The Wedding: A Faces of Evil Short Story Read online

  Jess nodded. “We surely are.”

  The final notes of the song faded and the applause began. Dan leaned down and kissed Jess until she was dizzy.

  “Excuse me, son.”

  Jess turned to Dan Senior and smiled. “Are you cutting in?”

  He gave Jess a nod as Dan stepped aside. “No one can take the place of your father, Jess, but, if you’ll have me as a stand-in, I’d love to share the father-daughter dance with you.”

  Battling another wave of tears, Jess hugged him. “I would be honored.”

  What a Wonderful World floated through the air and Jess felt as if she were bursting with happiness. Across the dance floor, Dan danced with his mother. Soon, more couples joined them. Blake and Lil made a lovely couple. Blake Junior twirled Maddie around the floor. His sister Alice carried three-year-old Chester, Chet’s son, around the dance floor.

  Jess almost laughed out loud when she saw Buddy with Sylvia cuddled in an intimate embrace. She was reasonably sure Sylvia had indulged in a little extra champagne to allow Buddy Corlew to put his arms around her so tightly. Chet and Lori whispered to each other as they swayed with the music. Chad Cook danced with Gina Coleman and Clint Hayes maintained his wallflower status. Jess was very happy that every member of her team was here, alive and well.

  As the official parts of the evening were concluded, Jess lost all track of time. There were so many congratulations and hugs exchanged her head was spinning. Lori was still beaming after having caught Jess’s bouquet.

  Ralph Gant, Jess’s former boss at the Bureau, had even traveled all the way from Virginia for the wedding. Jess had spent a few weeks trying to be angry with him, but she’d failed miserably. Gant would always be a sort of father figure in her life. As much as she might deny it, she’d worked with him for two decades and she couldn’t pretend she didn’t care about him.

  Deputy Chief Harold Black caught up with her at the bar when she went for another glass of water. No matter that he’d lost his wife last month, he found a way to be here and that meant a great deal to Jess.

  “Harris, I have to tell you, with the exception of my wife, I have never seen a more radiant bride.”

  Jess smiled. “Thank you, Chief. I’m glad you came.” She wouldn’t have blamed him if he’d wanted to pass on the invitation. The loss of his wife was so recent.

  “I wouldn’t have missed it.” He gave her a hug. “You and Dan have a wonderful honeymoon. I’ll check in with your team from time to time to see if they need anything.”

  “Thank you, Chief. That’s very thoughtful of you.”

  “I suppose it’s time we dropped all the formality. If you’ll call me Harold, I’ll call you Jess.”

  “I can do that.”

  He gave her another hug. “I’ll have a word with Dan and then be on my way.”

  Jess watched as Dan chatted so easily with the power players of the city and the elite of Birmingham society. They were all here, too. Senator Baron, Sylvia’s father, was among them. They all wanted Dan to agree to run for mayor. If he agreed, they would make it happen. Jess intended to stay out of that one. She was fine either way.

  “Jess.”

  She smiled as Katherine Burnett joined her. “I don’t think I’ve had the opportunity to tell you how lovely you look, Katherine.”

  Dan’s mother had chosen a striking beaded suit in a gorgeous deep rose. The fit of the jacket as well as the pencil skirt showed off her trim figure. Her dark hair was fashioned in a lovely bun that accentuated her high cheekbones. Katherine really was a beautiful woman.

  “Thank you, Jess.” She gazed across the crowd. “Everything turned out beautifully. Sharon Pace from the Birmingham News was quite impressed. I expect a full page in the Lifestyle section as well as a front-page headline. This was the event of the year, hands down.”

  Jess hugged her. “Thank you, Katherine, for making this day more special than I could have ever imagined.”

  Katherine blinked rapidly, holding back tears. “Why, you’re welcome, Jessie Lee.” She dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief. “I wouldn’t have wanted anything less for you and Dan. The two of you are my world.”

  Jess tried to hold back the tears but it wasn’t happening. “I know that.” She nodded. “And… I love you for it.”

  “Oh, sweetie.” Katherine hugged her tight. “I love you, too.”

  When they had their emotions under control once more, they both laughed and shared Katherine’s handkerchief. Jess would never forget that moment. Something had changed in Katherine… or maybe Jess was the one who’d changed. Either way, it felt good.

  Before the crowd could thin too much, Jess and Dan changed into their traveling clothes and said their goodbyes. More photographs were snapped as they rushed from the entrance of the historic hotel beneath a shower of bubbles.

  A gleaming white limousine waited. Jess settled into the elegant leather seat and Dan slid in next to her. Their luggage was already in the trunk. With final waves, the limo rolled forward, leaving the crowd of well-wishers behind.

  Jess leaned against Dan and sighed. “I’m exhausted. I’m certain I’ll sleep the entire flight.”

  Dan hugged his arm around her. “Rest while you can, Mrs. Burnett. Once we arrive in paradise, there won’t be a minute of rest for either of us.”

  Jess looked up at him. “Is that a promise, Mr. Burnett?”

  “Definitely.”

  He kissed her. The taste of champagne and cake icing made her want to devour him right here and now. But she could wait. The future was theirs.

  At last...

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  About the Author

  DEBRA WEBB, born in Alabama, wrote her first story at age nine and her first romance at thirteen. It wasn’t until she spent three years working for the military behind the Iron Curtain—and a five-year stint with NASA—that she realized her true calling. A collision course between suspense and romance was set. Since then she has penned more than 100 novels including her internationally bestselling Colby Agency series. Her debut novel, OBSESSION, in her romantic thriller series, the Faces of Evil, propelled Debra to the top of the bestselling charts for an unparalleled twenty-four weeks and garnered critical acclaim from reviewers and readers alike. Don’t miss a single installment of this fascinating and chilling ten-book series!

  Read all the Faces of Evil books!

  OBSESSION

  IMPULSE

  POWER

  RAGE

  REVENGE

  RUTHLESS

  VICIOUS

  SILENCE (A series prequel)

  The Face of Evil (A short story)

  VILE

  HEINOUS

  DEPRAVED

  The Wedding (A short story)

  Visit Debra at www.thefacesofevil.com or at www.debrawebb.com. You can write to Debra at PO Box 10047, Huntsville, AL, 35801.