Deadly Payback (Hardy Brothers Security Book 22)

by Lily Harper Hart

  Mandy snickered. “You have a prince complex.”

  “As long as you’re my princess, I can live with that,” James said, taking Mandy by surprise when he tickled her ribs and rolled so he was on top of her. “Tell me I’m the best prince ever.”

  “You’re Prince Charming,” Mandy said, gasping as she laughed. “Oh, you’re the king of all princes.”

  “Oh, thank you, baby,” James said, raw emotion overwhelming him as he tugged her close. “Thank you.”

  “For saying you’re a prince?”

  “For laughing,” James replied. “I wasn’t sure you would be doing that for a bit. That’s my favorite sound … and I so needed to hear it this morning.”

  Mandy clutched James’ back and kissed his cheek. “I love you.”

  “I love you more than anything,” James said. “Now … come on. I’m going to put you in the shower with me just until I wash my hair and then leave you to finish. Does that work for you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good.” James kissed her again. “We still have a long road in front of us to find Clint, but I know we can do it if we work together. I won’t leave you alone at night again. I promise.”

  “I just … it was dark, like the basement,” Mandy said. “I knew I was in our bedroom, but … I never realized how big the room felt until you weren’t in it.”

  “Well, that’s not going to be a problem,” James said. “You’re stuck with me forever … and I don’t want to be away from you anyway. People already think we’re codependent. There’s no sense in trying to prove them wrong.”

  “You’re funny.”

  “And you’re the love of my life,” James said, digging his fingers into her ribs and causing her to squeal. “Come on. Let’s get some semblance of our life back, huh? I can’t wait to see what Mom and Ally have cooked up for breakfast this morning.”

  “WHAT IS that?”

  Mandy made a face as she looked at the bowl Rose slid in front of her face an hour later, something akin to congealed mush inside of it. Her hair was still damp from the shower, but she remained under the steaming water for as long as she could and her cheeks were flushed with healthy color. The simple ability to shave her legs restored a lot of her vigor and James wanted to kick himself for keeping her from the task the day before.

  “That is maple oatmeal,” Rose replied. “It’s going to make you feel so much better … and hopefully add a little meat to your bones. You’re too thin, honey.”

  Mandy wrinkled her nose. “Is this really breakfast?”

  Rose’s smile slipped. “I’ll have you know that I made this very dish for my children all of the time when they were kids.”

  “And we hated it then, too,” James said, craning his neck to stare at the empty counters. “I’m with my wife. I was hoping for eggs or something.”

  “Ha, ha,” Ally intoned, breezing into the kitchen. “I told you they wouldn’t want that.”

  “Thank you so much, Little Miss Know-It-All,” Rose snapped. “This is healthy food.”

  “And they’re not a healthy couple,” Ally said. “Luckily for you guys, I sent Jake to the market. We were out of eggs and your other favorite breakfast items. He should be back in five minutes and then I will cook you a feast.”

  “Will this feast include bacon?” James asked.

  Ally nodded.

  “Then I’m looking forward to the feast,” James said, shoving his bowl of oatmeal across the table. “How about some juice until then?”

  “I’m not your slave,” Ally shot back, focusing on Mandy. “I am your slave, though. Do you want tomato or orange juice this morning?”

  “Tomato,” Mandy replied, rubbing her hands together. “I haven’t had it in days.”

  “You’ve got it.” Ally moved to the refrigerator. “The sheriff is supposed to be here in an hour, by the way. Grady, Sophie, and Peter already left to talk to Clint’s mother.”

  Mandy’s eyes widened. “Clint’s mother? Why are they talking to her?”

  “Because she might know where her son is hiding out,” James replied. “If she does, she’s going to tell us. I’m done messing around. I want that jerkoff out of our lives.”

  “I just want to kick him,” Mandy said, causing James to bark out a laugh. “I’m not joking. I imagined a million different scenarios regarding my escape and each one ended with me kicking him. I want to make that happen.”

  “Well, I can’t make any guarantees, but I’ll do my best,” James said, pressing his lips to her cheek. “Now, where is my juice again?”

  “Ugh. You’re such a pain,” Ally muttered. “Fine. I’ll get you juice, too. Don’t get used to me waiting on you, though.”

  “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

  “THANK you for seeing us, Mrs. Phillips.”

  Grady was the picture of congeniality as Clint’s mother showed his small group into her living room. If she was confused by him showing up on her front porch out of the blue, she didn’t show it.

  “Oh, I love meeting Clint’s friends,” the woman said. “Call me Birdie, by the way.”

  “Oh, that’s a nice name,” Sophie enthused, pasting a friendly smile on her face as she sat on the couch between Grady and Peter.

  “It’s not my name,” Birdie said. “I just think it should be my name. I like birds … and squirrels … and dolphins.”

  “Oh, well, fun,” Sophie said, struggling to keep a straight face. “When I was twelve I made Peter call me Jane for an entire week because I didn’t like my name.”

  “Yes, that was a lovely week,” Peter deadpanned. “You were convinced that Sophie was an unprofessional moniker. The whims of teenage girls never cease to amaze me.”

  “You loved every second of it,” Sophie countered. “You got me a monogrammed shirt.”

  “I did indeed,” Peter said, smiling at the memory before focusing on Birdie. She seemed baffled but happy. “Tell me, Mrs. Phillips, when was the last time you saw your son?”

  “I see him as often as possible,” Birdie answered. “He can’t get away from his job very often – it’s hard being a spy, you know – but he stops by whenever he’s not on a mission to another country.”

  Grady licked his lips as he darted a quick look in Peter’s direction. He wasn’t sure how to respond. “Clint’s a spy?”

  “He is,” Birdie confirmed, bobbing her head. “Oh, wait … I’m not sure I was supposed to tell you that.”

  “Don’t worry. I’m a spy, too,” Peter said smoothly. “While it’s frowned upon to share that information with those not in the bureau, as long as you’re talking to someone with the proper security clearance, you’re fine. I happen to have security clearance.”

  “Whew,” Birdie said, wiping her brow. “That’s a relief.”

  “Yes, indeed.”

  Grady knew Peter was a master of manipulation, but even he was impressed. “I’m not a spy, but I’m in training.”

  “Yes, Grady here is going to be a master spy,” Peter said. “Just like Clint.”

  “When he first told me what he planned to do with his life I thought he was crazy,” Birdie admitted, tugging on her pinkish hair. It stood on end and clashed with her orange housecoat. “I wanted him to have a normal life. You know … a wife and children and all that. He said he had a calling, though.”

  “Is that a fact?” Peter flashed a warm smile. “I feel as if I have a calling, too. Right now that calling is telling me I need to find Clint. You see, he was on a mission and went radio silent. I’m afraid he’s been injured. I need to find him and offer medical assistance if it becomes necessary.”

  “Oh, no!” Birdie’s hand flew to her mouth. “Do you really think he’s been injured?”

  “He’s missed two of his scheduled check-in times,” Peter replied, clearly enjoying the lie. “When that happens, we have to go to secondary protocol. Since you’re Clint’s only living relative, that means we need your help to find him.”

  “Is she the doctor?” Birdie
gestured toward Sophie.

  “More of a … slinky nurse,” Grady answered, evading Sophie’s elbow when she tried to plant it in his stomach. “She does want to help Clint get better, though.”

  “We all want that,” Peter said. “Both of his home locations – the Eastpointe house and the New Baltimore cabin – have been compromised by rogue operatives. He’s supposed to have a third location, but he never told the bureau where it was located.”

  “I don’t know where it is either,” Birdie said, widening her eyes. “I just … do you think he’s still alive?”

  “I’m certain of it,” Peter said. “I simply believe he needs help. That’s why I’m here. I’m something of a … fixer … in spy circles.”

  “Oh, that sounds exciting,” Birdie said, rubbing her hands together. “As for where Clint is, I honestly have no idea. Unless … oh … maybe he’s with his girlfriend.”

  “Heidi?” Sophie asked.

  “No, that’s not her name,” Birdie said. “I would’ve remembered that name. Her name is something else. I just can’t seem to remember it. He’s sent me like fifty photographs of her, though. She’s quite the beauty … all that blond hair and those amazing blue eyes.”

  “Mandy?” Peter suggested, his stomach twisting.

  Birdie snapped her fingers. “That’s it. Mandy. She’s a pretty little thing. Clint met her on a mission. He hasn’t told her his true identity yet, but he will do it soon. They’re in love. She’s going to have a baby.”

  “Uh-huh.” Peter’s demeanor slipped. “I’m sure she’ll be thrilled to carry Clint’s crazy child.”

  “What did you say?” Birdie was confused.

  “Nothing,” Peter said hurriedly. “Are you sure Clint never told you of another hideout location? Perhaps he referred to it as a safe house or something.”

  “He told me he would be going on his last mission soon and then spending all of his time at the Eastpointe house,” Birdie said. “If he’s not there … I honestly don’t know where he is.”

  Surprisingly enough, Peter believed her. Birdie was much too scattered for Clint to take into his confidence. “Thank you so much for your time, Mrs. Phillips.”

  “If you do find Clint, tell him to call home,” Birdie said. “I’m thinking of getting a pet octopus and I need him to help me feed it.”

  “Yeah. I’ll get right on that.”

  22

  Twenty-Two

  “You must be Sheriff Bradshaw. Come in.”

  Finn greeted Macomb County’s newest top cop with a smile, ushering the sheriff and the two deputies who accompanied him into his brother’s house.

  “You’re the youngest brother, right? Finn?”

  Finn nodded. “That’s my lot in life,” he said.

  “I didn’t mean anything by it,” Bradshaw offered, holding up his hands. “I honestly didn’t.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” Finn said. “I have Little Brother Syndrome. No one gets my sense of humor.”

  Bradshaw chuckled. “I’m sure that’s not true.”

  “It’s true, but it’s fine,” Finn said. “Can I get you something to drink?”

  “I’m good,” Bradshaw said, glancing around the impressive home. It was bustling with activity. “How many people live here?”

  Finn chuckled. “Just my brother and his wife,” he replied. “Everyone kind of descended on the house after she was taken, though. Most of the family is staying here until this is over and done with. No one wants to risk Mandy being alone.”

  “I can see that,” Bradshaw said. “How is she doing?”

  “The doctor has her on medication for her foot so she sleeps a lot,” Finn replied. “That’s probably for the best. She’s been through a lot.”

  “I don’t know how she’s standing,” Bradshaw admitted. “I don’t know if I would be as strong as her if I was in the same position.”

  “She’s not exactly standing,” Finn said, pointing toward the living room couch. James rested on it, his back supported by throw pillows as he flipped through a file. Mandy, her blond hair fanning out and resembling a halo, slept on his chest. She was seemingly unaware of the activity. “The medication makes her really sleepy, so don’t take it personally if she falls asleep while talking to you.”

  “She looks comfortable,” Bradshaw said, chuckling. “I’m surprised your brother doesn’t carry her upstairs so he can work in peace.”

  Finn shook his head. “That will not happen. My brother wants her with him. I wouldn’t suggest moving Mandy to another room if I were you.”

  “Why? Will he yell?” Bradshaw was understandably curious. “The day I met him he looked beat. That was at the hospital, though, so it wasn’t normal circumstances. I’m not sure what to expect.”

  “If he thinks you’re trying to separate him from Mandy, he’ll bite,” Finn warned. “He’s not ready to be away from her – even for a few minutes. He left her alone in bed last night to talk to everyone and when he got back to the bedroom he found her sleeping in the closet because she didn’t feel safe out in the open. He will not risk that a second time. Just … be forewarned.”

  “Well, as long as he doesn’t mind her sleeping while we’re talking, I can’t see how it will be a problem.”

  “Good.”

  JAMES rubbed the back of Mandy’s head, keeping half an ear on the spirited conversation between the sheriff, Jake, and Finn while focusing the bulk of his attention on his slumbering wife.

  She looked so much better. Her cheeks were pink. The dark shadows living under her eyes had almost been eradicated. She breathed easily and didn’t gulp down water when she thought no one was looking. She was the spitting image of the wife he loved more than anything, although James knew her heart still hurt. Heidi’s death would plague her for a long time to come.

  “Where is your other brother?” Bradshaw asked, glancing around. “I think his name is Grady. He’s the one with the long hair, right?”

  “Oh, don’t get me started on that hair,” Ally intoned, moving closer to Mandy and pressing a cold cloth to the back of her neck and earning an appreciative look from James. “I’m going to sneak into his house and cut off all of that hair the next time he irritates me.”

  Bradshaw smirked as he regarded the youngest Hardy child. He didn’t understand why she was part of the action – or her mother, for that matter – but he was mesmerized watching her dote on her sister-in-law. “Why did you do that?”

  “Do what?”

  “Put the washcloth on her neck,” Bradshaw replied. “Does she have a fever?”

  Ally shook her head. “She’s just a hot sleeper. It’s summer out and she’s absorbing all of my brother’s warmth. I don’t want her to be uncomfortable.”

  “Ally and Mandy have been best friends since they were kids,” Finn explained. “They know each other extremely well.”

  “Wow,” Bradshaw said, his eyebrows hopping. “It takes a brave man to date his sister’s best friend.”

  “Not really,” James said, keeping a steady rhythm on Mandy’s back as he kneaded his fingers into her soft skin. “Ally wants Mandy to be happy.”

  “And she’s happy?” Bradshaw asked. “I mean … now notwithstanding. Is she generally a happy person?”

  “She’s been ecstatic since she hooked up with my brother,” Ally said, shooting her friend a fond look. “Her dreams came true when she got him.”

  James made a face. “Oh, don’t be a suck-up,” he said. “I already told you I’m going to spring for the deluxe spa package as soon as the Clint situation is handled. There’s no need to pump up my ego.”

  “Believe it or not, I’m not pumping up your ego,” Ally said. “Although, it wouldn’t hurt to throw in a pair of new shoes on our spa day.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind,” James said, rolling his eyes. “If you’re not sucking up, why did you say that?”

  “Because it’s the truth,” Ally answered, not missing a beat. “Mandy is happy in your arms and heart. You’ve
turned into the best husband imaginable.”

  James found himself choked up by her words. “Thank you, Ally.”

  “You’re still a pain in the butt as a brother, though,” Ally said, straightening.

  James knew what she was doing, and he was happy with the way she lightened the moment. “Yes, well … I’ll rub your head in my armpit later just to make sure I live up to my reputation.”

  “I would expect nothing less.”

  “HE’S extremely tactile with her.”

  Bradshaw rubbed the back of his neck as he stood in the archway between the kitchen and living room, a soda in his hand as he watched James and Mandy on the couch.

  The blonde woke while the men talked strategy and compared notes about Clint’s possible locations. Bradshaw was worried at first, convinced James would kick everyone out to protect her delicate sensibilities from more trauma. Instead he involved her in the conversation right away, although he didn’t remove her from his chest, and kissed her incessantly – whether someone was in the middle of a sentence or not.

  “Who?” Jake asked, confused.

  “James,” Bradshaw replied. “He can’t stop touching her. The kidnapping must still be affecting him.”

  Jake wanted to play it straight, but he couldn’t. Instead he smiled as he glanced at his boss and the woman he loved. “They’re always like that,” he said after a beat. “The kidnapping didn’t cause that. He’s … addicted to her.”

  “But … that’s ridiculous,” Bradshaw said, shaking his head as James whispered something in Mandy’s ear and caused her to giggle. “How do you guys have family days when they’re all over each other like that?”

  “We’re used to it,” Jake replied. “Plus, we’re all attached to our significant others, too. Granted, Mandy and James take it to a level that often becomes uncomfortable, but it would be weirder for me if they didn’t do that now.”

  “I just … don’t get it,” Bradshaw said.

  “You will when you get married or fall in love,” Jake said. “I just talked to Grady, by the way. He’s only a few minutes out.”

  “I am married,” Bradshaw said, watching as Jake checked out his ring finger to confirm the statement. “I love my wife. I don’t feel the need to fawn over her in that manner, though.”