A love so strong, p.11
A Love So Strong, page 11
“Okay, now that Gram isn’t around, I can say whatever the hell I want to,” Martina said as she entered the dining room carrying a four-layered chocolate cake. She set it in the middle of the table along with a knife. There were already small dessert plates on the table.
“What I don’t understand is why Zack would let a woman who wasn’t you into the apartment in the first place. He had to—”
“MJ, just stop,” Toni said. Exasperation dripped from each word, and MJ had barely said much. Everyone knew that sometimes dealing with her was like getting salt in an open wound. It was irritating, stung like crazy, and overall was a pain in the ass.
“So, where’s Zack?” Martina continued. “He wasn’t brave enough to face the Jenkins’s firing squad? I never thought my favorite cousin-in-law was a wimp.”
“Damn, MJ. Shut up!” Jada snapped and slammed her fork down. Suddenly, she wasn’t hungry. What she wanted to do was knock the girl upside the head with a plate. “Ain’t nobody trying to hear your nonsense today.”
Martina lifted her hands and dropped them back on the table. “What? I could see if I’d asked if he was in jail, but I didn’t.”
“You’re an idiot.”
“You talk too much.”
“You have to be the most insensitive person in the family.”
Everyone spoke at once, and Jada tried to tune them out. She knew Martina was joking around, something she did more often than not. But this situation was no laughing matter. Luke, who was a defense attorney at the Law Offices of Jenkins & Associates, was the best. She had no doubt that he could clear Zack’s name, but Jada wouldn’t be satisfied until this mess was over.
“Hey, I can’t help it if I say what others are thinking,” Martina said as she cut herself a ginormous slice of cake. “For instance, Christina, what’s going on with you and the thug lawyer? You walked into the house looking like you wanted to pummel him.”
“I did notice that,” Toni said. “Is everything all right?”
“Yeah, everything is splendid,” Christina said, sarcasm dripping from her words as she picked at her food. “He’s just so…much. I don’t mind his protectiveness, but he’s taking it too far. He even thinks I should start maternity leave like now. That means no Jenkins & Sons and no commissioned work. The baby isn’t due for another couple of months. I’d go crazy sitting around the house doing nothing.”
“That dude is living in the dark ages if he thinks women can’t be pregnant and work too,” Martina said between bites. “As long as you feel okay, you should be able to do whatever you want.”
“Finally, something we can agree on,” Jada said. “But with that said, don’t be too hard on him. He adores you. Besides, he’s going to be a daddy soon. That can be scary even for the bravest of men.”
Christina sighed. “I know, and I love him for taking such good care of me. But I have an art show coming up, and I know he’s going to give me grief about it.”
“Why? He’s always been supportive of your art,” Jada said. “I doubt if he’d try to keep you from participating.”
Christina nibbled on her lower lip. “It’s in Atlanta.”
Silence fell over the room. Christina was in great shape and for the most part had had an easy pregnancy, but she had to be around twenty-nine weeks along. Jada could understand her hesitation in telling Luke about the trip.
“He doesn’t know that I’m going,” Christina said.
“CJ, it might not be a good idea to go by yourself,” Toni said, appearing to weigh her words carefully. “And take it from me, secrets don’t belong in a marriage. Talk to him.”
Christina sighed heavily. “I will.”
“Okay, now that we have that settled,” Martina said, “let’s get back to Jada and Zack.”
The room exploded. Everyone went in on Martina, and Jada shook her head. MJ was never going to change. She loved getting under their skin. Yet, Jada knew her well enough to know that if needed, her cousin would be right there to help her out of any situation.
But just once it would be nice to get through a brunch without wanting to strangle her.
Chapter Seventeen
Breaking News: Zack Anderson, former running back for the Cincinnati Cougars and ESPN sports analyst, accused of sexual assault. The Hall of Famer has denied the claims but has been suspended during an internal investigation…
Two weeks later, the words from a national media outlet were still spinning inside Zack’s mind. The whole situation with Gina had been a public nightmare. And having paparazzi hanging out in front of his apartment complex in Connecticut, as well as his home in Cincinnati, had only made matters worse.
Zack was back in Cincinnati for good, and he was currently sitting in Luke’s office getting an update. But mentally, Zack was still in Connecticut, reliving bits and pieces of the situation that Gina had roped him into. He was exhausted and had experienced every emotion from shock to anger, and even despair at times, all because of her lies.
After leaving Niles’s office weeks ago, the first thing Zack had done was call Luke and explain the situation. His best friend and lawyer jumped on the case and pulled Michael Cutter, Peyton’s husband into the situation. He was one of the best private investigators in New York and could find information on anyone. He hadn’t wasted time digging into Gina’s background.
“Sit tight,” Luke said, pulling Zack out of his thoughts. “I’ll be right back. I need to check on something.”
The moment he stepped out of the office, Zack released an exhausted breath and stretched his legs out in front of him. Gina would get everything she had coming to her. She had turned their lives upside down and had tarnished his stellar reputation. And for what? Because she thought he wanted her and then felt humiliated by the way Jada had dragged her out of the apartment?
Gina hadn’t given a damn that she could be destroying his life with her accusations, and sadly, it wasn’t the first time she had accused someone of sexual assault.
Thanks to Michael, they’d learned that back in college, she had falsely accused one of her professors. The case had been dropped with no charges filed, and there wasn’t much information on what had happened. At least not until a few minutes ago, which was why they’d come to see Luke. Mike had informed them that Gina and the professor had been in a relationship. She’d wanted him to leave his wife, but when he wouldn’t, she claimed that he had assaulted her.
If Gina felt humiliated by the way Jada had dragged her out of the apartment, it was nothing like what she was probably feeling now. The saying don’t get mad, get even had become Zack’s daily mantra. He wasn’t normally a vindictive person, but he planned on making Gina feel his wrath. He didn’t care how long it took. He wanted her to suffer the way he and Jada had.
Luke returned, followed by Jada who had stepped out earlier to take a call.
“Okay, as I was saying,” Luke said, reclaiming his seat, “Gina is being charged with a misdemeanor for falsely accusing you. Even though she dropped the lawsuit against you, we’re going to file a civil suit for malicious prosecution and slander. I’ll be looping one of our civil attorneys in to handle the civil suit.”
“Good. Whatever it takes to make her ass pay,” Jada said from the chair next to Zack.
Gina had officially been fired from ESPN after they completed their investigation. She’ll never work in the television industry again, but that wasn’t enough for Zack. He wanted her to pay in every way possible.
“I want her to suffer—emotionally, financially, and mentally,” he said. “I want her to experience the crap that she put us through, and I want my and Jada’s names cleared publicly.”
“I can’t believe she thought she’d get away with this, especially since she cried wolf before,” Jada said. “It’s people like her that mess it up for women who have actually been assaulted on the job. I knew her skanky ass was up to no good.”
“Yep, you called it.” Zack brought the back of Jada’s hand to his lips and kissed it.
He understood that the network had to take Gina’s claims seriously, but he still hadn’t liked the fact that he’d been suspended. Yet, the suspension had been just what he needed to walk away from the network and get back to what was most important. His family.
His supervisor at the network had apologized profusely and asked him back, but for Zack, the situation with Gina had been too painful. He learned quickly how one lie could turn his life upside down. It was an experience he never wanted to repeat.
So no, he wasn’t going back, and he’d still get the money promised to him in his contract. Unfortunately, he would miss talking sports with other analysts.
“We’ll make sure she gets what’s coming to her,” Luke said.
Zack glanced at his beautiful wife and squeezed her hand. His heart softened when her gaze met his, and all the love he had for her multiplied. She had been his rock through all this.
“I’m sorry for putting myself and our family in this position. It won’t happen again. You have my word.”
She leaned over the arm of the chair and kissed him. “I know, baby, and I hate that you had to go through this, but it’s over. Now we can move on to better things,” she said, and Zack didn’t miss the twinkle in her eyes or the wicked smile on her face.
Yeah, he recognized the heated expression. He had to make up for the time that he’d missed with her. Including going on some romantic dates, providing her with a few extra kisses, and a whole lot of lovemaking. Starting the moment they got home.
Zack kissed her hand, which he’d still been holding, before releasing it and standing. Luke stood as well.
“Man, I appreciate all you and Mike did for us. I owe you both big time,” Zack said, shaking his friend’s hand and pulling him in for a one-arm man hug.
“That’s what family does, but you just make sure you pay when you get my bill. None of that shit about you not having any money or that you have to wait until you get yo check on Friday.”
“One time. I said that one time, and you never let me forget.” Zack glances at Jada who was laughing. “It was in college when I hardly had two nickels to rub together.”
He and Luke had been roommates and had quickly become best friends. They had also been so broke that they barely had a dollar between the two of them.
Times had changed. Now they were financially comfortable and living the lives they’d dreamed about.
“Yeah, whatever, man. Don’t let me have to come looking for you,” Luke said, sounding too much like a gangster rather than the polished, highly sought-after attorney he was, and Zack burst out laughing.
The Thug Lawyer nickname that Martina had given him was more fitting than she knew. Even in college, Luke had been a chameleon of sorts, able to adapt and soar in any environment or situation. He might’ve walked around in Armani suits all day and could hold deep conversations with the most brilliant minds. But he was also that guy who would shed his suit jacket, roll up his sleeves, and be ready to kick someone’s ass. He always had Zack’s back.
The man was a total badass, a loyal friend, and Zack was closer to him than his own brother.
“Luke, I had no doubt that you could fix this,” Jada said as she hugged him. “We appreciate everything you and Mike did for us. Thanks for everything.”
“Glad I could help,” Luke said as his cell phone vibrated on the desk.
“Well, we’re going to get out of here so you can get back to work,” Zack said as they started toward the door.
“Oh,” Jada said and pulled up short. “Tell CJ to call me before she heads to Atlanta for her art show. I have an outfit for her.”
Zack didn’t miss the surprise on Luke’s face before he quickly schooled his features. If Jada noticed, she didn’t say anything. Instead, she chatted about how proud everyone was of Christina’s success.
“Yeah, I’m proud of her too, and I’ll give her your message,” Luke said a little too dryly for Zack to believe that he was proud of his wife. Zack made a mental note to give his friend a call later.
From the moment Luke found out that Christina was pregnant, he had been on edge. Of course, he was happy about the news, but there was something off about his friend. Zack couldn’t quite put his finger on it. When questioned, Luke claimed he was just concerned about becoming a father, but Zack had a feeling it was more than that.
Chapter Eighteen
“What the actual hell?” Luke ground out the moment Zack and Jada exited his office. He tried hard not to slam his door as he thought about what Jada said.
Yes, he knew Christina had a show in Atlanta next weekend, but they had agreed that she’d let her agent represent her. Now, at thirty-one weeks pregnant, his wife promised she wouldn’t do any more traveling until after the baby was born. Yet, she was planning on flying to Atlanta.
Not if I have anything to say about it.
Luke reclaimed his seat behind his desk and started to call her when he noticed a text. It had come through a few minutes ago.
Christina: Thinking about you. I’m at J&S for a meeting but made dinner before leaving home–stuffed manicotti. Home late. Reunion meeting tonight. Love you!
She added the emoji with the heart eyes at the end of the message.
Stuffed manicotti was his favorite. Was she trying to butter him up since she knew he’d be livid about her traveling next week? Had she even planned to tell him? Normally, she gave him her show dates in advance, and he attended her art shows with her. Maybe she didn’t want him there.
Luke sighed. Some of his anger dissipated as he stared at her text, and he debated on how to respond.
On the one hand, he appreciated her making dinner, especially since he had been arriving home later than usual over the last few weeks. He was slammed with cases, and he couldn’t remember the last time they had dinner together.
On the other hand, he was pissed and wanted answers about Atlanta. Why hadn’t she talked to him about her change in plans?
Probably because she didn’t know how you would respond.
His desk phone buzzed, and Luke pushed the intercom button.
“Yes?” he said to his assistant.
“Sorry to bother you, Luke. Just wanted to remind you that you have a meeting in fifteen minutes. Ben said that he and the others will meet you in conference room B.”
Luke glanced at his watch, surprised that it was almost three o’clock. Where had the afternoon gone?
“Thanks for the reminder, Ana,” he said.
“No problem.”
Luke sat back in his seat and rubbed his forehead as his mind went back to Christina and his concern about her traveling this late in her pregnancy. He loved the idea of them growing their family, but he was also terrified.
Was he ready to be a father? Absolutely, but that didn’t mean that he would be a good one. But what scared him more than anything was that he could lose his wife and baby.
When Toni almost died last year after miscarrying her and Craig’s baby, Luke feared the same could happen to Christina.
He couldn’t lose her.
He had already experienced so much loss in his life. His mother died of cancer when he was ten, and his father, an NYPD cop, had been killed in the line of duty the year Luke graduated from law school. Then, Luke’s half-brother had been killed by a mob boss.
Luke could admit to being a little paranoid, but he would never recover if anything happened to Christina or their unborn child.
That’s why he’d been so overprotective of her, especially now that she was pregnant. She complained that he was driving her nuts with his constant need to know where she was at all times and asking how she was doing. He couldn’t help it. She meant everything to him.
Luke picked up his cell phone, knowing he needed to respond to her text message. No sense in bringing up Atlanta. He knew why she hadn’t told him. She didn’t want an argument. If he was honest, neither did he, but he also didn’t want her traveling.
He pinched the bridge of his nose and growled under his breath. He also didn’t want her upset. They’d have to talk at some point, and instead of saying anything about Atlanta, he typed:
My love for you grows every day, and not just because you’re a helluva cook. Thanks for dinner. I should be home by the time you get there. Be safe.
Now, all he had to do was keep his head when he talked with her tonight.
The calming scent of rose and lavender wafted from the diffuser near the entrance to the ballroom, and Christina inhaled deeply. It had been a long day of meetings, and she was ready to head home. But her grandmother had insisted on being brought up to date with the plans for the family reunion.
“We have a month left. How’s everything looking?” Katherine asked just as Jada rushed into the room and took a seat.
There were at least twenty of them at the meeting. More than Christina had expected. The group included her mom, Velvet, Christina’s female cousins, aunts, and some of the women who’d married into the family. The reunion committee also included some of the Jenkins men, but only a few were present.
“You all know I want this to be the best reunion anyone has ever attended,” Gram said.
Christina smiled at her grandmother who had a notepad and pen in her hands as if she was in a classroom taking notes. She was serious about this reunion being the best. Especially since she and Christina’s grandfather were investing a lot of money into making it just that. They hadn’t charged a reunion fee since the event was last minute. People attending had to pay for the T-shirts they all planned to wear during the picnic, as well as their housing. Except those who were staying on the estate, which included the main house and a four-bedroom, three-bathroom guesthouse.
“The cutoff date to confirm attendance and buy their T-shirts was last weekend. We have over two hundred planning to attend. Some of those will only be participating in parts of the reunion,” Toni said, glancing down at the notes on her cell phone. “Oh, and it’s good Peyton did a first-come first-serve regarding that Saturday night—the formal night. Otherwise, we would’ve had to try to find a hotel ballroom at the last minute. Even after the cutoff date, people were still trying to sign up for that event.”
