perfect time to show off his bride. “I’ll need two invitations.”

“
Oh?”

Solitaire was Carter’s first choice, but Eliza liked more bling than she let on. Underneath all her rough exterior, she had the heart of a girly girl.

“
Yeah. And I need to clear my schedule from Saturday through Wednesday of this week.”

Remembering Eliza in the awful yellow dress at Samantha and Blake’s last ceremony, Carter clicked over to a rare yellow diamond collection on the site. He expected to see something ugly but what he found was anything but.

In fact, it was perfect.

Carter saved the picture to his phone and checked his watch. He would have to call the store manager to open up after hours, but that shouldn’t be a problem.

Jay cleared his throat.

“
Sorry.” Carter tucked his phone inside his jacket. “You can clear my schedule, right?”

The scowl on Jay’s face expressed his irritation. “Of course,” he said through pursed lips. “Can I give an excuse?”

Carter stood and shoved his hands in his pockets. “Eliza and I are getting married this Saturday at the Harrison estate. I have you down for you plus one. We plan on taking a few days for a honeymoon, and then we’re back on track.”

Jay’s jaw dropped.

“
While we’re gone, I need you to touch base with those two detectives you met last month who intercepted Eliza after the press conference, and then you’ll need to work on a security detail for her and our home.”

Jay closed his mouth and threw his hands up in the air. “Hold on. You’re getting married?”

“
Saturday.”

Jay extended his hand. “Congratulations. Smart move. This is going to go a long way to fix last month’s fuck up.”

Carter didn’t deny or confirm his reason for marriage. “Try and give an excuse about a private affair that I’m attending. I’ll have you release an announcement after Saturday. I’d like to avoid a circus.”

“
Sure. No problem. Now what about the cops?”

Carter shook his head. “It’s complicated. They’ll give you what you need to present to the FBI to obtain the necessary security.”

“
The feds?”

Carter patted Jay’s shoulder. “It’s complicated.” He gave Jay Dean’s card. “You’ll see these guys again at the wedding.” Carter checked his watch again. “I’ve gotta go.”
I have a wedding ring to buy.

Chapter Sixteen

The wedding was in three days, and Carter hadn’t had a moment alone with his fiancée since she said yes.

“
I thought you said we were going out to dinner,” Eliza peered through the windshield of the car with a frown.

“
We are.” Carter pulled up to the valet and unfolded from the car. He offered Eliza a hand and told the driver that they would be back by midnight.

Blake’s pilot met them by the stairs of the private jet and welcomed them aboard.

Carter knew Eliza had flown on the plane for several occasions over the past couple of years, but the light in her eyes didn’t fade when it came to the luxury.

“
Are you going to tell me where we’re going?” Eliza asked as she fastened her seatbelt.

His hands grew moist. “As soon as we’re airborne.”

“
Afraid I’ll bolt?”

He laughed. “Maybe.”
Exactly.

The pilot taxied the plane onto the runway and announced their departure.

The cabin pressurized and the engines effortlessly pulled them in the sky. Once the plane leveled off, Eliza asked said. “You might have guessed, but surprises and I don’t get along. I don’t mind a big bow on a present, but…”

“
I’m taking you to Tucson. To meet my parents.”