Deadly Rivalry (Hardy Brothers Security Book 17) (5 page)

James ignored her as he walked away from the table. He had to catch Mandy before she got back to the courthouse. He couldn’t let her leave thinking the worst of him – although he had no idea what she was thinking.

M
andy beat James
back to the courthouse, and by the time he climbed the stairs and found her office empty he was furious. He wasn’t sure if he should feel guilty – but he did. All the anger he was feeling was directed at himself. They’d been happy this morning. No, they’d been blissful this morning. He ruined it by letting Madeline manipulate him.

James wasn’t an idiot. He’d seen the smug expression wash over Madeline’s face when she informed him Mandy was at the restaurant. Logically he knew there was no way Madeline could know where Mandy was going for lunch. That didn’t stop him from doing just that.

James paced Mandy’s office for twenty minutes before she appeared, her blue eyes widening when she caught sight of him.

“What are you doing here?”

“Waiting for you,” James replied. “Where have you been?”

“I was in the bathroom,” Mandy replied stiffly, giving him a wide berth as she stepped around him and moved to her desk. “I’m sorry I interrupted your … work … lunch. I shouldn’t have left as it is. I have a lot of work to catch up on myself. You should go back and finish your … business.”

James didn’t believe for a second that she had work to finish. He also didn’t like the way she was phrasing “work” and “business.” He didn’t know how to fix the situation in a limited amount of time, though. “Madeline showed up at the security office this morning,” he explained. “She purchased a day spa in Clinton Township. She needs us to do the security on it.”

“That sounds like a great job,” Mandy said, pressing her lips together as she pretended to focus on her computer monitor. “I’m glad you won’t be in any danger for a change.”

“Mandy … .”

“James, I have work to do,” Mandy said. “I’m sorry I interrupted your work lunch. I had no idea you were there. It won’t happen again. You should go back. Madeline is probably wondering where you are.”

“Screw Madeline,” James said. “I’m worried about you.”

“There’s nothing wrong with me.”

James scowled. “I’m going to leave you to do your fake work because we can’t talk this out here in case someone hears us,” he said. “I’ll be back to take you home when your shift is over.”

“That’s not necessary. My car is here.”

James considered arguing with her but refrained. “We’ll talk later.”

M
ANDY
sleepwalked
through the afternoon session, repeatedly telling Heidi and Judge MacIntosh that she was fine. After courtroom activities ceased for the day, she hurried to her office to lock it up and raced out of the building. She wanted to escape before James showed up to collect her. She couldn’t take another showdown.

When she arrived in the parking lot she spied the spot where her car was supposed to be parked and found it empty. She cursed under her breath and turned back toward the building to catch Heidi for a ride before it was too late. Instead she found James leaning against the building, a blue rose in his hand. She was in such a hurry when she scampered through the external door she’d missed him.

“Hello, wife,” James said, his voice even. “How was your day today?”

“It sucked.”

“I’m sure it did,” James said, pushing himself away from the building and trudging in her direction. He extended the blue rose as he approached. “I brought you a peace offering.”

Blue roses had become something of a symbol in the Hardy marriage. James didn’t buy them unless he was in trouble. Sadly, the clerk at the flower shop recognized him on sight when he walked through the front door.

Mandy took the flower and pressed it to her nose, inhaling deeply. She loved the blue blooms, although she had no intention of making nice with James because he bought her a flower. “Where is my car?”

“Grady picked it up after lunch.”

“You planned this before you left my office, didn’t you?” Mandy challenged. “You were going to argue with me and then decided against it because you didn’t want to make a scene. Instead you took my car and left me no choice but to hitch a ride with you. Admit it.”

“That’s exactly what I did,” James replied, unruffled.

“You’re doing great on that bossy thing,” Mandy muttered, lowering her eyes so she could study the pavement.

“Baby, I don’t want to be bossy,” James said. “I’ve been working hard on not dictating to you. This is different. You’re angry and I’m not giving you the chance to take off and spend the night at Ally’s when I can’t sleep without you. If that makes me selfish … well … so be it.”

Mandy scowled. “I wouldn’t have taken off and gone to Ally’s house,” she said. “I’m not twelve.”

“You’ve done it before and it almost broke me,” James countered. “I wasn’t risking it over something that only happened in your head.”

Mandy knit her eyebrows together, frustration taking over. “Only happened in my head? Are you saying you weren’t having a cozy lunch with your ex-girlfriend at a romantic Italian restaurant?”

James’ mouth dropped open. “Romantic?”

“That restaurant is notorious because local lawyers take their girlfriends there to hide it from their wives. There’s a hotel next door for a reason.”

“I didn’t know that,” James argued. “Madeline insisted we had to talk over the specifics of the job at the restaurant because she had meetings this morning. It wasn’t my choice.”

“And what did you and Madeline talk about?”

“You.”

“Oh, how did that go?” Mandy rolled her eyes.

“She asked how we met,” James answered, not missing a beat. “She asked me how we fell in love. I told her all about our relationship. She understands that nothing is going to happen because I love you.”

“Really? Are you honestly telling me you don’t think she set your meeting at the Mount Clemens hookup spot because she knew I worked downtown and there was a chance I would see you?”

“Have you ever eaten there before?” James challenged.

“A few times.”

“How could Madeline possibly know you would eat there today?” James asked.

“Maybe she didn’t think I would be the one walking through that front door,” Mandy suggested. “Maybe she thought it would be one of the hundreds of lawyers I see every single day at the courthouse. All of them would be thrilled to tell me about my husband’s date.”

James exhaled heavily, annoyed. He thought Mandy’s idea was farfetched, but he wouldn’t put it past Madeline to do just that. “I’ll call Madeline and tell her I can’t take the job,” he said. “It’s still early. We haven’t expended any money buying equipment. She can find another company.”

“I’m not asking you to do that.”

“I’m trying to make amends with you, wife,” James said. “I need to know how to do it. I’ve never seen you this … jealous … before.”

Mandy narrowed her eyes into dangerous blue slits. “Excuse me? I am not jealous.”

“Really? Look at it from where I’m standing,” James argued. “You obviously don’t trust me to keep the vows we said to one another less than a year ago. It hurts … and I can’t help but feel like I’ve somehow let you down … but it is what it is. I will not let something as stupid as Madeline Stokes hiring us for an easy job derail this marriage.”

Mandy opened her mouth to argue and then snapped it shut, running a hand through her hair instead. “Don’t do that.” Her voice was so soft James almost didn’t hear it.

“Baby, you’re my wife and I’m not risking our marriage for anything,” James said. “I’m not upset about dropping the job. I wasn’t sure I should take it in the first place. Madeline was very professional so I didn’t see the harm. I’m not going to upset you, though. Especially now.”

“Is that what’s really behind this?” Mandy challenged. “Are you offering to drop the job because you think I’m fragile? Are you worried I’m going to curl up into a ball and cry like I did the night Lance Pritchard died?”

James faltered. He didn’t like the accusatory way she was going after him. “Do you think I’m worried that you’re fragile?”

“You seem to be,” Mandy said. “You’re calling my co-workers to make sure I eat. You’re watching me every second of the day when you think I don’t notice. You’re offering to drop a job because you don’t think I can emotionally take it right now. What else am I supposed to think?”

“You’re supposed to think that I love you and want to do what’s right for you,” James answered. “Baby, you’re the strongest person I’ve ever met. What you went through with Pritchard … I don’t know anyone who could’ve done as well as you did that night. You were amazing.

“I don’t think you’re fragile,” he continued. “I think you have nightmares and you’re unsure of yourself because you can’t get the memory of him dying out of your head. That doesn’t make you fragile. It makes you human.”

“But … .”

“Shut up,” James ordered, raising a warning finger. “Do you remember after the explosion when I had nightmares? Do you remember how I was terrified you would find out? Did that make me fragile?”

“Of course not.”

“How about after I forced you into the hot tub when you had hypothermia?” James asked. “You cried and begged me to take you out of that water. I was … haunted … by what I did. Was I fragile because I had trouble getting over that?”

Mandy’s eyes filled with tears. “No.”

“I don’t think you’re fragile,” James said. “I think you’re the bravest person I know. I am not offering to dump Madeline as a client because you’re fragile. I’m going to dump her because I don’t want you feeling insecure. That’s the one thing in this world I never want.”

James was surprised when Mandy closed the distance between them and wrapped her arms around his waist. He returned the hug, pressing a kiss to her forehead as he rocked her. “I love you, Mandy,” he whispered into her hair. “Life has thrown us some curveballs recently. That doesn’t mean I think you’re fragile.”

“Don’t quit the job,” Mandy said. “I was wrong to storm out of the restaurant like I did. I was surprised. I was hurt … even though I didn’t have a reason to be.”

“I think that’s a natural reaction,” James said, rubbing Mandy’s back. “I also think the smart thing to do is call Madeline and cancel the job.”

“No,” Mandy said, shaking her head and lifting her face so she could meet James’ steady gaze. “Just be careful. Don’t let her manipulate you into a bad situation. I trust you more than I’ve ever trusted anyone.”

“We’re going to see how this plays out, wife,” James said, brushing his thumb against Mandy’s cheek. “If I feel it’s going south, I’m pulling the plug. That’s all there is to it.”

“Okay.”

James lowered his mouth and kissed Mandy, internally sighing when she sank into the kiss. After a few moments, he pulled away and studied her. “Come on,” he said. “They’ve got crab legs at that chophouse you like. I called to check. I was worried it was going to take me longer to dig myself out of trouble and I decided to pull out the big seafood guns to give myself an edge.”

Mandy snorted. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize for having feelings,” James said. “I think we would be in trouble if you caught me at lunch with an old girlfriend and it didn’t upset you. That would mean you didn’t care. I need you to know that I would never do anything to betray you. I don’t have it in me.”

“I know. I’m … .”

“Don’t apologize,” James said, pressing his finger to Mandy’s lips to quiet her. “I love you more than life itself. You don’t have to apologize. I get it.”

“Thank you.”

James hugged Mandy tightly against his chest. “Just for the record, if I catch you having lunch with an ex-boyfriend I’m going to be arrested because I’m going to beat him up.”

Mandy laughed, the sound taking James by surprise even as it warmed him. “I was a virgin before we got together. I thought you knew that.”

“See, now you’re playing the game correctly,” James said, slinging an arm over Mandy’s shoulder and leading her toward his Explorer. “You were a virgin and so was I.”

“I think you’re pushing believability with that one.”

“It’s true, baby,” James said. “You are my one and only. Never doubt that.”

T
he rest
of the week was mostly uneventful. James met with Madeline a second time, forcing Grady to go with him to make sure there were no misunderstandings, and then he left Jake in charge of the job. His only contact with Madeline occurred via cell phone, and if she tried to stop by the office he magically found something else to call him away.

Mandy got over her jealousy – okay, mostly – and the couple happily resumed their life. Mandy still hadn’t gone into the guesthouse, and James was okay with that, but the nightmares were getting fewer and far between. She’d only had one the entire week, and James felt blessed when she slept an entire night – even if she did drool on his chest and snore.

The Mount Clemens Spring Festival hit Saturday, and since Mandy loved the art show James suggested everyone attend. Finn and Emma agreed to take Avery on his first outing – although they didn’t think they would stay long – and everyone else was excited about carnival food, rides, games, and the annual fireworks display over the Clinton River.

The family laid two blankets under a maple tree so Avery would have shade. It wasn’t hot yet, but spring had been kind and the temperature soared into the low seventies for the day. That was practically unheard of for Michigan in April.

Everyone gathered on the blankets first because Finn and Emma didn’t plan on staying long, and Ally had Avery in her arms before Emma could put up a fight.

“Who’s my little man?” Ally cooed.

“I think I was just insulted,” Jake deadpanned, causing everyone to laugh.

“I think Ally is going to kidnap him when I’m not looking one day,” Emma said, her expression rueful.

“He’s going to like me best,” Ally said, making a funny face as she attempted to make Avery smile. “I know it.”

“You’ll be his favorite aunt,” Finn said. “We’ve already promised it would happen. I don’t see why you have to be so manic about it.” He sat so Emma was positioned between his legs and he could massage her back. “You’re starting to freak me out because you’re obsessed with being his favorite.”

James sat behind Mandy and rubbed idle circles on her neck as he studied his nephew. The kid was cute … sort of. James was convinced babies were weird to look at until they had their first birthday. He would never admit that to Emma, though. He valued his own life too much.

He gazed at Mandy’s profile as she watched the baby, and as if by magic Avery focused on her and refused to look at Ally no matter how much she cajoled him.

“Look at him,” Finn said, mesmerized. “He’s obsessed with Mandy.”

“That’s because she’s the only person who won’t hold him,” Emma grumbled.

James shot her a warning look, shaking his head as he tugged on his limited patience. Mandy had been looking forward to the festival all week. If Emma ruined it, he was going to yell at a new mother and become the family villain. He just knew it.

“I’ll hold him when he can hold his head up on his own,” Mandy said, addressing the elephant in the room for the first time. “I’m not ready.”

“It’s okay,” Finn said softly. “We understand.”

“You already held him,” Emma prodded. “You were the first one to hold him.”

“That was before I had blood on my hands.” The statement was simple and harsh, and they cast a pall over the group. Mandy directed her gaze out to the river as she steadied herself.

James’ heart almost broke at the words. She’d spent an hour in the hotel shower the night Pritchard died, convinced she could see blood on her hands even after she’d almost scrubbed them raw. He knew her reticence about holding the baby stemmed from that, but he was surprised she finally admitted.

“I don’t understand,” Ally said. “I … .”

James grabbed Mandy around the waist and hauled her to a standing position, darting a dark look in Ally’s direction before turning Mandy so she was facing him. “What do you want to do first? Do you want me to win you a stuffed animal?”

Mandy laughed, the sound easing the tension on the blankets. “Let’s go to the art fair first.”

“The art fair it is,” James said, linking his fingers with Mandy’s as he waved at the rest of his family. “We’ll be around.”

“Have fun,” Grady said.

James led Mandy over the hill and toward the festival, casting the occasional look in her direction to see if she wanted to talk about what she’d said. That looked to be the last thing on her mind, so he indulged his gut and let it go, directing her toward the art fair instead.

“You know, one of our first dates was at an art fair,” James said. “I have fond memories of that day.”

“If I remember correctly, you tried to convince me to skip it and stay in bed with you all day,” Mandy teased, her eyes twinkling. “That was the first of many days that happened.”

“I’m a creature of habit, baby,” James said, happily following Mandy as she stopped at a table featuring hand-blown glass items. “I’m kind of like a dog. As long as you feed me, rub me, and let me hump your leg, I’m perfectly happy.”

The girl behind the table widened her eyes and giggled. “Oh, wow.”

“He doesn’t think before he speaks,” Mandy explained, although the fond expression she shot her husband melted his heart. “He’s cute despite that tiny flaw.”

“He’s smoking hot,” the girl enthused.

James grinned, arching a challenging eyebrow as he practically dared Mandy to argue with the girl. “Did you hear that? I’m hot, wife. You should bow down and worship me.”

“I will in the hot tub later tonight,” Mandy replied, lifting a beautiful gourd to study it. “These are neat. Do you work at that place on Main Street?”

“I do,” the girl said. “We have some other stuff you might be interested in. Do you like chickens?”

The corners of Mandy’s mouth tipped up. “My husband often refers to me as a hen.”

“Well, these are roosters, but they’re very popular,” the girl said, handing Mandy a heavy object.

The rooster was delightful. It was purple and white with a red gobbler. She was instantly in love with it. Mandy laughed as she looked it over. “I’m surprised how heavy it is.”

“They’re designed that way,” the girl explained. “The gourds are popular, too, but the roosters are everyone’s favorite.”

Mandy tipped it over and glanced at the price tag. “It’s expensive.”

“We’ll take it,” James said, grabbing the rooster from Mandy’s hand and handing it back to the sales clerk. “Wrap it well. We’re going to be at the festival all day and I don’t want it to break.”

“You’ve got it.”

Mandy shifted her eyes to James. “You don’t need to buy that for me,” she said. “It’s kind of expensive.”

“Something tells me you’re worth it, baby,” James said. “Besides, if we’re going to mark our art fair anniversary, you need a gift.”

“This isn’t the same art fair.”

“It’s close enough,” James said. “I’m buying it for you so … let it go.”

Mandy pressed her lips together to keep from laughing. “You know it’s a rooster and not a hen, right? I’m going to name it James and put it on my desk.”

“You have to name it Adonis if you’re naming it after me,” James said. “You have to be fair.”

“Adonis?”

“I don’t make the rules,” James said. “I just have to abide by them.”

“You’re definitely cute,” Mandy said, instinctively hugging him and kissing his neck. “You’re smoking hot, too.”

“Just wait until I get you in that hot tub,” James said. “I’m going to show you how smoking hot I am tonight.”

After purchasing her rooster, James followed Mandy down the long aisle of craft tents. Two years ago he would’ve hated an event like this. Now he relished watching Mandy because her joy was palpable. She saw beauty in everything, and he saw beauty in everything she did. An art fair was a perfect outing for them.

Mandy was intently going through a series of prints in a bin when James shifted his gaze to the outside street, frowning when he caught sight of Madeline. She was at the booth across the way, her eyes seemingly fixed on a ceramic bowl. James knew she’d been watching them moments before. He had no idea how he knew it, but he did.

As if sensing his gaze, Madeline lifted her head and feigned surprise. She waved instead of crossing the street, and James was thankful she insisted on playing her game instead of infringing on his day with his wife. There was no way Madeline was interested in an art fair. She either took a chance they would be there – or followed them. James didn’t like either scenario.

Mandy was so focused on her art hunt she didn’t notice Madeline, and when they moved farther up the street Madeline headed in the opposite direction. James exhaled heavily and laughed when Mandy picked out a metal rooster for the back garden before moving back toward the carnival.

They purchased iced teas at a stand and then directed themselves toward the games, James prodding Mandy to pick a stuffed animal so he could win it for her. In truth, James’ competitive nature would force him to play games simply because he liked to win. Since Mandy enjoyed picking out a stuffed animal at every festival – and then sitting back and watching him win it for her – it became something they could do together.

“Look,” Mandy said, pointing high on a shelf at the balloon dart exhibit.

James followed her finger, smirking when he saw the stuffed shark. It was actually cute, although not as ornate as the other animals. “Is that the one you want?”

“I don’t know. Do you think you can win it for me?”

It was a challenge, and James always rose to a challenge. “Baby, take a step back,” James said, handing her his drink. “You’re going to be amazed at how fast I win that shark for you.”

“Don’t go broke trying to win it,” Mandy cautioned. “We can probably buy one online for twenty bucks.”

“Are you insinuating I can’t win?”

“I’m insinuating these games are rigged and you’re a poor loser,” Mandy clarified. “Don’t go nuts.”

“You make me nuts, wife,” James said, pressing a quick kiss to her lips. “When I win this for you in less than five minutes, though, you need to bow down and tell everyone here who your master is.”

“Sure,” Mandy said, smirking. “You’re on.”

A
N HOUR
later James handed Mandy the shark and tapped his cheek.

“Thank me, wife.”

Mandy rolled up to the balls of her feet and did as instructed, pressing a loud kiss to his skin and giggling. “That was a lot longer than five minutes.”

“Yes, well, I’m a perfectionist,” James said, puffing out his chest as he grabbed one of the bags so Mandy wouldn’t be overloaded. “I wanted to make sure I did it exactly right. I didn’t want the shark to be tainted.”

“Good to know,” Mandy said, grinning. “I’m hungry.”

The words were music to James’ ears. “What do you want? They have kebabs from that place you like over there.”

“That sounds good.”

Mandy settled at the table with her loot while James ordered their food. When he returned to the picnic table he found Madeline sitting across from Mandy. The brunette happily chatted away while Mandy forced a smile.

James internally groaned as he moved around the table and delivered Mandy’s lunch, opting to sit sideways on the picnic table so he could keep Mandy close and deliver an obvious message to Madeline.

“Hi, James,” Madeline greeted him brightly. “I thought I saw you over at the art fair. I was sure I was imagining things because you don’t seem like an art fair sort of guy, but then I remembered you said Mandy was an artist. Does she make you go to art fairs?”

James handed Mandy a stack of napkins. “No. She doesn’t make me do anything. I like going to art fairs with her.”

“That’s not the same James Hardy I used to know and … like,” Madeline said, her smug smile wide enough to split her face.

“Well, I guess you didn’t know me then,” James shot back, his tone blasé. “What are you doing here? I wouldn’t think this is your scene.”

“Well, I’m doing a giveaway for the spa and I thought I should probably be here to hand out business cards,” Madeline answered. “Networking is a learning process, but I’m doing my best.”

James faltered. That was actually a legitimate reason for being at the fair. Still, James wasn’t convinced that was Madeline’s reason for attending. “Well, that sounds fun.”

“I also thought we could talk about the security system,” Madeline added. “You’ve been busy this week. Whenever I stop in at the security building Grady informs me you’ve just left … or you’re working from home … or you’re out on another job.”

“I’m a busy man,” James said. “You’re not my only client. I put Jake in charge of your job. I’m sure he’s doing everything correctly. He’s very reliable.”

“I’m sure he is, too,” Madeline said. “I thought we could talk about a few more enhancements today. I’m sure Mandy doesn’t mind. This is business, after all.”

Mandy’s cheeks colored. “I can go back to the blanket and see what everyone else is doing,” she offered lamely.

“No,” James said, shaking his head. “I’m not working today. I’m sorry, Madeline. If you have updates you want to talk about, Jake will be available Monday. This is a family day. I’m spending it with my wife.”

Madeline clearly wasn’t used to being put off. “But … it will only take five minutes.”

“Well, then it can take five minutes on Monday,” James said. “There’s absolutely nothing you can say to drag me away from my wife.”

“What? More stuffed sharks to win?” For a second Madeline’s forced smile slipped.

“If she wants one,” James replied, unruffled. “We’re going to play more games. We’re going to eat some elephant ears. Then we’re going to watch the fireworks and go home so we can play a new game.”

“How nice for you,” Madeline deadpanned.

“It’s the perfect day,” James said, reaching for his kebab. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’m on a date with my wife. I’m sure you understand.”

Madeline’s expression was murderous. “Oh, I understand.”