Deadly Honeymoon (Hardy Brothers Security Book 7)

by Hart, Lily Harper

  “I’m sitting right here,” Grady said, leaning back in his lawn chair and stretching his legs out in front of him lazily.

  “Well, you’re certainly not helping with the food preparation,” James said. “Finn and Emma are picking up condiments, buns, and some chips. They should be here in a few minutes.”

  “I invited everyone so you and your sticky wife could take a shower,” Grady countered.

  “Why were you sticky?” Ally asked.

  Mandy averted her gaze. “Oh … um … .”

  “Because they were up all night having sweaty sex,” Grady said. “I found their clothes in one room and them in another.”

  “See, you are the gossip,” Ally teased.

  “Shut up, Ally,” Grady growled.

  “Where is Sophie?” Mandy asked, changing the subject.

  “She got called into work,” Grady replied, his mouth tipping down at the corners. “Some drug deal went wrong in Mount Clemens and there was a big shootout. Quite a few people got shot.”

  “Wow? Did anyone die?”

  Grady shrugged. “I haven’t heard from her. That’s how I know it’s a big story. If it was nothing, she would’ve texted me. At this rate, I’ll be lucky to see her in the next twenty-four hours.”

  “Is that why you’re so fixated on James and Mandy’s sex life?” Ally asked. “Because you don’t have one of your own?”

  “Shut up, Ally,” Grady said, leaning forward and flicking his sister in the middle of her forehead.

  “Hey!”

  “Why is it that the baby in every family is the problem child?”

  “I am not the problem child,” Ally countered.

  “You’re right,” Grady said. “You and James together are the problem children. The oldest child is the bossiest, and the youngest child has a problem with authority. That’s you two in a nutshell.”

  Mandy giggled.

  “What are you laughing at, kid?” Grady asked. “You’re an only child. You have your own set of problems.”

  “I do not,” Mandy protested.

  “Yes, you do,” Grady said. “You’re spoiled rotten, and you’re used to getting what you want. When you don’t, you have a complete and total meltdown.”

  Mandy’s mouth dropped open. “I don’t have complete and total meltdowns.”

  “Isn’t that what happened last night?”

  “Last night I … .” Mandy furrowed her brow.

  “She’s not spoiled,” James said. “She likes things how she likes them.”

  “Which you do, too, because you’re so bossy,” Grady said.

  “You’re starting to bug me,” James said.

  “Join the club,” Ally complained.

  “So, what is everyone fighting about?” Sophie asked, sliding the glass door between the kitchen and the patio open and stepping out.

  “Hey, sugar,” Grady said, getting to his feet and giving his girlfriend a quick kiss. “What are you doing here?”

  “You texted me to come for dinner if I could,” Sophie replied.

  “Yeah, but I didn’t think you actually would,” Grady said. “I figured you’d be on your story all day.”

  Sophie sank down in an open chair. “It’s a big story, but it’s not like it’s hard to get the information. The cops wanted to give it to us. It makes them look good.”

  “What was it?” Mandy asked, offering a beer to Sophie.

  “A hundred times no,” Sophie said, waving her hand to ward off the bottle. “I’m never touching alcohol again.”

  Mandy and Sophie shot twin looks of disgust in Ally’s direction.

  “It’s not my fault you can’t hold your liquor,” Ally said, pouting.

  Mandy shook her head, returning her attention to Sophie. “So, what happened?”

  “There was some drug house off of Joy in Mount Clemens,” Sophie said. “It’s a rough area, but I hadn’t heard of any drug trade being run through there, so I was kind of surprised. Anyway, a bunch of guys attacked the house in the middle of the night.

  “There was a big gun battle,” Sophie continued. “A bunch of them were shot. At least three of them have died, and another two probably won’t make it through the night. The cops found eighty pounds of heroin in the house, and two dealer packs in the vehicle outside.”

  “So, it was a drug deal gone wrong?” James asked.

  Sophie shrugged. “That’s what it looks like.”

  “You don’t look convinced,” Grady prodded.

  “I got a call from Peter earlier,” Sophie said. “I couldn’t talk long, and I’m sorry James and Mandy had a big fight, but I’m glad you had such robust makeup sex … .” Sophie broke off, her eyes twinkling.

  “I think Peter is the gossip,” Ally said.

  “Anyway, he says that a lot of new players have suddenly arrived in the area and he wants everyone to be careful,” Sophie said.

  “Wait, he doesn’t think the drug deal has anything to do with the flash drive, does he?” James asked.

  Sophie’s face was grim. “He says the guys who attacked the house weren’t local. I know the two guys who were taken into custody by the cops aren’t talking, and they’re not releasing any information on their identities yet.

  “That might be because they don’t know who they are,” Sophie continued. “Peter is trying to find out some information, but he seems … worried.”

  “Something tells me he’s not the type to overreact,” James said.

  “No.”

  James shifted his gaze to Mandy. “Well, at least I know we’re doing everything we can to keep ourselves safe.”

  “You mean keep me safe,” Mandy countered.

  “I mean … let’s eat,” James said, refusing to allow the conversation to get away from him. “We have tons of food.”

  Mandy looked like she was going to argue for a moment, but the second her shoulders slumped, James knew she’d decided against it. “I made potato salad from scratch. I’ll get it,” she said, getting to her feet.

  Ally patted her back. “Good girl.” She turned to Grady and stuck her tongue out. “See, she’s not spoiled and she didn’t have a meltdown.”

  “I stand corrected,” Grady said.

  “And you’re still a gossip,” Ally teased.

  “Shut up, Ally.”

  Nineteen

  Sophie’s face as she glanced down at her phone was hard for Grady to read, but he knew that his girlfriend was conflicted.

  “What’s up, sugar?”

  They were standing at the back of the house watching the rest of their family eat and cavort. When Sophie’s phone had dinged with an incoming message, she’d read it and then started pacing at the back edge of the patio. Grady had watched her for a few minutes, conflicted, and then he’d joined her. Whatever was bothering her, he wanted to help.

  “Who texted?” Grady asked.

  “Peter.”

  “What did he say?”

  “He said he has some information, but he wants to give it to us in person,” Sophie said. “He offered … he offered to come here.”

  Grady nodded, understanding dawning. “And you don’t know how to broach the subject with James.”

  “I don’t know what to do,” Sophie admitted. “I doubt that he wants to go back to Peter’s. I know he doesn’t want to leave Mandy right now.”

  “But you don’t think he wants Peter in his house,” Grady supplied.

  “No.”

  Grady pursed his lips, running his hands over Sophie’s shoulders. He met James’ eyes across the patio and jerked his head, encouraging his brother to join them. James made his way over, his face drawn as he took in their grim faces.

  “What’s wrong?” James asked.

  “Peter has information, but he wants to give it to us in person,” Grady said. “He’s willing to come here, but Sophie is scared to tell you.”

  James frowned. “Sophie, I don’t want you to ever be scared to talk to me,” he said. “I might not like what you have to
say, but I would never take it out on you.”

  “Peter said there was a lot of yelling here last night,” Sophie said.

  “Mandy and I had a screamer,” James agreed. “It had been building for a week. Do you think I hurt her?”

  “Of course not,” Sophie protested. “You’d never lay a hand on her.”

  “Oh, he put his hands on her,” Grady said, trying to lighten the mood. “And a few other things, if I’m not mistaken.”

  James shot him a look. “Will you let that go? We’re married. We have sex. Get over it.” He softened his gaze when he focused on Sophie. “I’m sorry you’re scared of me. That’s … my fault.”

  “I’m not scared of you,” Sophie replied. “You yell. A lot. I’ve come to understand that you can’t help yourself. I just didn’t … I didn’t want you to have a problem with Peter in your home. And I know why you do, and I understand it, but it still hurts me because he’s my family.”

  “That means he’s our family,” James said. “He can come here. Mandy happens to love him. Call him. Get him here.”

  Sophie’s eyes filled with hope. “Really?”

  “Really,” James said. “I am sorry that you were too scared to just tell me yourself. That’s on me. I’ll try not to yell so much.”

  “Oh, that’s so sweet,” Grady said, pressing his hand to the spot over his heart.

  James cuffed him on the back of the head. “I’m still yelling at you whenever I feel like it.”

  “And the boss is back,” Grady teased.

  “Call him,” James said. “I’ll prepare everyone for the news. Something tells me Ally is going to be a handful for this.”

  “She’s a handful for everything,” Grady said.

  “Yes, but she’s been dying to meet Peter for months,” James said. “She was mad when Sophie took Mandy and not her. She’s going to be all over him.”

  “Have you ever considered that Ally might be mentally defective?” Grady asked.

  “Just every day since she was born,” James said, rubbing the back of his neck. “Call him, Sophie. Let’s get this over with.”

  “WELL, I have to say, your home is delightful,” Peter said, situating himself in one of the patio chairs and fixing James with a pleasant look. “I’m sure you’ll have many happy years here.”

  “We certainly hope so,” James said.

  “You need more furniture,” Peter said.

  James scowled. “It’s on the way.”

  “Well, the first round,” Mandy said, moving past James and handing Peter a martini. “I hope that’s how you like it.”

  “I’m sure it will be fine,” Peter said.

  James snagged Mandy around the waist and pulled her to his lap, settling her there. “Sophie said you had some information.”

  “I do.”

  “Wait a second,” James said, holding his hand up to still Peter for a moment and focusing on Mandy. “What do you mean it’s just the first round? How much more furniture are you planning on buying?”

  Mandy shrugged. “I don’t know.”

  “When will you know?”

  “When I’m done.”

  James rolled his eyes and then turned his attention back to Peter. “I’m sorry. It’s just that every time I think I’m done shopping for furniture I find out I’m not.”

  “Women do love to shop. Of course, I love to shop, too,” Peter said.

  “Oh, good, you can go with her next time,” James said. “You can look at two color swatches – which are clearly the same color – and come up with a reason why you like one more than the other.”

  Peter chuckled. “Young love is such a roller-coaster.”

  “That’s a nice way of putting it,” James said.

  “Oh, come on,” Peter said. “Are you saying you don’t love the lows of the fights because they lead to the highs of love that follows?”

  “I’m sorry your men heard us battling it out last night,” James said. “It was … it was just something we had to hash out.”

  “And yet look at you now,” Peter said. “You can’t keep your hands off each other. You’re in sync, and in love, and even though you’re in danger, there’s happiness in this home. How can you not love the roller-coaster?”

  James rubbed Mandy’s back thoughtfully. “I guess I never thought about it that way.”

  “Love is a gift, Mr. Hardy,” Peter said. “It comes in many forms, and it goes through many stages. Sometimes, though, people are lucky enough to find the kind of love that transcends time. You have that.”

  “I do,” James agreed.

  “Which brings me to the reason I’m here,” Peter said. “The police aren’t releasing it yet, but I have heard through a reliable source that two of the men taken into custody last night have not been able to be identified.

  “Their fingerprints aren’t on record, and they’re refusing to talk,” Peter continued. “They haven’t even asked for a lawyer.”

  “How did you find that out?” Finn asked.

  “I have many sources of information,” Peter said. “I also know that investigators found travel documents inside the car. Those documents were from Bermuda.”

  James swore, leaning forward as he tightened his arms around Mandy’s waist. “If they came here for the flash drive, why would they risk letting a business deal go south in a foreign country?”

  “That is a very good question,” Peter said. “I told you before, the way these individuals appear to be doing business doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. Maps to dealer packs? Stupid. This is a business, not a treasure hunt.”

  “What about the heroin?” Sophie asked.

  “What about it?”

  “There has to be a reason they were picking up heroin from here,” she pressed. “I mean, I read a story a few weeks ago that says the heroin here is actually weaker than the heroin from other countries because our dealers cut it so much that they dilute the grade.”

  Peter smiled. “Your mind is a constant marvel, my dear,” he said. “The things you know just … a true marvel.”

  Sophie’s face flushed with pleasure. “It was just a story I read.”

  “You’re far too modest,” Peter said.

  “I agree,” James said. “We’re going to need that marvelous brain of yours to figure a way out of this.”

  Grady grinned at Sophie’s uncomfortable features. “She doesn’t like being praised.” He kissed her cheek. “It embarrasses her.”

  “I’m not embarrassed,” Sophie shot back.

  “You’re so embarrassed,” Ally teased. “Look at your cheeks. They’re all red.”

  “Shut up, Ally,” Sophie said. “I’m still mad at you because of the blueberry margaritas.”

  “What happened with the blueberry margaritas?” Peter asked, entranced by the family setting and emotional comfort that surrounded his foster daughter.

  “Ally poisoned us with toxic blueberry margaritas last week, and I lost an entire day in bed with a hangover,” Sophie said.

  “You just can’t hold your liquor,” Ally said.

  “Um, angel, you were in bed the whole next day, too,” Jake pointed out.

  “You know, you pick the oddest times to talk,” Ally said. “You’re quiet twenty hours out of every day, and you pick now to open your mouth? And you’re not even taking my side?”

  Jake kissed her neck. “You’ll live.”

  “I see all the women in this family are both beautiful and interesting,” Peter said, smiling. “I knew Mandy was a delight, but I see that both Emma and Ally broke their respective molds when they came out as well.”

  “Ally broke something when she came out,” Grady said. “Although, I think it was just my parents’ will to procreate. You’ll notice she was the last one.”

  Ally stuck her tongue out at her brother, while Jake’s shoulders shook with silent laughter as he buried his face in the long waves of Ally’s hair.

  “So, what do you think we should do?” James asked.

&nbs
p; “I’m adding another car to the back of your property,” Peter said. “It’s just a precaution. Your street isn’t busy, and no one can approach the house without someone seeing them from either side.

  “Mandy is covered at the courthouse,” he continued. “Although, I would like to ask that she move her lunches indoors instead of on the patio – at least for the next few days. As much as Sven enjoys your lunch conversation, my dear, and I think he’s a little enamored with your friend Heidi, it’s too open out there.”

  James scowled. “You’ve been eating your lunch on the patio?”

  “What? I didn’t leave the courthouse.”

  “Just eat inside for the next few days,” Peter said. “Other than that, we just have to watch. Also, I’m going to put some feelers out.”

  “Feelers?” Mandy asked.

  “I want it known on the street that you’re not interested in the flash drive or the map, and you’re willing to relinquish it to the proper owner,” Peter said. “If we’re lucky, someone will try and contact me and we can end this all with very little fuss.”

  “Do you think we’ll be lucky?” James asked.

  Peter shrugged. “Probably not,” he said. “I don’t want to get your hopes up. I think it’s hard for anyone in their position to believe you couldn’t possibly be interested in eight-million dollars.”

  “Yeah,” James said, his eyes weary as he stared out at the pool. “What’s our other option?”

  “Sending a message,” Peter said.

  Mandy felt James’ thighs tighten beneath her. “A message?”

  “It’s probably best we don’t discuss that,” Peter said. “For obvious reasons. We’re not there yet. If we get to that place then, well, I will leave you out of any decisions that are made.”

  “I don’t know,” James said. “I’m not sure I’m comfortable with that.”

  “Which is why I’m leaving you out of it,” Peter said. “You must understand, these new players have come onto my turf. This isn’t just about you now. If they try to make their presence known here, which they already have to a certain degree, then they’re going to have to be dealt with for the general safety and stability of the area.”

  “Meaning?”

  “Do you want them starting gang wars on the streets?” Peter pressed. “Because that almost happened last night, and there will be retaliation. We haven’t seen it yet. It is coming.” Peter swiveled his shoulders, focusing on Sophie. “You need to be just as careful as Mandy. You like to jump into these stories with both feet and not look over your shoulder. That is not a possibility right now.”