Deadly Conflicts (Hardy Brothers Security Book 21) (15 page)

Mandy snorted, earning a derisive look from James. “You can’t take a car apart. You pay to have your oil changed.”

“Yes, well, we’re not doing it ourselves,” James said. “Sven and Rodrigo are helping.”

“By choice?”

“Sven is bored.”

“Well, at least you’ll have supervision,” Mandy said. “Don’t drive that car after you take it apart and put it back together. I like you in one piece.”

“I’m pretty sure that was an insult.”

“Hey, I can’t cook and you’re not mechanical,” Mandy said. “We both have our lots in life. We might as well accept it.”

“Done,” James said, giving her another kiss. “I do want to look under your hood tonight when you get home, though. I’ll show you what I’ve learned.”

“I’m pretty sure that will be the highlight of my day.”

M
andy was
in a hurry when she left the courthouse shortly after six. James expected her home an hour before. He hadn’t called or texted – which was his usual manner of harassing her when she was late – but she knew she was living on borrowed time.

The elevator dinged when she hit the first floor and she pulled up short when she saw Clint standing on the other side of the door. He looked as surprised to see her as she was to see him.

“What are you still doing here?”

“I had a lot of work to get through,” Mandy replied, releasing a shaky gasp. “You scared me a little bit. I didn’t expect to see anyone down here.”

“You’re lucky,” Clint said. “I was just about to lock up the building. I had no idea you were still here.”

“Well, I still could’ve gotten out, right?”

Clint nodded. “Yes, but now you have me to walk you to your car,” he said. “This town isn’t as safe as it used to be. People are getting shot left and right across Gratiot these days. I guess it’s good you’re getting out now, huh?”

“I guess so,” Mandy agreed, falling into step with him as he led her toward the front door. “I’m thrilled for you, by the way. I think you and Heidi are going to be really happy.”

“That’s the plan,” Clint said, holding open the door so Mandy could walk out first. He followed, his alert eyes scanning the street in front of the courthouse before directing Mandy toward the side parking lot. “I wasn’t sure I was the marrying type, but it just somehow felt right. Do you know what I mean?”

“I do,” Mandy replied, bobbing her head. “I wasn’t sure if I wanted to get married until James and I got together either. I mean, in the back of my head I knew I did, but the idea of loving someone with my whole heart seemed like a distant fantasy.”

“I think love is one of those things that finds you,” Clint said. “You don’t find it. Love happens when you least expect it.”

“That’s a good way to look at it,” Mandy said, smiling as they approached her car. It was the only one in the parking lot. On a whim, she swiveled quickly and hugged Clint. “Thank you for making my friend so happy.”

Clint chuckled as he awkwardly patted Mandy’s back. “I’m really going to miss you when you leave.”

“You’re going to see me,” Mandy said, pulling back. “This place wasn’t a home, but I found family here. You’re part of that family.”

“Are you sure James will like that? He doesn’t seem to want you hanging around here. I would assume that dislike includes the people who work here.”

“I know you and James had problems in the past, but he’s a good man,” Mandy said. “He doesn’t want me to leave because of the people. He wants me to leave because of the cases. He wants to travel and spend time together without the pall of death and crime hanging over us.”

“Is that what you want?”

“It is,” Mandy answered. “I never thought I would get to live the life we’re building, but I’m so excited that it’s going to happen I don’t even know how to express it.”

“Well, I’m happy for you.”

“I’m happy for you, too,” Mandy said. “It seems everyone is going to get their happily ever after.”

“I certainly hope you’re right,” Clint said. “I know that I’m looking forward to having a wife and the perfect life. It’s what I’ve always wanted.”

“I think that’s fair to say about everyone.”

“
I
T DOESN’T
go there
.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I know that a round peg doesn’t fit in a square hole,” Grady countered, his hands landing on his hips as he stared down James. “Stop being a pain and let me put that … thing … where it belongs.”

James studied the long metal pin in his hand and scowled. He hated admitting Grady was right, even when it was obvious the oldest Hardy brother was clearly wrong this go around. “Just so you know, it does fit.” James wedged the pin in for good measure and fought the urge to laugh as Grady rolled his eyes.

“You’re such an idiot sometimes,” Grady said, grabbing the pin and yanking it out.

“If you’re such a genius, you tell me where that goes, smart guy,” James challenged.

“You guys are giving me a headache,” Jake said from his spot sitting cross-legged on the floor and watching Rodrigo work. “Can you lower the volume?”

“No,” James and Grady replied in unison.

“They are very loud,” Sven agreed, a streak of grease running down his cheek as he pushed himself out from underneath the car. “I feel like I’m babysitting. I haven’t done that since Sophie was younger. She was better behaved than those two, though.”

“They’ve been like that since they were little,” Rose said, breezing into James’ garage with a full tray of glasses and a pitcher of lemonade. “Who is thirsty?”

“Me,” Rodrigo replied, earning a beaming smile from Rose. “I don’t know how you raised such terrible sons when you’re clearly the world’s best mother.”

“Oh, you’re such a suck-up,” Grady muttered. “How can a mobster be such a suck-up?”

“Practice,” Rodrigo answered, winking as Rose poured him a glass of lemonade. “I want to know how a son can be so rotten to a wonderful mother like this.”

“Did you hear that?” Rose asked, cuffing the back of Grady’s head. “I’m a wonderful mother.”

“You are,” Grady agreed. “I knew that before he did.”

“You’ve never said it.”

“I’ve thought it, though,” Grady said, flashing his mother a cheeky grin.

“You’re a suck-up, too,” James said, using his wrist to wipe his sweaty brow so he wouldn’t get grease on his face. “What time is it? It feels as if we’ve been working for days.”

“It’s a quarter past six,” Sven replied, causing James to frown. “Why? Do you become a pumpkin at the stroke of seven?”

“You’re a real piece of work today,” James said. “You know that, right?”

“I think you’re all pieces of work,” Maverick announced. He sat on the floor next to the driver’s side of the car, a tablet perched on his lap. He plugged the contraption into the car’s guidance system an hour before and hadn’t stopped staring at his screen ever since. James had almost forgotten he was there. “I think your mother is a saint for putting up with you.”

“I like him, too,” Rose said, handing Maverick a glass of lemonade. “He’s very wise.”

“I am,” Maverick agreed. “I’m handsome, too.”

“You would be with a haircut,” Rose said, turning away from Maverick seconds before he shot her a dirty look. “What’s wrong, James? You look upset.”

“I’m not upset,” James clarified. “I’m just … Mandy should’ve been home an hour ago.”

“So?” Maverick made a face. “Does she get lost if she’s not careful? Is it because she’s blonde? While we’re on the subject, is she a real blonde?”

“I’ll shoot you if you ever ask that question again,” James warned, shifting his attention to the driveway. The garage door was open – mainly because it was too hot to work otherwise – and the driveway was littered with the vehicles. The one he didn’t see belonged to his wife. “I need to call her.”

“I’m sure she’s fine,” Rose said. “She’s probably on her way home.”

“I know,” James said. “It’s just … she’s a trouble magnet. I’ll just call her really quickly and … .”

“She’s probably gossiping with Ally,” Jake muttered.

“I heard that,” James snapped, extending a finger. “I’m not going through that again. She did not tell Ally.”

“She didn’t tell Ally what?” Grady asked.

“Don’t worry about it,” Jake snapped.

“Oh, now I’m dying to know,” Grady said. “What’s going on? Did you punch that Vince dude and then try to hide it from Ally? If so, I applaud you. That guy is a douche.”

“Is this the Vince that Ally dated like five years ago?” Rose asked.

James nodded. “He’s an ass.”

“Why is he back in the picture?”

“He’s not back in the picture,” Jake said, making a face. “He’s … a client.”

“Or a criminal,” Sven said. “So far this car appears normal. We haven’t gotten to the nitty-gritty yet, but I don’t see anything out of the ordinary. This might be a waste of time.”

“Speaking of time, I need to call and check on Mandy,” James said.

“Tell her to keep her big mouth shut while you’re at it,” Jake said. “She’s going to ruin everything if she’s not careful.”

“Just … calm down,” James chided. “You’re going to blow an aneurysm or something if you’re not careful.”

“She has a big mouth,” Jake repeated.

“Well, I’ll keep that in mind next time you need a shopping partner.”

Jake froze when he heard the familiar voice, shifting his eyes to the garage door and forcing a smile when he caught sight of Mandy. “I was just joking.”

“Uh-huh.” Mandy slid her gaze to James. “Miss me?”

“You look to be in a mood, wife,” James said, moving closer. “I was worried because you weren’t home. I was just about to call you.”

“I was late because I had a buttload of work to do,” Mandy said. “It was exacerbated by the work you asked me to do.”

“What work?” Rose asked.

“It doesn’t matter,” James replied. “Did you find anything?”

Mandy shook her head. “I didn’t have time to look. There’s a file on the kitchen counter you can go through when you have time.”

“What’s wrong with you?” James asked, annoyance getting the better of him. “You were fine when I saw you earlier. Speaking of that, where is your car? You obviously didn’t park in the driveway.”

“I parked on the street because the driveway was full and I didn’t want to block anyone in,” Mandy explained. “As for my mood … well … it was still good when I left the courthouse. Clint walked me out, by the way. He’s very excited about his engagement.”

“That’s nice … I guess,” James said. “I’m happy he’ll be married so he can stop drooling over you.”

“He doesn’t do that.”

“He does.”

“Whatever,” Mandy muttered. She had no idea why her irritation level was in the red zone, but walking into the garage and hearing Jake talk smack about her while James said nothing caused her last normal nerve to fray. “I’m going upstairs to change my clothes.”

“Not until you tell me what’s got your panties in a twist,” James snapped. “I don’t like your attitude.”

“You don’t like my attitude because it’s on display in front of your macho male club,” Mandy said.

“Wow, I don’t even recognize you right now,” James said. “The woman I left in her office this morning was the sweet wife I know and love. I’m pretty sure you’re an imposter.”

“And I’m pretty sure that you just sat there listening to Jake while he badmouthed me,” Mandy shot back. “That’s also really nice considering I gave up an entire day Sunday to help him shop so he could make Ally’s proposal perfect.”

“Proposal?” Rose’s eyes lit up and it was only then that Mandy realized her mistake.

“Oh, no.”

“Good one, wife,” James muttered, making a disgusted face as Jake dropped his forehead into his hands. “Now Ally is definitely going to find out. Great job.”

“You’re going to propose to Ally?” Rose was atwitter as she approached Jake. “When? Can I see the ring? Ooh, I’m so excited.”

“I’m sorry.” The apology sounded lame to Mandy’s ears. “I didn’t mean … .”

“It’s too late,” Jake said, licking his lips. “I knew it was a mistake to tell you. I just … crap!”

“I want to know why no one told me,” Grady said. “I’m trustworthy and I don’t have a huge mouth like the women in this family.”

“I don’t have a huge mouth,” Mandy argued.

“Oh, you’re a regular blabbermouth,” Grady said.

“I am not!”

“Baby, you just blabbed to the entire room,” James pointed out. “As for standing up for you, I did that a few minutes before you showed up. Jake’s mood has matched yours all afternoon. You’re quite the pair.”

“I … .” Mandy felt helpless. “I didn’t mean to do it.”

“It doesn’t really matter now, does it?” Jake asked, pushing himself to his feet. “This was supposed to be the best day ever for Ally. I wanted it to be special.”

“Oh, you’re such a woman,” Grady muttered.

“You’re just upset because this means you’ll be the only one who hasn’t proposed,” James snapped. “Suck it up and get a move on.”

“You’re going to propose, too?” Rose looked thrilled. “This is like the best day ever.”

“This is like the worst day ever,” Jake countered, stalking toward the driveway. “I need a few minutes to think. I’ll be back.”

“Take your time,” James said, his eyes somber as they locked with Mandy’s. “Are you happy?”

Guilt and worry rolled into a ball and sat in the pit of Mandy’s stomach. She felt terrible. “No.” Her voice cracked and James’ expression softened.

“Baby, we’ll figure it out,” James said. “Mom isn’t going to say anything to Ally. I promise. We’ll fix this.”

Mandy pressed her lips together and mutely bobbed her head.

“Go upstairs and change, Mandy,” James said. “We’ll figure out dinner while you’re up there. Just … take a deep breath and relax. It’s going to be okay. I’ll fix it.”

Mandy wasn’t sure. “I’m sorry.”

“I know you are,” James said. “You have to understand that he’s been dreaming about this for a long time. He wants it to be perfect. He’s really not upset with you.”

That’s not how it felt to Mandy. “I’m going to take a bath.”

“I’ll come get you when dinner is settled. It’s going to be okay.”

Mandy didn’t believe that for a second. She’d screwed up … and she had no idea how to fix it.