by Taylor Lee
Ignoring Sam, the elder Carter reached for Erin’s hand and bowed low.
“Yes, my dear, you are safe from my verbal assaults. Although you must be used to fending off outrageousness if like my wife, you choose to hook up with a rapscallion like this infamous character.”
He turned to Nate and shook his head. “Tell me, Detective Stryker, are you as arrogant and accomplished a cop as my son reports and the New York Times claimed when they named you Policeman of the Year?”
Nate’s grin spread as he reached for Carter’s hand.
“The arrogant part for sure. Accomplished? Hell, they obviously didn’t ask my chief before they wrote that! It is an honor to meet you, Sir. Even if I never tell him so, you’ve raised a remarkable son.”
Carter nodded. “That I have, with more than a little help. Speaking of arrogant, how is that egotistical son of a bitch, John Roberts?”
“As arrogant as the guy he trained. My chief sends you his best regards.”
Looking at Nate’s chin-length dirty blond hair, Carter grimaced. “John Roberts is the finest police chief in the country. And I’ll feed your nuts to the squirrels if you tell him I said that. But it’s clear he met his match in you. You’re his lead detective and surrogate son and he can’t even get you to cut your damn hair?”
Nate laughed aloud and winked at Sam.
“No Sir. As I’ve told the Chief, every time he's made that request since I was fourteen years old, ‘yeah, yeah, yeah.’ ”
Samuel Carter gave a disparaging shrug but the twinkle in his eyes was obvious.
“In addition to your own fame, Detective Stryker—or should I say infamy—you have the privilege of having a remarkable cousin.”
Turning to Luke, Sam’s father shot the tall dark-haired man with the piercing gray eyes a reflective stare.
“Welcome to our home, Colonel Lang. Your fame precedes you.”
Carter’s gaze settled on Luke’s cane. Sam took a breath, seeing Luke’s stern expression harden. He kicked himself for not warning his father. Luke eschewed any reference to his military service. In fact the solemn man spoke very little, although with his verbose outspoken cousin in tow, speaking was rarely required. Sam was still surprised that Luke agreed to attend the wedding. Granted he hadn’t given him much chance to refuse.
Either unaware or choosing to ignore Luke’s hardening expression, his father persisted.
“I understand that you not only received a purple heart but that the President also awarded you the medal of honor for your extraordinary heroism. It’s an honor, Sir that you chose to join us.”
Luke shrugged. The flash of a smile momentarily lightened his harsh expression, then disappeared as quickly as the sun vanishing behind a stormcloud.
“To be truthful, I didn’t have much of a choice. I might have been able to fend off my cousin’s bullying threats but I find it difficult to refuse your son. Nate’s right. You have an extraordinary son, Sir. Along with my cousin, who only pretends to be a badass, Sam has been instrumental in my recovery—such as it is. As for the honors I received, they came at a very high price. To be precise, six of my men paid the ultimate price.”
The elder Carter eyed the stern man thoughtfully.
“Yes, Son, unfortunately that’s the nature of war. I hope that someday you will look on those medals as an acknowledgement of your valor.”
Luke shrugged disdainfully. “That seems unlikely at best, Sir.”
Sam was grateful when Nate broke the strained silence that followed Luke’s bitter response.
“Hey, Erin, how about you find Sam’s bride to be and see how she is surviving this amazing family?” He winked at Sam and added, “Did you let your father meet her? And insist that she wear Kevlar?”
Sam nodded and returned the smile.
“Yes I did. And I’m pleased to report that even sans Kevlar, Annika survived his growling presence. As for my mother and sisters, that’s another story.”
Sam’s father chuckled.
“After thirty–six years living with my wife, you haven’t learned, Son, that she commands this little kingdom? Your mother needs to be in the know—at all times. And the sooner the better. I can say one thing for you, you are a courageous son of a gun. You gave your mother two weeks to plan her only son’s wedding? Phew. I thought I taught you better than that, boy.”
Sam laughed. “Hell, Pops, you taught me well. It was your example that convinced me the only way both Annika and I would survive this weekend was if Mom had as little time as possible to supervise or shanghai it.”
~~~
Watching Erin head into the house but not before she threw Nate a kiss over her shoulder, Chief Carter sighed. “You’re a lucky man, Detective Stryker. Erin is a lovely woman. Must be challenging for her to come back to California.”
Sam arched a brow and gave Nate a despairing nod.
“You will note that my father is nothing if not direct. Just say the word if you don’t want to discuss Erin’s former husband.”
Nate shrugged. “Not a problem. In fact I appreciate you bringing it up, Chief Carter. May I call you that? And please call me Nate.” At the older man’s nod of agreement, Nate continued. “Obviously Dylan Masterson’s murder was big news, not only here, but nationally. You could hardly have escaped the sensational coverage. And yes, being married to the abusive prick and suspected of his murder was hugely challenging for Erin. She’s still healing from the trauma. Frankly, I wasn’t sure that she'd want to come back to California. This place was a living nightmare for her. But at some level she’s known she needs to deal with the inheritance that the bastard unintentionally left her. Once again, your persuasive son made the difference. Until Sam started encouraging her, Erin was unwilling to consider the fortune that was hers for the taking.”
Sam broke in. “I was hardly the only one who convinced her to come to our wedding, Nate. Erin is Annika’s best friend and even without my exhortations, Erin would not have left Annika to face all of this alone.” He waved a hand over the lavish landscape and mused thoughtfully. “Both Erin and Annika experienced an ugly past. They’re two of the most courageous women I know. And you’re right about my pressing her on the money. That fucker Masterson—forgive my language Pops—virtually stole every cent he made, but I admit he invested wisely. I’ve tried to convince Erin that even though the money was ill-gotten, she can do remarkable good with it.”
His father echoed his conclusions. “My son is right about that, Nate. It would be a shame to have access to a fortune the size of Masterson’s and let it go to waste.”
Sam agreed.
“I have to admit I learned more from this obstreperous man than how to deal with my mother. I also learned the importance of connections. Which is one of the reasons I invited one of my best friends and my Delta Force Commander, Jake Gardner, to come to our wedding.”
Luke startled. “Jake Gardner? Shit, Col. Jake Gardner? Jake is coming here?”
Sam tossed him a satisfied grin. “None other. I’ll be honest, Luke. I didn’t tell you because you were on the fence and I wasn’t sure if an ol' Army buddy would help or hurt my chances to get you here.”
Luke’s frown deepened but Sam preferred instead to see the glimmer of excitement in his moody friends’ eyes.
“Yes, Jake’s coming.”
Sam turned to Nate. “You were in Iraq, Nate, when Luke and I were getting our asses kicked in Afghanistan—and kicking a few hundred haji asses in return. But you’ll recognize a kindred spirit when you meet Jake Gardner. Jake and his partner Brady Schaefer have a terrific private security company going. Something the three of us might want to consider down the line if we get tired of living on cop pay.”
Nate chortled, shooting a grin at Sam’s father. “Fuck, yeah. We should be thinking about our future. Hell, not very damn likely that any of us are going to become Chief Justices of the State Supreme Court—but on the other hand, if your ‘Pops’ could do it, maybe it’s something we can aspire to.”
<
br /> Sam let the good natured laughter settle then added, “I have to admit that as glad as I am that Jake is coming, I’m particularly pleased that Alexis, Jake’s wife, and their three-year-old little girl, Ana, are also coming. You know how impressive our women are, Nate. I gotta tell you Alexis Beloi is their match. Lexie also came out of a shitty past. But with the help of a wise Chinese grandmaster, she became a World Class Martial Artist. All of which is impressive enough, except that she went further. Determined to help abused women like she once was, Lexie started a program that has national implications. She calls it Strong Women Survive.”
“Aha,” Nate replied. “So that’s what you’ve been trickling in Erin’s ears. I thought I’d seen signs of her taking more interest in her inheritance. I take it the one thing that is keeping Lexie from going national is funding, correct?”
“Exactly. Communities across the country are interested, but even as focused as Lexie is, fundraising can take the joy out of any program. That’s where that lovely wife of yours could come in.”
Nate frowned. “Hmm. Erin hasn’t mentioned it to me. Just that you and she have been talking about how she might put Masterson’s money to work.” He shook his head. “Damn, Hollywood, you are an impressive son of a bitch, aren’t you?”
Sam’s father nodded in agreement.
“Yes, he is. He always has been.”
Sam guffawed. “Hell, Pops, like I could be anything else with the role model I’ve had.”
His father clapped an arm around Sam’s shoulders and pulled him up against him. Sam saw both the pride and the tears in his gruff father’s eyes and wasn’t surprised when the irascible man tried to lighten the moment.
“Yeah, but somehow you’ve managed not to become an ornery bad-tempered son of a bitch like I am.”
Nate interjected with a laugh, “There’s hope for him yet, Chief Carter. If we keep at him, maybe he’ll become as ornery as you and as arrogant as me. The very definition of an obnoxious badass. My kinda guy.”
Chapter 3
Erin knocked lightly on the bedroom door. When there was no answer, she called out softly.
“Hey, Annika, it’s me, Erin. Open the door. I promise you, I’m alone!”
Annika opened the door, relieved to see Erin standing by herself.
Erin laughed. “Why did I think I’d find you hiding here?”
Annika grabbed Erin’s hand and pulled her into the room, quickly closing the door and locking it behind her friend. The bride-to-be leaned back against the door and took a deep breath.
“Thank god. I thought it was them again.”
Erin’s smile morphed into a frown.
“Who, Annika?”
Annika expelled all the air in her lungs and shook her head.
“Sam’s mother and sisters. The three-headed steamroller. They just left.”
Confirming why Annika loved this young woman, who over the last year had become her best friend and confidante, Erin didn’t laugh at her hysterics. Instead she put a comforting arm around her and led her into the sitting room. Glancing at the lavish layout, her eyes widened.
“Damn, girlfriend. This is your bedroom? No wonder you’re freaked. I thought the downstairs was extravagant but this room—or should I say rooms—looks like a good sized condo.”
Annika groaned. “I know. And it was Sam’s bedroom when he was growing up. God, Erin, can you imagine living is a house like this? Everything but a thick velvet rope to ring for servants.”
Seeing Erin’s frown, Annika kicked herself for her insensitivity.
“I’m sorry, Erin. From what you’ve told me about the house you lived in with your husband this place probably isn’t as shocking to you as it is to me.”
Erin shook her head. “No, it is surprising, no question. Even Nate was blown away. I guess because Sam seems so real, so unaffected, we’re all taken aback, surprised that his family is clearly extremely wealthy.”
Annika breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank god, you understand. Honestly I don’t know what to think. Why didn’t Sam warn me? Did he really think I wouldn’t be upset? God, Erin, do you realize how I grew up? We shared one bedroom in a crappy rented apartment in the hood. Once my mom bailed when I was fifteen, I camped out anywhere I could. And… Sam… the man I’m going to marry, lived here?”
She sunk down on the sofa and buried her head in her hands. Not able to keep her voice from shaking, she swallowed hard and tried to say what was bothering her the most.
“Erin, I don’t know if I can do this.”
Erin’s frown deepened.
“Do what, exactly, Annika? Annika?”
“This… this wedding. God, Erin, have you met Sam’s mother?”
When Erin shook her head, Annika groaned.
“Try picturing Diahann Carroll and Whitney Houston with a smattering of Iman, the supermodel, and you begin to see Margaret. And his sisters are just younger versions of their perfect mother.”
Erin shrugged. “Well, honey, your guy sure isn’t shabby either. How many times have you and I drooled over Sam? Damn, why do think Nate named him Hollywood? Your hunky guy puts Denzel Washington to shame.”
Annika sighed again, knowing that Erin was right. Sam was not only the most gorgeous black man she’d ever seen, he was the most gorgeous man, period.
“It’s more than that, Erin. You know how we always make fun of Sam when he wears his True Religion jeans—that cost a minimum of $500 per pair? Well, the ‘casual’ clothes his mother and sisters were wearing, would make Sam look like a street person.” She stammered, daubing at her eyes. “And… and I was proud of this dress. And… and my wedding dress. I thought it was the most beautiful dress I’d ever seen. And now it…” She couldn’t keep from sobbing.
“Listen, here, Annika. Your wedding dress is the loveliest I’ve ever seen. Do you know why? Because you are going to wear it. Annika, it’s perfect for you. We both know that when Sam sees you in it he’ll love it. Do you know why?”
Annika managed to nod. “Because he loves me?”
“Yes, girlfriend, because he loves you and thinks you’re the most beautiful woman in the world.”
Annika brushed at the tears on her cheek.
“I wish you’d been here, Erin, when Margaret and the girls were. It… it was challenging. She wanted to be sure that I approved of the arrangements she’d made. Even wanted my okay on the damn menus for tonight and tomorrow night. Here, she left them for me. Would you take a look at these? She said I could change anything that I didn’t like.”
Shoving the embossed sheets at her, Annika groaned. “God, Erin I can’t pronounce half of these things. Do you think I should’ve insisted they have to be in English or I don’t want them? And then Vanessa dropped the bombshell. If you think this house and grounds are spectacular now, Vanessa told me that at dusk tonight at the rehearsal dinner, Margaret is going to throw the switch and every fucking tree on their estate is going to come to life. She had her ‘staff’ hang over 50,000 lights.”
Annika groaned again and then tried for semi-gallows humor. “You think she might be miffed if I lie and tell her that I’m Jewish and don’t celebrate Christmas?”
Erin laughed, a glorious sound, then grabbed hold of Annika’s hands and forced her to look at her.
“Okay, Annika, I will admit it is overwhelming. But don’t forget what is really happening. The calm joy at the center of it all. You are about to marry one of the finest men I know. And just as your past has not kept Sam from loving you, you can’t let his past make you feel differently about him. Annika, Sam is Sam. He’s the same great guy you fell in love with. So, he’s wealthy. You’d never know it if you hadn’t seen this place. He’s as down to earth a guy as I’ve ever known. Look at how he fits in in Chicadia Falls of all places. Every redneck native there thinks he’s great. So, he’s got gorgeous relatives. How could he not? Plus, I did meet his father, and for a Supreme Court Justice, he seemed salt of the earth. Kind, even. He almost got Luke to smile—whic
h is a real accomplishment.”
Annika sighed. “I know. Sam warned me that his father is irascible, that he can be curt and authoritative. But compared to his wife and daughters, he seemed almost normal.”
Erin rose to her feet and tugged on Annika’s hands.
“Sam asked me to bring you down to the pool. Apparently that’s where they are going to serve lunch. Come on, the least we can do is catch some rays. Given that it is 15 degrees back home in Minnesota—and, damn, we’re having a balmy winter.”
She added rubbing her stomach, “Now it could be because I’m four months pregnant and finally over my morning sickness but I’m starving. I don’t care if the food is French or Chinese or Icelandic. There just better be a lot of it, because I’m so hungry I could eat my arm.”
Annika closed her eyes for a long moment and took a deep breath. When she opened them and saw the concern on Erin’s face, she hugged her.
“Okay, Erin. Thank you. You brought me back to earth. I’m fine. Just please promise me that you’ll never be more than five feet away from me for the next two days".
Erin hugged her back and giggled.
“Will do—with one qualification. Knowing the ‘always hungry’ men that you and I have chosen to attach ourselves to, and the fact that we don’t do group sex, I’ll be your shadow except when those hunky men haul us off to bed.”
Remembering that Margaret indicated that she could change in the dressing rooms by the pool so she didn’t have to parade through the house in her swimsuit, Annika almost lost her new found courage.
“Oh god, Erin. Now we have to join the cast of a photo shoot for the swimsuit edition of Sports Illustrated in our bathing suits.”
Erin guffawed. “Says the gorgeous blonde bombshell who could make the cover of said magazine. Try being pregnant but not enough pregnant that anyone would know. Nope I’m just fat enough to have lost my waistline and my pooch is sticking out.”