Chapter 2

            “If I didn’t think I’d get caught, I’d kill your father for putting you in this position,” Lacey’s mother griped as her two cousins were helping her into her gown.

            Lacey had returned to New York at her father’s request last week. She had given up her apartment in Paris since she was going to be married to a billionaire who lived in New York. She had called her mother a day after she agreed to marry Blake Dandridge to tell her about it. Her mother, Roxanne Stevens, had asked too many questions about the quick nuptials. Lacey had no choice but to tell her the truth.

            “Lawrence knows you’d do anything for him,” her mother continued as she paced. She wore a blue Vera Wang dress.

Lacey was surprised at how quick the arrangements had been made. She didn’t think she could have a real wedding on such short notice. But from what she had heard during the past week was when Blake Dandridge wanted something done it got done no matter what. No one wanted to be on his bad side.

What Lacey could find out about Blake wasn’t good. Apparently, there were rumors that he killed his ailing father to become CEO of Alden Investments, a multi-billion dollar corporation. He was a notorious womanizer. Her cousin, Pauline, who was one of Lacey’s bridesmaids, had told her that Blake had rebuffed a woman who he was supposed to be dating during a charity ball. Her cousin witnessed it herself.

“Oh, Lacey it was awful,” her cousin had said. “This poor girl thought they were dating. When she arrived to the ball – to surprise Blake he turned his nose and lip up. Sneering at the poor dear. He blatantly told her in front of God and everybody in hearing distance that they weren’t a couple. Well, his exact words were, you idiot girl, I took you out a few times so you’d sleep with me. You did and . . . it wasn’t worth it. Now, go away and leave me alone.”

Lacey had recoiled at the story.

And to make matters worse her mother and cousins started talking about other things Blake had done or rumored to have done as she continued to get ready.

“I heard he smacked a bartender here at the country club for getting his drink wrong,” Pauline said.

“I heard that, too. I also witnessed him getting a young waiter fired at the Russian Tea Room,” her other cousin, Carlie said.

They went on and on as Lacey was getting her hair done by the stylist. She was in her wedding dress already.

Blake was handsome enough - from what she had been told. She had tried looking him up on the Internet. What business articles there were about him did not include a picture. He didn’t have social media accounts.  He sounded like the tall dark and handsome type, but from what her family kept telling her that was his only redeeming quality.

“His manners are – well, he has no manners,” her mother said as she sat down in a chair. “Now, darling, remember if it gets too much, you can come home at any time. No questions asked,” her mother said.

“I remember, Mother,” Lacey said slightly above a whisper.

“Are you nervous,” Carlie asked as she looked in the mirror. She patted her brown hair on each side.

“Of course, I am,” Lacey answered like it was the stupidest question she had ever heard. “I’m marrying a man that I’ve never technically met. I came in a week ago and he didn’t even have the decency to come by and introduce himself. The only time I heard from him was when he had his lawyer come to Mother’s and had me sign a prenuptial agreement.”

“Wow,” Pauline chirped like she couldn’t’ believe it.

“Yes. No manners at all. If your father would have gotten professional help for his gambling problem none of this would have happened. A lot of things wouldn’t have happened,” her mother said solemnly. “Lawrence is so stubborn when it comes to that. If he had gotten help, we may not be divorced today.”

Roxanne Stevens had been an heiress from a wealthy New York family when she married Lawrence Stevens. Her family made him sign a prenuptial agreement. Lacey’s mother had no choice but to divorce her father or he would have bankrupted both of them. And Lacey’s mother had been so disgusted by her father’s behavior by then even if he had stopped gambling it would not have stopped the divorce. It had just gone too far.

Lacey blew out as the stylist left. Her dress was a strapless with a U shaped neckline ball gown. It had a soft white hand molded neoprene bodice and the skirt was chantilly lace veiled by light ivory tulle. Her blonde hair was swept up in a braided bun.

“Despite the circumstances you look beautiful,” Carlie complimented.

Lacey knew she was trying to lighten the depressing mood. “Thanks,” she whispered.

“What time is it?” her mother asked.

“It’s almost one,” Pauline answered.

One hour before the wedding.

The country club really pulled together an appropriate atmosphere for a wedding. The nuptials were going to take place outside in a tent. A judge was going to marry them. Roxanne was raised Catholic. Despite Lawrence Stevens not being catholic they reared Lacey to be Catholic. However, a priest wasn’t going to marry them at two week notice. Premarital counseling could not be completed in two weeks. Without that, the church would not perform the ceremony.

Lacey got to see the set up for the wedding when she had arrived. The reception was going to be in the ballroom. Despite how beautiful everything was, it broke her heart that she couldn’t have a traditional catholic wedding.

None of her friends from Paris could attend because of the short notice.

“Excuse me,” Lacey interjected, interrupting her bridal party’s dishing about her soon to be husband. “I need some time alone.”

“We understand, darling,” her mother said. “You need time to think.” She rose and walked to Lacey. She kissed her on the cheek.

They all filed out.

Lacey took a breath like she had run a mile. She was about to marry a man who was suspected of murdering his own father to take over the family business. A man who has used women and thrown them away like dirty rags. A man who obviously didn’t care about anyone or anything other than himself. A man who kills his own father was wicked and dark. Newspapers and gossip reporters were even afraid of him. Cops tiptoed around him because of his political and legal connections.  Some businessmen hated him because he had cheated them somehow.

“Oh, god,” Lacey whimpered. “What should I do?”

“When you need help or don’t know what to do, turn to the Lord. Pray little children,” Sister Mary Claire had said. She was one of the teachers at the Catholic high school in Paris.

And that’s what Lacey did. Pray.

                                                                                  ****

            Blake was in a dressing room on the other side of the country club. It was ten minutes before the wedding. From what the country club wedding coordinator had told him, the guests had arrived, the bride was in her gown and ready, and his family was waiting to be lead out. He didn’t really appreciate going through this wedding nonsense. They could have gone to the courthouse and got married. But Lawrence had insisted a real wedding take place. Something about it would make for a happy bride and bridal family. Blake didn’t really give a damn about Lacey’s happiness. What he had realized was a wedding was a good place to network. He had met businessmen at weddings who he later had done business with. So it was a smart decision to have an event. His grandmother had been thrilled when he told her he was marrying Lacey Stevens.

            “Oh! As I remember, she is a lovely girl. You choose wisely, my dear grandson,” Philippa Dandridge complimented.

            His grandmother was a nice women, but he really didn’t give a damn what she thought.  He lived his life the way he wanted. From what he understood from Lawrence, Lacey was a good girl and she did what she was told.

            Perfect.

            Blake could put her with child and continue to live his life while she was at home barefoot and pregnant. After she provided a son, she could do what she pleased as long as she didn’t embarrass him. After they marry, he’ll go over things with her. He could be fair as long as it didn’t cut his throat or inconvenience him.

            Blake needed an heir to carry on the Dandridge name. His brothers weren’t worth a damn – not in his sight. He knew one would never marry because he was bisexual. Everyone in the family knew it, but they didn’t talk about it. Besides, he wanted only his legacy to live on.

            Lawrence had tried telling Blake more about Lacey. He had cut the old man off at the knees, saying he didn’t care what she liked or disliked.

            “As long as she can have children, I don’t give a fuck,” Blake had bluntly told him.

            However, Blake had wondered several times what she would be like in bed. The way Lawrence acted she was an innocent lamb who had attended private Catholic school in Paris and went to college in Paris as well. What she majored in? Who knows and who cares. If she was a decent lay, he might try to get her pregnant twice. Surely she liked sex. Women usually liked sex with him. Lacey would be no different. Unless she was a virgin. The two ladies he had been with who were virgins didn’t enjoy the deflowering for the exception of the foreplay. But, he hadn’t really cared as long he enjoyed himself. And he had. It was nothing like being with a virgin. They were so tight and wet. He loved that.

            Women were only good for sex and reproducing. Blake resented having them in managerial positions at Alden Investments. It seemed like there were more personnel problems when they were in charge of something. But what could he do? When he had taken over Alden Investments, his father had hired eight of them ranging from management to VPs. He couldn’t fire them because they were women. That was a lawsuit waiting to happen. Did they do a good job? Yes, but the maternity leaves and leaving early because of family obligations annoyed the hell out of him.

            Blake sat down in a chair. It wouldn’t be long until he was a married man – in status only. He had a mistress he intended to keep. She was willing to do whatever he wanted - sexually. And she wasn’t a whiner. When they were together she was willing to listen. And she didn’t bore him with talk about herself.

            Blake looked at his watch. It was almost time.

            As if he said the words aloud the door opened. It was his brother, Leo Dandridge. “Hey Blake,” he said timidly. The tux on his reedy frame fit him well. His thin darkish blond hair was combed back from his face.

            Blake picked up on his nervousness immediately. “Don’t tell me we’re running behind. Every wedding I have ever attended always starts late. Well, not mine,” he said arrogantly. “I don’t care if Lacey has to walk down the aisle with her hair not done.”

            Leo closed the door. “Blake,” he began seriously. “We can’t have a wedding without a bride.”

            “What?” he said with bewilderment. “What are you talking about?”

            “Blake, ten people have – and still are scouring the property looking for Lacey. When her mother and cousins returned to her room, she was gone.”

            Blake shot up. “What do you mean gone?” he asked haughtily. “I’m sure she’s around here somewhere. Get those idiots – never mind. The staff here isn’t afraid of you like they are me. I’ll get to the bottom of this myself.”