Deadly Ever After (Hardy Brothers Security Book 6) (8 page)

Mandy was at her limit.

Watching the scum of the Earth move in and out of the circuit-court system was always a drag, but today was particularly painful.

“Mr. Jackson, you are aware that it is illegal to set your wife’s car on fire, correct?” Judge MacIntosh looked as tired as Mandy felt.

She’d been up all night, sleep evading her every attempt to claim it. Finally, she’d given in and did the only thing she could do. Now, she couldn’t focus on anything but her worry. She’d never seen James so angry. She’d seen him mad, sure, but the unrestrained fury he foisted on her the previous night was just unacceptable.

There could never be a repeat of that display. Never. She wouldn’t tolerate it.

“I didn’t set fire to her car,” Tony Jackson replied, forcing a contrite look on his face. “I was smoking a cigarette. It was an accident.”

“The car was soaked in gasoline.”

“I have no idea who did that.”

“We have surveillance video of you buying gas an hour before the fire,” MacIntosh pointed out.

“That was for the lawn mower.”

“The police found the receptacle empty on the driveway.”

“Someone must have stolen it from the garage.”

“Uh-huh.”

Mandy rolled her eyes, exchanging a dubious look with Heidi across their desks. They were used to hearing hilariously preposterous stories, but Tony Jackson’s was not only funny, but weak.

“You’ve been found guilty by a jury of your peers,” MacIntosh pointed out.

“I’m being railroaded.”

“Right,” Judge MacIntosh said, glancing at the file in front of him. “I hereby sentence you to ninety days in the county jail – no early release. You also have to attend five-hundred hours of anger management classes, and I sentence you to another five-hundred hours of community service with a local arson prevention group. You’ll also be on probation for three years.”

“That’s so unfair!” Jackson was incensed.

“Tell that to your wife,” Judge MacIntosh replied.

“I’m not telling that bitch anything.”

The judge raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”

Jackson opened his mouth to say something else, but his lawyer stilled him. After a few minutes of hushed discussion, the lawyer thanked the judge for his time and exited the courtroom. Once the sheriff’s deputies led Jackson away, it was just the three of them.

“Well, that’s it,” MacIntosh said. “Does anyone else think this was a particularly awful day?”

“I don’t know,” Heidi said. “I liked the wife beater. He had a certain flair. I liked his story about how he fell over eight times and just happened to land on his wife.”

MacIntosh smirked. “He was an ass.”

“That’s why I liked him.”

The judge shifted his gaze to Mandy. “How are you today, my dear?”

“I’m fine,” Mandy said.

“You don’t look fine.”

“I’m fine.”

“And how is Mr. Hardy?”

That was a loaded question. “I’m sure he’s fine.”

“But you don’t know?”

“Nope.”

Judge MacIntosh nodded, his face unreadable. “Would you like to talk about it?”

Mandy got to her feet. “Not even a little.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.”

“Well then, have a nice evening.”

“I’m sure it will be great,” Mandy said, stalking out of the courtroom and heading toward her office. After slamming files around, and closing out the day’s docket on her computer, she spent the next fifteen minutes staring at the wall. She honestly wasn’t sure what to do with herself. Since she’d left her vehicle at the courthouse the previous afternoon, she’d had to call a cab to pick her up that morning, admonishing the woman on the phone that if anyone honked a horn she was going to sue them. It had been an empty threat, but the idea of waking James had been more than she could handle. She knew there was another confrontation with him in her future, but she was a big proponent of putting things off for as long as she could.

Mandy finally gave in, packing her stuff up and locking her office. The building was mostly empty, and she internally cursed herself for waiting so long to leave. She knew that the area was being patrolled heavily, but James’ words were coming back to haunt her. She should have planned her day better.

She left the building out the side door – even though she wasn’t a fan of the dark garage she had to pass through. She figured her best bet was to break from routine and cut the distance between the building and her car to the shortest length possible. When she left the building, a familiar figure standing in the parking lot and leaning against her car caught her attention.

James.

Mandy squared her shoulders, steeling herself for the verbal onslaught she knew she was about to face. She plodded toward him, stopping her forward momentum when she was still a few feet away. She looked him over. Up close, there were dark circles under his eyes. He’d obviously showered, but his button-down shirt was disheveled and his over-long hair was practically standing on end.

He shuffled in front of her car uncomfortably, not opening his mouth to speak.

Mandy couldn’t take the silence. “What are you doing here?”

“I came for you.”

“I can drive myself,” Mandy said.

“I … .”

Mandy waited. He looked decidedly unhappy, like he was searching for magic words that he just couldn’t find.

“How long have you been here?”

“Since lunch,” James admitted. “I was waiting in front of the building, but you never came out.”

“I ate at my desk. I thought it was safer to stay inside.”

James nodded, staring at his feet.

“Did you come here just to look at your shoes?”

When James lifted his eyes, finally meeting her gaze, Mandy’s heart clenched. He looked lost.

“You can’t leave me.”

Mandy frowned. “What?”

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have yelled. I shouldn’t have ordered you around. I just … I was scared. I panicked. I … I didn’t mean it. Please, don’t leave me.”

Mandy was confused. He was acting strange. Sure, the situation was uncomfortable, but he was acting like the world was ending. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying that I’m sorry,” James said. “I shouldn’t have thrown the chair. I shouldn’t … God, please don’t call off the wedding.”

“What?”

James held out his hand, her diamond engagement ring glinting in his palm. Suddenly, things slid into focus for her. “I found this on the table,” James said. “I … I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

Mandy thought about torturing him further, but the despair on his face was more than she could take. “I’m not leaving you.”

James jolted. “What?”

“I’m not leaving you,” Mandy repeated.

“But … you left the ring on the table,” James said. “That was clearly a message.”

Mandy lifted her left hand, pointing to the bandage on her finger. “I cut my finger when I was picking up the glass on the floor. I had to take the ring off to fix it. I forgot I left it on the table.”

James faltered. “But, all your stuff is gone. The slippers weren’t by the couch. Your hoodie wasn’t over the chair.”

“I couldn’t sleep last night,” Mandy said. “Not a wink. I cleaned the apartment, mostly because I didn’t know what else to do. My stuff isn’t gone. It’s put away. The slippers are in the bedroom closet. The hoodie is in the hallway closet with the other coats.”

“But your books weren’t on the shelf,” James protested.

“I packed them,” Mandy replied. “I had a lot of nervous energy to deal with.”

James’ shoulders sagged. “You’re not leaving me?” His eyes were glistening with unshed tears – and relief.

“I’m not leaving you.”

James took a step forward, stilling as he regarded her. “I thought … .”

“I’m going to give you a hug,” Mandy said carefully. “That doesn’t mean I’m not still angry. It just means that you look like you need a hug.”

James opened his arms, sighing when Mandy stepped into them. He rubbed his face against her head, relief washing over him as he felt her familiar warmth against his chest. “I’m so sorry.”

“I know,” Mandy said. “I knew you were sorry last night.”

“I … .”

“Shh,” Mandy said, brushing a quick kiss against his jaw. She felt the hitch in his chest as he rubbed her back. “I’m sorry I scared you.”

“You didn’t scare me,” James said. “The situation scared me, and I took it out on you. The thought of someone hurting you sent me into a tailspin. I handled it wrong. I always handle it wrong.”

“I wasn’t talking about that,” Mandy murmured, her face pressed into the hollow between his neck and chest. “I was talking about the ring. I never meant for you to think something like that.”

“I thought the idea of you dying on me scared me,” James said. “The idea of you walking away from me hurt more than any bullet ever could.”

“James, you drive me crazy,” Mandy said. “You’re bossy, and your temper is just out of control.”

James flinched.

“I love you more than anything in this world,” Mandy continued. “I’m not going to leave you. I’m never going to leave you. I can’t live without you.”

James kissed her forehead before moving his lips down to her mouth. “I love you, baby. Sometimes I don’t think there are enough words in the English language to tell you how much I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

THEY
were on each other the minute they hit the stairwell at Hardy Brothers Security. Mandy had insisted on driving her car home, and James was close to her back bumper the whole ride. He’d wanted to leave the car there, the idea of being separated from her – even for twenty minutes – too much to bear. In the end, he’d given in. He knew it was a test, and he was determined to pass.

His hands had been on her, roaming, as soon as she climbed out of her car. He refused to allow any space between them as they made their way to the building. Mandy stumbled on the stairs and James caught her before she could hit the ground. Their mouths were fused together.

“What is going on?” Ally appeared in the hallway behind them.

“You can leave,” James said, not bothering to look at his sister. “Thank you for your help. Lock the door on your way out.”

Ally laughed gaily. “I guess you two made up.”

“Go,” James said, waving her off.

“I’m waiting for Jake.”

“Then stay down here,” James ordered, running his hand down the side of Mandy’s face tenderly. “Don’t you dare come upstairs.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Ally said. “You two are going to be naked before you hit the second-floor landing.”

“I certainly hope so,” James said.

Somehow, and James still wasn’t sure how he’d refrained from ripping Mandy’s skirt up and sliding inside of her during the climb, the duo managed to enter the apartment still fully clothed. They tumbled to the floor together, a tangle of limbs and entwined tongues.

“I love you,” James murmured, yanking Mandy’s shirt open. “I love you.”

“I love you,” Mandy said, her hand slipping inside of his pants. “You still piss me off.”

“Shh.” James pulled his jeans down, not bothering to completely discard them. He needed her now. He’d be gentle for their next bout. He lifted her skirt up, pushing her thong to the side and rubbing his length against her moist center. He pushed inside, his arms slipping beneath her knees and pushing them forward.

Mandy moaned as he gained entrance, her head lolling to the side. Her shirt was unbuttoned, her right breast spilling out from the top of her bra. The sight was erotic enough to cause James to slow his pace. If he didn’t calm down, he was going to coast over the edge before he could get her there.

He lowered his mouth to hers, slipping his tongue inside. Mandy met it with her own, forcing his face closer, her fingers tangled in his hair. James grinded himself against her sensitive nerve bundle in a circular motion, enjoying the way she cried out as her orgasm claimed her. James forced himself to remain calm until her body stopped trembling, finally increasing his pace and joining her with three short thrusts.

He groaned as he collapsed on top of her, his mouth claiming hers again for good measure. They clung together for a long time, their breathing uneven, finally deciding they both needed to do it again at almost the exact same moment. This time, they stripped each other bare. They didn’t bother to move from the floor, but their lovemaking was slower and softer. Their kisses weren’t as fervent, but they were just as needy. This time, their eyes never left each other, and when they went over the abyss, there was nothing but love between them.

“How are things?”

James glanced up, fixing Jake with an unreadable look. “As good as can be expected.”

Jake chose his words carefully. “Ally is chatty. You know that, right?”

James sighed. “Trust me, I know that.”

Jake tried again. “So, how are things?”

The two men were sitting in James’ office, poring through old case files for potential suspects. They’d been working in silence for almost four hours, James sitting behind his desk and Jake settling on the couch.

“They’re okay,” James said, rubbing his forehead. “They’re better.”

“And Mandy? How is she?”

“She’s dreading the arrival of our parents this weekend.”

“She’s not the only one,” Jake admitted.

James smirked. “Is Ally going to put you on display?”

“She just sprung it on me last night.”

“And?”

“And nothing,” Jake said, shifting a file to the side and grabbing another. “She wants me to meet your parents, so I’m going to meet your parents.”

“If she wasn’t on you about it, would you do it?”

Jake tilted his head, considering the question. “I honestly don’t know.”

“Well, if it’s any consolation, my parents are great people,” James said. “They’ll like you. You have nothing to worry about.”

“It’s not that I’m worried exactly.”

“Then, what is it?”

“Ally is just so excited.”

“Isn’t she always?”

“Most of the time,” Jake conceded. “She’s just making such a big deal out of this. It’s making me nervous. I’ve stared down the barrel of a gun numerous times, but the idea of meeting your mother and father is just … daunting.”

“Don’t worry about it,” James said. “This is probably a great time for you to meet them.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Well, they haven’t met Emma yet,” James replied. “My mom is going to be fawning all over her. My mom likes to play dress up, and Mandy and Ally stopped letting her dress them a really long time ago. Emma is a model. She plays dress up for a living. That’s going to be way too tempting for my mom to pass up. She’s going to be like a human Barbie doll.

“When you couple that with the wedding, and all the love my parents are going to be spewing at Mandy, you might be able to mostly pass under their radar,” James said.

“What about your dad?”

“What about him?”

“Is he going to look at me the same way you and your brothers look at me?”

James tilted his gaze up, confused. “How do we look at you?”

“Like I’m defiling your sister.”

“You
are
defiling my sister,” James said.

“Dude … .”

“He might act all stern for a few minutes,” James conceded. “It will mostly be an act. Mandy and Ally are in constant contact with my mother. My parents know how happy Ally is. They know you’re the reason why. If he says anything to you, he’s only messing with you.”

“Are you sure?”

“He might test you a little,” James admitted. “Just stay strong.”

“How will he test me?”

James shrugged. “I have no idea.”

“You’re so lucky that Mandy’s father is dead,” Jake said. “You don’t have to deal with the looks.”

James stilled.

“Sorry, that was a stupid thing to say,” Jake said. “I’m sure Mandy would want her father to walk her down the aisle more than anything in this world. I didn’t mean that.”

“Oh,” James said, rolling his neck. “Oh.”

“I’m really sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry,” James said. “You just made me realize what’s going on.”

“What’s going on where? You have a suspect?” Jake was confused.

“Not that,” James said. “Keep going through the files. I definitely don’t have a suspect.”

“What were you talking about?”

“The wedding,” James said. “I can understand Mandy wanting to keep the ceremony small. I’m actually relieved by that. She never wants to talk about it, though. That’s the thing I couldn’t understand. She’ll talk about furniture and art for the new house for hours on end. When I bring up the wedding, then she just clams right up.”

Jake arched and eyebrow. “And?”

“She’s not looking forward to the ceremony because her dad won’t be there to walk her down the aisle,” James said. “Crap.”

“Maybe your dad could walk her down the aisle,” Jake offered. “They like each other, right?”

“They do,” James said, worrying his bottom lip with his teeth. “That doesn’t seem right, though.”

“Why don’t you ask Mandy who she wants to walk her down the aisle?”

“She won’t answer me,” James said. “She’ll duck the question.”

“Why?”

“Her dad hasn’t been gone all that long,” James explained. “She’s realizing her childhood dream of marrying me – and yes I realize how arrogant that sounded, but you know what I mean – but she’s doing it without a big piece of the puzzle.”

Jake understood. “You can’t bring her dad back from the dead. What are you going to do?”

“I don’t know,” James admitted. “I need to think.”

“Maybe you should talk to Ally,” Jake suggested. “She might have an idea.”

James shifted in his chair. “No.”

“Why?”

“Ally won’t have the answer to this one,” James said. “Mandy won’t really talk about her dad, especially since the whole Sheryl situation blew up. Ally won’t be able to help herself from approaching Mandy, and then she’ll just lie and say everything is fine. I don’t want that.”

“So, what are you going to do?”

“I have no idea,” James said. “I’m going to do something, though. This is going to be the best day of her life. I’m not going to miss a really big detail. I need to think.”

“WHERE
do you think you four are going?”

James looked up from his spot behind the desk. He’d been staring at the computer screen so long his eyes were starting to cross. He still wasn’t out of it enough to miss Mandy, Ally, Sophie, and Emma trying to sneak out of the building.

“You look tired,” Ally offered. “You should take a nap.”

“It’s just a lot of files,” James said.

“Are you getting anywhere?”

“The list of people who hold a grudge against me is long and storied.”

“You always were popular.”

James frowned. “You’re trying to distract me.”

“That’s a horrible thing to say about your sister,” Ally said, sashaying into the room and dropping a kiss on the top of Jake’s head. He was sitting on the couch watching the interaction between his girlfriend and her brother with overt interest. “Hi, sweetie.”

“Hi, angel,” Jake said. “What are you doing?”

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

“I know you,” Jake said. “You’re up to something.”

“That’s a mean thing to say.”

“Now you’re trying to deflect with faux outrage,” Jake said. “Don’t bother. Just tell us what you’re up to.”

“I’m really hurt,” Ally said, jutting her lower lip out in a pronounced pout.

Jake’s heart melted, even though he was still suspicious. He leaned forward, capturing her bottom lip between his. Ally met his kiss enthusiastically, causing James to look away and focus on the other three women in the lobby.

“Where are you going, baby?”

“What makes you think we’re going anywhere?” Mandy asked, taking a step forward.

“You’re all dressed up and heading toward the door,” James said. “Even if I didn’t do this for a living, I would know you guys were up to something.”

Mandy sighed, the gesture dramatic and overly played. “You’re so smart.”

James rolled his eyes. “Tell me where you think you’re going.”

“I
know
I’m going for the final fitting of my wedding dress,” Mandy said, brushing James’ hair away from his face. “You need a haircut.”

“I know,” James said, buying time as he considered the problem in front of him. “I promise to get it cut before the wedding.”

“You don’t have to,” Mandy said. “I like it when you look all rough and tumble. It makes me want to have sex with you in nature.”

James smirked. “That was an outstanding distraction, baby.”

“I try.”

“I’m still not sure.”

Mandy’s shoulders slumped.

“I don’t want to fight,” James said. “I
really
don’t want to fight.”

“So, we won’t fight.”

“I also don’t know how comfortable I am with you guys running all over the county,” James said.

“We’re not running all over the county,” Mandy said. “We’re going to a wedding shop. We’re not going to be out in the open. I just have to make sure the dress fits, and these guys need to make sure their dresses are done.”

“What if I come with you?” James offered.

“You can’t see her in her dress,” Ally protested. “It’s bad luck.”

“We’ve had all the bad luck we’re going to have,” James said.

“You’re testing the fates,” Ally warned.

James growled. “Ally.”

“James,” she shot back.

“Okay,” James said. “If I can’t see the dress, why can’t Jake go with you?”

Ally faltered, her face awash with concentration as she tried to come up with an acceptable response. James turned to Mandy. “Is there a reason?”

“We can’t gossip if Jake is there,” Mandy replied.

“I don’t think Jake cares about your gossip,” James said.

“He’ll still inhibit it.”

James cleared his throat, exchanging a glance with Jake. “What do you think?”

Jake shrugged. “I don’t know. I would feel better if they weren’t alone.”

“Join the club.”

“They’re going to pout if we don’t let them go off on their own, though,” Jake added.

“I’m well aware.”

“What if Jake stays outside of the shop?” James pressed.

“Then we’ll feel guilty,” Ally admitted.

“Why would you feel guilty?”

“Okay, a dress fitting isn’t what you guys are picturing,” Ally said. “We don’t go into the shop, try on dresses, and then just leave.”

“Then what do you do?”

“There’s champagne and shopping,” Ally said. “There’s a lot of talk about hopes and dreams. It’s very girly.”

James rolled his eyes.

“If Jake is standing outside, he’s going to be bored,” Ally said.

“I won’t be bored,” Jake argued. “I’ll take a stack of files. I’ll be fine.”

Ally was exasperated. “It will make us rush if we know he’s outside.”

James searched Mandy’s face. She was trying to be stoic, but he could read the truth behind her heavy-lidded eyes. “Okay,” he said. “Go.”

Mandy took an involuntary step back. “Really?”

“Just … please … text me every twenty minutes or so,” James said. “I’ll be a bundle of nerves if you don’t.”

Mandy smiled, shuffling forward and dropping a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you.”

James grabbed the front of her shirt, pulling her in close for a proper kiss. “Be really careful, baby.”

“I will.”

“I mean
really
careful.”

“I will.”

James let go of her shirt. “Have fun.”

“We will,” Ally said, getting to her feet. She gave Jake a smoldering kiss.

“If you get too drunk, call us for a ride,” James ordered. “The dress should be covered for the ride home, right?”

“Right,” Ally said, snapping her heels together and saluting.

James rolled his eyes. “You drive me crazy.”

Ally dropped a quick kiss on the top of James’ head before moving through the open doorway. “You did the right thing.”

“If something happens to her, I’m blaming you,” James replied.

“Nothing will happen to her.”

“It had better not.”

“She’s going to look beautiful,” Ally said, her face beaming and her eyes dreamy.

James sighed. “That’s why I’m letting you all go. Have a good time.”

“We definitely will.”