“He’s cute when he’s possessive,” Ally said, gripping his chin and giving him a kiss.
“Stop doing that or I’m going to throw up,” James warned. “We’re using the ‘being sick’ ruse to get out of here early.”
“I don’t blame you there,” Ally said.
“You can’t leave early. How are we going to catch up if you leave early?”
Mandy shifted her attention to the woman standing next to the table, frowning when she saw the long legs, beautiful dark waves, and skintight dress. The new addition looked like a model. James tightened his grip on Mandy’s shoulder as he took in the interloper, forcing a tight smile – although Mandy couldn’t tell if it was for the woman’s benefit or her own.
“Madeline,” James said, licking his lips. “I didn’t know you would be here.”
“Is that any way to greet an old friend?” Madeline crossed her arms over her chest, inflating her own impressive cleavage as she looked James up and down. “You look really … good.”
Mandy’s shoulders stiffened. She was used to women checking out James. The one in question this time, though, looked like a predator.
“Thank you,” James said. “I feel good.”
“Don’t you want to introduce me to your friends?” Madeline asked, arching a challenging eyebrow.
“We’ve already met,” Ally shot back, her tone chilly.
Madeline was dubious. “Really? I think I would remember you.”
“That’s Ally,” James said. “I’m sure you remember her.”
“Ally Hardy? Wow,” Madeline said, her expression softening. It was almost as if she thought Ally was competition for James’ affections before recognizing her, Mandy realized. The epiphany made Mandy unbelievably uncomfortable, and she couldn’t pinpoint why. “You grew up to be a beautiful woman.”
“I know,” Ally said dryly, resting her hands on top of the table.
“What about your blond friend?” Madeline asked, her eyes darting over Mandy before discarding her. “Is she your date for the night?”
Mandy shifted uncomfortably. “I’m his wife.”
Madeline stilled, surprised. “I’m sorry. You’re his what?”
Ally’s smile was victorious – and mean – when it landed on Madeline. “Oh, you didn’t hear? James is married.”
“I see,” Madeline said, locking eyes with James. “I didn’t think you were the marrying type.”
“I didn’t think so either,” James replied, keeping his arm around Mandy’s shoulders even as she tried to shrug it off. This was the worst possible time for his past to show up and put a kink in his present. “It seems I was wrong, though. Once I saw Mandy I was a goner. It turns out, when you’re with the right woman, anyone is the marrying type.”
Mandy marginally relaxed at James’ words, although she was still uncomfortable with Madeline’s proprietary nature and James’ uncomfortable demeanor. She had no idea what was going on, but she was convinced she wouldn’t like it when she got an explanation.
“Is she pregnant?” Madeline asked, causing Ally to make a disgusted sound in the back of her throat as Mandy successfully dislodged James’ arm.
“I am not pregnant,” Mandy replied, standing. “I’m going to let you catch up with your friend while I talk to Judge MacIntosh. This is an important night for him.”
Mandy didn’t want to make a scene at her boss’s big event. She was secure in her marriage and refused to let some fling from James’ past derail it. She also wasn’t deluded enough to believe she could put up with Madeline’s aggressive nature without starting a fight. Distancing herself from Madeline was the only thing she could do to save face.
“I’ll come with you,” James offered, moving to follow his blonde. “I want to talk to him, too.”
“You should stay here,” Mandy replied, her tone firm. “I’ll be fine.”
“I’ll go with you,” Ally said, shooting Madeline a dirty look. “Hopefully our table will be a lot less toxic when we get back.”
“I’m coming, too,” Jake said, his eyes briefly connecting with James’ unreadable orbs. “Someone needs to watch you in that dress, Ally.”
ONCE it was just the two of them, James embraced his irritation with Madeline’s arrival. He pursed his lips as he watched Ally stalk off in Mandy’s direction, Jake close on her heels, and then turned his full attention to Madeline.
“It seems you’ve chased off my entire family,” James said. “I’m sure that was your intention, though.”
Madeline didn’t seem bothered by James’ sarcastic remark as she sat next to him. “Your family? Other than Ally, who here is a member of your family?”
James scowled. “My wife, for one. Jake is my family even though he’s not officially part of it yet. Grady is running around with his girlfriend, too.”
“Oh, well, I’m excited to see Grady,” Madeline said, brightening. “As for this wife business … .”
“Don’t even think of saying anything bad about Mandy,” James warned, leaning forward and extending a finger. “You don’t know her. You don’t know anything about our relationship. I wouldn’t push this situation if I were you.”
“You’re awfully crabby for a guy who is supposedly living his dream,” Madeline replied, unruffled. “Let me guess: She pretended to be pregnant to rope you in and then suffered a tragic miscarriage. I can’t believe you fell for that.”
“You’re unbelievable,” James said, rolling his neck until it cracked. He watched Mandy approach Judge MacIntosh at the front of the room, exchanging a warm hug with him as Ally said something funny enough to make the entire group break out in enthusiastic guffaws. Anyone who didn’t know his wife as well as he did would think Mandy was happy. She was far from it, which annoyed James to no end. “I married Mandy because I love her. If you don’t like that, well, I don’t really care.”
“There’s no need to be petulant, baby,” Madeline said, knitting her eyebrows together. “I was just making conversation.”
“Don’t call me that,” James snapped.
“You’re in a mood,” Madeline said. “I would think you’d be happy to see me after three years apart. We used to have a pretty good time when we were together. You don’t look like you’ve seen a good time since then, quite frankly.”
“Madeline, you don’t know anything about me,” James said. “You never did. I’m not going to sit back and watch you upset my wife. This is a charity event, for crying out loud. You’re supposed to be here donating money for a good cause, not trying to bolster yourself.”
“I’m here to catch up with an old friend,” Madeline said, putting her best “I’m innocent” face on display. “I don’t know how you can’t see that.”
“Because I know you,” James said. “I don’t know if you just happened to show up at the same party – or if you somehow planned it – but I’m not in the mood for games.”
“Who says I’m playing a game?”
“You’re always playing a game,” James said, grabbing his beer and draining it as he locked eyes with Mandy across the room. “I need a refill … and to collect my wife. Don’t be here when I get back.”
“Wait,” Madeline protested, reaching for James’ hand. He yanked it back before she could touch him. “I wasn’t lying about wanting to catch up with you. I’m sorry your wife is insecure, but that’s not my fault.”
“My wife is not insecure,” James countered. “My wife is the best person I know. Don’t play any of your tricks tonight. We’ve been through enough over the past couple of weeks to last a lifetime. I’m not in the mood to deal with you, too.”
“What does that mean?” Madeline was intrigued. “Is your marriage on the rocks? It doesn’t surprise me. You told me you were never going to settle down when we were together. That’s why I left.
“Now I see you three years later and find out you’re married to some … blonde,” she continued. “How does that even work?”
“I fell in love,” James replied, not m
issing a beat. “I meant what I said to you when we were dating. I had no intention of getting married or settling down. That wasn’t a lie. My opinion and plans changed when I met Mandy.”
“Why?” Madeline turned her attention to the woman in question as she whispered something to Ally. Whatever the two women were talking about had them both laughing. “Is it because she gets along with your sister? If that’s the case, I’m sure Ally and I can find common ground.”
James rolled his eyes, frustrated. “Mandy is my heart, Madeline,” he said. “I don’t just love her. She’s everything to me. Her friendship with Ally is something else. I’ve never cared if Ally approved of my dates.”
“So why are you settling for that woman instead of making it work with me?” Madeline seemed legitimately confused. “What does she have that I don’t?”
“My heart,” James answered, pushing himself to his feet. “Stay away from my wife, Madeline. I’m not joking. You can’t get between us – and yes, I know how your mind works and that’s exactly what you’re trying to figure out if you can do. No one can get between us.”
“Are you sure?” Madeline asked, her expression smug. “She doesn’t look too happy with you now.”
James didn’t miss the dark look Mandy shot in his direction before turning her eyes to an approaching Sophie.
“I’m sure that Mandy is my forever,” James replied. “I’ll never love anyone but her. If you’re thinking that you can somehow change that, don’t bother. I didn’t love you when we were together. I most certainly couldn’t love you now that I know what real love is.”
Madeline didn’t bother hiding her anger. “You didn’t love me?”
“Did I ever say that I loved you?”
“No, but … I always thought that was because you were a tough guy,” Madeline said, her voice cracking. James realized she was hurt by his words and icy reaction, but he didn’t care. “I always knew deep down that you loved me.”
“You were lying to yourself if you believed that,” James said. “I don’t want to hurt you, but I’m not messing around here. I love my wife. I tell her I love her every chance I get. I’m going to tell her I love her now, in fact.
“The thing you need to remember is that I will die to protect the people I love,” he continued. “I would die a thousand times over to protect my wife because she’s the one thing in this world I love more than anything else.”
“Well … how great for you,” Madeline said, narrowing her eyes as she glanced at Mandy. “How did she get so lucky?”
“She was born and grew into the best woman I know,” James replied, not missing a beat. “She doesn’t have to do anything to earn my love. I give it because I can’t live without her. She’s my everything, Madeline. Don’t ever forget it.”
3
Three
James pocketed his keys as he watched Mandy scurry toward the house two hours later. She’d put on a happy face for the benefit, enjoying dinner as she chatted with Sophie and Ally. She’d neither asked for an explanation about Madeline’s appearance nor given James a chance to explain. He had a feeling that was because she didn’t trust her emotions in public. Now that they were home, though, he was worried.
James followed Mandy into the house, engaging the security system before climbing the stairs that led to their bedroom. She was already out of her dress and shoes by the time he caught up with her, and the sight of her black garter belts gave him a little thrill. Of course, they always did.
“We need to talk,” James said, tossing his keys on the nightstand. “I know you’re upset, so … let me have it.”
“I’m not upset,” Mandy said, lifting her face and fixing him with a blank look. “Why would I possibly be upset?”
James was in no mood for games – at least this kind – and he wasn’t going to let a fight fester. “Madeline.”
“Oh, your ex-girlfriend who thought you married me because I was pregnant,” Mandy said. “I guess that means I need to go on a diet.”
James frowned. Mandy was never heavy. She was toned and sculpted from hours in the gym – and pool when it was warm enough – so he didn’t like it when she insinuated she needed to lose weight. Her appetite had been down since Pritchard’s death. James was convinced she only ate sometimes because he watched her like a hawk. If he had his druthers she would put on five pounds instead of talking about dieting.
“I can only take so much, Mandy,” James said. “Do you want to fight about the dieting or Madeline first?”
Mandy stilled, surprised. “I … what do you mean?”
“You’re not eating enough,” James replied, not missing a beat. If they were going to fight he was going to sneak in several topics he’d been sitting on out of fear of upsetting her. “You push food around your plate to make me think you’re eating, but you’re not eating enough and you need to start eating more.”
“I … I have been eating.” Mandy was flustered, James conversational shift catching her off guard.
“No, you haven’t,” James said. “Tonight, for example, you had half your prime rib and none of your potatoes. You shoved the prime rib on my plate and acted like you were doing me a favor, but in truth you weren’t hungry and you used my love of beef – don’t comment on that – to distract me.”
“Did you ever consider I lost my appetite when your girlfriend showed up?” Mandy asked.
James wasn’t going to stand for a diversion either. “I don’t doubt you’re upset and curious about Madeline,” he said. “That’s not why you didn’t eat, though. Those are two separate issues.”
“Fine. I’ll eat two McDonald’s breakfast sandwiches tomorrow. Are you happy?” Mandy was combative, and James relished her fiery nature because it had been in short supply over the past month.
“Tomorrow is naked Sunday,” James replied, not missing a beat. “We’re not getting dressed so you’re going to have to cook omelets in the morning. You can have two McDonald’s breakfast sandwiches before work on Monday, though. That will make me happy.”
Mandy scowled. “Are you sure you want to have naked Sunday with me? I’m sure Madeline is free.”
“And there it is,” James said, extending a finger and narrowing his eyes. “Now we’re going to talk about Madeline.”
“Why? I’m pretty sure I already know the story,” Mandy challenged. “You dated her. You broke her heart. She thinks I’m beneath you and you married me because I trapped you with a fake pregnancy. Did I miss anything?”
James ran his tongue over his teeth as he decided how to respond. “You know I love you, right?”
“I know you love me, James,” Mandy answered, her irritation apparent. “I’m not going to turn into some insecure puddle because you had sex with someone else before we got together. I know you left a trail of devastated women in your wake before me. I’m not an idiot.”
“You’re the only woman I’ve ever loved,” James said. “Technically Madeline was slightly more than a random hookup, though.”
James cringed when he saw Mandy’s shoulders stiffen.
“Oh,” Mandy said, her voice low. “I guess I should’ve realized that.”
“Baby, you’re my whole heart,” James said. “I dated before you, though. I can’t take it back … and trust me, I would love to take my relationship with Madeline back. I didn’t realize how toxic it was until we were already together for a year.”
Mandy’s mouth dropped open as dumbfounded realization washed over her. “A year?”
James faltered. “I … yes. We dated for a year. We actually … um … lived together for three months.”
Mandy felt sick to her stomach as she turned toward the bathroom. “Oh.”
“Baby, what are you doing?” James asked, following Mandy into the bathroom and watching as she splashed cold water on her face. Her cheeks were flushed, and he couldn’t decide if it was because she was angry or hurt. He was hoping for anger, because it killed him to hurt her.
“I’m fine,” Mandy sai
d, pressing a towel to her face. “I have no right to comment on your life before me.”
“You can comment on whatever you want,” James said.
“Oh, well, in that case … I think it’s rich that I can’t even mention a guy I dated in college because you pitch an absolute fit,” Mandy said. “In your world I have to pretend I’ve never had sex with anyone but you.
“You, on the other hand, lived with a woman and spent a year with her and didn’t think that was important to tell me,” she continued. “You acted as if you never cared about anyone but me. I feel like such an idiot.”
Mandy brushed past James and stormed into the bedroom, heading for her closet. James narrowed his eyes as he watched her grab a pair of sleep shorts and a sweatshirt.
“Where do you think you’re going?” James asked, already reading her mind.
“I’m sleeping in the guesthouse,” Mandy replied. “I can’t deal with you right now. I’ll leave you alone with nothing but your memories of Madeline to keep you warm.”
If he honestly thought she was going to walk into the guesthouse James would gladly let her storm out. He’d follow her, of course, but he knew she wouldn’t go inside. The memory of killing Lance Pritchard haunted her, and she wasn’t ready to let it go – even though he had a surprise waiting for her should she get the courage to walk through the door and face her fears.
“Go ahead,” James said, crossing his arms over his chest.
Mandy stilled, surprised. “What?”
“You said I don’t respect your space when we fight,” he reminded her. “I cede the guesthouse to you tonight. Go and pout over there. If you stay here, you have to listen to me tell you the entire Madeline story.”
“I … .” Mandy bit her lip. She obviously didn’t expect him to call her bluff.
“That’s what I thought,” James said, pointing toward the bed. “Sit down.”
“Don’t tell me what to do!”
“Sit down!” James took them both by surprise with his vehemence.
Deadly Rivalry (Hardy Brothers Security Book 17) Page 2