“Have you ever considered that Emma might benefit by talking to someone?” James asked.
“Like a psychiatrist?” Finn asked.
“Yes.”
“I have,” he said. “She doesn’t want to talk about it. I can’t blame her. How do I suggest that? She won’t even really talk about it with me. Until she’s ready, until she’s ready to really deal with it, I can’t force her.”
“Do you think her mother really knew?”
Finn shrugged. “That house was a ranch,” he said. “It was one story and a basement. How did she not hear what was going on?”
“Then that means she knew her children were being raped and ignored it,” James said.
“Exactly.”
“How can you even stand being in the room with that woman?” James asked, disgusted.
“What am I supposed to do?” Finn asked. “Emma has no family to lean on. That woman is still her mother. Deep down inside, every kid wants their mother to love them. Every kid wants to please their mother.
“The problem is, Emma’s mother seems to think Emma should be making a living off of her looks,” Finn continued. “She doesn’t think Emma has any skills other than her body. It’s … sickening.”
“Ban her from the apartment,” James suggested.
“First off, that’s not my apartment,” Finn said. “We don’t technically live together.”
“Maybe you should change that.”
“We spend every night together anyway,” Finn said. “It’s just a technicality.”
“That’s what I thought,” James said. “I thought Mandy and I were living together until she freaked out and ran away to her old apartment in the middle of a crisis. You have to spell it out for women. I can guarantee Emma doesn’t think you’re living together.”
Finn frowned.
“Why do you think Grady actually made a big deal about moving in together with Sophie?” James continued. “He learned from my mistake.”
“So, you think Emma would feel more stable if I asked her to move in together?” Finn asked.
“I don’t think it could hurt,” James said. “And here’s another suggestion … .”
Finn waited, interested despite himself.
“Pick another apartment to share,” James said. “Don’t just have her move into your apartment.”
“Why not?”
“Because I found out when we came back from our honeymoon that Mandy never felt that my apartment was her home,” James answered. “She said she was fine there, but she didn’t start actually feeling like we had a home together until we moved into the house we picked out together.
“Pick a place together,” James said. “Give Emma a spot that feels like home.”
Finn worried his bottom lip with his teeth. “Do you ever think that women are a lot of work?”
James snorted. “Every day.”
“You’re happy, though, right? Even with all the crazy stuff Mandy does?”
James stilled. “I’ve never been happier. Why? Aren’t you happy?”
“I’m happy,” Finn said. “I’d be a lot happier if I knew that Emma was happy. She just seems so … overwhelmed.”
James fought the urge to tell his brother the truth. “Talk to her, man.”
“What if she doesn’t answer? Or, worse, what if she answers and I hear something that crushes me?”
James sighed. “I honestly don’t think that’s going to happen,” he said. “You need to talk to her, though. That’s the only way you two are going to settle this.”
Finn rubbed the top of his head. “I know. I’m going to do it tonight.”
“Good,” James said, turning his attention back to his laptop. “I don’t like it when this family is all worked up.”
“This family is always worked up,” Finn said.
“Yes, but I like minor disturbances, not major ones.”
“Do you think Emma’s mother is a major disturbance?”
James met Finn’s gaze evenly. “Let’s just say I’m running a background check on her.”
“I was considering doing that,” Finn admitted.
“I know,” James said. “This way you’re in the clear, though. You honestly have nothing to do with the background check, and that’s not a lie if Emma asks. It also gives us some idea of what this woman has been doing – and why she suddenly showed back up here.”
“You don’t think it’s because she had a burning desire to put her family back together, do you?”
James arched an eyebrow. “She doesn’t sound like the type of woman who does anything out of the goodness of her heart.”
“I’m not sure she has a heart,” Finn grumbled.
“That’s why we need the check,” James said. “I’m not letting this woman blindside us.”
“Thank you,” Finn said, exhaling heavily.
“That’s what family is for,” James said. “I’m always here for you, Finn. No matter what.”
“I know.”
“Good,” James said. “Now, do some work. I’m not paying you to sit there and do nothing.”
Finn shot his brother a grateful look. “Yes, sir.”
Six
“How was your day, sweetie?” Finn asked, studying Emma closely.
Her eyes were puffy, indicating she’d been crying, and her face was drawn and ashen. If he didn’t know better, he would’ve guessed she was sick. Since she’d only had one small cold since they’d gotten together – the woman was a model and insisted on healthy living – he was surprised by what he saw in the shadows beneath her eyes.
“Long,” Emma admitted. “I had to look over a contract for the fall show at the mall, and then I had an audition this afternoon.”
Finn nodded. “Are you feeling okay? You look a little tired.”
Emma frowned. “I felt sick earlier,” she admitted. “I feel okay now.”
“Did you eat anything today?” Emma was a vegetarian, and Finn often worried her eating habits would wear her down. “I could make you something.”
Emma met Finn’s agitated gaze evenly. “What’s wrong with you?”
“What makes you think anything is wrong?”
“You’re kind of … hovering,” Emma said.
“I know,” Finn admitted. “I’m worried about you.”
“Why?”
“You’re tired, sweetie,” Finn said. “You don’t look like you feel well. Your mother showed up out of nowhere. I think you’re just … internalizing some stuff.”
“My mind is busy,” Emma admitted. “I can’t help it.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
Emma tilted her head, considering. “I don’t know what to say,” she said. “She’s my mom. I know she’s limited, but she’s still my mom.”
Finn furrowed his brow. He was willing to talk about Sheila, but he was more interested in whatever else was going on with Emma. “Is there anything else bothering you?”
“No,” Emma said, her answer coming a little too quickly for Finn’s comfort. “Should there be something wrong with me?”
“No,” Finn said, sighing. “Are you hungry?”
“I had lunch at that Thai place downtown with Mandy, Sophie, and Ally today. My stomach is a little iffy. You should get whatever you want. Do you want me to make you something?”
Finn shook his head, opting to settle on the couch next to Emma instead of scrounging through the kitchen for something to eat. “I’m okay,” he said, slinging his arm over her shoulders. He was testing her, and his heart eased a bit when Emma leaned into him. He kissed her forehead. “I missed you today.”
“I thought you missed me every day,” Emma teased, picking his hand up from his lap and tracing her fingertips across his knuckles.
“I do,” Finn said. “I just especially missed you today.”
“I think that’s because you’re worried about my mom.”
“Emma, I don’t care about your mom,” Finn said. “I care about you. I don’t like how
upset you’ve been since she appeared at your door.”
“I don’t like it either,” Emma replied. “I’m just not sure how to deal with it.”
“You could cut her out of your life,” Finn suggested. “She didn’t have a problem cutting you out of her life.”
“No,” Emma agreed. “It’s just … I know you don’t like her.”
“It doesn’t matter if I like her or not,” Finn said. “It only matters if you like her.”
“She’s my mother.”
“You’re better than her, sweetheart,” Finn said. “You’re a better person than she is.”
“I hope so,” Emma said, snuggling in closer so she could absorb some of Finn’s warmth.
“I know so,” Finn said.
“HOW was your day?” Mandy asked, popping into James’ office with a mischievous smile on her face.
“Shitty,” James said. “How was yours?”
Mandy faltered. “What’s wrong?”
James scowled, looking up as he shut his laptop. “What do you think is wrong?”
“I think you’re mad at me.”
“I am,” James said, narrowing his eyes. “Why are you in such a good mood?”
Mandy pursed her lips. “I was going to suggest some quality time in the hot tub. I’m guessing you’re not interested in that.”
James leaned back in his chair. He didn’t spend a lot of time in his home office. When he was done with his work day, he liked to give Mandy his full attention. He’d been hiding in here because he didn’t want to get into a big fight. Now he wasn’t so sure that was avoidable.
“Not really,” James said. “Why don’t you go out to your studio or something?”
A quick flash of hurt flitted across Mandy’s face. “Okay.” She turned to leave.
As angry as he was, James hated upsetting her. “I’m mad about having to lie to my brother.”
“I know,” Mandy said, not turning back to face him. “I’m sorry. Emma is going to tell him.”
“When?”
“I don’t know,” she said. “We all had lunch together today. Her mother showing up again has just made things so much harder for her.”
“Her mother is evil,” James said. “It shouldn’t be hard to deal with evil. You cut it out of your life.”
Mandy shifted, her blue eyes thoughtful. “She’s still her mother,” she said. “It’s hard for Emma. She’s facing being a mother, and the one who raised her was a terrible example. She’s just … terrified.”
“Finn will step up and take responsibility,” James said.
“That’s what she’s afraid of.”
James waited.
“She doesn’t want him to be fine with it,” Mandy said. “She wants him to love her and the baby. She doesn’t want him to stay because he has to.”
“Is that … Finn will have a different reaction than I did,” James said. “And I happen to already love you. I was just … shocked when I thought it was you.”
“I know.”
“Nothing would ever make me stop loving you,” James said. “Nothing.”
“I know that in my head,” Mandy said. “When your heart gets involved, things become irrational sometimes.”
James sighed, running his hand through his hair. “Come here.”
“I don’t want to fight,” Mandy said, her eyes wary.
“We’re not going to fight,” James said, patting his lap. “Come here, please.”
Mandy shuffled across the floor, stopping in front of her husband. James pulled her down on his lap, wrapping his arms around her waist and pressing a quick kiss to her cheek. “I can’t keep lying to Finn,” he said.
“You can’t tell him,” Mandy protested. “That’s Emma’s secret.”
“Finn thinks Emma is going to break up with him,” James said. “He’s a nervous wreck. He needs reassurance.”
Mandy sighed, nodding. “I’ll talk to Emma.”
“Do you promise?”
“I’ll call her right now,” Mandy said. “I’ll give her until tomorrow night. That way, she can plan a nice dinner and kind of ease him into it.”
James buried his face in Mandy’s hair. “Thank you.”
Mandy brushed her lips against his strong jaw. “I’m sorry I put you in this position. He’s your brother. I understand how loyal you are to him.”
“You’re my wife,” James said. “I’m loyal to you, too. I promise you that Finn will be okay with this. He’s just going to need a little time to adjust. This is a big deal.”
“I know,” Mandy said. She rested against James for a second and then pushed herself up to a standing position. “I guess I’ll go and spend some time in my studio.”
James grabbed her hand, stilling her before she could move away from him. “I thought we were going to spend some quality time in the hot tub?”
“I thought you were mad at me?”
“I’m not happy with you,” James clarified. “That doesn’t mean I want to be away from you.”
Mandy ran her fingers through his hair. “I have a quick phone call to make. I’ll meet you down there.”
“Do you want to wait and call her later?”
Mandy shook her head. “No. I want to be able to enjoy the hot tub without this hanging over me.”
James tugged her down and gave her a quick kiss. “I’ll get a bottle of wine.”
Mandy straightened, pulling her phone from her pocket. James read the resignation and worry on her face, but he held strong. Finn had to know how his life was about to change.
“I love you, Mandy,” James said. “There is no happiness in my life without you, and the same is true for Finn and Emma. It’s going to be okay.”
“I hope so,” Mandy said. “I’m not sure if Emma can take another blow right now.”
“UGH, who’s calling?” Emma muttered, reaching over Finn’s lap so she could dig through her purse and find her cellphone.
“Ignore it,” Finn said.
“It might be the mall,” Emma said. “They said they might be able to offer me a full week for the fall showcase. That’s ten thousand bucks. I can’t turn that down.”
Finn knew how important it was for Emma to feel financially secure, so he kept his tongue in check. He was more than willing to support her while she finished school, but Emma wouldn’t even consider the offer. She had to do it on her own, and Finn admired her for it.
He kissed her forehead. “I’m going to cook something to eat,” he said. “And you’re going to eat something. Then, how about we take a bath and get some rest? I’m tired, and you look like you’re dead on your feet.”
Emma smiled. “That sounds good.”
“Don’t be too long.”
“WHAT did she say?” James asked, fighting to keep his eyes from traveling down his naked wife’s body as she climbed into the hot tub with him. He didn’t want to get distracted before they had one more chat.
“She’s upset,” Mandy admitted, accepting the glass of wine James passed her way.
“Is she going to tell him?”
“She made a counter-proposal.”
“And what would that be?”
“She needs to have it confirmed by an actual doctor before she tells him,” Mandy replied. “I think she’s still hoping it’s a false positive.”
“That’s possible, right?”
“She’s already got morning sickness,” Mandy said. “She’s pregnant. Those home tests are pretty darn reliable.”
James narrowed his eyes. “Have you ever taken one?”
Mandy shook her head. “One of my college roommates was quite promiscuous,” she said. “She took a handful of them. The doctor told her they’re only wrong if they’re taken too soon. Then you might get a false negative. It’s pretty rare to get a false positive.”
“Is that the same roommate who sold us this house?”
Mandy nodded. “How did you know that?”
James ignored the question. “So, I’m going to be an uncle,�
� he mused.
“She’s asked me to go with her,” Mandy said.
“Are you going to?”
“Yes.”
“You don’t have to,” James said.
“She’s got an appointment at three tomorrow,” Mandy said. “I’m going to see if I can get off early. She’s too scared to go alone.”
“Isn’t that Finn’s job?” James pressed.
“It will be tomorrow night,” Mandy said. “She’ll have more information then, including a due date.”
“Well, that’s kind of exciting,” James said.
Mandy arched an eyebrow, dubious.
“Hey, as long as I’m just an uncle, I find the whole thing rather entertaining.”
Mandy snorted. “It’s much easier being us.”
“Tell me what’s wrong, baby,” James prodded.
“I think … I think Emma is worried that she’s going to be a bad mother.”
“Why?”
“Because she had two horrible parents.”
“Emma is warm and loving,” James said. “She doesn’t have it in her to do what those people did.”
“I know,” Mandy said. “Terror is a funny thing, though. It freezes people.”
“And that’s what you think is going on with Emma? She’s frozen?”
Mandy nodded.
James wrapped his arms around Mandy’s waist and pulled her over to his lap, resting her naked rear against his pelvis. “Then we’ve got to unfreeze her.”
“Do you have any suggestions?”
“Love and warmth, baby,” James said. “We have a lot of that, and we can share it.”
Mandy exhaled heavily. “We do have a lot of that to share.”
“Now, speaking of sharing.” James tickled her ribs. “You’ve got something I desperately want to partake in.”
Mandy smirked. “What about my wine?”
“Drink it fast, baby,” James said. “I need to share in your love.”
Mandy slammed her wine and set her empty glass on the concrete surrounding the hot tub. “Come and get it.”
James grinned and then finished off his own glass. “Finally, something I want to do.”
Seven
Deadly Addition (Hardy Brothers Security Book 9) Page 5