Stranger in my Arms (21 page)

I
t was minutes from midnight when seven men sitting around a table lifted glasses filled with brandy and toasted Merrick Grayslake.

Jason, the mirror image of Gabriel, sans long hair and pierced ears, offered the first toast. “To Merrick, my soon-to-be brother-in-law. May your days be sunny and your nights warmer than my esteemed older brother's.” First Gabriel had been teased about driving a hoopty, and now it was because he'd moved from warm sunny Florida to frigid New England.

“Hear! Hear!” came a chorus of deep male voices.

Merrick raised his glass, put it to his mouth and downed it in one swallow.

“Hot damn!” federal district court judge Christopher Delgado crowed. Slender and elegant with salt-and-pepper wavy hair, he leaned over and slapped Merrick on the back. “You're going to fit nicely in this family because you drink like an
hombre!
”

“Are you signifying something, brother?” Michael asked his brother-in-law.

“Some male relatives…who I will not out tonight…have a problem holding their Kool-Aid.”

Jason cupped his ear. “Do I hear throw down?”

Christopher smiled. “I don't know about throw down, but the last time I stepped in as bartender I heard complaints about the Kool-Aid being a wee bit too strong.”

Gabriel shook his head. “Don't play yourself, Chris. You know right well that stuff you mixed up wasn't legal.”

“It's as legal as I am,” Chris retorted, dodging a barrage of rolled-up cocktail napkins thrown at him. “Jason, check your dad's liquor cabinet and bring out the good stuff.”

Jason popped up from his chair. “I know he has the Three Kings.”

“The Three Kings?” asked Algerian-born fashion designer Silah Kadir. Silah was married to Martin Cole's youngest daughter. “Are you talking about the Magi?”

Merrick laughed along with the other men. “Jason is talking about Johnny Walker, Jim Beam and Jack Daniel.”

“Why do you call them Three Kings?” Silah asked in French-accented English.

Clayborne rested an arm over his uncle's shoulder. “Because if you drink enough of them you'll think you're seeing not only the kings, but also their camels.”

“Go get them,” Gabriel urged his younger brother. “We're here to toast Merrick, and it should be a night to remember.”

Dr. Tyler Cole looped one leg over the other. Tyler, Martin's only son, was the heir apparent to the family dynasty. “Don't look for me to resuscitate any fool who gets so drunk that he'll mistake the pool for a bed.”

“Grandpa told me that you were in your cups at Michael's reception.” Tyler, glaring at his nephew, smothered a curse. “Did Dana give you mouth-to-mouth?”

Tyler waved a hand. “Get this young pup outta here. This is grown-folk business.”

“Wait up, Jason,” Clayborne called out. “I'll help you.”

Leaning back in his chair, Michael extended his glass to Merrick. “Friend. Soon-to-be cousin. Welcome to the family.” He, too, downed the brandy in one shot.

Someone refilled Merrick's glass and he tossed it back, the heat of the smooth liquor spreading throughout his chest. He'd never been much of a drinker, but tonight he would make an exception.

Jason and Clayborne returned with a plastic crate filled with bottles of scotch, gin, vodka, tequila and bourbon. The liquid flowed, the tongues got looser, the men toasting Merrick for having the good sense to marry into the family; eventually the conversations turned to when the men first made love to their wives and girlfriends.

Merrick got drunk, drunker than he'd ever been in his life; he was as talkative as the others with one exception: he didn't disclose the circumstances surrounding his birth, the covert missions for the CIA and the most intimate details of his relationship with Alex.

Sometime around three Gabriel climbed onto one of the chaises set up around the pool and fell asleep.

It was Serena Cole who found Christopher, Tyler and Silah asleep on the deck of the pool. Michael, Jason, Merrick and Clayborne managed to make it into the house, falling asleep where they lay.

None had made it to their designated bedrooms.

 

Merrick tied the light gray silk tie in a Windsor knot, then turned down the spread collar on the white shirt. When he'd finally regained consciousness earlier that morning it was to a pounding headache, but after several aspirins washed down with black coffee he felt more human than he had in hours.

The male bonding/mock bachelor party was unlike any in which he'd participated. Grown men had become boys, fueled by an alcoholic haze wherein they'd confessed their shortcomings. To the world they were rich, powerful, successful men; however, they displayed their very human side when they spoke of the difficulties of parenting and their willingness to compromise in order to save their marriages. Merrick would've thought them conventional, but the various tattoos and ear piercings that crossed generations shattered that perception.

Sitting on the leather bench at the foot of the bed in the suite that had belonged to Gabriel, Merrick closed his eyes and did what he hadn't done in a very long time—he prayed. He was still in the same position, eyes closed, when Jason knocked on the door and walked in.

Tall, broad-shouldered, he cut a handsome figure in formal attire. His silk tie matched Merrick's. “Thinking about backing out, Brother Merrick?”

Merrick's head came up at the same time he stood up. Reaching for the jacket to his tuxedo on the foot of the bed, he slipped his arms into the sleeves.

“No.”

Jason flashed a dimpled smile. “It's time we get going, but Dad wants to see you downstairs in his study before you marry my sister.”

Merrick followed Jason down a curving staircase of a house constructed in three sections. The elder Coles occupied one section that included a guest wing, the four bedroom suites took up another section and the third section contained a state-of-the-art recording studio and Serenity Records' corporate office.

Merrick walked into the large cool room with floor-to-ceiling shelves packed with books and musical scores. A large glass-top rosewood desk and matching table complemented leather chairs in a rich maroon.

David Cole was not alone. His brothers, Martin and Joshua Kirkland—the latter the result of an illicit liaison between Samuel Cole and Teresa Maldonado Kirkland—sons Jason and Gabriel, and Matthew Sterling, family friend and father-in-law to Emily Kirkland Delgado, made the large room appear small. The men, all in formal dress, staring at Merrick radiated power and danger, and if he hadn't been who he was he would've been intimidated. However, he'd experienced too much, stared death in the face too often to be intimidated—by anything or
anyone
.

David, who sat on the edge of the desk, rose to his feet. Recessed light glinted off his silver hair. “Merrick, I've asked you to come here because there is something I must say to you. I've asked my brothers, sons and a lifelong friend to be here because I want them to be aware of what's in my heart at this moment.

“In fifteen minutes I will place my daughter's hand in yours. And when that happens I will relinquish all claim and responsibility for Alexandra. My wife and my children are my most precious gifts, and I'm generously offering you the gift of my eldest daughter.

“I will say this only once, Merrick Grayslake. Love her, and protect her with your life. But if you fail to do this, then look for me to come after you.”

The nostrils of Merrick's aquiline nose flared as he let out the breath he'd been holding. His future father-in-law had just threatened him. He blinked once. “Warning heeded, David.” His eyes widened. “You've had your say, so let me have mine. At four o'clock Alexandra will become
my
wife and therefore it will become
my
responsibility to protect her.

“I love her and the child she carries in her womb. And because I love her, I've broken a vow I made almost three years ago when I said I'd never go back to the CIA. Well, I'm going back because I'll have a wife and child to support.” He paused for effect. “So, that should put your mind at ease as to whether I have a job.” Everyone turned and stared at David, who managed to look sheepish.

“No, you didn't, David,” Gabriel said softly.

“Damn, brother, that's cold,” Joshua Kirkland whispered, shaking his head in disbelief.

Merrick lowered his head, hiding his own grin when Martin Cole and Matthew Sterling dissolved into a paroxysm of laughter that left them with tears in their eyes.

His head came up and he stared at David. “I don't have as much money as Alexandra, but I can assure you that I can support her and the children we plan to have.” He nodded to the other men. “I don't know about you guys, but I have a wedding to go to in three minutes.” Turning on his heels, he walked out of the study, leaving his bride's family members staring at his retreating back.

 

Martin Cole's silver hair was a startling contrast to his deeply tanned olive-brown skin. Shaking his head, he glared at his younger brother. “David, you never cease to amaze me. Why the hell did you have to ask the man if he had a job?”

Crossing his arms over his chest, Joshua continued to stare at his half brother, green eyes sparkling in amusement. “If you'd wanted to know about Merrick you could've asked Michael.”

“Dad would never do that,” Jason said. “Whenever it concerns Alex or Ana he goes straight for the jugular. He wasn't even diplomatic about it. He could've said, ‘By the way, my man, are you a scrub?'”

Matthew Sterling stared at Jason. “Scrub?”

“Pimp, gigolo, deadbeat—”

“I get the picture, Jason,” Matt interrupted.

Martin patted David's back. “I know all of this is new for you, but you'll get through it.” All of Martin's children were married and had made him a grandfather of five.

Joshua took David's arm. “Come on, brother. After the first time it gets easier.”

David narrowed his eyes at his brothers. They'd teased him for years about his children not wanting to marry and have children. But all of the teasing would come to an end in a few minutes.

Shaking off his brother's hands, he walked out of the study to give his daughter away in marriage to a man he now respected enough to think of him as a son.

A
lex was certain her father could feel her trembling as she clung to his arm. She'd decided on simplicity: no bridesmaids, groomsmen, ring bearer or flower girl. Her father would escort her over a red carpet to where Merrick waited with a judge to make her his wife.

She closed her eyes when Gabriel sang her favorite song, the top-chart blockbuster classic hit “I Will Always Love You.” Gabriel's fingers skimmed the keyboard as his melodious voice came through the powerful speakers and something within her burst.

Alex wasn't certain it was the fullness of the love she felt for Merrick, the hormonal changes playing havoc with her moods or the knowledge that within minutes her life would change dramatically. The times when she thought only of herself and what made her happy were over. Every decision she made would be predicated on its effect on her husband and child.

The tears flowed down her face, landing on the bouquet of white lacecap hydrangeas with dozens of faux-pearl sprays, bead flowers, seashell flowers and seashells on wires tied with yards of ribbons in different widths and edging. The song ended with many seated on the organza-draped cushioned chairs blotting the corners of their eyes.

The assembled rose as one when Gabriel played the familiar chords to the wedding march.

“Let's go, cookie,” David murmured to his still-weeping daughter.

Alex wanted to move, but her legs refused to follow the dictates of her brain. “I can't, Daddy,” she sobbed.

Murmurs escalated when David Cole wrapped his arms around his daughter's bare shoulders. “If you don't want to marry him, then say so, cookie.”

Alex shook her head. She wanted to marry Merrick. He'd been the only man she'd ever wanted to marry. “I want him, Daddy.”

David kissed her hair, careful not to dislodge the tiny rosebuds pinned into her black curly hair. All he'd ever wanted from the moment he became a father was to protect his children and see to their happiness. But as Merrick had stated so arrogantly, Alex was no longer his responsibility. It was now up to Merrick Grayslake to protect his daughter and unborn grandchild.

 

Merrick watched the interchange between his bride and her father, his heart racing uncontrollably. Had she changed her mind? Did she wait until the very moment that they were to exchange vows to change her mind?

He'd heard of Dear John letters, brides and grooms being left at the altar and runaway brides. Was he, he agonized, about to become another statistic?

A sense of strength came to Merrick, one stronger than any he'd experienced in the past. He'd languished in foster and group homes, endured verbal and physical abuse and still managed to survive. He did not give his heart to a woman only to lose her in front of hundreds of people.

“I'll be back,” he said to the elderly black-robed judge watching the unfolding scene with an expression of distress on his lined face.

Gasps filled the warm autumn afternoon when Merrick marched down the red carpet like a marine during a dress parade. He rested a hand on her back and she went completely still.

“Querida.”

Alex felt the comforting touch on her bare flesh, inhaled the familiar cologne. She couldn't move, couldn't go to Merrick so he'd come for her. Turning, she smiled up at him through her lashes. The moisture had turned her eyes into pools of gold.

Her lips parted in a trembling smile.
“Mi, amor.”

David reached for Alex's hand and placed it in Merrick's outstretched one. “Take her.”

Reaching into the pocket of his dress trousers for a handkerchief, Merrick gently blotted the tears on his bride's face. Lowering his head, he kissed her forehead. “Are you ready to do this?”

She wrinkled her pert nose. “Yes.”

Alex looped her hand over the sleeve of Merrick's jacket as he retraced his steps, bringing them to stand in front of the elderly judge who'd officiated at many a Cole civil wedding. He winked at Alex, then began the ceremony he could recite in his sleep.

Merrick's voice was strong and clear as he took his vows. His gaze never strayed from Alex's face as she recited hers. He loved her, had openly confessed to loving her, had shown her in the most intimate way possible that he loved her, but he doubted whether she knew the depth of the love he felt for her.

When it came time for the exchange of rings he reached into his breast pocket and slipped a diamond eternity band onto her slender finger. Alex handed her bouquet to her father as she took the platinum band off her thumb and slipped it onto Merrick's left hand.

Sighs of relief, cheering and whistles followed the judge's pronouncement that Merrick and Alexandra Grayslake were now man and wife. Looping his arms around her waist, Merrick picked up his wife and kissed her soundly on the mouth.

“Congratulations, Mrs. Grayslake.”

Her dimples deepened when she flashed a joyous smile. “And congratulations to you, too, Mr. Grayslake.” Tightening her hold around his neck, she kissed him again. “I can't believe we're married.”

“Believe it, baby,” he whispered, “because I'm going to remind you of it every day and every night.”

He set her on her feet, one arm going around her waist as he shook hands with David. “Scared you for a moment, didn't it?” he asked his father-in-law.

“Hell, yeah,” David admitted. He patted Merrick's shoulder. “You did good, son.”

Serena came over and kissed her daughter, then her new son-in-law. “Congratulations.”

Merrick wound his free arm around Serena's trim waist. “Thank you, Mrs. Cole, for your daughter and putting everything together so quickly.”

Frowning, Serena shook her head slowly. “You call my husband David and me Mrs. Cole?”

Merrick's eyebrows lifted. “What do you want me to call you?”

“Mom will do nicely, thank you.”

Merrick was momentarily speechless in his surprise. His foster mothers had wanted him to call them Mom or Mother, but he'd never been able to bring himself to do it. Not when they saw him as a check from the state, not when they punished him for what they'd considered the slightest infraction.

Today his life changed when he became husband, son and brother-in-law. It had taken him nearly thirty-six years to find a family he could claim as his own.

“From now on it will be Mom, Mom.” He nodded to David.

“I'm going to take Ali to the table where she can get off her feet.”

“Are you all right?” Serena asked her daughter.

“I'm good, Mom. I'm going to skip the receiving-line routine.”

“Why, cookie?” David couldn't believe Alex wanted to break the tradition.

“I don't know what it is, but since I've become pregnant I can't stand crowds of people. I freak out if they get too close to me.”

“Don't tell me you're not going to save your father a dance.”

“Of course I am. Do you think I'm going to cheat you out of that honor?”

“I hope not,” David mumbled. He took Serena's arm. “Come, sweetheart, let's circulate.”

Merrick steered her over to where a table had been set up for the bride, the groom and her parents, parents that he now thought of as his own.

Prerecorded music blared from speakers set up on the property and the partying began in earnest. Those who came over to greet Alex found her ravishing in an off-the-shoulder platinum gown with a sunburst-pleated silk-chiffon bodice topping a silk-satin skirt. The garment was perfect for her petite figure. Three inches of jeweled Manolo Blahnik wedding sling backs put the top of her head at six-foot-three-inch Merrick's shoulder.

She'd decided on a buffet rather than a more formal sit-down dinner. The caterer had delivered dozens of tables, each with seating for six. Vases of pale-colored roses lined the courtyard and patio.

David had hired a disc jockey to spin tunes, and a portable dance floor had been set up between the pool and tennis court. Serena had the pool covered, much to the disappointment of the younger children.

 

Merrick pressed his shoulder to Alex's bare arm. “You have the same food on your plate, so why is it you're eating mine?”

“Whoever fixed my plate added salt.”

“I would've gotten you another plate, Ali.”

She rested her head on his shoulder. “That's all right.”

Angling his head, he kissed her hair. “Are you all right?” She'd seemed out of sorts after dancing with him, her father and then her brothers.

“I'm feeling a little tired.”

Merrick knew her little tired was more than that. There were times when she was so lethargic that she fell asleep while eating. “We're leaving.”

Her head came up, and suddenly she was wide awake. “We can't leave now.”

“And why not?”

“It's too soon.”

“Soon for what, Ali? You're lethargic and out of sorts. Have you forgotten that you're two months pregnant?”

“How can I forget?” she countered. “Between the nausea and fatigue I feel like a punching bag.”

“That's why we're leaving.” Rising, he eased her up from her chair. “We'll change, then head over to the hotel.” They'd made plans to spend their wedding night in a hotel before driving down to the Keys the following morning.

“You're a bully, Merrick Grayslake,” she hissed through clenched teeth.

“Yeah, yeah,” he drawled. “A bully who loves you and that little baby inside you.”

Leaning against his side to keep her footing, Alex permitted Merrick to lead her back to the house where she'd grown up. She thought about his comment that he loved the baby inside her. How could he love something he'd never met or seen?

There were other questions she wanted to ask her enigmatic husband, but Alex decided to wait, wait until after they returned from their honeymoon.