Deadly Conflicts (Hardy Brothers Security Book 21) (5 page)

He wanted her to be his wife. No, he
needed
her to be his wife. He had to get his act together because he was desperate to make all of her dreams come true. She’d already fulfilled every dream he never knew he had, so now it was about making her happy.

Jake shifted his fingers to the sensitive nerve bundle at her core as he increased his pace. His love was absolute, and when Ally cried out thanks to her second orgasm, he joined her in bliss. His rhythm staggered and he collapsed on top of her when he was finished, both of them breathing heavy as he kissed her cheek and buried his face in the hollow of her neck.

“I love you so much, Ally,” he murmured.

“I love you, too.” She clutched his back and pulled him closer. “I love you … more than I ever thought possible.”

“That makes two of us.”

A
lly’s head
was heavy on Jake’s chest when he woke the next morning. He spent a few minutes studying her serene profile as he lightly rubbed his thumb over her bare back. Somehow they’d moved from the couch to the bed – although he couldn’t exactly remember when it happened – and then they repeated the love-making experience again before passing out.

Now, thanks to the filtered light of a new day, Jake had a few minutes to enjoy his angel as she slept. He loved looking at her like this. She was a deep sleeper, which worried him should he ever be away from her for a night – which was something he hoped never happened. She was also peaceful when out. Usually, when she was awake, she was a bundle of energy and enjoyed riling up everyone around her. In sleep, though, she truly was his angel.

“What are you staring at?” Ally’s voice was thick with sleep and she didn’t shift her head as she forced out the words.

Jake chuckled. “How did you know I was staring?”

“I know you.”

“You do know me,” Jake agreed. “You know me better than anyone. For the record, I was staring at the most beautiful woman in the world and wondering how I got so lucky.”

Ally finally wrenched her eyes open and smiled. It didn’t matter that her wavy hair was an unruly mess or that she hadn’t washed the previous day’s makeup off her face before bed. She was still profoundly breathtaking. “You’re feeling pretty full of yourself this morning, aren’t you?”

Jake shrugged. “I don’t know. I was kind of hoping you would feel pretty full of me before everything is said and done.”

“Oh, really?” Ally cocked a challenging eyebrow. “What about work?”

Jake held up the cell phone he had the foresight to plug in and rest on the nightstand before succumbing to sleep. “I thought I would text your brother and make up a story.”

“What kind of story?”

“Not a sexy one,” Jake replied. “He’ll come here to check on us if I do that. We all know how that worked out the first time.”

Ally laughed at the memory, although there was a time she never thought she would get over the humiliation of having her big brother walk in on her and Jake making love for the first time. Of course, they weren’t making love at that point. They were merely itching a scratch that both couldn’t help but wonder if they should leave unattended.

“He was so funny that day,” Ally said. “Well, I mean he was funny in some respects. He was mean to Mandy that day.”

“Oh, they got over it,” Jake said, running his hand down the back of Ally’s head. “They’re stronger than ever now.”

“They are.”

“I don’t want to talk about your brother this morning, angel,” Jake chided. “I want to talk about something else.”

“What’s that?” Ally teased, snuggling closer and letting her hand drift to Jake’s morning erection. “Do you want me to speak into the microphone?”

Jake’s face turned red he laughed so hard at her double entendre. He had no idea how she managed to turn a verbal faux pas like that into something sexy, but she did it with aplomb. “Let me text your brother that I’m going to be late,” he said. “Then I think we can work something out.”

“I can’t wait. After last night, I wasn’t sure if you would have the energy. I thought maybe I drained you.”

“Oh, angel, you haven’t seen anything yet,” Jake said. “I promise to grant all of your wishes this morning.”

“Be still my heart.”

J
AMES
frowned
as he stared at his cell phone screen. He was in front of the courthouse in downtown Mount Clemens, Mandy at his side, and when he read Jake’s text he almost had a meltdown.

“What’s wrong?” Mandy asked, sipping her slush. She was the only person James knew who could drink something that sweet so early in the morning. “Is the world coming to an end? Zombies or aliens?”

James ripped his eyes away from the phone and graced his wife with a genuine smile. She was glowing, their antics from the previous night causing both of them to sleep long and sound. He still managed to show up to work on time, though. “Jake says the water heater’s pilot light went out and he’ll be a little late.”

“Oh, that’s too bad,” Mandy said, her tongue blue from the slush. “I’m sure it won’t be a big deal, though. This place won’t be hopping for another two hours. It’s barely open this early.”

“Thank you, wife,” James intoned. “I never would’ve figured that out on my own.”

Mandy narrowed her eyes. “Don’t take that tone with me.”

“I’m sorry, baby,” James said, holding his hands up. “That was unfair. We both know the hot water heater didn’t go out, though. They’re … doing something else.”

Mandy snorted, unbothered by James’ potential freakout. “So what? We did something else last night and this morning. Why should they have to live by different rules?”

“In case you haven’t noticed, baby, I’m at work on time,” James pointed out. “Even Grady is on time, although he’s over by the coffee tent with Sophie. She told me not to bug him for twenty minutes because he has PMS or something. Despite that, he’s here.”

“He has PMS?” Mandy was intrigued. “I guess the long hair really is turning him into a woman, huh?”

James rolled his eyes. “Wife, I love you more than life itself, but you’re always going to take Ally’s side and that really irritates me right now because I just know she’s doing something filthy with my employee.”

Mandy returned the exaggerated eye roll. “First off, Jake is not your employee right now,” she said. “He’s your friend and he’s having a nice morning with his girlfriend. Let it go. Second off, Ally is your sister and you want her to be happy, right?”

“I haven’t decided yet.” James had a stubborn streak a mile wide. “Is that my only option?”

Mandy playfully slapped James’ arm and sent him a warning look. “They’re not hurting anyone and Jake is never late. Let them be.”

“Fine.” James grabbed Mandy around the waist and dipped her low, pressing his chest against hers as he kissed her. “You’re extremely mouthy and bossy. You know that, right?”

“I might’ve been told that a time or two,” Mandy conceded. “You only notice the bossiness because you’re bossy, too.”

“I am the boss.”

“You’re not my boss.”

“I will be tonight,” James said, mock growling as he kissed Mandy’s neck and caused her to giggle. The couple was so lost in their game they didn’t notice they had a guest until the unmistakable sound of a man clearing his throat assailed their ears. James returned Mandy to a standing positioned and swiveled, an apology on his lips. He expected to find a festival organizer watching their morning interlude. Instead he found Vince Dawkins. He would’ve been happier with a disappointed festival representative – or even a deranged carnival clown. “Oh, good grief. What are you doing back in town?”

Mandy’s sea-blue eyes widened as she took in the man she recognized from her trip to the mall with Ally. He was handsome, there was no mistaking that, but there was something off about the way he carried himself. His cheekbones were high, his shoulders squared, and his smile bright. Everything about him still screamed “fraud,” though.

“James,” Vince said, keeping his tone even. “It’s so nice to see you.”

“So I’ve been told,” James said, slipping his arm around Mandy’s waist and drawing her to him as he studied Ally’s former boyfriend. “I thought you moved to California.”

“I did,” Vince confirmed. “I spent several years out there building a business and making a name for myself. Then I decided to move back home. My mom hasn’t been doing well and I thought I should be closer for her sake.”

James had the grace to look abashed, but only marginally. “I’m sorry about your mother. I never met her, but that’s always difficult.”

“Thank you,” Vince said. “How are things with the security business? It was just taking off when I left town.”

“They’re good,” James replied. “How are things in the … whatever it is you do?”

“I own about twenty car dealerships all across the country now,” Vince answered. “It’s going well. In fact, I’m the one raffling off a new car here. It’s part of a publicity push for my grand opening.”

“Awesome,” James intoned, utilizing his easygoing voice even though he was feeling anything but friendly. “That sounds neat.”

Mandy pressed her lips together to keep from laughing at her husband’s fake act as Vince shifted his eyes to her.

“And how are you?” Vince asked.

“Oh, I apologize,” James offered. “This is Mandy Avery-Hardy. She’s my wife.”

“We’ve actually met,” Mandy said, extending her hand to shake Vince’s even as James scowled.

“You’ve met? When?” James didn’t appear happy with the development.

“Ally and I ran into him at the mall yesterday,” Mandy explained.

“You didn’t tell me that,” James said.

“That’s because you were too busy carrying her craft treasures,” Vince said, chuckling lightly as James scorched him with a murderous look. “I saw you yesterday, even if you didn’t see me. I was talking to your sister at the time. She is so … great.”

“And taken,” Mandy said, the words out of her mouth before she had a chance to realize how the simple statement might sound to Vince.

“And taken,” James agreed, not for the first time silently thanking his lucky stars he found the perfect woman. She was playful and delightful one moment and loyal and fierce the next. He could never find a better match. “She’s moved up in the world from when you knew her.”

“Oh, I don’t know,” Vince said. “She seems like the same old Ally to me.”

“Well, she’s not.”

“I think she might be.”

“I think you’re a douche.” This time James was the one not mincing words and Mandy couldn’t stop her mouth from dropping open at his brazen attitude.

“I’m pretty sure you’re not supposed to talk to me that way,” Vince said. “I am one of the VIPs of the festival, after all.”

“I don’t care if you’re the dark lord of the Sith,” James shot back. “I don’t respect you and I’m not going to pretend otherwise.”

“That was a really cool reference,” Mandy said. “I’m hot for you again.”

James didn’t want to smile, but he couldn’t stop the corners of his mouth from quirking up. “I’ll get right on that, baby.”

Vince looked James up and down, sizing him up. His disdain for the eldest Hardy brother was obvious. The feeling was clearly mutual. “I don’t want to get into a pissing contest with you,” he said. “I don’t see the need.”

“That’s good,” James said, his voice breezy even as his eyes sharpened. “Keep away from my sister and we’ll be fine.”

“Last time I checked your sister was an adult,” Vince pointed out. “She can make choices on her own. She doesn’t need you to do it for her.”

“She can make choices on her own,” James agreed. “She won’t fall for your act twice, though. Don’t bother trying to snow her.”

“She’s also taken,” Mandy said. “I … is something going on that I’m missing?”

James finally tore his gaze away from Vince and focused on his blonde. “It’s nothing, baby. How about I take you over to the Coney Island for breakfast before this place opens up? It might be our only chance for some alone time until tonight.”

Mandy was confused, but she didn’t hesitate to agree to his offer. “Sure. A farmer’s omelet sounds good.”

“Great.” James linked his fingers with Mandy’s and shot Vince a challenging look before departing. “I meant what I said. Don’t think you’re coming back into Ally’s life and messing things up. She’s happy. If you ruin that I’ll … .”

“I have no intention of ruining that,” Vince said, unruffled. “I want Ally to be happy, too.”

“Well, the best way for that to happen is for you to disappear,” James said. “We’ll raffle your car off and you can slink back to whatever hole it is you crawled out of. How does that sound?”

“Like you’re betting on the wrong horse,” Vince replied. “It wouldn’t be the first time you underestimated me, though, would it?”

James pursed his lips, tamping down his irritation as he fought to remain calm for Mandy’s benefit. He didn’t want to frighten her and explode all over Vince when it would draw unnecessary attention to the trio. “Have a nice day.”

Vince remained rooted to his spot. “You, too.”

Mandy waited until they were across the street and halfway to the restaurant before speaking. “Wow. Do you want to tell me what that was about?”

James pulled up short as he regarded her, unsure how to answer. “It’s nothing to worry yourself about, baby. I promise. He’s not dangerous.”

“I know that,” Mandy said. “What’s the deal with you and him, though? I thought you were going to rip your shirt off and wrestle him right here. That would’ve been totally hot, by the way.”

James made a face that would’ve been comical under different circumstances. “You are a laugh a minute, wife.”

“Tell me,” Mandy prodded, refusing to let him derail the conversation. “What’s going on?”

“I don’t like him,” James replied. “What did Ally tell you about him?”

“Just that they dated for about two months and he took off for what was supposed to be a business meeting and never came back,” Mandy replied, not missing a beat. “Ally said she was confused at first … and then a little crushed … but she got over it.”

“She didn’t just get over it,” James clarified. “She was upset and full of self-doubt because he didn’t bother calling. She was massively upset and thought she did something to warrant that treatment. It pissed me off.”

“I get being upset about that,” Mandy said. “I just … that was a whole lot of hate going on there.”

James blew out a sigh. Mandy was intuitive. He knew that. Trying to hide anything from her was a fruitless endeavor. “I knew he wasn’t good for Ally from the moment I met him,” he explained. “She was so excited when she showed up with him. This is when Grady and Finn were still finishing up their tours, so it was just Ally and me down here.

“We didn’t have the tightest of relationships back then,” he continued. “We fought a lot. I warned her about Vince and she didn’t take it well. There was a fight and … she chose him over me.”

Mandy’s heart rolled at the forlorn expression on her husband’s face. “And that crushed you.”