Deadly Dealings (Hardy Brothers Security Book 13)

by Lily Harper Hart

  “I … .” Ally licked her lips. “How did you know I was even here?”

  “I tracked the GPS on your phone,” Jake shot back. “You didn’t know I did that, did you?”

  “No,” Ally said, planting her hands on her hips. “That’s an invasion of my privacy.”

  “I’m going to invade your privacy,” Jake warned, tugging her away from Winona. When he realized Sophie was standing there with her mouth hanging open instead of moving, he reached over and grabbed her arm so he could drag her along, too. “You’re going to be in trouble when you get home. I placed a call to your boyfriend to see if he knew where you were. He’s pissed.”

  “Hey, man, you need to lay off,” Robert said, stepping forward. “We’re hanging out with them tonight.”

  Jake shot Robert a withering look and it was enough to make the man take an involuntary step back. “You were trying to hang out with my woman?”

  Ally made a face. She didn’t like Jake referring to her as property. She wisely kept her mouth shut, though.

  “I … no, man,” Robert said, holding up his hands. “It’s just a misunderstanding.”

  “That’s good,” Jake said, extending a finger in Robert’s direction. “Don’t ever think about looking at my woman again.”

  With those words, Jake fixed his hands on Sophie and Ally’s elbows and directed them toward the door.

  “Don’t say a word until we’re out of here,” Jake hissed.

  “I’m really turned on right now despite the fact that you kept calling me ‘your woman,’” Ally said, giggling.

  “You’re not going to think that’s so funny when you find out that dark-haired guy dropped something in your drinks while you were over arguing in the corner,” Jake snapped.

  “What?” Ally’s eyes widened, fear washing over her face.

  Jake hated the look of terror and he softened his eyes. “It’s okay, angel. I’m here. We’re leaving. We need to discuss how we’re going to approach this next – and I think we need a better plan next time.”

  “You’ve got that right,” Sophie said. “Is my man waiting for me outside?”

  “Yeah, and he’s ticked off, too.”

  MANDY was feeling markedly better after three meals and two naps. When she approached James in his office later that night she was ready for a fight. She just hoped he was.

  “Hey, baby,” James said, lifting his eyes from the computer screen he was studying and taking in her damp hair and rosy cheeks. She looked better. She didn’t look one hundred percent yet, but she looked like his wife again. “I thought you would be in the bathtub longer. I’m almost done here.”

  “What are you doing?” Mandy asked, circling his desk so she could move closer to him.

  “I’m just balancing the books. What are you doing?”

  “What makes you think I’m doing anything?”

  “I know you,” James said. “You usually only come to my office when you want to dust the desk.” He shot her a cheeky smile and then let it fade. “You can’t do that for another day at least, so I figure you’re coming to my turf to fight.”

  Mandy stilled, stunned he knew what she had in mind. “How did you know?”

  “You’ve been biting your tongue for hours,” James said. “I figured when I cut up the turkey before giving you the plate that I had pretty much overstepped my bounds.”

  “That wasn’t a highlight of my day,” Mandy conceded. “I … I love you.”

  “I know,” James said. “I love you, too. Is this the part where you soften me up so you can start screaming? I might need a drink if we’re going to really go at it.”

  “I don’t want to scream at you,” Mandy said, choosing her words carefully. “I love you so much it hurts sometimes. I know you feel the same way about me. I am so sorry for what I did. You’ll never know how sorry I am. You need to back off a little, though.”

  James furrowed his brow, confused. “What did you do?”

  “I shouldn’t have wandered away at Hell House,” Mandy said. “It was asinine. I wanted to see the aquarium. I didn’t think anything of it. I’m so sorry.”

  “Do you think I’m angry with you about that?” James had no idea where she was going with this, but he was willing to play it out.

  “I think part of you is,” Mandy replied. “I think part of you wants to yell at me because I separated from you and you’re scared to do it because I almost died. I want you to yell at me.”

  “I’m not going to yell at you.”

  “James, when you love someone you have to be honest with them,” Mandy said. “You’re angry that I wandered away and that’s making you angry with yourself for letting me. You didn’t do anything wrong. You saved me.”

  James pursed his lips, his heart flopping as he decided how to deal with his morose wife. “Okay,” he conceded. “I am angry. I am not angry that you wanted to see the aquarium. I’m angry you didn’t take me with you. Why?”

  “I don’t know,” Mandy said. “I … honestly, I thought I was going to look at it for two minutes. I swear it wasn’t something I planned.”

  “And that’s what makes me angry, baby,” James said, leaning back in his chair. “You never plan to get in these situations where you almost leave me and yet it continues to happen. I will die without you.”

  “I’m sorry.” Hot tears flooded Mandy’s eyes. “You can’t treat me like an invalid, though.”

  “That’s not what I’m doing.”

  “You drew my bath.”

  “I … .”

  “You cut up the food on my plate at dinner.”

  “That was a terrible mistake,” James said. “I don’t know what possessed me to do it.”

  “You’re thinking of me as a child right now instead of your wife,” Mandy said. “That’s what possessed you to do it.”

  “That’s not true,” James argued.

  “It is,” Mandy countered. “It’s okay. When you got shot before the wedding, I did it to you, too. It’s human nature to dote on the person you love when they’re hurt. I’m okay, though.”

  “You whimpered through half the night last night,” James said. “Don’t deny having nightmares.”

  “I’m not denying it. They’re not going to kill me, though.”

  “They’re not going to kill you,” James agreed. “Every whimper hurts me, though. You’re my wife. I don’t want you in pain.”

  “It won’t last forever.”

  “I know it won’t,” James said. “That doesn’t mean I’m not going to hold and soothe you through every nightmare, wife. The fact that I get to hold you at all is a miracle to me. I’m not going to change who I am because you’re feeling smothered.”

  “James, I always want you to hold me.”

  “Then why did you come in here to pick a fight?” James pressed.

  “I’m going back to work.”

  James stilled, anger coursing through him as he tried to get a handle on her words. “No. You’re still sick.”

  “I’m not sick,” Mandy said. “I’m okay. I was planning on coming in here and telling you I was going back to work tomorrow, but I’m not going to do that.”

  “You’re not?”

  “No,” Mandy said, shaking her head. “I’m going to go back Tuesday.”

  “Mandy … .”

  Mandy held up her hand, her eyes weary as she regarded the only man she’d ever loved. “Tomorrow, you and I are going to spend the day together without any distractions – including our family,” she said. “We’re going to do what I want to do because I need to feel a little … control … right now.”

  “What do you want to do?” James was suspicious.

  Mandy shot him a rueful smile. “We’re going to the mall.”

  “Oh, well, great.” James hated the mall.

  “We’re going to shop and have a nice dinner,” Mandy said, her tone forceful. “If you’re still upset at the end of the day I promise to rethink going back to work.”

  James li
fted his chin, surprised by the offer. “You’re negotiating so we both feel like we have power, aren’t you?”

  “Yes.”

  “What if I don’t want you to go back to work Tuesday?”

  “Then I won’t go.”

  James sighed, leaning forward so he could rub the back of his neck. He’d expected her to announce she was returning to work. He’d expected a screaming match. Instead they’d discussed their issues in a rational manner. That should be considered growth, although he was still uneasy.

  “If we go shopping tomorrow you have to promise to stick close to me,” James said. “I’m not ready to have you out of my sight in a public setting yet.”

  “That’s going to make trying on lingerie at Victoria’s Secret kinky, but okay.”

  James snorted. “You’re also going to let me hold you all night and watch you sleep.”

  “That’s the best way to sleep.”

  James pushed himself up from his chair and closed the distance between them so he could pull Mandy into his arms. She hugged him tightly, and James could feel the tension vacating her body as she relaxed. She’d been expecting a huge fight, too.

  “I love you, baby. I want you to always be happy.”

  “Oh, I’ll be happy,” Mandy said, briefly pressing her lips to his neck. “Just wait until you see how much money you’re going to spend tomorrow to make sure of it.”

  James chuckled. “I would buy you the moon if I could figure out a way to get it delivered.”

  “I’m going to settle for some new underwear and a few pairs of shoes.”

  “I can live with that.” James rested his cheek against his wife’s head. “We have a chance to continue this fantastic life together, baby. I can live with anything knowing that.”

  “That’s good,” Mandy said. “You’re going to have to live with giving me a massage now. I want a long one while we’re watching Jaws.”

  “Way to milk the situation, baby.”

  “James, I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  Eleven

  “I should probably feel like a pervert for being in here,” James said, lifting the green lace teddy so he could study it up close. “I don’t like this. It has way too many buttons.”

  “It unsnaps at the important spot,” Mandy said, tugging a strand of her blond hair behind her ear as she leaned forward. “See.” She pointed toward the teddy’s crotch area.

  James lifted it so he could get a better look. “Oh, well, that’s convenient,” he said. “I like this.”

  Mandy smirked. “I think you would have trouble filling the top out.”

  “I like it for you, smartass,” James said, tapping the end of her nose. They’d been shopping for a grand total of twenty minutes, and despite his worry that Mandy would tire he was having a good time because she was enjoying herself. He was willing to look at thirty naughty outfits if it made her happy.

  “I can’t wear that. It will cut me funny. My torso is too short.”

  James held the lacy outfit up to Mandy’s body. “I’m buying it. I don’t believe you.”

  “I know my own body.”

  “Baby, I’ve been to more places on your body than you have,” James said, taking the pragmatic approach. “I think you’re going to look good in this.”

  “That outfit is a hundred bucks if you’re wrong.”

  “I don’t care.”

  “I’m buying other outfits, too,” Mandy said.

  “I’ll buy out the whole store if that’s what you want,” James said, hanging the teddy over his arm. “I want this one. I like the color.”

  Mandy rolled her eyes. “You’re sowing your oats today, so if you want to buy that outfit I’m going to smile as you do it and wear it for you.”

  “Can I pick out other things, too?”

  “Go nuts.”

  Mandy moved to another rack and tempted as he was to follow her, James instead took a step away and perused a different rack. It was a subtle shift, and she wasn’t anywhere he couldn’t get to her if something happened, but he was working hard to give her what she needed.

  Mandy selected a few outfits as James watched her out of the corner of his eye and then she started moving toward one of the dressing rooms. James followed expectantly. “Are you going to model those for me?”

  “Not until we’re home.” Mandy grabbed the teddy from his arm and added it to her pile. “You’re not going to try and go in there with me, are you?”

  James pursed his lips. This was a test. “I kind of want to see my outfit on you.”

  “They’re going to think we’re doing it in there.”

  “I don’t care.”

  “If you see me in one of these outfits we might end up doing it in there,” Mandy said, changing tactics. “Personally, I’m ready for a little action. I’ve been feeling neglected. Are you?”

  That was a challenge. James narrowed his eyes. “Listen, missy … .”

  “Do you need a dressing room?” A clerk appeared out of nowhere, her eyes trained on James as she spoke to Mandy.

  Mandy rolled her eyes. She was used to women checking her husband out. This was the first time it had ever happened in a lingerie store while they were picking things out together, though. “That would be great,” she said.

  “Do you want to sit down in the lounge over there, sir, and wait for your … sister?” The clerk smiled at James coquettishly.

  James wasn’t in the mood for games. “Really? You think I’m lingerie shopping with my sister? What kind of sick perverts do you get in here?”

  Mandy wanted to laugh, but she managed to hold it in as the clerk looked taken aback.

  “I’m sorry,” the clerk said. “I … .”

  “Do you have any dressing rooms big enough for two people?” James asked.

  “No. That’s … not allowed. We’re not that type of establishment.”

  “First off, shame on you for thinking I’m going to push my wife against the wall of your dressing room and do her right here,” James said. “You have a filthy mind.”

  The clerk’s cheeks reddened. “I think there’s been some misunderstanding.”

  “Second off, you sell sex clothes and yet you say you’re not the type of establishment that likes sex in the dressing rooms,” James said. “It seems to me you’re cutting off a huge market there.”

  Mandy found herself feeling sorry for the clerk. “James, stop messing with her.”

  James shot Mandy a sidelong look. “You’re buying that one I picked out whether you like it on you or not,” he ordered. “When you’re done in there, we’re buying some of those lotions on that wall, too. I’m going to rub them all over you.”

  Mandy giggled. “I know what you’re doing.”

  “And after dinner tonight? Wife, you’d better get a hold of yourself because I’m going to give you more action than you can handle.”

  “I knew calling your manhood into question would work out for me,” Mandy said, winking at him.

  James grabbed the front of her shirt and hauled her to his chest so he could drop a smoldering kiss on her. “I love you. Buy whatever you want. I’m going to pick out some lotions and whatever other kinky stuff I can find.”

  “I love you, too.”

  “I FEEL like my credit card looks tired,” James said, studying the rectangular piece of plastic before he shoved it back in his wallet.

  Mandy smiled widely at him as she watched the clerk place her new shoes in a big bag. “I’m done. You don’t have to complain about my shopping habits.”

  “I’m not complaining.”

  Mandy rolled her eyes. “This has been a big day for you,” she said, nodding in thanks to the clerk as she collected her bag. “You shamed a Victoria’s Secret worker, you picked out lotions to rub all over me, and now you bought me shoes. This has been your version of Hell.”

  “I enjoyed shaming that chick at Victoria’s Secret,” James countered. “Seriously, who goes lingerie shopping with the
ir sister? Only sick people do that.”

  “She knew I wasn’t your sister,” Mandy said. “She was making sure you realized she was open for offers.”

  “Baby, the only offers I want are from you.” James dropped a quick kiss on her mouth and then linked his fingers with hers. “This has been a great day, too. Don’t think I haven’t enjoyed myself.”

  “You hate shopping.”

  “I love spending time with you.”

  “But you hate shopping.”

  “I love spending time with you more,” James said. “Stop telling me how I feel. I feel better than I have in days.”

  “Thank you.” Mandy’s eyes were sincere as they searched his face. “Thank you for everything, including being my husband.”

  James’ heart rolled. “Thank you for being the best thing that ever happened to me.” He gave her a soft kiss before straightening. “Where to next?”

  “Dinner.”

  James arched an eyebrow. “Are you sure? I could help you pick out more underwear if you really beg me.”

  Mandy grinned. “I’m starving. I want to go to a nice dinner and then take you home and … spend some quality time together.”

  “Are you trying to seduce me?”

  “That depends, am I going to have to work hard to do it?”

  “No,” James said. “I’m going to do all the work.”

  He led Mandy through the mall, rubbing his thumb over her knuckles as they navigated the busy building. His mind was on their return home, wondering how he was going to give her what she wanted without freaking himself out about tiring her, when his eyes landed on a blond man leaning against the wall close to the exit.

  The man was watching Mandy, and even though James was used to men checking his wife out there was something different about this man. He was almost positive he’d seen the same face watching them cavort inside Victoria’s Secret.

  James’ protective nature had him salivating over the prospect of approaching the man. He didn’t want to ruin Mandy’s happy day, or wipe the smile from her face even more, though. Instead, he slipped a protective arm around her waist as he ushered her through the glass doors and toward the parking lot, fixing a challenging look on his face when he met the man’s gaze.