“Baby, whatever you tell him, it’s okay,” James said. “We’ll get through it together. I promise. It’s going to be okay. No matter what it is … we’re going to make it to the other side.”
Mandy squeezed his hand. She appreciated the sentiment. “He never touched me. At least not that way.”
“Oh, thank God,” James said, slapping his free hand to his forehead.
“Wow. You played that really well,” Mandy deadpanned, rolling her eyes. “How do you really feel?”
“I’m sorry, baby,” James said. “I couldn’t get that out of my head when you were gone and then when I found you … . I’m sorry. That was horrible. I didn’t mean it.”
“Oh, let it go,” Mandy said, lacing her fingers with his as she stared at her blanket. “He didn’t rape me. That’s not to say that he wouldn’t have eventually gotten there, but he was trying to make it seem as if we had a relationship and he wanted me to willingly go to him. He was willing to wait … although he kept talking about the children we were going to have one day.”
“And how did he plan on doing that?” Bradshaw asked.
Mandy shrugged. “I have no idea. He was so weird. He kept saying that we had an agreement, although we never had an agreement. He said that I married James to make him jealous … oh, and steal his money … and that I suggested he date Heidi so we could cover up our hidden love.”
“Ugh.” James blew a raspberry. “That guy is such a turd.”
It was a serious situation, but Bradshaw couldn’t help but smile. “He’s definitely a turd. What else did he say to you, Mrs. Hardy?”
“He said that he knew he had to kill Heidi when he found out she got pregnant because he was worried our plan was going to fail,” Mandy answered, holding back tears. “He said that he knew I was playing a game when I told him I was leaving the courthouse. He said that he finally understood the code or something. He thought I was sending him a message.”
“And to be clear, you weren’t sending him a message, right?”
“No.”
“What kind of question is that?” James asked. “She didn’t ask for any of this.”
“I’m not saying she did, Mr. Hardy,” Bradshaw said. “I’m just making sure we have everything in order for when we catch him. Your wife is going to have to testify then, too.”
“Not if I kill him,” James muttered.
Bradshaw purposely ignored James’ threat. “Did Mr. Miller injure you in any manner, other than drugging you and tying you to a chair in the basement?”
“He tied you to a chair?” James was horrified. “How did you know that?”
“That’s what the evidence suggested when we searched the basement.”
“Oh.”
“He just manhandled me a bit,” Mandy said, gesturing toward the bruises on her arms. “He also slapped me.”
James made a sound like a wounded bear.
“Why did he slap you?”
“I didn’t understand what was happening when I first woke up,” Mandy explained. “I thought he snapped because of Heidi’s death. He kept saying we were going to get married and I said I was already married and loved James. Then he slapped me.”
“Did he seem … agitated … because you hurt his ego?”
“It was more that he was upset because I wasn’t playing along,” Mandy said. “He seemed to honestly think I loved him. That’s how I knew I could pretend to be sick and send him to the pharmacy. I figured I could get out of the basement if I had a little time.”
“That was very smart,” Bradshaw said. “By doing what you did, you gave yourself time to be rescued and made sure Mr. Miller couldn’t use you as a human shield.”
“My little genius,” James said, kissing her cheek. “I’m still going to kill him.”
“We’ll handle that hurdle if and when the time comes,” Bradshaw said. “For now, I suggest getting some rest. As soon as I have more information, I’ll be in touch.”
“I can’t wait,” James said.
“We’ll be at our home when you decide to share information with us,” Mandy added, ignoring James’ pointed stare. “What? I don’t care what happens. I’m going home today.”
“We’ll see what happens, wife,” James said. “You heard the doctor.”
“Yes, I heard the doctor say I could go home.”
“You would hear that.”
“Just wait and see,” Mandy said, smiling. “I’m going to get my way.”
James couldn’t help but return the smile. “You always do.”
18
Eighteen
“I told you so.”
Mandy was full of herself when they parked in the driveway, grinning from ear to ear as Grady killed the engine of James’ Explorer and her husband grabbed her hand.
“I’ll never argue with you again, wife,” James said, smiling. “Never.”
“Oh, while I love how cute you are right now, this melancholy thing is going to wear thin really quickly,” Mandy said, stroking his cheek. “I love you, but you don’t have to dote on me like this.”
“When you get kidnapped, you get doted on,” James argued, exchanging a quick look with Grady before opening his door. “When you get hurt, you get doted on, too.”
“Oh, well, I’m doubly lucky,” Mandy deadpanned, rolling her eyes. “Whatever will I do with my lot in life?”
James couldn’t help but marvel at her attitude. He expected more tears – or at least quiet contemplation. What he got were smiles and jokes. He didn’t think it would last. Her ordeal would catch up with her eventually, after all, but he was hopeful she would at least make it through dinner without crashing.
“Are you ready to go inside?” James asked brightly, sliding his arms under her legs and tugging her toward his door. “Your chariot awaits, madam.”
“Oh, so cute,” Mandy said, sliding her arm around his neck. “This carrying me around thing is only going to be entertaining for two hours. You know that, right?”
“That’s why I reluctantly took the crutches,” James replied. “I was going to leave them behind so you would have no choice but to let me carry you around, but I thought better of it. I’m not sure I can take a huge fight so I wanted all of my bases covered.”
“That’s good,” Mandy said, smirking as James grunted while lifting her. “Do you need more exercise or something? I know you can’t be making that sound because of my weight.”
“I just need you,” James said, straightening. “Let’s go.”
To Mandy’s utter surprise, James shifted so he was in the middle of Grady, Finn, Jake, and Sven before racing toward the door. She hadn’t even seen the other men arrive, let alone group together like a protective army on the side of the vehicle. No one slowed their pace until they were safely inside of the garage – which was covered with boxes Mandy didn’t recognize – and then James let out a sigh.
“Home sweet home, baby.”
Mandy was outraged. “What did you just do?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” James lied, moving toward the door that led to the kitchen. “I merely carried my wife like a princess … because she is my princess.”
“I’m your queen and your queen demands answers,” Mandy snapped, her sea-blue eyes reflecting bewilderment as she glanced between faces. Everyone plastered a smile on his face for her benefit, but she knew something hinky was going on. “You think Clint is watching us, don’t you?”
James ignored the question and swept into the kitchen, making a grand gesture as he swung her small body around. “Look, wife. Mom and Ally made cake, cupcakes, muffins … sheesh, guys, you made cookies and coconut bars, too? Wow.”
Mandy couldn’t decide if she was more flabbergasted by the cornucopia of baked goods or James’ evasiveness. “I … what the hell?”
“Mandy!” Ally squealed as she pushed past her father and hurried to her best friend’s side. She didn’t hesitate to throw her arms around Mandy’s neck and cling to her. “They would
n’t let me see you in the hospital. I thought I was going to die.”
Mandy patted Ally’s back. “I missed you. I thought about you while I was there.”
“You did?” Ally’s eyes shone with tears as she pulled back. “What did you think about?”
“All of the colorful ways you would come up with to torture Clint,” Mandy replied matter-of-factly. “I had a lot of time on my hands and I couldn’t sleep because I was so thirsty and uncomfortable in the chair.”
“Well, that time is behind you, wife,” James said, pushing Ally out of the way with his hip and practically daring his sister to complain with a dark look as he carried Mandy into the living room. “Now the only thing you have to worry about is comfort.”
James was gentle as he placed Mandy on the couch, carefully lifting her injured foot and resting it on a pillow as she stared incredulously from the end of the couch. “This foot is very sore, Ally,” he warned. “There’s a big cut and it took twenty stitches. Don’t jar it.”
“Oh, bite me,” Ally muttered, flopping on the couch next to Mandy and taking the seat she knew James was saving for himself. “You’re such a mother hen.”
“And you’re a pain in the ass,” James shot back. “That’s my spot.”
“I don’t see your name on it.”
“It’s still my spot,” James hissed. “Get up.”
“Dad, James is being mean to me,” Ally complained, smirking when Louis puffed out his chest. “Punish him.”
“Oh, geez,” James muttered, tugging a frustrated hand through his hair. “I can’t believe this is happening – and in my own house, no less.”
“Well, believe it,” Ally intoned. “I’m the queen.”
“I’m the queen,” Mandy corrected. “You can be my lady in waiting.”
“Oh, man,” Ally complained. “The lady in waiting doesn’t get a crown. I want a crown.”
“No, but a lady in waiting does get all the sex,” Mandy pointed out.
“Good point,” Ally mused, grinning. “I’ll gladly forego the crown.”
“Don’t talk like that in front of your father,” Louis argued, although the smile he cast in Ally’s direction expressed fondness and delight. “I’m so glad you’re home, Mandy. We’re all so relieved that you’re safe.”
“Thank you,” Mandy said, her smile momentarily slipping. James recognized the expression for what it was. She was mired in doubt and putting on a show for her loved ones. He refused to press her on the issue, though. He would let her get things out in whatever manner she saw fit. “I’m really glad to be home.”
“We’re here to wait on you,” James said, rubbing his thumb over her cheek. “What do you want first?”
“Well, I was going to say a shower,” Mandy said, casting her eyes in the direction of the kitchen. “That was before I saw that chocolate cake, though.”
“Cake it is,” James said. “We’ll handle the shower … and then a nap … as soon as you’re full.”
“I don’t want to nap,” Mandy argued. “I’m fine.”
“The doctor said you have to nap,” James said. “I promised him I would take care of you, and that’s what I intend to do.”
“Fine,” Mandy said, blowing out a sigh. “I want that cake first, though.”
“Consider it done, baby.” James kissed her cheek. “I’ll buy you chocolate cake every day for the rest of your life if you want it.”
“Oh, good grief,” Grady muttered. “This entire situation is going to get old really quickly.”
“You’ll live,” James shot back. “Or, hey, you can get out.”
“I think I’ll just settle for some of the cake,” Grady grumbled, wrinkling his nose. “You can deliver it to me since I kept you two together last night.”
“No way,” James sputtered.
“That does seem fair,” Mandy interjected.
James was caught. Everyone knew it. He didn’t want to acquiesce to Grady’s demands but he would give Mandy whatever she asked for. “Fine,” he said. “I’ll wait on you and Grady all day. Will that make you happy, wife?”
Mandy shrugged. “It’s a start.”
“OKAY, baby. Sit there while I get the shower going. Then I’ll put that baggie on your foot and get you naked.”
Mandy made a wry face as she watched James hurry to the glass-covered shower. The rest of their family remained downstairs and Mandy was certain the only topic of conversation was her kidnapping and miraculous return. She couldn’t fault them for that, though, so she tried to push it out of her mind even though the idea of being talked about in her own house was monumentally distasteful.
“I can shower by myself,” Mandy pointed out. “If you put the baggie on and help me in … .”
James licked his lips as he turned around, the hot water already causing steam to rise in the master bathroom. “No.”
“James, it’s really okay.”
“No, it’s not,” James said. He knelt in front of Mandy and rested his hands on her thighs. “I know this is going to be rough for you, wife. I know you’re going to chafe under the attention and you’re dealing with more than any one person should have to deal with.
“I also know that the past forty-eight hours have been the worst of my entire life,” he continued. “My heart shredded and I thought that I wasn’t going to make it through to the other side. I am not doing this for you. I am doing this for me. I need to be near you.”
“But I need to shave my legs,” Mandy protested. “It’s been more than a week.”
James shrugged. “I’ll shave them for you.”
“Absolutely not.” Mandy was scandalized. She wasn’t prudish by nature but she did have a few quirky beliefs. “That’s a private woman thing.”
“It’s not as if I’m watching you go to the bathroom – another thing you don’t want me to do – or helping you change a tampon or something,” James said, earning a disgusted look. “I’m showering with you right now, though. I need it, too. Your options are to let me shave your legs, shave them in front of me, or wait until you get a chance to shower by yourself. I don’t care which one you pick, but those are your only options.”
Mandy made a face that would’ve been comical under different circumstances. “This whole watching my every move thing is not going to last. You know that, right?”
“It’s going to last until Clint is caught,” James countered. “I will not lose you again. I … can’t.”
The distraught look on his face was enough to melt Mandy’s heart. “Okay,” she said, giving in. “You’re going to have to deal with hairy legs, though. I cannot shave in front of you.”
“Duly noted.”
“You haven’t seen them yet,” Mandy pointed out. “They might be tough for you to stomach.”
“Nothing is tough for me to stomach as long as I have you,” James said, taking her hand and using it to cup his chin. “You just need to put up with me for a little bit. I can’t help it.”
“Okay. You’re lucky I love you, though.”
“Right back at you, baby.”
“DO YOU want shark pajama pants or the cat ones?” James asked, holding up the two options as Mandy sat naked at the end of their bed.
“Sharks.”
“That’s what I thought,” James said, smirking. “Do you want a tank top or T-shirt?”
“Tank top.”
“Okay.” James gathered another item of clothing from the dresser and glanced at her feet. “Do you want a sock? I can probably give you one of mine if you want to put it over your bandaged foot.”
“That will be uncomfortable. I don’t need socks.”
“Okay.” James slipped into a pair of boxer shorts before carrying Mandy’s clothing to her. He knelt in front of her, smiling as she rubbed his soft cheek.
He’d shaved during their time in the bathroom, and the man in front of her resembled the one she married. He still looked exhausted, though. Mandy knew he wouldn’t completely rest until Clint was either behind ba
rs or dead. She was rooting for the former, because the latter came with its own set of issues. She didn’t want to discuss that just yet, though.
“James, can I ask you a question?”
James’ shoulders stiffened at the words. Mandy always asked him philosophical questions that made him think – or just outright annoyed him. She couldn’t help herself. “Do you have to, baby?”
“Yes.”
“Fine,” James said, blowing out a sigh. “What is the question, love of my life?”
“You didn’t think I left you, did you?”
Of all the questions he thought would escape her mouth, James never saw that one coming. “Of course not.”
“That’s all I could think about for a little bit,” Mandy admitted, her eyes filling with tears. “I shouldn’t have hit you at the funeral, James. It was wrong … and abusive. If that was the last thing you had to remember me by … .”
“Stop that right now,” James ordered, grabbing her hand so he could kiss her fingertips. “That never once entered my mind. I knew you wouldn’t leave me. I knew right away when I saw the storage room that someone took you. Never doubt that.”
“I still shouldn’t have hit you.”
“It’s fine,” James said. “I deserved it.”
“No, you didn’t,” Mandy argued. “Even if you did, though, it wasn’t right. It’s not okay for you to hit me. That means it’s not okay for me to hit you. I’m so sorry.”
“I accept your apology, but I don’t want to hear it again,” James said, tugging her fuzzy sleep pants over her thighs and continuing up her body, not stopping until he pressed a kiss to her mouth. “I knew you would never leave me. I knew someone took you. I may be an idiot sometimes, but I have never doubted your love.”
“You’re not an idiot.”
“We’re going to get through this, Mandy,” James said. “The hard part is already behind us.” He pulled the tank top over her head and reached for the brush on the nightstand. “Do you want your hair braided?”
Mandy shook her head. “No. I’m going to shower and shave my legs in the morning.”
“We’ll talk about that then,” James said, slipping his arm around her waist. “Now, come on. You need some rest.” James tugged the covers over his wife’s frail frame and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Sweet dreams.”
Deadly Payback (Hardy Brothers Security Book 22) Page 15