Deadly Forever (Hardy Brothers Security Book 24)

by Lily Harper Hart

  “I do, too,” Mandy murmured.

  “My very intuitive wife believes her,” James said, momentarily wishing he’d sat closer to Mandy so he could reassure her. He wanted to place himself between Kaspar and the girls should the man attack, though, and that’s where he remained. “I’m going to be very straight with you, Mr. Fisher. We know you’re a rapist. We know you like young girls. We also know that a young girl was attacked in your home when you were supposedly out of town.

  “I’m going to guess you weren’t really out of town,” he continued. “I’m betting you were here. I’m betting you supplied the boys with the drug. I’m betting you participated in the rape. What I haven’t gotten a feeling for is why those boys went into that mall when they knew it was a suicide run.

  “I looked Nate Graham in the face that day,” he said. “I saw the … defeat … reflected there. That boy preferred holding a gun on my wife and goading me into killing him than risk talking to the police. There has to be a reason for that, and I think you know the reason.”

  Kaspar locked gazes with James in a challenging manner. “You think you know a lot and yet you really know nothing. You’re not nearly as smart as you think you are.”

  “And neither are you,” James said, getting to his feet. He sensed this interrogation was over even though they’d gotten absolutely nowhere. There was no way Kaspar would cooperate now. “I’m not letting this go until I know exactly what happened. You should be very clear about that.”

  “And I’m not involved,” Kaspar gritted out. “You should be very clear about that.”

  “I guess we’ll have to wait and see how things go,” James said, pressing his hand to the small of Mandy’s back and ushering her toward the door. “This won’t be the last time we meet.”

  “Oh, I’m sure of that,” Kaspar sneered. “In fact, you can count on seeing me again very soon.”

  James was fairly certain the man meant it as a threat, but he wasn’t remotely afraid of him. “I’m looking forward to it.”

  17

  Seventeen

  “Did you call the sheriff’s department?”

  Mandy, her bare legs on display in her cutoff shorts, found James in the kitchen rubbing a marinade mix on the steaks shortly before everyone was supposed to arrive for the barbecue.

  “I did,” James said, leaning his head down and waiting patiently. “They said they’re sending someone over to Kaspar’s house to question him immediately.”

  “What are you doing?” Mandy was confused.

  “Waiting for my kiss.”

  “Oh.” Mandy grinned as she pressed her lips to his cheek. “Better?”

  “It will be better when we’re alone tonight,” James replied. “You were fairly well behaved at Kaspar’s house, though, so I think I owe you a few special kisses, too.”

  “You don’t owe me anything. I’m just happy you allowed me to go with you. It’s fun being part of the team.”

  James stilled as he regarded her. “You know you’re the most important member of my team, right?”

  Mandy avoided eye contact and shrugged. “I know you needed my help occasionally when I was at the courthouse because I had access to certain files, but I’m not really part of the team now that I have nothing to offer.”

  James tamped down his anger as he tapped his foot on the floor to get her attention. “Look at me.”

  “I’m sorry I said it,” Mandy said hurriedly. “That was stupid. Don’t worry about it. I didn’t mean it.”

  “Look at me, Mandy,” James repeated. His hands were covered with a special meat rub, but that wouldn’t stop him from grabbing her shoulders should she try to leave.

  “What?” Mandy asked, petulant as she locked gazes with him. “I didn’t mean anything by it.”

  “You meant it,” James said. “That makes me realize I might’ve overlooked something big, and I’m sorry for that. You are the most important member of my team … always. I didn’t talk to you about my cases because you had access to files. I talked to you because you’re the smartest person I know. There’s a reason why I call you my little genius.”

  Mandy licked her lips as she regarded him. “But you don’t need me.”

  “I always need you,” James said. “I can’t function without you. I think we proved that when Clint took you and I ceased being able to think on my own and Grady had to drug me and treat me as if I was a small child in timeout.”

  Mandy pursed her lips and widened her eyes, her eyebrows flying up her forehead.

  “That’s my favorite expression in the world,” James enthused, reaching for her.

  Mandy smoothly avoided his hands and shook her head. “You need to rub the meat … er, that came out dirtier than I intended.”

  “I want to rub you,” James said. “Stand right there.”

  “You’re kind of bossy,” Mandy lamented as she watched him wash and dry his hands before closing the distance between them.

  “I am bossy,” James agreed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’m the boss … and I’m looking for another employee if you want a job.”

  Mandy jolted at the offer. “I … what do you mean?”

  “Are you bored?” James asked, legitimately curious. “Is that why you wanted to come today? You’ve been excited to work with me all week. If you want something to do … .”

  “I’m not sure our marriage could survive us working together.”

  “Our marriage can survive anything,” James countered. “Tell me what you want. I will make it happen.”

  “I don’t know what I want,” Mandy admitted, tilting her head to the side. “I was happy to leave the courthouse because it was time – and I like painting, don’t get me wrong – but it doesn’t feel as if I’m accomplishing anything.”

  James hooked his thumbs through his belt loops and leaned back on his heels as he studied her. “Why do you have to accomplish something?”

  “What?” Mandy knit her eyebrows together. “Is that a serious question?”

  “Not if it’s going to get me in trouble.”

  Mandy snorted. She couldn’t help herself. “I want to accomplish something with my day,” she explained. “I love painting, but I don’t want that to be the only thing I do with my life.”

  James audibly swallowed. “Please don’t tell me you want to go back to the courthouse. I mean … if you do … I’ll stand by you. I’ll always stand by you. I don’t want you back there, though. I’m not going to lie and pretend I do.”

  “I don’t want to go back to the courthouse,” Mandy said. “I promise that’s not what I’m getting at.”

  “Okay, what are you getting at?”

  “I … .” Mandy broke off and chewed on her bottom lip, uncertain if she should continue or let the conversation fall by the wayside.

  “I can see your mind working, wife,” James said. “You’re embarrassed by what you’re about to admit and you’re wondering if you can distract me with nudity – or something equally enticing – to make me forget this conversation. Just for the record … you can’t.”

  Mandy blew out a frustrated sigh. “I’ve been thinking about something over the past few weeks, but I’m afraid you’ll think I’m an idiot for even considering it.”

  “If you really believe that, then you don’t know me at all.”

  Mandy’s eyes were glassy when she lifted them. He had a point. He’d never once laughed at her when she told him about one of her ideas. The only time he ever made even close to a fuss was when she decided to take a cooking class. In the end, he’d been completely right about that.

  “Well, I have that money sitting in the bank from what’s left of my inheritance and … um … I thought maybe I would start a foundation for women and children who need help getting back on their feet following a domestic abuse situation.”

  Mandy refused to meet James’ weighted gaze as he stared at her.

  “Look at me, baby.” James’ voice was gentle and when Mandy risked a glance
in his direction she found an earnest expression on his face. “I think that sounds like a wonderful idea. I think that’s something that would be right up your alley. You’d be good at it.”

  “I want to ask Judge MacIntosh to help with some of the legal stuff.”

  “I think that’s also a good idea,” James said. “He’s retiring, but he would jump at the chance to help with something like that.”

  “I want to ask Emma and Ally to be part of it, too.”

  James smiled. “Ah, the three musketeers. How fun.”

  “I mean that I want it to be full-time jobs for them,” Mandy clarified. “Actually, I know Emma won’t want to work full time, but I want her there as much as possible. I want to make sure there’s a place for her to take Avery while she’s there. Then, when he’s older, I want her to be able to use her teaching degree with the younger kids.”

  “I think that sounds like a plan.” James loved the sparkle in Mandy’s eyes. “You should probably ask Sophie, too. I know she’s busy at the newspaper, but something tells me she’s going to want to donate her time for something this worthwhile.”

  “I can’t believe you’re agreeing to this so easily,” Mandy said. “I thought you would fight me on it.”

  “And why is that?”

  “Because we’re going to set up a shelter and angry and abusive men will come looking for these women and children.”

  James stilled. That part of the scenario hadn’t occurred to him. “We’ll figure it out,” he said after a beat. “We’ll find the right building and then I’ll handle security. I’m sure Peter will be able to help us out with affordable guards when the time is right, too.”

  “Really?”

  “Really, baby,” James said, focusing on her. “I think it’s great that you want to donate your time like this. You’ll still have plenty of time to paint, too. I think this is the best idea you’ve ever had. Er, well, aside from marrying me, that is.”

  Mandy’s relief was palpable when she threw her arms around James’ neck. “Thank you.”

  “Oh, baby, don’t thank me,” James said. “I want you to have whatever your heart desires. If this is what you want, I want you to have it.”

  “That’s good,” Mandy said, digging her fingernails into the back of his neck. “Do you know that warehouse next door to Hardy Brothers Security? The building is for sale and I want to buy it for the shelter.”

  James kept his arm around Mandy’s waist as he sucked in a breath. She’d clearly been thinking about this for a long time. “I’m fine with that,” he said after a beat. “In fact, I like that idea a great deal. We’ll be close if something happens, but we won’t be right on top of each other.”

  “Oh, thank you so much.”

  James could feel her tears on his cheek as he tightened his grip on her. “Can I ask you something?”

  Mandy snickered. “Are you mimicking me and my endless questions?”

  James shook his head. “No. I really want an answer.”

  “Okay.”

  James pulled his head back and stared at her, his expression unreadable. “You’ve clearly been thinking about this for some time,” he said. “Why are you just bringing it up now? Why didn’t you tell me when you first hatched this plan?”

  “Because … .” Mandy broke off, unsure.

  “Did you think I would tell you no?”

  Mandy held her hands palms-up. “I’m not sure.”

  “When do I ever tell you no?”

  “When you think I might be putting myself in danger, and this wouldn’t be dangerous all of the time, but there would be an element of danger associated with the program,” Mandy replied. “I really wanted to do it, but I didn’t want to upset you.”

  James rubbed his thumb over her cheek. “I guess that’s fair,” he conceded after a beat. “I do tend to shelter you at times.”

  “You shelter me all of the time,” Mandy clarified. “I love living under your protection, though.”

  James grinned. “Well, I think you have a marvelous plan,” he said. “Peter is coming for dinner. We’ll talk to him when he gets here. I’m sure he’s got some ideas about proper security and how to make this work without drawing attention to the operation.

  “I will make an appointment for early next week to look at the warehouse,” he continued. “I want to see it before we make an offer.”

  “We?”

  “We’re doing it together, baby,” James answered. “We’re doing everything together for the rest of our lives.”

  “Oh, I love you so much.” Mandy threw her arms around James’ neck again. “You’re the best husband ever.”

  “That’s only because I have the best wife,” James said, smacking a kiss against her cheek. “Now let me get back to work so I can feed you, wife. I want you to have a lot of energy for later tonight.”

  “That sounds like the best offer I’ve had all day.”

  “HERE’S the press release you wanted,” Marge said as she stood in James and Mandy’s living room an hour later, wrinkling her nose as she handed Sophie a sheet of paper. “I still don’t see why you couldn’t get it via email.”

  “Because the internal email system is down. It has a weird virus or something. The tech team is working on it,” Sophie replied, fighting the urge to roll her eyes as she took the press release and scanned it. “So he ran, huh? Why doesn’t that surprise me?”

  “I’m not up on this story,” Marge sniffed, petulant. “No one ever keeps me up to date on the important stuff.”

  “I wouldn’t worry about it, Marge,” Sophie said. “You’re the most important person at the newspaper. You know that.” Sophie was being sarcastic, but it was wasted on Marge.

  “I am the first line of defense at the office,” she agreed, glancing through the sliding glass door and frowning when she caught sight of James and Mandy as they cuddled near the grill. “What’s going on here? Is it a wedding party?”

  “What?” Sophie shifted her attention over her shoulder and shook her head. “Oh, no. We have barbecues all of the time. James fancies himself the best meat griller in the world. He is pretty good when it comes to grilling steaks, though, so you won’t hear me complaining.”

  “And his wife?” Marge’s question was tinged with bitterness.

  “And his wife is happy to watch him grill,” Sophie replied, tamping down her annoyance. “Listen, Marge, I know you have a crush on James, but it’s probably time to let it go. He’s married. Heck, he’s happily married. He could be the happiest married man I’ve ever met.”

  “I don’t have a crush on him,” Marge argued, making a face. “I don’t know why you think I do.”

  “Because I’ve seen you look at him,” Sophie said. “It’s okay. He’s an attractive man. Do you know what makes him even more attractive, though?”

  “The fact that he lives in a mansion?”

  “The fact that he loves his wife more than anything,” Sophie responded, smiling when she heard Mandy squeal. James was clearly being handsy. “True love is hard to find. It’s even harder to keep. James and Mandy will be truly in love forever. I don’t doubt that.”

  “And what about you?” Marge asked. “Have you found true love, too?”

  Sophie grinned. “I have. I didn’t think it was possible for me, but it is. Grady makes me happy. We fit together. In a few days we’ll be married and we’ll embark on a new life together. I don’t know anything truer than that.”

  “I guess that’s what happens for certain people,” Marge grumbled. “They find forever and others are left floundering.”

  “You don’t have to flounder, Marge,” Sophie said. “You merely have to decide what you want and figure out how to get it. Sometimes love finds you, like it did with Grady and me. Sometimes love is destined from the start, like it was for Mandy and James. And sometimes you have to seek out love.

  “Any way you look at it, though, I believe love is out there for everyone,” she continued. “You just need to look in the rig
ht place.”

  Marge let loose with a wistful sigh. “I’m guessing I’m not going to find it here.”

  “Probably not,” Sophie conceded. “You’ll find it, though. I have faith. Thank you for bringing this press release to me. It’s important to everyone here. I really appreciate it.”

  “No problem,” Marge said after a beat. “Why is it so important, though?”

  “Because a sex-offender is in the wind and he has ties to those boys at the mall,” Sophie replied. “The fact that Kaspar ran at all is telling. I’m guessing he’s got something else up his sleeve before it’s all said and done.”

  “What are you going to do about it?”

  Sophie shrugged. “Figure it out as a family. That’s what we always do and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  18

  Eighteen

  “What a marvelous dinner.”

  Peter Marconi pushed his plate across the outdoor table and leaned back in his chair. The sun was still high in the sky – Michigan summers boasted daylight until almost ten every night – but the humidity wasn’t oppressive and the temperature was comfortable rather than sweaty.

  “Thank you,” Mandy said, beaming.

  Peter returned the smile even as James rolled his eyes.

  “You are one of the finest hostesses I’ve had the extreme pleasure of knowing,” Peter said. He had a soft spot for the gregarious blonde. It had been that way since he met her. Since Sophie was more of an introvert, Peter recognized Mandy’s strong influence on his adopted daughter and was thankful she was part of the family Sophie would join. He was also thankful the Hardys adopted him by proxy, because he absolutely adored spending time with the family – no matter how loud and obnoxious they got at times.

  “Oh, what a load of crap,” James snorted, shaking his head. “I did the cooking.”

  Mandy narrowed her eyes as she regarded him. “I put out the salads.”

  “Which we bought,” James reminded her. “Baby, you have many delightful qualities. Cooking is not one of them. I’m the cook in this family. I deserve the accolades.”

  Grady barked out a laugh when he saw Mandy’s murderous expression. “You’re going to be sleeping alone tonight if you’re not careful.”