His Stolen Bride (Chicago Sons) by Barbara Dunlop

Author:Barbara Dunlop [Dunlop, Barbara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin Desire
Published: 2016-07-02T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

Crista and Ellie were alone in a big, comfortable room that Jackson had called the lounge. On the fourth floor of the Rush Investigations building, it had banks of windows on two sides, soft chairs and sofa groupings scattered around, along with a kitchen area stocked with snacks and drinks. Easy-listening music filled the background from speakers recessed in the ceiling. It was night and day from the utilitarian warehouse area.

After helping themselves to sodas, they’d settled into a quiet corner with a curved sofa and a low table. Crista had kicked off her sandals and raked her hair into a quick ponytail.

It felt like a long time since she’d been home, and she was struggling for normalcy. Bouncing from place to place with a man she barely knew, desiring him, kissing him, all the while wishing she could tear off his clothes, was not a long-term plan. She needed to get herself organized. She needed to get her life in order and back on track.

“I need to find a lawyer,” she said to Ellie, zeroing in on a logical first step.

“At least you don’t have to divorce Vern.” Ellie fished a throw pillow from behind her back and tossed it to the end of the sofa, wriggling into the deep, soft cushions. “Is there something in your prenup about walking away? Wait, you didn’t marry him. The prenup won’t count.”

“We didn’t have a prenup.”

The statement obviously took Ellie by surprise. “Seriously?”

Crista took a drink as she nodded. The cola cooled her throat, making her realize she was incredibly thirsty.

“But he’s a superwealthy guy,” said Ellie.

Crista was acutely aware of Vern’s wealth. “I thought it was a show of faith. I was really quite honored.”

“That’s really quite weird.”

“I know. Now, I have to wonder if he wanted to avoid the subject of infidelity.”

“He knew your lawyer would advise a big settlement if he messed around on you. If he’d said no, you’d have been suspicious. But if he’d said yes, you’d have made a fortune.”

“Assuming he ever got caught,” said Crista.

“Maybe you should have married him without a prenup and then divorced him. You could have cleaned up.”

“I’m not that devious.” Crista wouldn’t have even wanted that windfall.

“It would have served him right.”

“The thing I’m worried about is Cristal Creations.” Crista needed a lawyer to sort out the company. She wanted out from under Gerhard Incorporated as quickly as possible.

“It’s yours,” said Ellie. “He can’t touch it since you never got married. But, hey, if he wants to split it, then he can split his business interests with you, too.”

“The jewelry designs are all that I own,” said Crista. “The stores are his. Well, his family’s, anyway.”

“The Gerhards own your stores?”

“They own the shopping malls the stores are inside. I need to get my designs out of there. I’d rather start from scratch than have to work with his family.”

“You should definitely call a lawyer.”

Crista gave a mock toast of agreement with her soft drink bottle. “Now that it’s actually over, I realize how much of my life is wrapped up in Vern.

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