Page 13 of Marriage Masquerade

“Not likely,” Monique interrupted. “I’m sure Nikos has a fortune in jewels in the family vault.” She waved her hand vaguely. “He probably sent for them to present to his future wife. I imagine they’re worth a small fortune. Won’t you be worried wearing thousands of dollars’ worth of jewels around here?”

Gemma shook her head, slowly making her way toward her office. She needed to speak to Nikos. Smiling, she tried to appear the happy fiancée and answer all their questions. The last thing either she or Nikos wanted was suspicions.

“I know nothing about jewels. We’ll get things sorted out soon, and I’ll let you all know. In the meantime, I have work to do, and I suspect you all do, as well. Excuse me.”

Elise smiled sympathetically when Gemma reached her desk.

“Sorry, I think that ambush was my fault. When Nikos told me, I was so surprised and delighted that I called Betty in personnel. She is a bit of a blabbermouth.”

Gemma rolled her eyes and nodded.

“You’ve got that right. Please, tell everyone I really appreciate their interest, but we have work to do.”

“Including my new assignment, find out all I can about instant marriages in New York. If I can’t get the answer soon, Nikos' threatening to fly out to Las Vegas tomorrow and marry you there.”

“Great, just what I always wanted, a wedding with an Elvis impersonator officiating. Not.”

Gemma crossed the room to her desk and wondered what it would be like to be so wildly in love with a man they were both impatient to get married.

Like she thought she and James might have been several months ago. In such an event, maybe even an Elvis wedding at some tacky chapel in Las Vegas would be worth it.

But this marriage was a business deal, one Nikos was obviously planning to complete as soon as possible to stall the INS. A quiet ceremony at City Hall would be much more his style.

For a moment, Gemma gave a thought to a traditional wedding. Since her mom had died in a plane crash when she was fourteen, Gemma had never really planned on a formal traditional wedding.

She wondered if her father had once longed to walk her down the aisle. If her mother had wanted Gemma to wear her wedding dress. Had they not died, Gemma probably would still live in Ohio and would never have met Nikos. Or James.

If she and James had married, maybe she would have opted for a formal ceremony in memory of her parents. But Nikos' family didn’t live in America, and she suspected he was not inviting them.

In fact, she wondered if he’d even tell them. There was no need. The marriage would be over in a few short months—and it wasn’t as if it was real.

“Good morning, Gemma,” Nikos said, coming out of his office. “I expect Frank LeBec to arrive in about ten minutes. We’ll be reviewing some demands from the union. I have Phil and Josh joining us, and I want you to sit in on the meeting as well. Elise has the conference room set up. Anything you think I should know about LeBec? You’ve met him before—I haven’t.”

“He’s a bit belligerent because of his lack of formal education, I’ve always thought. He had to drop out of school to help his family when he was a teenager, and as he moves up the ranks in the union, I think it bothers him more and more. He’s fiercely loyal to his union and the men he represents. He’d rather do right by them than negotiate or be conciliatory,” she said evenly.

Her voice didn’t reflect the turmoil that had arisen unexpectedly upon seeing Nikos. She had better get used to it. She’d be seeing a lot more of him when they married.

His dark eyes had scarcely looked at her; he was reading the union’s list of demands. Demands in addition to the normal scope of their latest contract.

Now he glanced at her.

“I asked Elise to find out about getting married.”

“I heard. I met half the office staff when I got off the elevator. Our wedding is a seven-day wonder, and curiosity is rampant.”

“What?”

Gemma smiled sweetly, though she longed to stamp her foot. What had he been thinking? Probably hadn’t given the repercussions a thought.

“News travels fast and everyone wants to know what we are doing. I understand we might even make a quick stop in Las Vegas for the ceremony.”

He frowned.

“I mentioned that in passing. I have no intention of flying to Vegas. We can get married here in New York. Elise will have all the information by the time we’re finished with LeBec. No one said anything to me.”

“Like they’re going to question the big boss?”

He stepped closer. “But they harassed you?”

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