Deadly Conflicts (Hardy Brothers Security Book 21) (7 page)

James shrugged. “It’s been a mushy sort of a day.”

“It happens to the best of us,” Jake said. “Let’s get man food to balance it out.”

James’ face split into a wide grin. “Sold!”

“
I
bought you something
.”

Mandy sat between James’ legs, the sun setting close to the shoreline, and snuggled closer to his chest.

“I heard,” James said, smirking at Ally. “Lay it on me.” He extended his wrist, pulling back slightly when he saw Mandy’s frown. “What?”

“How did you hear?”

“I … um … .”

“Way to go, big mouth,” Ally intoned, making a face. “It’s a wonder you’ve been able to hold on to her at all given how clueless you are sometimes.”

Grady Hardy, his girlfriend Sophie Lane tucked in at his side, barked out a laugh. “Oh, the joys of living with women. You never know what’s going to set them off. They’re all sweetness and light one second and then they turn on you the next.”

“Don’t add to this insanity,” James warned, extending a finger in his brother’s direction before turning his contemplative eyes back to his wife. “Baby, I’m not sure what you want me to say and do here.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Mandy replied, tucking a small baggie back amongst her bigger loot. The bags were located at the edge of the blanket they set up close to the shoreline to enjoy the fireworks. “How long after the fireworks are finished do you think we’ll have to stay?”

She was changing the subject, which greatly bothered James. “Let me have the bracelet.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Mandy said, shooting Ally a dark look. “It doesn’t matter.”

“I want it,” James pressed.

Mandy ignored him and focused on Sophie. “What about you? Are you working tonight, or can you just enjoy the fireworks?”

Sophie’s expression was unreadable as she glanced between James and Mandy. “I’m off for the night unless there’s some big scuffle,” she replied. “There’s an intern handling the fireworks story. He should be fine unless there’s a murder or shooting.”

“Let’s hope there’s not one of those,” Grady said, brushing Sophie’s long hair away from her face. “I want to cuddle with my woman.”

Sophie made a sour face. “I hate it when you call me that.”

“No, you don’t,” Grady argued. “You love it when I call you that. It makes you feel all tingly … and girly.”

Sophie opened her mouth to argue and then snapped it shut.

“You’re a piece of work sometimes, man,” Jake said, his hands busy as they dug into Ally’s back and kneaded out the kinks. “You’re not happy unless you’re ticking everyone off. It’s kind of like a game to you, isn’t it?”

Grady shrugged. “I like to win even if it’s not a game.”

“You suck sometimes,” Ally said, pinching his elbow.

“Ow!” Grady jerked his arm away from his sister. “What is your deal? Sugar, my sister is abusing me. I need you to fight for my honor.”

Sophie rolled her eyes. “I’m not fighting Ally.”

“That’s because you know I can take you,” Ally said, grinning.

“No, it’s because Grady has to stand up for himself when it comes to his family,” Sophie countered. “I’m not getting involved.”

“I’m wounded,” Grady groused, playing to his audience.

“You’ll live,” Sophie said. “Besides, if you can’t take your sister, I’m not sure this relationship can continue. She weighs fifty pounds less than you.”

“Sixty,” Ally corrected, earning a dark look from Grady. “That big head of his adds more weight that you would expect.”

Even as their family members enjoyed themselves a few feet away, James and Mandy remained quiet. For his part, James was bothered Mandy refused to give him the bracelet. He was also irritated with himself because he let it slip that he knew about it. For her part, Mandy was embarrassed. In hindsight she thought the bracelet was a stupid idea and the reason Ally told James about it was so he wouldn’t inadvertently hurt her feelings.

“Baby, I want my bracelet,” James said, resting his hand on Mandy’s hip to hold her in place should she try and bolt. “I’ve been looking forward to it all afternoon.”

“You don’t have to say that,” Mandy said. “I know Ally only told you because she knew you would hate it. Don’t worry about it.”

“That’s not true,” Ally protested, her eyes flashing. “We were talking about something else and the bracelet just came up.”

“Oh, yeah?” Mandy wasn’t convinced. “What were you talking about?”

“I gave him a hug and apologized for the way I treated him during the Vince fiasco,” Ally replied, not missing a beat. “I told him he was lucky to have you and that he turned into the best husband I could’ve ever wanted for you.”

“Oh.” Mandy’s cheeks colored. “I … .”

“I also told him you were buying a bracelet and he’d better pretend to like it even if he didn’t,” Ally added, earning a dark look from James. “What? I’m not going to lie to her. I wasn’t sure how you would feel about the bracelet.

“The good news is that he didn’t care in the slightest, Mandy,” she continued. “He’s fine with the bracelet.”

“I want it,” James said. “Give it to me.”

Mandy sighed as she leaned forward and retrieved the small baggie. “I don’t know why I bought it. You don’t wear jewelry so … .”

“I wear jewelry,” James countered. “I wear the watch you got me for Christmas. I’ll wear whatever is in this bag. I also wear this.” He gestured toward his wedding band. “That’s the most important piece of jewelry I own.”

“But you don’t want this,” Mandy said. “It was a mistake. You don’t have to wear it.”

“I’m wearing it,” James said, kissing her cheek. “Just … stop being a pain. I hate it when you get like this.”

“Like what?” Mandy glanced over her shoulder so she could study James’ face as he opened the bag.

“Insecure,” James replied. “You have nothing to be insecure about. It bugs me.”

“Maybe you bug me,” Mandy said. “Have you ever considered that?”

“Only every morning when I try to watch you shaving your legs and you have a fit,” James replied, grinning as Mandy scowled. “I have no idea what mystery you think you’re keeping, but I know you’re in there shaving your legs.”

“I don’t know why you want to see it,” Mandy said.

“It turns me on,” James said. “Sue me. I can’t explain it.”

“That is a turn-on,” Grady agreed. “It’s like a magical mystery unfolding. You guys go in there looking like mortal women and you come out looking like magical fairies. Your skin is so soft and smooth … and you smell like cucumber delights.”

James wrinkled his nose as he regarded his brother. “That’s creepy, man. Cucumbers?”

“That was a Sophie-centric statement. You just spent twenty minutes earlier this week waxing poetic about how Mandy bought a new pineapple body spray, though, so you have no room to talk,” Grady argued. “You said it made you horny.”

Mandy pressed her lips together and widened her eyes as she struggled to keep from laughing at James’ annoyed expression.

“He’s exaggerating, baby,” James said. “He’s making it up.”

“So you would be okay if I threw that body spray away?”

“Don’t even think about it,” James replied. “You smell like a freaking day at the beach when you wear that stuff. It gives me ideas.”

“That’s what I said!” Grady pointed excitedly. “I was right. Admit it.”

“You’re a schmuck,” James said. “I’ll admit that.” He pulled the simple woven bracelet out of the bag and studied it, smiling when he saw the silver shark adornment at the center. It matched the one on her wrist, only it was bigger. “This is nice, baby. Thank you.”

Mandy was still uncertain. “I had the charm engraved.”

“You did?” James flipped the bracelet over, his heart catching in his throat when he saw the words. They were tiny given the size of the charm, but he could still read them. “To ongoing adventures,” he read aloud. “I love you. Mandy.”

“I … .” Mandy didn’t get a chance to finish her statement because James covered her mouth with his and offered her a warm kiss instead. When they parted, Mandy was breathless and bewildered and James was fired up.

“We’re leaving as soon as we can humanly get out of here after the fireworks,” James said. “Be ready and waiting by the truck so I don’t have to look for you.”

“Oh, how cute,” Grady intoned. “Mandy revved James up with a shark for a change. You know how they say couples start to resemble each other the more time they spend together? You guys are identical cousins.”

James slapped Grady’s knee with enough force to make his brother groan. “Leave my baby alone,” he ordered, extending his wrist in front of Mandy. “Put it on me, wife.”

Mandy did as instructed, leaning her head against his chest and relishing the way he wrapped himself around her once she was finished. “You don’t have to wear it,” she repeated one more time.

“Oh, baby, I’m wearing it,” James said, kissing her temple. “They say everyone has a spirit animal. I think you and I share one. It’s a shark.”

Mandy giggled. “Really?”

James nodded. “Thank you for my gift.”

Mandy pressed her eyes shut and let him hold her, enjoying the slight sway to his body as he rocked her. When she finally opened her eyes again, she was back to her usual happy self. “Where are Finn and Emma?”

“They texted at the last minute and said they weren’t coming,” Sophie replied.

“Why?” Ally was affronted. “I thought I was going to get to hold the baby.”

Sophie shrugged. “Jeff is still recovering from his gunshot wound, Finn seems fine, but Emma is convinced his gunshot wound could fester or something, and she said she’s worried the baby won’t like the noise of the fireworks so they begged off this year.”

Finn Hardy, the youngest Hardy brother, was still recovering from a gunshot wound to his lower back. He was fine – despite Emma’s protests to the contrary – but everyone knew he wouldn’t go against her in this scenario. As for Emma’s brother Jeff, his wound was much more serious. James hired a nurse to help, though, and he was making a fast recovery.

“I hate to say it because I’m sad they’ll miss the fireworks, but that’s probably for the best,” Mandy said.

“Speak for yourself,” Ally grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest. “I want to hold the baby.”

“Oh, geez,” Grady intoned. “You need to give her a baby, Jake. She’s going to find a way to wish a baby into existence if you’re not careful. Of course, you have to marry her before that happens because if she shows up pregnant before then we’ll all have to kill you. So … you might want to get on that.”

Grady meant the statement as a joke, but it fell flat. Jake’s cheeks turned crimson as Ally became infatuated with her feet. James shook his head, annoyed, and Mandy scorched Grady with a dark look. Only Sophie had the grace to call her boyfriend on his bad attitude.

“Way to go, gigolo.”

Grady frowned. “I was kidding.”

“It wasn’t funny,” Sophie said. “Besides, you’re the one with a ring and you haven’t proposed yet, so I don’t know who you think you’re making fun of.”

Grady’s mouth dropped open as Sophie locked gazes with him. In truth, Grady had been ready to propose for months. Sophie was the one telling him it wasn’t the right time. She thought she would “feel” it when it happened. Grady wasn’t worried as long as she eventually said yes. Unlike Ally, Sophie didn’t feel her biological clock ticking away. They had plenty of time.

“Hey!” Grady was dumbfounded. “I can’t believe you just said that.”

“I can’t believe this entire conversation is still going on,” Jake lamented. “It’s not even dark yet. That would help the situation.”

“Only because I can grope my wife in the darkness without anyone noticing,” James said, shaking his head and staring down his brother. “Seriously? What is your damage?”

“It was a joke!”

“Well, you need to check out different comedy categories on Netflix or something, because you clearly don’t understand what’s funny.”

“Whatever.” Grady jutted his lower lip out, causing Sophie to snicker as she leaned forward to give him a kiss. “No one appreciates me.”

“I appreciate you,” Sophie said, her voice low. “You just need to think before you speak.”

“I always think before I speak,” Grady argued. “My problem is that my brain doesn’t work as fast as my mouth.”

“I guess it’s good I like your mouth, isn’t it?” Sophie beamed as she extended her lips and brushed them against Grady’s. “I love your mouth, in fact.”

“And I love your mouth,” Grady said, wrestling his girlfriend to the blanket and causing her to squeal. “You’re still a pain in the butt.”

“Oh, that should be the Hardy family motto,” Mandy said, smiling as James rested his chin on her shoulder. “I love you, but you’re a pain in the butt. We should have matching T-shirts made.”

“I’ll get right on that, baby,” James said. “Until then, though, we have a half an hour until the fireworks hit. Who wants ice cream and elephant ears?”

“Ooh,” Mandy enthused. “You had me at elephant ears.”

“Oh, baby, I’m going to have you at a lot more than that later,” James promised, extending his hand to help her to her feet. “We’ll get treats. You all keep … doing whatever it is you’re doing.”

“Finally something I want to do,” Grady said, smiling as Sophie giggled under his tickle assault. “Don’t forget the sprinkles!”

James shook his head. “You make me tired, Grady.”

“Life would be duller without me. Admit it.”

James thought about arguing, but he knew it was a moot point. The Hardy family was a complete set. The loss of any one member would destroy them all. They just had to keep the core safe if they wanted the family to thrive.

“I’ll get your sprinkles,” James called out. “Try not to embarrass yourself while we’re gone.”

“Don’t go expecting any miracles,” Sophie said, laughing as Grady returned to tickling her. “You can’t force the impossible to happen.”

M
andy and James
were all smiles as they returned to the group, their arms laden with sugary goodies. James pulled up short when he saw the new arrival standing at the edge of the blanket.

“Son of a … .”

Mandy followed the path of James’ gaze and frowned when she recognized Vince talking to the group. From thirty feet away he seemed calm and loose, although Ally was clearly tense and Jake looked as if he’d rather swallow a razor blade than talk to the man.

“Why?” James made a disgusted face. “It’s almost as if he’s trying to ruin my day.”

Mandy chuckled despite the sour look on her husband’s face. “If you let him get to you he’s going to keep doing it,” she said.

“See, it is about me,” James muttered.

“It’s not about you,” Mandy countered. “It’s about Ally. Annoying you is just a bonus.”

“Hey, wife, there’s something I should tell you about my history with Vince,” James said, licking his lips. He wasn’t thrilled about admitting an embarrassing memory, but he refused to lie to Mandy. “Um, I might’ve hit him. Twice.”

“You might’ve hit him, huh?” Mandy’s blue eyes twinkled. “I know. It’s okay. I’m not going to yell at you, or think less of you as a man.”

“You know?” James narrowed his eyes. “Ally said she didn’t tell you. She has such a big mouth. I was going to tell you last night but … well … I chickened out.”

“First off, Ally didn’t tell me,” Mandy said.

“Oh, well strike that ‘big mouth’ comment then.”

“I figured that out on my own given the way you two looked at each other,” Mandy said. “You squared your shoulders like you were trying to intimidate him and he was afraid but desperately trying to pretend he wasn’t.”

“Do you really think he was afraid of me?” James was intrigued by the suggestion.

“Yes,” Mandy said. “I also think you didn’t tell me because you’re convinced I’m frightened of you at times when you lose your temper. That’s ridiculous and it bugs me as much as me being insecure bugs you.”

“Duly noted.”

“It’s okay that you don’t like him,” Mandy said, softening her tone. “Ally is your sister and you love her. When you love someone you go out of your way to protect them. Ally understands that.”

“I wish I could pretend to be altruistic and say that hitting him had everything to do with Ally and nothing to do with the fact that I can’t stand him,” James said. “I’m not so blind to my inner failings that I can say that, though. I hit him because I can’t stand the smug look on his face.”

“Well, just try and hold it together,” Mandy said. “The car drawing is right before the fireworks, right?”

James nodded. “Yeah. It should happen in about twenty minutes.”

“Then he’ll be out of our lives,” Mandy said. “He’s only here because of the car.”

James wished he believed that. “He’s here for Ally, too. Don’t kid yourself.”

“It doesn’t matter, James,” Mandy said. “He’s barking up the wrong tree there. Ally is completely in love with Jake. She never loved Vince even back then. She thinks she could’ve eventually fallen in love with him, but they were young and stupid and he left before they had the chance to find out. She will never truly forgive him for what he did to her.”

“She forgave Jake for lying about his former partner, which almost got her killed,” James pointed out.

“She understood that didn’t come from a place of malice,” Mandy countered. “They made amends. Jake would never betray her now.”

“No, he wouldn’t.”

“Just like you wouldn’t betray me.”

James graced Mandy with a goofy smile and sloppy kiss. “You’ve got that right, baby. Let’s eat our snacks and kick the creep to the curb, shall we?”

“Just try not to hit him,” Mandy said.

“No promises, wife.”

A
LLY WAS
nervous when Vince approached. She felt Jake stiffen behind her, which made her tense up, and then Vince took over the conversation before she could wrap her head around what was happening. The fact that James and Mandy were on their way to rejoin the group didn’t help matters.

“Then I told myself that owning twenty dealerships was a lot, but if anyone could do it I was the one,” Vince said, his gaze bouncing between faces. “I think I’ve done pretty well and I proved to that little naysayer in the back of my mind that he was wrong.”

“And you’ve done it with modesty we can only aspire to,” Grady deadpanned, earning a small pinch from Sophie, who had to bite her lip to keep from laughing.

“I’m sorry, I don’t think we’ve been formally introduced,” Vince said, focusing on Grady. “Who are you?”

“He’s my brother,” Ally replied. “He’s the second oldest.”

“Ah, right after James,” Vince intoned, his face unreadable. “Are you and James a lot alike?”

Grady wasn’t sure what the man was getting at, but he was convinced he didn’t like the direction Vince insisted on pointing the conversation. “I’m more like Ally in some ways,” he answered. “We’re both the best looking, of course. I have a lot in common with James, though.”

“That’s too bad,” Vince said, his disappointed expression causing Grady’s blood to boil. “I was hoping James was the anomaly in the family.”

“Who is this guy?” Grady asked, forgetting all pretense of manners. “I don’t like him.”

Sophie couldn’t swallow her laughter as Jake lowered his eyes. Ally, on the other hand, was furious.

“His name is Vince Dawkins,” Ally volunteered. “We were … friends … several years ago.”

“Is that code for sex buddies?” Grady asked. He was never one to employ tact, and given Vince’s attitude regarding his brother he had no intention of starting now. “If so, I hope you got a shot of penicillin when you were done with him because crabs are friends to no one.”

“Grady.” Sophie’s voice was low and full of warning as she slid a look in her boyfriend’s direction. “Don’t start something.”

“Yeah, Grady, don’t start something.” James moved to the edge of the blanket, his eyes nothing but chocolate slits as he regarded Vince. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you would be here. We didn’t get enough to share.”

“Oh, that’s okay,” Vince said. “I’m sure Ally will give me a bite of her … ice cream.”

Jake made a growling sound that caused Ally’s eyes to widen.

“Ally doesn’t share,” Grady supplied. “She’s selfish. That’s why we get along.”

“Since when do we get along?” Ally teased. Out of all the Hardy siblings, Ally and Grady fought most often – although it was mostly about little things. When she got in a big fight with someone, it was almost always with James. They had a lot of the same personality quirks, which was hard on everyone when they butted heads.

“That’s okay,” Vince said, faux happiness practically oozing off of him. “I’m sure if you knew I was here you would’ve brought me a treat, too.”

“Sure,” Mandy said. “We just would’ve spit in it first.” The words were out of her mouth before she had a chance to think about the intelligence associated with uttering them. “I mean … um … .”

James barked out a laugh. “Never change, wife.” He handed a box with four stacked cones to Grady. “I got sprinkles for everyone because I didn’t want to hear Grady complaining if someone stole his sprinkles.”

“That sounds good to me,” Ally said, grabbing her cone. “Where are the elephant ears?”

“Mandy has them.” James sat on the blanket, going out of his way to ignore Vince as he got comfortable. “She’s guarding them with her life.”

“Stop bogarting the elephant ears,” Ally ordered. “Give me some.”

“Fine.” Mandy tossed one of the flat paper bags in her friend’s direction. “Go nuts.”

Ally was suspicious. “That was too easy. You always eat the elephant ear before I can have any.”

“That’s a vicious lie,” Mandy sniffed.

“I bought her one and you one,” James said. “You’re the only two who eat them and I didn’t want to hear any squabbling.”

“Oh, bummer,” Grady said. “It’s not a festival if Mandy and Ally don’t squawk like chickens.”

“You’re on thin ice,” Ally warned, poking Grady’s chest. “You’re kind of a tool today. What gives?”

Grady shrugged. “I think it has something to do with having to work on a weekend. I wish my boss wasn’t such a jerk, but there it is.”

“You could always find another job,” James suggested.

“That will never work,” Grady said. “I’m an acquired taste.”

“And I’ve acquired you,” Sophie said, rubbing her nose against his cheek before licking her cone. “You guys should be nicer to my man. He’s very sensitive … like a woman.”

“Thank you, sugar. That makes me feel so much better.”

Everyone laughed at Grady’s hangdog expression. It was only after a few moments of silence that James realized Vince was staring at them with incredulous eyes.

“What?” James asked. “Does the collective group have something on their faces?”

Vince shook his head. “No. I just … you’re all so domestic.”

“That’s what happens when you settle down,” James said. “You live a domestic life … with mortgages … and bills … and houses … and yard work.”

“I think you just described settling,” Vince said pointedly.

Mandy licked her lips as she felt James tense behind her. “No one here settled,” she said quickly, hoping to head off an argument before James let his temper get the better of him. “Everyone here picked the person they love and decided this was the life they wanted to live.”

“Well, no offense, but this just isn’t the James Hardy I remember,” Vince said. “The man I knew slept with a different woman every night. They looked nothing like you, honey.”

“And now I sleep with the same woman every night,” James said.

“Or so you say.”

“That did it.” James handed his ice cream cone to Mandy. “Hold that, wife. I’ll be back before you know it.”

“James, don’t kill him,” Mandy hissed. “If you go to jail that’s going to totally ruin our naked night in the hot tub.”

“James, he’s not worth it,” Jake called out. “He’s just trying to get a rise out of you.”

“Yeah? Well, it’s working,” James said, a small thrill coursing through him when he caught a glimmer of fear flitting over Vince’s face. “I think this has been coming for a long time.”

“I’ll sue you,” Vince warned, taking a step back. “I’ll sue you for everything you’re worth.”

James stilled. “Don’t ever insinuate I’m cheating on my wife.” His voice was chilly. “In fact, don’t even look at her.”

“I have no interest in your wife,” Vince sputtered. “I don’t even like blondes.”

“That’s good,” James said. “Don’t look at my sister either.”

“Hey, your sister and I have a history that does not involve you,” Vince said. “You’re not the boss of her. In fact, last time I checked, you two weren’t even speaking.”

“That was five years ago,” Ally argued. “We made up soon after you left. He’s my brother. We’ll always make up.”

“Well, how great is that?” Vince’s tongue was practically dripping with sarcasm. “Everyone is one big happy family, huh?”

“What is your deal?” Sophie challenged. “We were having a perfectly good time until you interrupted us. I don’t understand what you hope to accomplish. You’re outgunned and outclassed over here. What is your master plan?”

Ally darted a curious look in Sophie’s direction. “What do you mean?”

“I mean he clearly has an agenda,” Sophie replied. “I have no idea what it is – and perhaps he’s just in to getting negative attention – but he’s being a butthead on purpose. I can always tell because I’ve interviewed so many buttheads for the newspaper over the years I’ve started to classify them. He’s a classic narcissistic butthead, for those keeping score.”

“Oh, I would love to see your filing system,” Mandy said, earning a grin from Sophie.

“I don’t care what your agenda is,” James said. “Move someplace else. Stay away from this blanket. This is a private family affair.”

“Oh, but I thought you were running security?” Vince challenged. “I’m giving a car away. You’re supposed to be in charge of that.”

“And I’ll handle it,” James gritted out.

“No, I’ll handle it,” Grady said. “I think that’s best for everyone. I’m the only one who doesn’t have a history with this guy.”

“I don’t have a history with him,” Jake pointed out.

“No, you’d just like to make him history,” Grady said, kissing Sophie’s cheek before pushing himself to a standing position. “Why don’t you show me the car and we’ll go from there? I’ll handle security on the raffle.”

“That’s not necessary,” James said. “I … that’s my job.”

“Well, occasionally you pay me well to do your job,” Grady said. “I would prefer no one go to jail. I’ll handle it and then we won’t have to see this jackass ever again.”

Vince clenched his jaw as he debated how to reply. Finally he gave Grady a curt nod and glanced at Ally. “I’m sorry if things got out of hand. You should know that wasn’t my intention.”

“I don’t know what your intention was, but I think Sophie’s right,” Ally said. “I think you came over here because you wanted to press James’ buttons. I just can’t figure out why. If you thought … .”

Ally didn’t get a chance to finish her sentence because the distinct sound of gunfire filled the air, followed closely by the roar of a loud engine and squealing vehicle tires as they hit pavement. She snapped her head to the side, surprised, but Vince was already diving in her direction to cover her. Jake barely registered what was happening as he rolled to his knees and pulled Ally away from Vince, sheltering her with his body as he scanned the area behind him. Grady was on top of Sophie as he followed Jake’s gaze and James had Mandy’s head buried beneath his arm as he pressed her low to the ground.

“What the hell?” James asked, annoyed. “Do you see a shooter?”

Grady shook his head. “I … no. I think whoever it was took off in a car. It’s probably a drive-by. That area on the other side of the river is rich with gang activity these days. It might’ve crossed over.”

“Did you see the car?” James fought Mandy’s efforts to lift her head. “You stay down there, wife. I’ll let you up when I’m sure it’s safe.”

“I can’t breathe.”

“You’ll live,” James muttered, rubbing his thumb against her cheek to calm her before locking gazes with Grady. “We need to find out if anyone is hurt.”