Deadly Ever After (Hardy Brothers Security Book 6)

by Hart, Lily Harper

“How about the people who blew up the truck? How about the insurgents? How about everyone who ever had a hand in sending us into battle over there?”

  “Well, I can’t go after all of them, can I?”

  “Then why go after James?”

  “Because he was there.”

  Mandy nodded, realizing that Tony was beyond reason. “I guess.”

  “So, do you still want to die for him?”

  “Yes.”

  “No,” James said. “Tony, you’re angry with me.”

  “Shut up,” Tony said. “Your fiancée and I are in the middle of a negotiation.”

  “Mandy,” James pleaded. “Run. Run right now.”

  “You have to promise me something, Tony,” Mandy said. “When it’s done, when I’m gone, you can’t go back on your word. You have to let James live.”

  Tony considered the offer. “It wouldn’t be much fun to kill you both, would it? I want James to suffer.”

  Mandy swallowed hard. “Okay.”

  “No!”

  “You’re just going to stand there and let me shoot you?”

  “I am.”

  Tony slid a sly look in James’ direction. “You picked a good one, Hardy. It’s too bad she doesn’t realize that she’s giving up everything for a guy who deserves nothing.”

  “Don’t you even think about touching her,” James threatened. “Don’t even look at her. She’s not a part of this. You stay away from her.”

  “She offered,” Tony said. “It makes things so much … simpler.”

  “Tony, look at me,” James said. “Look at me!”

  Tony made a face, but he acquiesced. “Yes.”

  “Don’t you dare touch her,” James said. “Don’t. Please. Don’t.”

  “It’s going to kill you, isn’t it? When she dies, you’re going to want to join her. This is just so … perfect.”

  “Please,” James said, his eyes swimming with tears. “Take me. Don’t touch her. Don’t hurt her.”

  “I have no choice,” Tony said. “I have to do this for Jeff.”

  “Jeff wouldn’t want this,” James spat out. “He was a good guy. He had compassion. Even on his deathbed, he was crying for his mother. He didn’t want her to mourn him. He was more worried about how she would handle his death than he was about dying. He would never want this.”

  “I don’t think you knew him as well as I did.” James opened his mouth to argue, but Tony cut him off. “I want to take something from you, like you did from me. I want to take what you love most in this world. That’s her.”

  “Tony … please … just, don’t hurt her.”

  “Tony,” Mandy said, drawing his attention back to her. “Remember your promise to me. You don’t hurt James once I’m gone.”

  “I remember.”

  Mandy nodded. “I love you James. I hope … someday … you’ll understand why I had to do this.”

  “Don’t you say your goodbyes,” James howled, stepping toward Tony with overt menace. “Don’t you dare say your goodbyes.”

  Tony swung the gun around wildly. “You stay back!”

  “Shoot me,” James said. “Tony, I’m right here. I’m the one you hate. Shoot me!”

  “Tony!” Mandy’s voice was shrill. “Don’t you dare shoot him!”

  The sound of a gun going off was deafening. James reared back as if he’d been shot, but the bullet hadn’t penetrated his body. He was still whole. Mandy! He swiveled, looking across the hood of the Explorer. Mandy was whiter than he’d ever seen her, and her eyes were wide. She was on her feet, though.

  James turned to Tony, figuring the man had merely fired the weapon into the air as a warning. He found his former compatriot on the ground in front of him, a pool of blood spreading out onto the pavement beneath his prone form.

  “What the … ?”

  James lifted his head as a dark figure detached from the tree line to his far right. It was a Grady, and he had a gun in his hand.

  “Is he dead?” Mandy squeaked.

  James regained his faculties. He kicked the gun away from Tony’s hand, making sure the man wasn’t a threat should he regain consciousness. Then he knelt down and pressed his fingers against Tony’s pulse point. There was nothing there.

  “He’s dead,” James rasped.

  Mandy was around the truck within seconds. James regained his footing and drew her into his still shaking arms. “I’m going to kill you,” he said, cupping the back of her head with his hands so he could kiss her. “I’m going to kill you.”

  “I THINK we’re done here, Mr. Hardy.”

  James nodded at the police officer, his brown eyes weary. “Thank you.”

  “We’re taking your brother’s gun in for processing, but this is obviously a justifiable shooting. He should have it back in a week or so.”

  “Obviously.”

  Tony’s body had been hauled away almost an hour before, and once the police cleared the scene, Finn and Jake had hurriedly started cleaning the area with bleach. There was no evidence to show a man had died there only hours before, but James knew. He’d never forget the sound of the gun, or Mandy’s face when she offered to sacrifice herself for him.

  “We’ll get out of your way,” the officer said.

  “Thank you.”

  James turned, his hands on his hips, and his gaze found Mandy in the rapidly dwindling light. She was standing on the front porch next to Ally, and she looked exhausted.

  “I’m sorry that you were so worried,” Grady said, appearing at his side. “If I could have tipped you off about what we were doing, I would have. There just wasn’t a way.”

  James’ stomach clenched with fury. “You would have told me that you were using the woman that I love as bait?”

  Grady stilled. “I know you’re angry.”

  “Oh, you have no idea,” James said. “Did you consider, even for a second, that you might not have been able to control the situation? What would have happened if Tony would have shot her?”

  “She was just supposed to keep his back to where I was,” Grady said. “I wouldn’t have let him shoot her.”

  “Yeah, because you’re suddenly infallible,” James said, a nerve twitching in his jaw.

  “James … .”

  “Don’t talk to me right now,” James said. “I can’t … just don’t talk to me right now.”

  Grady swallowed hard. “I’m sorry you’re upset.”

  “Me, too.”

  James moved away from his brother and toward Mandy. “Let’s go.” His voice was cold, devoid of emotion.

  Mandy’s face was a mixture of fear and dread. “Go where?”

  “We’re going back to the apartment,” James said.

  “James, it’s the night before your wedding,” Rose chided. “You can’t spend it together.”

  “We are still getting married, aren’t we?” Mandy’s voice was small, worry evident.

  “You’re not getting rid of me that easily,” James said. “The wedding is still on, don’t be ridiculous. We’re just not spending the night apart.”

  “James,” Rose warned. “It’s bad luck.”

  “I don’t care,” James said. “We’ve had all the bad luck that we can possibly have.”

  “Mandy is supposed to stay here with us,” Rose said. “All of the women were going to stay here together. She has to get ready here tomorrow. Her dress is here.”

  “The wedding isn’t until noon,” James said, refusing to give in. “We can get a good night’s sleep and be back here in plenty of time for her to get ready.”

  “But … .”

  “I want her with me,” James growled. “I’m not letting her out of my sight. You can argue all you want. You can spout whatever nonsense you want. She’s coming home with me. We’re spending the night together. That’s it!”

  Rose took a step back. “Don’t you speak to your mother that way!”

  “Then don’t force me to speak to you that way,” James said. “I’ve had a rough afternoon
. She is going home with me. You all can stay here and do whatever it is you want to do. We are going back to the apartment.”

  “Fine.”

  “Great,” James said, holding out his hand to Mandy. “Come on.” He turned back to his mother. “No one, and I mean no one, had better show up at that apartment before nine. Do you understand? If they do, I’m going to shoot them.”

  Rose made a face. “Fine.”

  Mandy reached forward, taking his outstretched hand worriedly. “Are you going to yell at me?”

  “Yup.”

  “Are you going to throw things?”

  “Nope.”

  “Are you … are you sure you still want to marry me?”

  James’ face softened as he met her blue eyes. He lowered his forehead to hers and pulled her in close. “I’ve never wanted anything more.”

  “But, you’re still going to yell?”

  “I think I’ve earned it.”

  Mandy sighed. “Fine. Can we pick up dinner on our way home? I might need sustenance if you’re going to yell for a long time.”

  “How does Lebanese sound?”

  “Good.”

  James led her to the passenger side of the truck, sighing when he caught sight of the tuxes. He gathered them together and handed them to Finn. “Can you hang these up?”

  “Yeah.”

  He grabbed the small jewelry bag. “Can you lock this up in the safe?”

  “Yeah.”

  “What’s that?” Mandy asked curiously.

  “Something you’re not going to get for months at this point,” James said.

  “What’s that?” Mandy asked, pointing to the small jewelry box still sitting on the seat.

  “You can have that tomorrow.”

  “Are you sure? I don’t deserve a present.”

  “Get in the truck, Mandy.”

  Twenty-Seven

  Grady let himself into his brother’s apartment shortly before nine the next morning. He was nervous about facing off with James, but he wasn’t going to let the situation fester. They had to talk about it.

  He stood in the doorway between the living room and bedroom, watching the duo sleep for a few moments. He was relieved to see Mandy was wearing a shirt. He had a feeling neither one of them were feeling overly amorous the previous evening, and he was thankful for that. This conversation would be a lot worse if they were naked.

  James opened his eyes, never moving his arm from around Mandy’s back. Her head was resting on his chest, and in sleep she looked like an angel.

  Grady gulped. “I … .”

  James held his finger to his lips and motioned down to Mandy. “Don’t wake her up,” he said, his voice low.

  “Did she sleep okay?”

  “She woke up a few times,” James said. “It wasn’t too bad.”

  “How about you?”

  “Are you asking if I had nightmares about a madman killing the woman I love as she tried to sacrifice herself to save me?”

  “Yes.”

  “I had a few,” James said.

  Grady flicked his eyes around the room for a few seconds, finally focusing back on his brother. “I’m sorry.”

  “That doesn’t fix this,” James said. “You sent the woman I love – the woman I cannot live without – to act as bait. I know what you were trying to do, but what if I had done the same thing with Sophie?”

  “I’d beat the crap out you,” Grady admitted.

  James widened his eyes, sending a silent message to his brother.

  “Will that make you feel better?” Grady asked. “If you want to beat me up, come on. Let’s get it over with.”

  “You want me to beat you up on my wedding day?”

  “I want you to forgive me.”

  “I’m not sure I can right now.”

  “What did you want me to do?” Grady asked. “I couldn’t stand there and do nothing.”

  “You didn’t have to send her out there,” James said. “I trusted you with her life. I never thought, not even for a moment, that you would let her walk out that door. I knew she was safe in there. I knew you would take care of her. That was what kept me going on that driveway.”

  “I … .”

  “And then she just came waltzing out of that house,” James said. “I thought you just didn’t know what was going on. I never thought she walked out of there with your knowledge, let alone with your blessing.”

  “I’m sorry,” Grady offered lamely.

  “That doesn’t fix this,” James said. “I think you should go.”

  “James,” Grady pleaded.

  “Go.”

  Mandy stirred. “He’s not going anywhere.”

  “Go back to sleep,” James ordered.

  “He’s not going anywhere,” Mandy said, sitting up. She pushed her tousled blonde hair out of her face and fixed Grady with a wan smile. “How are you today?”

  “I’m fine,” Grady said, averting his eyes from her steady gaze.

  “Yeah, you look it,” Mandy said, shifting her legs over the edge of the bed and sliding to her feet. “Do you want some coffee?”

  “He’s leaving,” James said, climbing out of the bed on the opposite side.

  “No, he’s not,” Mandy said.

  “Mandy, do you have any idea what he did yesterday? He put you in danger!”

  “I put myself in danger,” Mandy countered. “It was my idea.”

  James was flabbergasted. “What?”

  “Grady told me no,” Mandy said. “I appreciate him taking this all on himself in an effort to keep you from screaming at me on our wedding day, but I’m the one who created this situation. It’s my fault.”

  “This was your idea?”

  “Grady was going to sneak out through the back door and try to get a clear shot,” Mandy said. “I’m the one who decided to go outside as a distraction. Grady couldn’t have stopped me. There was no stopping me. I wasn’t going to leave you out there. I love you too much for that. If you died out there, I would have died, too. Grady was saving both of us. Now, who wants coffee?”

  “You’re unbelievable,” James said, running his hand through his hair. “I don’t even know what to say.”

  “Just accept it, sweetie,” Mandy said. “Um, Grady, I actually have something I want to talk to you about. I’m glad you came here this morning.”

  “You do?”

  “I do,” Mandy said, moving into the kitchen and pulling the coffee tin out of the cupboard. “Now, feel free to say no, I know this is last minute, but I was kind of hoping you would walk me down the aisle today.”

  James stilled, glancing between his brother and fiancée curiously. Mandy was focused on the coffee, and he had a feeling it was because she was too scared to look Grady in the eye in case he declined.

  “You want me to walk you down the aisle?” Grady was surprised.

  “I’ve been thinking about it,” Mandy said. “I thought I might ask Judge MacIntosh, but that just didn’t seem right. I wanted it to be someone who has known me for a long time, someone who has taken care of me when times have been really tough.”

  “How is that me?”

  “Aren’t you the one who was there after James slept with me and bolted in the middle of the night?”

  James groaned. “I’m so glad that was brought up on our wedding day.”

  “Sorry, baby,” Mandy said.

  “You want me to walk you down the aisle because of that?”

  “Weren’t you also the one who talked me down from the ledge when I left James because I thought he didn’t love me after the explosion?”

  “Well,” Grady hedged.

  “You told me something that day that has stuck with me,” Mandy said.

  “What?” James asked, shifting uncomfortably.

  “He told me that you and I were already living our happily ever after, we just didn’t know it yet,” she replied. “He told me that if I got out of my own head, I would realize that you really did love me.”


  “I seem to remember telling you that myself,” James grumbled.

  “Yes, but it meant more coming from him,” Mandy said, hitting the percolate button on the coffee machine. “The way I see it, without Grady, we might not have made it to this day. And, if he hadn’t been there yesterday, we definitely wouldn’t have made it to this day. We had one shot at getting us both out of there, and Grady is the one who took it. He saved us.”

  James cleared his throat. “Fine,” he said. “I’m not mad at Grady anymore. Are you happy?”

  “Give him a hug.”

  James rolled his eyes, turning to his brother. “I’m sorry.”

  “No, I’m sorry. I should have figured another way out.”

  “There was no other way,” Mandy said. “Now hug.”

  The brothers embraced, stiffly at first, and then they gave in to the gesture. When they pulled away, both of their faces were flushed with embarrassment.

  “So, Grady, what do you say?” Mandy asked, finally meeting his eyes.

  There was no way he could say no to her. “It would be my honor.”

  “WE have to hurry,” Mandy said, glancing at James as she brushed her damp hair away from her face. “That shower took longer than it should have. We probably shouldn’t have done it together. Somewhere, your mom’s head is imploding.”

  “It was worth it,” James said, a lazy grin on his face. “I feel very relaxed.”

  “We have to get over to the house,” Mandy said. “Ally is going to freak out if she doesn’t get to do my hair.”

  “I have something for you first,” James said, handing her the small jewelry box.

  “What is this?”

  “It’s your wedding gift,” James said, shifting nervously on the couch.

  “Aren’t you my wedding gift?”

  “You’re cute,” James said. “Open it.”

  “Only if you open this,” Mandy said, tossing a bigger box onto his lap.

  “What’s this?” James asked.

  “It’s your wedding gift.”

  “I thought you were my wedding gift.”

  “Open it!”

  “You open yours first.”

  Mandy sighed, but she sat down on the couch next to him and flipped the top of the box off. She couldn’t help but smile when she saw the necklace. It was simple. The lines were straight, and the shark charm was adorable. Before she realized what was happening, she was crying.