Deadly Ever After (Hardy Brothers Security Book 6)

by Hart, Lily Harper

  Grady grimaced. “How did he get a credit card in Pace’s name?”

  “It’s not as hard as you would think,” Peter said. “That’s what’s so scary about the information age.”

  “Thank you,” Grady said. “You don’t happen to know what room he’s in, do you?”

  “Eight.”

  Grady pulled his phone out of his pocket. “I owe you.”

  “You owe me nothing but Sophie’s happiness,” Peter countered.

  Grady nodded, searching through his contact’s list.

  “Please hold on to the feeling you have right now,” Peter said, his tone grim.

  Grady stilled. “Why?”

  “Someone set up a trap and trace on the credit card number,” Peter said. “Once we found it, the user was tipped off that we had discovered it. He’d installed a Trojan horse.”

  Grady faltered. “He’s going to run.”

  “Yes.”

  “Shit,” Grady muttered. “We’re already too late, aren’t we?”

  “I don’t know,” Peter admitted. “I need you to remain calm.”

  Grady tilted his head, his brown hair dipping low on his left shoulder. “Why?”

  “I dispatched a retrieval team five minutes ago.”

  “Retrieval?”

  “I told them to take Anderson into custody alive if they can,” Peter said. “If that wasn’t an option, I told them to kill him.”

  Grady sucked in a breath, trying to calm himself. “Why?”

  “Because I didn’t have time to think,” Peter said. “I hope you understand, I’ve given you enough information to incarcerate me for the rest of my life with this admission. I figured Ms. Avery was worth it.”

  Grady was torn. “I’m not sure what to say.”

  “Say what’s in your heart.”

  “My head says that what you’ve done is wrong,” Grady said. “My heart says something else entirely.”

  “I understand the feeling.”

  Sophie reached over and clasped Grady’s hand. “I’m sorry.”

  Grady met her steady gaze. “I’m not.”

  “You’re not?”

  “If I had taken the time to call my brothers and move on the hotel, Anderson would surely be gone,” Grady explained. “We would have lost him. The wedding would have still been in limbo. Now? We’ll either catch Anderson or scare him out of the area. Either way, the wedding is saved.”

  Sophie sighed, relieved. “Are you sure?”

  Grady brought her hand to his lips and kissed the ridge of her knuckles. His answer surprised even him. “Yes.”

  Peter nodded, respect moving across his features. “I admire the love you have for not only your brother, but the woman he loves.”

  “I’ve known Mandy for a long time,” Grady said. “I’ve loved her for as long as I’ve known her.”

  “And your brother is okay with that?”

  “We were kids together,” Grady said. “There are many different kinds of love.”

  Peter glanced at Sophie fondly. “There are at that.”

  “ANY news?” Grady asked, biting his thumbnail nervously. The three of them had been waiting in the sitting room for what seemed like forever.

  Peter made a face. “I’ve been sitting here with you. Have you seen me receive any news?”

  Grady scowled. “No. Sorry. I’m just … nervous.”

  Peter smiled indulgently. “Maybe we should talk about something to pass the time.” He turned to Sophie. “Tell me about the wedding.”

  “I’m wearing a blue dress,” she said. “It’s really pretty.”

  “You’ll show me pictures?”

  “I’ll do my best.”

  The three of them straightened as one of Peter’s bodyguards entered the room. The man bent down to whisper in Peter’s ear, but the mobster waved him off. “Everyone is aware of what’s going on, Sven. What do you have?”

  Sven straightened. “The team converged on the motel. Mr. Anderson managed to escape through a bathroom window. He carjacked a woman on Eight Mile and fled onto the freeway.”

  Grady gripped his knees uneasily. “Shit.”

  “The team rescued the woman,” Sven said, ignoring Grady’s curse. “She’s back at the motel. They followed the car to the airport. Anderson booked a flight on the first outgoing plane. He’s currently on his way to Montana.”

  Peter furrowed his brow. “And?”

  “We’ve sent four men on the next plane to Montana,” Sven said. “It might take them some time to track him, but they can’t lose him in a state like Montana.”

  Peter nodded. “Keep me updated.”

  Sven nodded silently and then exited the room.

  “I’m sorry,” Peter said. “I hoped we would have him in custody.”

  “Actually, this is good news,” Grady said. “There’s no way he’ll be able to return before the wedding. He’s on the run, but he’s on the run in another state. We can have the wedding, and they can go on their honeymoon. We can do the cleanup while they’re gone.”

  Peter read the relief on Grady’s face. “You’re not disappointed?”

  “Actually? This is the best of both worlds,” Grady said. “James will be gone when we have to deal with Anderson. Nothing will be ruined for them.”

  Peter smiled. “I still wish we’d taken him into custody.”

  Grady got to his feet, shrugging. “You’ve gone above and beyond. I can’t thank you enough.”

  Peter joined Grady in the center of the room, extending his hand. “I did what was necessary.”

  Grady shook his hand, pulling the man in for a surprising – an awkward – hug. “Thank you for protecting my family.”

  Peter pulled away after a moment, the smile on his face conflicted. “Sophie is my family. You’re her family. We’re all family here, Mr. Hardy.”

  “Call me Grady.”

  Twenty-Four

  “Who wants a beer?”

  Louis was standing behind the bar in the guesthouse’s saloon, and if his smile was any indication, he was having a good time.

  Once word had spread that Tony Anderson was on the run in another state, the pall over the wedding party had dissipated. To celebrate, the men had thrown together an impromptu bachelor party in the saloon – while the women were having a small shower in the main house.

  “I’ll have one,” James said, leaning back in his chair and stretching his legs out in front of him.

  “This isn’t much of a bachelor party,” Finn apologized. “We were hoping to be able to take you out to a club. Things just didn’t work out.”

  “You mean you wanted strippers,” Grady teased, joining his brothers at the table.

  “I did not,” Finn scoffed.

  “We don’t need strippers,” James said.

  “Speak for yourself,” Grady said, his grin wide.

  “Behave yourself,” Louis said, swatting his middle son on the head as he delivered the beers to the table. “You have a beautiful girlfriend. Why do you need strippers?”

  “I don’t need strippers,” Grady countered. “I just happen to like them. They need to make a living, too. I’m just helping them work their way through school.”

  “I had no idea you were such a philanthropist,” Jake said, swigging from his beer.

  “I’m a man of varied interests,” Grady deadpanned.

  James smirked. “And almost all of them revolve around a brunette reporter,” he said. “You don’t care about strippers. You’re just trying to be difficult.”

  “How come you’re not happier?” Jake asked, focusing on James. “I would think the news that Anderson is in the wind and no longer a threat would make you happy.”

  “I’m happy,” James said. “I just … I don’t like the idea of leaving you guys here to deal with the cleanup. By the time Marconi’s guys catch up with Tony, I’ll be on my honeymoon.”

  “Which is where again?” Jake asked.

  “Tell Ally to mind her own business,” James said. “
I’m not telling any of you where we’re going on our honeymoon. I’ve managed to keep it a secret for a month. I’m not slipping up now.”

  Jake smirked. “Ally is desperate to know.”

  “Mandy is desperate to know,” James said. “Ally is desperate to find out for her.”

  “Nah, I think it’s about her pride now,” Jake said. “She can’t bear the idea of anyone being able to keep a secret from her.”

  “She’s always been like that,” Grady said. “She thought I was hiding something my senior year, and I found her going through my underwear drawer looking for clues one day after school.”

  “Were you hiding a secret?”

  “No,” Grady replied. “Once I found out she thought I was, though, I pretended I really did have a secret just because it was driving her nuts.”

  “Did you ever consider that you guys are the reason she flies off the handle so much?” Jake asked.

  “My baby does not fly off the handle,” Louis said. “She’s spirited. There’s a difference.”

  “You always take Ally’s side,” Finn griped. “She got away with murder when we were kids. Once, she and Mandy were screwing around in the living room and accidentally broke the television. Do you know who got blamed for it?”

  “Don’t be bitter,” Louis said. “You and Grady could have very well broken that television.”

  “The point is, we didn’t.”

  “Well, I’m sure you two had done something else bad and gotten away with it that very week, so it all evened out,” Louis said.

  “It never evened out for Ally.”

  “Let it go.”

  Finn made a face and then turned back to James. “Don’t worry about the Anderson situation. We’ll keep you updated as things shake out. Just enjoy your honeymoon.”

  “That’s the plan,” James said. “Two whole weeks of nothing but my blonde and me. Clothing will be optional.”

  “Aren’t you worried that two weeks with just the two of you will kill the romance?” Grady asked.

  “Nope. I’m just looking forward to being able to have sex without the threat of my mother – or Mandy’s mother, for that matter – walking in.”

  Finn snorted. “Yeah, Mom is never going to live that down.”

  “Or you and Mandy could just stop having sex in public places,” Louis offered.

  “A room in our house is not a public place,” James countered.

  “It is when you’re hosting a party.”

  “Whatever.”

  “So, what happens now?” Finn asked.

  James glanced at him, his face unreadable. “What do you mean?”

  “Tomorrow is your last day of freedom,” Finn said. “What are you going to do with it?”

  “I was hoping to spend it in bed with my blonde,” James said.

  “Are you an animal or something?” Louis asked.

  James rolled his eyes. “No, but Mom says we can’t spend tomorrow night together because it wouldn’t be proper. That means I have to make tomorrow morning last all day.”

  “You’re a sick man,” Grady said.

  “I actually have some errands to run,” James said. “I have to pick up the tuxes. Mom and Mary are insisting on some huge pre-wedding brunch. I need to pick up the plane tickets and itinerary from the travel agent. It’s just a bunch of odds and ends.”

  “Oh, that’s how you’ve kept it hidden,” Jake said. “You never brought it home.”

  “There’s no way I could have brought it home and kept it a secret,” James agreed. “She’s tossed the place three times. I can’t be a hundred-percent sure, but I think she’s tossed the office, too. I was in there the other day, and nothing was out of place, but it was like everything was just slightly off.”

  Finn snorted. “It’s driving her crazy.”

  “She’s going to love it,” James said. “I planned it with her specific interests in mind.”

  “Oh, you’re taking her to Universal Studios and letting her ride the Jaws ride in an endless loop,” Grady said, holding his hand to his heart in a mocking manner.

  “The Jaws ride no longer exists,” James said.

  “It doesn’t?”

  “They booted it for the new Harry Potter exhibit,” James said.

  “So, you checked,” Finn said. “You were going to take her there, weren’t you?”

  “I was going to take her to Orlando for a few days before the big trip,” James conceded. “Once I found out about the Jaws ride, that idea went out the window.”

  “I don’t understand what Jaws has to do with anything,” Louis said, his face blank.

  “It’s a long story,” James said.

  “Mandy is obsessed with sharks,” Grady supplied.

  “Apparently not that long,” James mused.

  “So, what did you get her for a gift?” Louis asked.

  James stilled. “What gift?”

  “It’s customary to get your bride a gift to mark the day,” Louis said. “You give it to her before the ceremony. What did you get Mandy?”

  “I … I didn’t know I was supposed to buy her a gift.” James shifted his body so he was facing his brothers. “Did you know that?”

  Grady shook his head. “I had no idea.”

  “Well, you bought her a house,” Finn said.

  “And you’re getting the special centerpiece,” Jake added. “That should count.”

  James turned to his father, unsure. “Does that count?”

  “Maybe things are done differently these days,” Louis said. “Back when I got married, you bought your intended a gift.”

  “What did you buy Mom?”

  “I bought her a simple gold cross and had the date of our wedding engraved on the back of it.”

  James frowned. “The gold cross she wears every single day?”

  “Yes.”

  James jumped to his feet, swearing softly.

  “You still have a day,” Finn said. “You can buy her something tomorrow.”

  “Did she buy me something?”

  Finn shrugged helplessly. “I have no idea.”

  “You call one of those girls down here and find out,” James ordered.

  “We can’t do that,” Grady said. “They’ll tell Mandy what we were asking, and if she did buy you a gift, she’ll know you didn’t buy her one.”

  “Shit,” James muttered. “What should I get her?”

  “Jewelry,” everyone answered in unison.

  James shuffled over to the guesthouse door and peered in the direction of the main house. The women were gathered in the dining room, so he could see them through the glass doors across the way. Everyone seemed to be having a good time. They were laughing, and Ally was prancing around and gesturing wildly – which meant she was probably telling a story.

  “Well, I guess I have something else to add to my to-do list tomorrow,” he said. “I just have no idea what to get her. She doesn’t wear a lot of jewelry.”

  “You’ll figure it out,” Grady said. “You always do.”

  “I’d better,” James said. “I promised her a perfect day, and I intend on keeping my promise.”

  “HOW do you even wear these?” Mary held up the tiny black panties and regarded them dubiously. “There’s nothing here.”

  “That’s the point,” Ally said, displaying a sheer-camisole top. “They go under this.”

  “Why wear anything?” Mary pressed.

  “So he can take it off of her,” Ally said. “That’s half the fun.”

  Sophie handed a bag over to Mandy. “Here.”

  Mandy dug in enthusiastically, smiling widely when she pulled out a blue teddy and matching garters. “This is beautiful.”

  “It matches your eyes,” Sophie said. “And I know how much your garters drive James to distraction.”

  “How do you know that?” Rose asked, narrowing her eyes.

  “He’s got a big mouth,” Ally replied.

  “And he tells you these things?”

  “
Of course not,” Ally scoffed. “He tells Mandy. She has a big mouth, too.”

  Rose shook her head, uncomfortable with the turn in the conversation. “You guys are so … free … with all of this.”

  Ally patted her mother’s knee soothingly. “It’s a different world, Mom.”

  “Thank you, everyone,” Mandy said. “I really appreciate it. I’m sure James will, too.”

  “He’s fine with you naked,” Ally said. “I expect you’ll be returning from wherever he’s taking you with an allover body tan.”

  “Do you know where he’s taking me?”

  Ally shook her head. “I tasked Jake with finding out, but James won’t tell him. He knows he’ll tell me. I’ve promised not to tell you, but he still won’t bite.”

  “Oh, if you knew, you’d have to tell me,” Mandy said.

  “Of course,” Ally said. “I had my fingers crossed. It wasn’t a real promise.”

  Everyone giggled.

  “So, what did you get James as a gift?” Mary asked.

  “I got him a watch,” Mandy said. “Thanks for reminding me, though. I have to pick it up tomorrow. I got it engraved.”

  “What does it say?” Emma asked, her brown eyes sparkling.

  “Just … it’s private.”

  “Oh, is it schmaltzy?”

  Mandy cleared her throat, shifting uncomfortably. “It’s heartfelt.”

  “It’s schmaltzy,” Ally said, clapping her hands together gleefully. “You have to tell me.”

  “No.”

  “Yes.”

  “No.”

  “Give her another margarita,” Ally instructed. “She’ll tell me if she’s drunk.”

  “I’m not getting drunk,” Mandy said. “I promised James. He has some special evening planned when we get home.”

  “He does?”

  Mandy nodded. “He just won’t tell me what.”

  “I’m sure it’s just a fancy way to get you naked,” Ally said.

  “Ally,” Rose scolded.

  “It’s true,” Ally said. “Since you’re forcing them apart tomorrow night, he’s got to get his money’s worth tonight. It’s the last night they’ll be spending together in the apartment, after all. When they return from the honeymoon, they’re moving straight into the new house. We’ve got movers picking up your stuff while you’re gone, by the way. Everything should be set when you return.”