The Billionaire's Secret Wife (The Pryce Family Book 3) (Volume 3) (8 page)

“We’re about to get married over Niagara Falls.”

* * *

Vanessa blinked, unsure if she’d heard him correctly. She’d known they weren’t in Vegas—the air was too moist—but
this?
“There are too many people here. I wasn’t kidding about keeping this quiet.”

“Relax. We’ll be getting married in a helicopter while it’s flying over the falls. I’ve already arranged for it, and a minister’s ready as soon as we pick up the marriage license. There will be only two witnesses—junior associates from a law firm on Sterling & Wilson’s retainer. They won’t talk unless they want to be fired and sued.”

Her lips parted. Justin had been busy, thinking of everything. Sterling & Wilson’s lawyers wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize their retainer.

“This is the best I could arrange on short notice. I know it’s nobody’s dream wedding, but we can have a real, grand ceremony later after the baby.” He pulled out a dark navy box and took her left hand. Inside the box was a diamond ring. The simple platinum setting showed off the size and superior cut and clarity of the stone surrounded by smaller sapphires the exact color of her eyes. “For the engagement. I wanted to get something custom designed, but there wasn’t enough time.”

“It’s perfect,” she whispered as a sudden lump formed in her throat.

He put the ring on her finger and kissed her knuckles. The sparkling gem made it seem so much more real. She was really getting married.

Her mother had a similar piece in her jewelry box, although the stone types were reversed—a huge sapphire in the center surrounded by small diamonds. It was her engagement ring, which she hadn’t worn in ages. Vanessa knew her father had proposed in the most romantic setting he could manage and professed undying love. She’d seen his letters.

My love for you will never die
.
So long as you love me
,
we’ll be happy and together till death do us part
.
Ceinlys
,
I know you’re worried about my mother’s reaction
,
but it isn’t her life
,
it’s ours
.
Will you take a chance? I’ll make you the happiest woman in the world forever and ever
.

“Vanessa?”

She jerked her chin up and looked at Justin’s frowning face. “Sorry. I sort of zoned out.”

Justin’s frown melted into an ironically skewed smile. “Is the rock disappointing?”

She smacked his arm. “No! It’s so big, it’s almost vulgar.”

“I was going to get a four-carat stone, but I thought it would look wrong on you.” He traced her ring finger. “Your hands are so delicate…you need something simple, elegant and graceful.”

She licked her lower lip. His words seeped all the way to her bones in syrupy sweetness, and her mind shivered with longing and a sliver of fear.

“Vanessa… I swear to you, I’ll make you happy…as happy as I know you’re going to make me,” he said.

His gaze was absolutely steady. He wasn’t just talking, carried by the moment. Cold sweat filmed her palms and the back of her neck. Hadn’t Ceinlys often spoken of the madness of deriving happiness from others, how Salazar had let her down? That could easily be Vanessa’s future too. Justin had all the things that had made Salazar irresistible to women: a charming personality, looks, money and power.

And all the beauties who used to grace his arms wouldn’t give up just because he was married. Just look at all those women throwing themselves at Salazar. How could Justin’s situation be any different? Vanessa would be one of many stars that orbited around him, while he was the center of her universe. Panic balled in her gut.

“Vanessa?” Justin prompted.

“Yes?”

“You’re zoning out again.”

“Sorry. I was just wondering…” She took a deep breath, then held the air in her lungs so she wouldn’t start hyperventilating. “How long were you planning to be in Toronto? I need to go back to L.A. on Saturday.”

“Didn’t block out any time for a honeymoon?”

Cringing, she shook her head. “It’s not like we can have one. Our marriage is secret, remember?”

“That sounds so clandestine.” He gave her a meaningful look. “
Secret
Wife.”

She looked away as her heart squeezed. What a ridiculous reaction. She wasn’t thrilled at being called “wife,” secret or otherwise. This was temporary, and she was
not
going to end up like her mother.

Because she looked so much like her mother, most people thought she’d marry well and have everything catered to her. Except she knew better. Her grandmother had often lamented about how poisonous and ephemeral her mother’s looks were.

“If Ceinlys had been just slightly less beautiful she would never have been able to marry Salazar. Mark my words, as she grows older, her hold on him will weaken. Fading youth can never keep a man’s heart. One day he’ll wake up and wonder what he ever saw in her. And she’ll be sorry. But by then it will be too late.” She raised a wrinkled but absolutely steady finger. “This is why you look at the pedigree. The character. You never marry a woman solely for her beauty.”

Vanessa pushed aside her grandmother’s conversation. Shirley Pryce hadn’t limited herself to just her sister’s ears. Vanessa also knew how disappointed Shirley was that she looked so much like Ceinlys.

“If only you’d gotten the Pryce eyes or nose…” Shirley had sighed, searching Vanessa’s face. “If you’d been a boy, at least you could’ve had the Pryce profile. Ah well, at least you’re pretty. Good men will marry you for that…assuming you don’t overeducate yourself.”

Vanessa snuffed the memory and concentrated on the present. “Mom’s having a housewarming party on Saturday,” she said to Justin, “and she wants me there. I couldn’t beg off, especially with all my brothers coming.” Short notice or no, they’d wanted to attend. “Well, except for Shane, of course.”

Justin frowned. “Where is Shane anyway? I haven’t seen him in months.”

“You or anyone else. He went to South Africa in May, but since then…nada.” She shook her head. “He’s never pulled something like this. Dad’s thinking about sending men out there to drag him back to L.A.”

“That’s pretty high-handed.”

“I know. Shocking, given that it’s Dad.” Vanessa snorted. “But in this case, I actually agree with the idea.”

Justin shrugged. “Well let me know if I can help. In the meantime, if you want, we can get married today, then fly out to L.A. together tomorrow. I want to see how Ceinlys is doing.”

“But—”

“Don’t give yourself an aneurism, okay? She invited me too.”

Vanessa’s eyes widened. “She did?”

“Yeah. She apparently heard something about my relocating to California.”

“Justin! I thought you were staying in Chicago.”

“Why would I do that when my wife and child are going to be in California?” He gave her a small, smile. “Don’t worry. She won’t have any idea. I’m going to be in San Francisco. I even rented a corporate condo, not that I plan to actually live there.”

“Where are you going to be?”

“In L.A. With you.”

“Everyone’s going to know then.”

“Leave it to me to keep it quiet,” Justin said, his tone absolutely unshakable. “I can be very discreet.”

Chapter Eight

It took no time at all to get the marriage license. The clerk looked only politely interested as she processed the paperwork and gave them their document. “Here you go. Congratulations.” Her tone indicated it was the fiftieth time she’d said it that day. Vanessa was just relieved she didn’t seem to connect the dots.

She and Justin went to their hotel afterward to freshen up before the actual ceremony. Justin had booked a sumptuously decorated suite overlooking the Falls.

Since she didn’t want to draw any attention, she’d brought a lacy white cocktail dress with matching shoes and the pearls she’d inherited from her grandmother. Justin put on a tux with a white tie¸ while she commandeered the vanity to touch up her makeup and hair.

She kept her hand steady as she applied a thin coat of lipstick. It felt so surreal to think that soon she’d be a missus. She pressed her palm against her still flat belly. At least Justin hadn’t accused her of lying about her pregnancy or denying that it could be his child. He’d treated her right, and the least she could do was return the favor.

So long as they were married…so long as he was faithful, she’d be a good wife.

“Hey, you look beautiful,” Justin said from the doorway. One arm was held behind his back. He walked over, sweeping the arm out with a magician’s flourish and producing a large plumeria blossom. “Here.” He put it carefully into her hair. “Your favorite.”

Something she couldn’t quite identify welled in her chest, and it felt like her ribcage would snap. “Where did you get it?” Her voice shook slightly despite her best effort.

“Concierge.” He gave her a quick kiss on the mouth, careful not to smear the lipstick. “We have to get going now.”

She draped a long black coat over her shoulders and left the suite with Justin. Their limo took them to a helipad not too far from their hotel, where a helicopter was waiting. The setting sun streaked the sky with orange, gold and purples, and the shining white finish on the helicopter reflected the warm colors.

A young woman in a pink dress came over with a bouquet made with fresh tropical flowers and white roses. The plumerias matched the one in Vanessa’s hair, and the florist placed a boutonnière on Justin’s tux.

Four men stood outside and said hello at the sight of Justin and Vanessa. The oldest was in his mid- to late forties, his face round and plump with laugh lines forking out from the corners of his eyes. He wore a cheap but well-fitting suit, and his receding hair was slicked back from his face, making his forehead look exceptionally large.

The second oldest was probably in his early forties, his face weathered and uneven like avocado skin. He wore a suit that was a size too small, and thick blue veins covered the back of his hands like spider webs. He snapped a few photos with a huge black camera.

The other two were younger, in their mid-twenties. Their suits were identical—dark and expensive but not necessarily better fitting than the older man’s. They carried well-cared-for briefcases. Their expressions were relaxed, but something about them told Vanessa they didn’t smile much. She knew without asking that they were the lawyers Justin had been talking about.

The oldest man introduced himself as Aaron, and turned out to be the minister. “You make a beautiful couple.”

“Thank you, sir.”

The other two handed out business cards embossed with their firm’s name. She put them in her coat pocket and climbed into the helicopter with Justin’s help.

The interior was all cream leather with tropical blossoms and pale pink and white ribbons. The walls were lined with padded panels. The air smelled of sweet flowers and powdered sugar.

Aaron and the photographer took a seat facing Justin. She slowly lowered herself next to Justin and consciously relaxed each of her muscles. The lawyers sat behind them. The door shut when everyone was settled, and the pilot started the engine.

The helicopter was much quieter than Vanessa had expected, better soundproofed even than her father’s helicopter.

The sound system played Wagner’s “Here Comes the Bride” as they flew over the falls. The dark water churned and foamed underneath. Water drops spread out in a white mist and split the sun into rainbow arcs.

After some time to appreciate the scenery, the music faded and Aaron started the ceremony. His voice was surprisingly resonant and carried clearly over the muffled sound of the blades chopping the air. He didn’t drag out the ceremony with a flowery speech about true love and commitment, which relieved Vanessa—this had nothing to do with love—but he didn’t seem to rush things, either.

As a hammer beat inside her head, she focused on the majestic natural surroundings and drawing air into her lungs in a steady rhythm.
This isn’t permanent
. It was just for the baby. She wasn’t like her mother. She didn’t need a husband to afford a decent lifestyle. She could opt out at any time and still create an excellent life for herself and her baby.

There was simply no reason to worry about the marriage or her future.

She blinked when Justin poked her gently on the side. She glanced at the minister and blushed. “I do,” she said, hoping that was the right answer.

He beamed at her and moved on to the next part of the ceremony.

Relieved, she let out a soft sigh and slumped in her seat until the minister ordered them to exchange rings. He held a pair of simple platinum bands.

Her hands grew clammy and started shaking.

Justin squeezed them and kept his eyes on hers. “I give you this ring as a symbol of my commitment to you. Know that from now on, all that I am, all that I have are yours.” He slid the band on her finger. “Wear it with happiness and think of my vow to you.”

Her mouth dried. She hadn’t prepared a vow. She’d been so busy working and trying not to think about their elopement. One would think she should be able to extemporaneously come up with something clever, given her experience and education. She was one of the best lawyers in the state!

But the only thing her hormone-addled and sleep-deprived brain could come up with was, “With this ring, I thee wed.” So she murmured the six words and put the ring on his finger.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

The joyous tune of Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March” burst from the helicopter’s sound system. Aaron and the lawyers clapped, while the photographer snapped more shots.

Justin linked their left hands together and kissed her. Her mouth parted like it couldn’t wait. Maybe it was something in the state of her mind that made her want to cling to him. What had just happened felt like a scene from some surrealist’s imagination, and Justin was the only thing that felt normal and sane in a world where the clocks were melting.

Before she could prolong and deepen the kiss, Justin pulled back. A bemused smile ghosted on his face. “Wife.”

Because it was the right thing to say, she murmured, “Husband.”