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 f**k 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.”

“Oh.” Her jaw went slack.

“I told them I was bringing you to dinner.”

“Do they know we’re getting married?”

“Yes.”

Eliza started to nibble on the end of one fingernail and he found it cute. “Your dad is a retired police officer, right?”

“New York P.D. for thirty years.”

“Is he the reason you became a lawyer?”

Eliza must have realized that she was chewing on her nails and quickly removed her hand from her mouth.

“In a way. I noticed how hard my father worked growing up and how much he would yell at the TV whenever he saw his work dissolve because a lawyer screwed up. My friends and I used to play detectives and lawyers.”

Eliza chuckled.

“I’d stage a crime scene, and my friend Roger would collect the evidence.”

“Sounds like a nerd version of cops and robbers.”

“It was. My father worked his entire life for a system that’s broken in many ways. I always wanted to be someone who helped fix the system for men like my dad.”

She shifted in the large leather chair and kicked off her heels. “I’ve always wondered how you can afford to run for office. Seems most men like you come from family money. I can’t imagine your dad becoming rich on a cop’s salary.”

“No. I had my eye on law school, but I knew the cost would prohibit my efforts. I was searching for an investment with a quick return when I met Blake. He was starting up a shipping company and wanted investors. I took a half a year off school and gave Blake my tuition money.”

“That had to be hard.”

“It was. But Blake was…Blake. He didn’t try to sell me on the idea, just said that he would triple my money. He was determined to screw his father by being successful, and I believed he could do it.”

They both knew how that turned out. Blake’s shipping business bloomed and turned into millions.

“So, are you partners with Blake?”

“Silent. I took what I needed to finish college and gave him full run of the rest of my investment.”

“Wow. I had no idea. I thought you guys were only friends.”

“Friends first, business associates second. I’ve never questioned what he does with the money, how he invests it, or anything.”

“Makes me wish I had money to invest.”

Carter shook his head. “His company isn’t public, but I’m sure Sam will put a good word in for you.”

“What about my fiancée? Shouldn’t the wife of a silent partner count for something?” she teased.

He liked the sound of that. His wife. “I might be able to arrange something.”

They laughed and when the pilot said they could walk about the cabin, Carter stepped over to the mini bar and opened a bottle of wine.

“What about your mother? What’s she like?”

“My mom’s great. Funny. Doesn’t take herself too seriously. She gave up a lot to marry my dad but has never looked back.”

“Gave up a lot? What do you mean?”

Carter handed her a glass of Pinot Grigio and sat back down.

For anyone who bothered to look, Carter’s family was public record. However, he didn’t go out of his way to announce what he told Eliza next.